Iowa should join in primary fight - DM Register - Dave Nagle Op-Ed

[Debi]

Pardon me, and I do not mean to rain on the parade, but Iowa members of the Democratic Party’s Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling are mistaken in running a victory lap. They're celebrating, claiming that Iowa has retained its first-in-the-nation status.

There is a clear winner in Iowa, but it is not Iowa.

<snip>

You see, Gov. Tom Vilsack wants to run for president, which explains why he was in Florida on the day of the vote, appearing before the Florida State Democratic Party Convention, rather than in Washington, with his state’s future on the line. But if Sen. Tom Harkin taught us anything, it is that when an Iowan runs for president in Iowa, nobody else bothers to come.

<snip>

But there is something worse that happened: Iowa broke its word. We have always fought with New Hampshire to preserve both processes. Recognizing that we had few friends in a hostile political world, we avoided competing with each other and sought to ensure that the process started in two states with a reputation for retail politics.

When I spoke afterward with friends in New Hampshire, they expressed a sense of betrayal. They understand that if the DNC can diminish their state in 2008, Iowa will fall in 2012. They understand what we both gave up in the face of our governor’s political ambition: a historical pact that has served both states well for the last quarter century.

<snip>

Almost 25 years ago, when I joined this fight to keep Iowa first, I thought it would be one of our own that would give us up. It still hurts to see it when it happens.


http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051221/OPINION01/51220032&SearchID=73230145442728

[IA_Seth]

1. Vilsack 08

I hate to see it, but I am envisioning Vilsack picking up the top spot in Iowa, due to him calling in favors and Pederson being able to pressure locals through county chairs.

Those of us that aren't real excited about a DLC'er, or specifically Tom Vilsack (more in my case), claiming Iowa need to make sure we not only support, but reach out to outside campaigns.

Out of my top 4 of the names bandied about at this point as 'probable' in taking a stab at the nomination, Vilsack is nowhere on my list. Locally I think I can pick up on a lot of not so much "anti" Vilsack feelings, but certainly a lack of passion. We can't let him sweep our state just because he is from here.

[Debi]

2. The problem Vilsack is creating with the calendar is that nobody else

may come to the state (I'm exagerating here).

We all know what happens to a candidate that doesn't campaign in Iowa.....

How will we vet the '08 candidates? How will we get to discuss the issues that are important to our state? What if we had a caucus and nobody came?

Vilsack's tampering with the calendar will stop us from having ANY say in who our nominee is, I don't like that a bit.