The disaster still unfolding in Iowa’s Democratic caucuses has sown doubt among Democrats and political commentators as to whether Iowa and its antiquated caucus nomination process ought to cast the first vote in the presidential primary race.
Now Iowa Republicans find themselves on the defensive over the state’s “first-in-the-nation” status as their Democratic counterparts work through a malfunctioning vote tallying app to finally determine the caucus winner.
Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released a joint statement with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) on Tuesday morning insisting that their state’s nomination process “is not suffering because of a short delay in knowing the final results.”
“Iowa’s unique role encourages a grassroots nominating process that empowers everyday Americans, not Washington insiders or powerful billionaires,” the three Republicans said. “The face-to-face retail politics nature of Iowa’s caucus system also encourages dialogue between candidates and voters that makes our presidential candidates accountable for the positions they take and the records they hold.”
“Iowa’s large population of independent voters and its practice of careful deliberation contributes greatly to the national presidential primary and makes it the ideal state to kick off the nominating process,” they continued.
Jeff Kaufmann, Iowa’s GOP party chair, thanked President Donald for declaring that Iowa “will stay where it is” via Twitter.
“We know we can count on you!” Kaufmann wrote.
Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your continued support of Iowa's #FITN status. We know we can count on you! #IACaucus https://t.co/k7AwWwpeGc
— Jeff Kaufmann (@kaufmannGOP) February 4, 2020
Rep. Steve King (R-IA), Iowa’s only Republican House representative who is best known for his racist comments, tweeted on Monday night that the state’s caucuses “can remain first in the nation but Democrats must give us a reliable definitive count.”
“The Heart of the Heartland has saved America before,” King tweeted.
Real Clear Politics has Iowa +3 Trump against his closest Dem challenger.
Of Course Republicans defend this 1st in Nation status and the caucus system. It gives them strategic advantage. Dems are fools to play this game.
Funny thing is that the caucuses didn’t cause this problem, unless you consider having to report 3 sets of results per precinct instead of one to be a huge burden. This was an unforced error of shoving in a use-once-every-four-years technoogy solution where it was not wanted or needed.
So sayeth the Asshole of The Heart of the Heartland.
The “Iowa Cock-Ups.”
Better sell your corn dog futures
Iowa FITN may be on their way out