Reflections of Iowa

This (paraphrased) email came to a mailing list that I'm on:

I'm sort of surprised that there isn't any political conversation regarding the Iowa caucus results. Anyone have strong feelings? Perhaps the more interesting thing to discuss is what will happen on the republican side. Which republican will be the easiest to defeat in the election? Who will be able to rally the party enough to be the decisive candidate after the primaries?

It seems to me that a lot of democrats are most interested in putting forward the candidate that seems most electable rather than the one that most represents their politics. Given the current political situation, this makes perfect sense to me.

Here's my response:

Gosh, with that subject (Iowa), I assumed this was about a Dar Williams song. ;-)

The two people that I thought would make the best Presidents just dropped out - Biden and Dodd. Can't say I'm surprised in the least. Either Edwards or Obama would be great moral compasses to right the ship, very electable, and good potential Presidents - Edwards for greater electability, Obama for greater experience (while he'd get more poll turnout in a positive way, the negative ads would really fire up and get out the idiot vote). The right has spent sooooooo much time, effort and money for so long convincing their base that Hillary is the antichrist that she would also result in a strong "right base" turnout, and therefore less electable. While I also think she'd be a very fine President, 6th on my list of what I consider an extremely, extremely strong field of candidates. I haven't looked into Richardson enough, so not sure where he'd rank w/ me, but not top 3.

In the meaningless WI primary of '04, I voted against my choice, Dean, and voted for Kerry because I thought he was more electable, but still an excellent candidate. I think I was wrong and should have voted my issues. Therefore, none of the above changes my vote for Kucinich. Would I be so cavalier if I thought he had a shot at the nomination but would have trouble in the general election? Probably not, as I still think getting "the one true party" out of the White House is the single most important issue for improving this country.

On the GOP side, I have no idea what I'd do if I was a fervent Republican and had to pick from that lot. I'd probably trick myself into forgetting about how much of a sellout to political winds McCain turns out to be, and remember his good points and pick him. I'd probably be tempted into Liberatarianism, but have no need for a racist (or best-case, someone that pretends to be be in order to woo the "rebel vote").

Being a liberal, it's a tough choice who I would want to see get the GOP nod. Probably Thompson, because he's a complete joke and it would be funny to see him fall asleep in the debates (same would have applied to Tommy). Huckabee is a joke too, of course, but would get out the "elect God's choice" vote. Rotten Rudy has the greatest capacity for sleaze and corruption, so I wouldn't really care to see the right's character assassination election tactics get escalated. McCain has positives, Mitt has money - so either would would generate more right excitement than Freddy "hey, I'm kinda like Regan" T.

I once thought McCain was selected as "the one true party's" guy, since he was presented with the campaign prowess of the swiftboat organization (a further testament to his political sell-out-ness). But he can't raise or supply the money of Rudy or Mitt, which is what matters there.

As for '08 prediction - Obama over Rudy.