So, the Iowa Caucuses are today.
Whoop-de-freakin' do.
Now, before you think I'm down on the whole process, let me correct that assumption. As someone who has actually participated in said caucuses, I can tell you that, really and truly, it's a neat thing for those involved. You make your way, at the appointed time, to your precinct's caucus location (there's one for Democrats and one for Republicans. In fact, two doors down from our house in Des Moines, there was some sort of hippy learning center that was where all the Birkenstock sportin' moonbats in our precinct gathered.), you take off your coat, and find a seat. The Republican caucus for our precinct was held at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, so, thankfully, we had comfy theater chairs to sit in. A younger gentleman came onto the stage and announced that he was, technically speaking, in charge of this shebang, and asked people who supported the various candidates who were running to stand and explain why they thought their dude was the right one for the job. And, surprisingly enough, people did just that. The guy I remember the most was a Buchanan supporter. He was dressed in bibs, boots, and a snowy-white beard that flowed down to his chest, and spoke rather eloquently, I thought, about why he thought Bucky would make the best Republican nominee for President. Whilst most of the people assembled rolled their eyes, I was surprised by the number of people who applauded. Then it was time to vote. If I'm remembering correctly, when you're asked to place your ballot (which is a piece of paper where you've written your dude's name on it), you did so when they called your candidate's name. So, all the Lamar Alexander people walked up at a different time than did the Bob Dole supporters, etc. There wasn't a secret ballot. You're expected to cast your vote unashamedly, and in full view of your neighbors. Once the tally was over and done with, and the winner announced, more than half the people in the theater fled like rats from a sinking ship. Some people, like the husband and myself, stuck around for what it turns out was a hashing out of the Republican party platform. Every issue that was raised was debated, and then voted upon. Theoretically, these issues were to be raised at the state party level. Whether or not that actually happened, I have no idea. But, on the whole, it was an instructive experience.
The husband, at that point in his varied career choices, was managing a restaurant in West Des Moines (rhymes with "Timmy's") and the place---and the servers who worked there---had been making boatloads of money from all the hungry politicos and media types. While they were all happy for the increased sales, everyone was, really and truly, quite over it by that point in time and the caucuses actually did seem like quite the anti-climax. Everyone was happy when the news trucks---and the obnoxious anchors attached to them---and the politicos moved on to New Hampshire. I was happy the phone stopped ringing at the house, because, in the days leading up to the caucus, it never stopped as people working the phone banks for the various campaigns kept calling, repeatedly. The third time Bob Dole's campaign called, the volunteer on the other end of the line got it with both barrels. I'd had it and let them know it. After that, I turned the ringer off for three straight days. I wasn't surprised when some random soul told me later that there were more unlisted numbers in Iowa than any other state in the country. I don't know if this is true, but I could totally believe it if it was. I can only imagine how much it must have sucked to be on the voter rolls in Iowa this time around, with the various campaigns calling over the holidays.
Whilst I think the process is a good thing, I'm nonetheless sick of all of this crap. I really don't care. Very few people outside of Iowa care. I know this hurts the Iowans, because they really do like their moment in the spotlight, but really, people, the rest of us are sick of it.
Call me after the nomination process is over with.
Who's with me? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
BECAUSE I'M ALL ABOUT BEING FAIR UPDATE: Here's devoted Cake Eater Reader Russ from Winterset's speech supporting Teh Fred.
Posted by Kathy at January 3, 2008 12:58 PM | TrackBack