Nobody Puts Iowa in the Corner
Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann made news in November when he said essentially we are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Caucuses, and you can support any candidate that you want as long as it's Trump.
Kauffman's quotes over the last couple of years include "We love Donald Trump! And if you don't love him (Ben Sasse), I'd suggest you stay on your side of the Missouri River." and "Quite frankly, if Iowa wants to retain our first-in-the-nation caucus status we can't have people wandering off and supporting all these other fringe candidates." It's clear the chairman who has said he's 1000% behind Trump isn't looking for competition. However, even in November, he stopped short of cancelling the Straw Poll.
Now, that California has made it known that they are holding a primary in March of 2020, all bets are off. Iowa is fiercely proud of it's first-in-the-nation status, and it is something that may even trump Trump. Kaufmann says he plans to hold the caucus, and everyone will be welcome, which doesn't seem controversial, but where South Carolina looks like they might cancel their primary to avoid inter-party conflict and make the path clear for Trump.
To be fair, the caucus should be an easy trot for Trump. 67% of Iowan Republicans said they would "definitely support" Trump. Still, there is no doubt, there could be drama. 29% of Iowan Republicans say they would be open to another candidate. Iowa did skip caucuses for incumbents Bush 41 and 43 in 1992 and 2004, though of course, it didn't stop Pat Buchanan's insurgency in the end. Also, Iowa feels securely in Trump's column, but Ted Cruz actually won the caucus, and though it wasn't enough to save his campaign, Marco Rubio's third place was nearly identical to Trump's second.
Indeed, there are a few names that keep popping up- Ben Sasse, John Kasich, Jeff Flake, Ted Cruz- not to mention wild cards like Evan McMullin, Mark Cuban, Mike Pence, Mitt Romney and I keep telling you this, James Mattis.
Will Iowa be a battleground?
We will see.
While I am here, it seems relevant to include some thoughts that were posted by the Des Moines Register at Bush 41's passing. George HW Bush was not a favorite to win the 1980 nomination. That said, he followed Carter's 76 strategy and toured the state relentlessly, visiting all 99 counties. Bush made 31 visits while favorite Ronald Reagan took a win for granted. Bush won Iowa's caucus that year - by about 2000 votes (2 percent). This set up Bush as a serious force for moderate Republicans, and was a factor in him ultimately becoming Vice President.
Kauffman's quotes over the last couple of years include "We love Donald Trump! And if you don't love him (Ben Sasse), I'd suggest you stay on your side of the Missouri River." and "Quite frankly, if Iowa wants to retain our first-in-the-nation caucus status we can't have people wandering off and supporting all these other fringe candidates." It's clear the chairman who has said he's 1000% behind Trump isn't looking for competition. However, even in November, he stopped short of cancelling the Straw Poll.
Now, that California has made it known that they are holding a primary in March of 2020, all bets are off. Iowa is fiercely proud of it's first-in-the-nation status, and it is something that may even trump Trump. Kaufmann says he plans to hold the caucus, and everyone will be welcome, which doesn't seem controversial, but where South Carolina looks like they might cancel their primary to avoid inter-party conflict and make the path clear for Trump.
To be fair, the caucus should be an easy trot for Trump. 67% of Iowan Republicans said they would "definitely support" Trump. Still, there is no doubt, there could be drama. 29% of Iowan Republicans say they would be open to another candidate. Iowa did skip caucuses for incumbents Bush 41 and 43 in 1992 and 2004, though of course, it didn't stop Pat Buchanan's insurgency in the end. Also, Iowa feels securely in Trump's column, but Ted Cruz actually won the caucus, and though it wasn't enough to save his campaign, Marco Rubio's third place was nearly identical to Trump's second.
Indeed, there are a few names that keep popping up- Ben Sasse, John Kasich, Jeff Flake, Ted Cruz- not to mention wild cards like Evan McMullin, Mark Cuban, Mike Pence, Mitt Romney and I keep telling you this, James Mattis.
Will Iowa be a battleground?
We will see.
While I am here, it seems relevant to include some thoughts that were posted by the Des Moines Register at Bush 41's passing. George HW Bush was not a favorite to win the 1980 nomination. That said, he followed Carter's 76 strategy and toured the state relentlessly, visiting all 99 counties. Bush made 31 visits while favorite Ronald Reagan took a win for granted. Bush won Iowa's caucus that year - by about 2000 votes (2 percent). This set up Bush as a serious force for moderate Republicans, and was a factor in him ultimately becoming Vice President.
Kauffman is an idiot and one of the reasons I left the Republican party. Glad you're writing a blog, Allen! Keep up the good work!
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