Bay Shore NY
1-09-2024 1:00pm

Politics, Friendships, and the Iowa Caucus

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - POLITICS, FRIENDSHIPS, AND THE IOWA CAUCUS

The big day is nearly here. After months of campaigning, Republican presidential candidates will face the first-in-the-nation test during the Jan. 15 Iowa Caucuses. This might be a good playing field to observe before we have those dreaded political conversations with friends. It can destroy a decades old relationship if we don't know the history of the candidates and what they espouse to achieve. We might also take some time to read about the parties they represent. And the Civil War. Let's not forget our nation's past. It's still an unfortunate part of the present.

In 1972, Iowa was the first state to hold its Democratic caucus, and it had the first Republican caucus four years later. Under Iowa law, political parties are required to hold caucuses every two years to select delegates to county conventions and party committees.

Prior to 1972, the Iowa caucuses were not the presidential testing ground they are today. The caucuses moved to the forefront as a result of legislation passed by the General Assembly which dictated the latest date caucuses could be held (the second Monday in May) but did not limit how early they could be held. In addition to this legislation, the Democratic party of Iowa “added a clause to their party constitution requiring thirty days between party functions,” (Winebrenner 1987). This resulted in January 24 as the latest possible date for the democratic caucuses in 1972, moving Iowa ahead of the New Hampshire primaries.

Iowa’s role in presidential politics is often seen as controversial. The question of why such a small, homogenous state has so much influence is debated every four years. While the caucuses don’t always choose a party’s nominee, they often add momentum to the front runners and weed out the candidates with weaker showings. The democratic party embraced Iowa as an early testing ground with George McGovern’s strong showing in 1972 and Jimmy Carter spending a large amount of time in Iowa to claim an early win in 1976. More recently, Howard Dean’s campaign began to fail after a weak showing in the 2004 caucuses and Barack Obama surprised everyone with an early Iowa win in 2008, which many believe gave him the momentum to win the party’s nomination and eventually the presidency. Republicans were slower to use Iowa as an early testing ground, but George Bush surprised future president Ronald Reagan with a strong showing in 1980, and dark horse candidate Mike Huckabee’s win in 2008 substantially extended the life of his campaign.

The reason why Iowa had gone first for decades started with the 1968 Democratic Convention.

The lead up to the 1968 convention had been tumultuous. The Vietnam War was in its 14th year, both Martin Luther King Jr. and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy were assassinated that spring and President Lyndon B. Johnson had withdrawn from the race in March, deciding against seeking another term. That April, Hubert Humphrey—Johnson’s vice president—jumped into the race. Humphrey’s public support of Johnson, specifically regarding the Vietnam War, upset many anti-war protestors.

Why Does the Iowa Caucus Come First?

While Democratic political leaders filed into the convention hall, protestors brutally clashed with police right outside its doors, with television broadcasting the political divide to the nation. Hubert Humphry would go on to win the Democratic nomination (over George McGovern and Eugene McCarthy) despite not winning a single primary, highlighting for many the disparity between public opinion and the political process. Your vote matters. 

Eager to repair the damage from the 1968 primary campaign, Democratic party leaders formed the McGovern-Fraser Commission. The commission’s job was to improve the nomination process so voters would have a direct say as to who would be their nominee for president, ensuring that party leaders would no longer work behind closed doors to manipulate the process. State party leaders had to give a 30-day notice before hosting primaries or caucuses, encouraging full participation.

Iowa’s long nominating process, featuring four statewide events (the caucuses, followed by conventions at the county, congressional district and state levels), combined with the 30-day notice required for events, meant it needed a bit of a head start, and an early slot on the voting calendar.

The first candidate to draw the nation’s attention to the Iowa Caucus was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Carter’s campaign had neither the visibility nor the money to compete in bigger state primaries early in the electoral season, so they put in a great effort to win Iowa. While many of Iowa’s Democratic voters officially remained uncommitted, Carter’s surprisingly strong finish provided some much-needed momentum. Carter was able to capitalize on the media attention he garnered to propel himself forward, ultimately winning the Democratic presidential nomination and then the presidency.

Since then, Iowa remained a crucial proving ground for nearly every presidential candidate. But the state had a spotty record of picking the president. Among Republicans since 1980, the winner of the Iowa caucuses has won the presidency just once: George W. Bush in 2000. Among Democrats, only Carter in 1976 and Barack Obama in 2008 placed first among the candidates and eventually captured the White House.

In 2020, snafus in the vote-counting process stalled the release of Iowa's Democratic primary results for nearly a week. Pete Buttigieg pulled off a thin victory, but the chaotic process diminished enthusiasm for the state's premier place in the primary line-up among many Democrats. We all know the outcome of that race.

The Iowa caucus remains a key pivotal point in our Presidential elections whether we like it or not, but it doesn't necessarily predict the winner. It can, however, give us an idea of the possible outcome. So, before you start having those political conversations with your friends and spout out what you think you know, think twice. Wait for the caucus. Then decide who you want to vote for and who you think has the best chance. Anyone can say anything on the campaign trail, but it's what they do in the White House that holds the most clout. Vote.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, we may think we understand more about politics than we did when we were younger. The truth is we still know very little because of a complex election process. We only know what is reported by the biased media. Read history. That will give you a much better idea of this dirty business we call politics.

 SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - IOWA

Iowa ranks first in beef, pork, corn, soybean, and grain production. One Iowa family farm grows enough food and fiber to feed 279 people. The world's first electronic digital computer was built and operated by researchers at Iowa State University in the 1930's. Who knew?

Here are some fun facts about the caucus state:

-The estimated population of Iowa is 2,830,000. Among the 50 states, Iowa ranks 30th in population and 23rd in land area.

-The word "Iowa" comes from the American Indian tribe of the same name.

-Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846. That's a late comer.

-Iowa is the only state bordered by two navigable rivers: the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River to the east.

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK 

Dear God,

Help me hold my tongue and walk away gracefully when a friend wants to talk opposing politics. It's not my favorite conversation. May the best man/woman win. God Bless America. Land of the free and home of the brave. Amen.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

That government is best which governs least. The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for them to do themselves. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Violence is the last resort of the incompetent.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you enjoy talking about politics? Why?

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble next to the heart at the bottom of my newsletter. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by RAY CHARLES

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LYRICS

Oh beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self, their country loved
And mercy more than life

America, America may God thy gold refine
'Til all success be nobleness
And every gain divined

And you know when I was in school
We used to sing it something like this, listen here

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain

But now wait a minute, I'm talking about
America, sweet America
You know, God done shed his grace on thee
He crowned thy good, yes he did, in brotherhood
From sea to shining sea

You know, I wish I had somebody to help me sing this
(America, America, God shed his grace on thee)
America, I love you America, you see
My God he done shed his grace on thee
And you oughta love him for it
'Cause he, he, he, he crowned thy good
He told me he would, with brotherhood
(From sea to shining Sea)
Oh Lord, oh Lord, I thank you Lord
(Shining sea)

About Skylark and How to Follow Me

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter; Skylark Live Town News, and a monthly vlog; 60 and Beyond with Skylark. I’m still mulling around the idea of monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. This is a work in progress. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.


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