Personal About Politics: Political Pulse of Iowa Update

Bulletins have been coming in fast and furious this week from various points in Iowa.

Larry in Ames has been very prolific in providing information. He told me, “Cheri, in my total un-scientific sampling, here’s what I’ve come up with.”

My friend Ron is retired, affluent, and rabidly anti-Bush. He’s supporting Edwards because, for Ron, the biggest issue is the war in Iraq. He likes Richardson a lot for his aggressive approach to withdrawing troops from Iraq and his impressive resume of public service, but Ron doesn’t think the governor from New Mexico can have much impact in the Iowa caucuses.

We have two “elderly’ friends Ann and Ted (probably early 80’s) and they’re life long Democrats. Ted is a retired English professor and Ann retired from the state department of transportation. We had dinner with them last week and Ted said he’s for Hillary, but didn’t really have any all-important reason for his support. He just likes her and thinks she’d be a good president. Ann, however, is basically undecided and has narrowed it down to about six candidates, so she admitted to me that she’s probably not much help.

In casual conversations at the gym with my friend Ralph, I know he likes Edwards and the second tier candidates a great deal. He’s not necessarily anti-Hillary and he’d enthusiastically vote for her in the general election. He also thinks Richardson would make an excellent VP choice.

My friend Dick is by far the most outspoken in his strong dislike for Hillary. He’s certainly not a traditional Democrat, but he’s no Republican either. He likes Richardson because he has the “brains and the experience”. 

This is from my friend Holly: “Ok. Larry. I’m supporting Hillary for several reasons. I think she has the best chance of winning, I’m excited about finally having a female president in my lifetime, I think she and Bill could restore our standing in world opinion. I’m tired of having an incredibly ignorant and self-righteous prez, I’m concerned about who appoints the next few Supreme Court justices, etc.”

“My primary political concerns: Universal health care would be 1, 2 & 3. I have an uninsurable 22 year- old son. This problem isn’t going away. I’m concerned about the war, and the potential for expanding war in the Middle East.”

“I’m very concerned about the environment. I’m concerned that big business influences all major decisions in the country to the detriment of all of us. The growing divide between rich and middle class in the U.S. is a huge problem.”

Here is a commentary from Sallie, daughter of Ann and Ted (see above). She is 40ish, single and a professional.

“Here’s my very superficial, top-of-mind stuff.”

     •     Yes, I will attend my caucus.  And screw those damned NY columnists who appear on Sunday morning talk shows saying the Iowa caucus process is a very weird, strange event because you actually have to talk to people who are your neighbors and know how they vote.  What an idiot!  Take a history class.  Democracy is more than anonymously filling in an oval circle.
    •     Issues:  GLBT rights, environment, but above all else, leadership.  And not cowboy gun-toting bullying.  Real leadership.  Like doing things that have never been done.  Like doing the right thing not only for America but for the world, the earth, and humanity.  Like diplomacy.  Like crossing the aisle to come up with solutions that are sensible.  Like communication skills.  I'll tell you more after I finish Lee Iacocca's book, "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?"
    •     Candidates:  No republican will get my vote.  Any of the Dems will.  I like Bill Richardson a lot - I'm not keen on his photo op with a dead something-or-other but he's got great experience and is self-deprecating (he's smart enough to know how to do that, unlike W).  Whoever gets him as VP will win.  Edwards is losing appeal to me as is Obama.  Gaining is Chris Dodd but not likely to grab my vote.  Dennis K - I saw him four years ago and wasn't impressed - didn't think his health care plan made much practical sense.  If she's (Hillary) not my first choice at caucus, she is the one I will swing to in the end.  Smart, connected, respected, articulate, experienced.
 
Finally, Larry concludes with this: “And what about me? I like Richardson a lot and I’d probably support him if the caucuses were immediate. Like Ron, I have my doubts about how much impact he can have in Iowa. That said, I may show up on caucus night, stick my finger to the wind, and support Edwards…..or Obama….or maybe even Hillary.”

“P.S. As you might notice, Obama isn’t on anyone’s radar screen and everyone likes Richardson….for something.”

 
Lori checked in from North Central Iowa with this information:

“Mitt Romney seems to be gaining support…which is a surprise to me since he is a Mormon and Iowans are as much into religion as politics. Part of Mitt’s appeal is his stance on Illegal immigration. Being in a very ag community we have too many illegals here. And frankly it just makes people angry. Hillary is losing support because of her view on illegals. Giving them amnesty doesn’t fly here.”

Bruce and his wife Nancy in Eastern Iowa attended a caucus training session and will be going to see Richardson speak on Friday and will be attending a housewarming for Dodd on Sunday. We’ll get his report next week.

And finally, my daughter Shannon in Northwest Iowa sent over an interesting e-mail today. Her in-laws were going to a meeting about Obama. They really like Obama and wanted to know his stand on issues, primarily farming. Shannon was shocked they both liked a Democrat, since they have always supported Republicans.

So, that’s the latest under-the-radar chatter from my Iowa sources. Or as Sallie so succinctly said, " screw those damned NY columnists who appear on Sunday morning talk shows.”