Iowa post-mortem
January 7th 2008 23:31
I'm sure you know by now, but Mike Huckabee won the Iowa GOP caucus and Barack Obama won the Iowa Democratic caucus. Both won by pretty healthy margins. What does this mean?
Well, on the GOP side, the Evangelicals certainly had an impact. They came out in force for Huckabee, a Baptist preacher. I think there was more to it than that, however. Huckabee talks about the GOP again becoming the party of Main Street instead of the party of Wall Street (a good line he has often repeated). As the economy continues to slow down, that message will really resonate with all voters -- regardless of party. Huckabee acknowledges and speaks to the unease people are feeling -- and he does so without being alarmist or overly negative. That type of candor is refreshing.
On the Democratic side, Obama really made a statement with his win. His message is a positive one and he can be at least somewhat credible when he portrays himself as the candidate for change (especially when compared to the other candidates).
What happened to Hillary? Well, if change is what people want, then the folks in Iowa must not view her as a change agent. She has been touting her "35 years of experience", but that must not be working either (and seeing how she has only been in an elected office for seven years, I'm not surprised). I did hear that Hillary's camp is now desperate to "humanize" her. As if on cue, she had a borderline weepy moment today. Maybe I'm too cynical, but the Clintons have given us every reason to be cynical over the years. I even heard in her voice some echoes of Bill Clinton. She sounded just like Bill did during his "I feel your pain" speech. I guess they scripted/rehearsed this episode together.
New Hampshire's primary occurs tomorrow. Obama seems well-positioned to win on the Dem side. The GOP victory appears to be a two-man race between McCain and Romney. I guess we'll see what happens. If Obama wins convincingly, though, he may be off to the races.
Well, on the GOP side, the Evangelicals certainly had an impact. They came out in force for Huckabee, a Baptist preacher. I think there was more to it than that, however. Huckabee talks about the GOP again becoming the party of Main Street instead of the party of Wall Street (a good line he has often repeated). As the economy continues to slow down, that message will really resonate with all voters -- regardless of party. Huckabee acknowledges and speaks to the unease people are feeling -- and he does so without being alarmist or overly negative. That type of candor is refreshing.
On the Democratic side, Obama really made a statement with his win. His message is a positive one and he can be at least somewhat credible when he portrays himself as the candidate for change (especially when compared to the other candidates).
What happened to Hillary? Well, if change is what people want, then the folks in Iowa must not view her as a change agent. She has been touting her "35 years of experience", but that must not be working either (and seeing how she has only been in an elected office for seven years, I'm not surprised). I did hear that Hillary's camp is now desperate to "humanize" her. As if on cue, she had a borderline weepy moment today. Maybe I'm too cynical, but the Clintons have given us every reason to be cynical over the years. I even heard in her voice some echoes of Bill Clinton. She sounded just like Bill did during his "I feel your pain" speech. I guess they scripted/rehearsed this episode together.
New Hampshire's primary occurs tomorrow. Obama seems well-positioned to win on the Dem side. The GOP victory appears to be a two-man race between McCain and Romney. I guess we'll see what happens. If Obama wins convincingly, though, he may be off to the races.
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Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Well said I enjoyed your post, and agree Huckabee is a refreshing change for the GOP, and Obama seems to be picking up momentum.
Huckabee may come in a distant third in New Hampshire, but should do well in South Carolina, and in Florida.
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
I believe the media breathed life into Hillary's campaign by starting the march to victory for Obama. They'll probably back off now.