Looks like we have two new leaders in Iowa.
The Liberal optimist in me loves this. No, I haven’t “endorsed” a single candidate as of yet, but I can’t help but smile at both Obama’s and Huckabee’s success. It makes me wonder if, somewhere in the voter’s subconscious, these two represent real change, and I think most Americans are tired of the status quo. (Or are they? Yesterday, I read that it will be impossible to implement any viable health care plan if it forces those that already have it to give it up. ) While I believe that most people (on the left) will tell you that the war in Iraq and a pending war with Iran is motivating their choice, I still believe that Katrina played a huge role in the Mid-Term elections, and could do so again in the next General Election. For years, Liberals and Democrats have been pounding on the Bush administration for crony ism and ineptness, but I think the average American didn’t “get” what this could mean to him or to her, and their families. Watching fellow Americans suffer for days while members of this administration shopped, strummed guitars, or attended lavish dinners really drove the point home. That said, the future of our foreign policy is probably what is driving the polls today. Either way, I believe the American public is the big winner here.
On the other hand, The Tired Old Cynic in me is fearful. Not of these two candidates, though they both have positions I don’t care for. No, I am fearful of how our corporate driven press will react to a possible Obama/Huckabee match-up. We have seen the debates manipulated to enhance or even force conflict for ratings sake. I’m somewhat shocked that they barely attempt to conceal this. In the run up to the last Democratic debate, “reporter” after “reporter” harped on about how much candidate A must “go after” candidate B, then damn if they didn’t force their hand with the FIRST question. It will probably only get worse. If I’m right, the real losers will be the American Public.
Its no secret that I am a Liberal, and that I will spend money and time to support whomever is the Democratic candidate. However, Huckabee is a mystery to me, though I find him likable in a way I never could with Giuliani, Romney, or The Actor. Even with an Iowa win, I find it doubtful that Huckabee will raise enough money to seriously challenge those three in other States. But his position on the bottom of a ticket scares the hell out me. A Democratic comparison would be Richardson, another former Governor that many people know little about. We shall see. I’ve paid little attention to the races thus far, but we are coming up on January, and, well, its time.
