What a great opportunity to see the presidential political process up close and personal. The first in the nation Iowa Caucus process is set for next Tuesday night, starting at 7:00 pm. In every county in Iowa, registered Republicans can vote for their selected candidate for President. For a summary of the actual procedure, click here.
President Obama has no challenger and therefore the Democratic caucus in Iowa becomes a non-event, except for the President's ability to show strength.
The Republican candidates, however, are posturing for proper recognition in the first official step toward endorsement. I say "posturing" because meeting expectations is usually more important than actually winning. For example, in the 2008 Iowa Caucus, Mitt Romney set high expectations and worked hard in Iowa. In the end, however, Romney lost the vote to Mike Huckabee, which cost him substantial momentum and ended in a McCain endorsement.
The Iowa Caucus starts the January process of picking a Republican Presidential candidate. Iowa is followed by the New Hampshire primary on January 10th, South Carolina Primary on January 21st and the Florida Primary on January 31st.
In Minnesota, we get our first official taste of Presidential Politics on February 7th, when all caucus attendees participate in a non-binding straw poll. Minnesota will get its final taste of Presidential politics on May 4th and 5th when we select our delegates to the GOP national convention (Tampa Bay, Florida in August)
For a pretty good calendar showing this timeline, click here.
As for the horse race, it all started on August 13th, with a straw poll of Republican activists who picked Mn. Congresswoman Bachmann as their top pick by 28.6%. Our other native candidate, Tim Pawlenty, lost the expectations game by finishing third with 13.6%. The front runner status then went to various candidates such as Herman Cain, Newt Ginrich and Ron Paul, with Mitt Romney staying always in the top tier. A home stretch surge is now in play from Texas Governor Perry and former Pennsylvania Senator Santorum.
Why should all of this matter for Minnesotans? For starters, it is just good information. We have great local media coverage, such as local KIMT coverage and interviews with each candidate. SIDENOTE: I am appearing as a guest on the KIMT caucus coverage on Tuesday night's program. Watch the 10 pm broadcast to see how I do.
In addition, nearly every magazine, newspaper and the entire blogosphere have intense coverage on the candidates' positions on issues. This is much different than the sound bite coverage that we normally see. Moreover, in a country that trends to the coasts, it is a rare opportunity to see the candidates through a mid-western lens.
Tuesday night, all eyes will be on Iowa to see the latest leg of the presidential selection process. While many will groan about the election starting too early, it is the process we have in front of us. I for one encourage everyone to take a look at the candidates -- you will see a lot of them in the months ahead -- but not this good of a look.
In Minnesota, we get our first official taste of Presidential Politics on February 7th, when all caucus attendees participate in a non-binding straw poll. Minnesota will get its final taste of Presidential politics on May 4th and 5th when we select our delegates to the GOP national convention (Tampa Bay, Florida in August)
For a pretty good calendar showing this timeline, click here.
As for the horse race, it all started on August 13th, with a straw poll of Republican activists who picked Mn. Congresswoman Bachmann as their top pick by 28.6%. Our other native candidate, Tim Pawlenty, lost the expectations game by finishing third with 13.6%. The front runner status then went to various candidates such as Herman Cain, Newt Ginrich and Ron Paul, with Mitt Romney staying always in the top tier. A home stretch surge is now in play from Texas Governor Perry and former Pennsylvania Senator Santorum.
Why should all of this matter for Minnesotans? For starters, it is just good information. We have great local media coverage, such as local KIMT coverage and interviews with each candidate. SIDENOTE: I am appearing as a guest on the KIMT caucus coverage on Tuesday night's program. Watch the 10 pm broadcast to see how I do.
In addition, nearly every magazine, newspaper and the entire blogosphere have intense coverage on the candidates' positions on issues. This is much different than the sound bite coverage that we normally see. Moreover, in a country that trends to the coasts, it is a rare opportunity to see the candidates through a mid-western lens.
Tuesday night, all eyes will be on Iowa to see the latest leg of the presidential selection process. While many will groan about the election starting too early, it is the process we have in front of us. I for one encourage everyone to take a look at the candidates -- you will see a lot of them in the months ahead -- but not this good of a look.
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