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Congratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
As Caucus Night Nears, Viable Options Dwindle
Iowa Starting LineThe night of February 3 is still shaping up to be chaotic, just much less so now.
Along with several credible contenders departing the race in the past two months, a few more appear to be shifting their focus solely to New Hampshire. Other candidates remain despite their campaign’s full collapse.
Tulsi Gabbard has her contingent of anti-war, outsider-type voters everywhere in the country, including in Iowa. But she hasn’t appeared in Iowa since October, instead spending the vast majority of her time in New Hampshire, a place where the crossover independent vote could buoy her to a surprise showing.
Michael Bennet did a big push in Iowa back in the mid-fall, but he too has diverted his focus to New Hampshire. He’s in the middle of a 50-town hall journey in the state, they’re fundraising specifically for New Hampshire advertising, and at least some of their Iowa staff have moved there. While Gabbard never built up a sizable Iowa operation, Bennet had over 20 people here at one point and was putting together some notable endorsement groups.
Meanwhile, Deval Patrick didn’t come back after his initial trip here, and Michael Bloomberg is skipping the first four states altogether.
There’s good reason to focus on New Hampshire at this point if you’re struggling with money or attention. The 15% viability threshold in most Iowa precincts could wipe out any underperforming candidate. In New Hampshire, a surprise 7% showing could get you some new media attention. It’s much harder to get that in Iowa.
Along with several credible contenders departing the race in the past two months, a few more appear to be shifting their focus solely to New Hampshire. Other candidates remain despite their campaign’s full collapse.
Tulsi Gabbard has her contingent of anti-war, outsider-type voters everywhere in the country, including in Iowa. But she hasn’t appeared in Iowa since October, instead spending the vast majority of her time in New Hampshire, a place where the crossover independent vote could buoy her to a surprise showing.
Michael Bennet did a big push in Iowa back in the mid-fall, but he too has diverted his focus to New Hampshire. He’s in the middle of a 50-town hall journey in the state, they’re fundraising specifically for New Hampshire advertising, and at least some of their Iowa staff have moved there. While Gabbard never built up a sizable Iowa operation, Bennet had over 20 people here at one point and was putting together some notable endorsement groups.
Meanwhile, Deval Patrick didn’t come back after his initial trip here, and Michael Bloomberg is skipping the first four states altogether.
There’s good reason to focus on New Hampshire at this point if you’re struggling with money or attention. The 15% viability threshold in most Iowa precincts could wipe out any underperforming candidate. In New Hampshire, a surprise 7% showing could get you some new media attention. It’s much harder to get that in Iowa.
If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden