My heart goes out to Iowa Republicans

[Vernon Windsor]

I have real sympathy for the choice facing Iowa Republicans as the caucus nears. It's got to be a tough time to be a Republican. They're on the ropes as the public realizes they have done nothing but obstruct and take symbolic votes since taking office. They ended up on the wrong side of the tax issue with extending the payroll tax cut. They want to make the election about the poor economy and lack of jobs, while the economy is improving and the only thing they've done about jobs is pay half-hearted lip service to it. Some members of their party have criticized the US departure from Iraq, when the public has long since grown tired of the elective war that their own party championed. To top it off, they have fielded a bunch of presidential candidates that many staunch conservatives in their own party have publicly shared their distaste for.

Which one to choose? What a dilemma. Do they pick the "box of chocolates" (because you never know what you're going to get), or the top heavy self-aggrandizer who doesn't want you "misquoting him" by accurately quoting him, or the small government Texan who nevertheless wants to insert government directly into the uterus of every woman in the country, or the John Bircher who wants to drag the country back to the pre-civil rights era with the promise of "liberty" to discriminate against whomever you choose on the basis of property rights, or the family values guy who wants to make sure his family values are everyone's family values, or would they pick the congresswoman who wants the media to investigate members of congress for anti-American values (didn't we do that once?) and who has a grasp of history as substantive as a ghost.

What a choice. At least they dodged the bullet of having to consider the Koch brothers "brother from another mother," or the half-governor of Alaska, or the racialist "the Donald." Although, with the cast they have, they might be able to front a pretty popular reality show, especially if they have debates periodically.

[CWO3ROBBIE]

Hi Vernon, Well put.

[Quinn]

Santorum??? Second by 8 votes??? How did that happen?

 

 

[Vernon Windsor]

Iowa picks the "box of chocolates" by 8 votes. I'd call that a tie for first place. Now Newt is armed and dangerous. It'll be an entertaining month to start 2012.

[Kittycat]

Well put, Vernon.

[Vernon Windsor]

Thank you all for your kind words. Happy New Year to everyone. I'm visiting in Iowa right now and we're up our armpits in politicians. Relief is on the way. In a couple of days they'll all be swarming New Hampshire.

[P.A.]

Very well put Vernon and it is good to see you.

[lynn]

insightful and well put.  i found it on facebook and came back to read.  wishing you a good year for 2012!

you're vastly more charitable towards the Rs than am i.  they are only harvesting what they sowed.  the election is far from a "done deal."