Richard, your caucus poll did not give the option of not attending. That is an option and I am NOT attending unless I am asked to cover one. Caucus day/night was always a work day or night for me. If I don't cover one I will be staying home for the first time since 1976 - and I didn't go then because I had college homework. Caucuses are not elections, they are partisan political events and I still do not feel, even in my halflife as a freelance journalist, that I can participate . Like I told somebody once, you can't ask the umpire to play shortstop. Also haven't voted in a primary since 2010 because I don't want to register with a party. I don't need some politico gadfly looking over my shoulder and putting the Vulcan Mind Meld for Media Bias on me. The right to vote in secret is endemic to the right to vote. I vote, but I vote in private and it's nobody's damn business how I vote unless I choose to tell them. As my old Waterloo Courier colleague and political reporter par excellence Bob Case used to say, quoting Prince Otto von Bismarck, "A connoisseur of politics and sausage should not watch how either is made." I've seen a lot of sausage making on caucus night. Maybe if we had a secret ballot in the nominating process, or at least an option for it, there wouldn't be the electioneering and intimidation we've seen of late which are anathema to democracy and an invitation to autocracy.
On January 9, yesterday, Jonathan V. Last made a strong case in the Atlantic Magazine that Haley is actually running to be Trump’s VP. So now I wonder whether those who intend to caucus for her next week would vote for such a ticket: Trump- Haley. If so, I suggest that you are dooming us to chaos.....Please think again.
I’m pretty sure my voting record matched yours and I too liked Chuck’s column. I Miss reading his good ol’ boy outlook in the DM register from back in the day.
Unless and until Haley and ALL Republicans [McConnell, Ernst, Grassley....etc.] = come out and say what needs to be said - that Biden won, that Jan 6 was a travesty [& an insurrection], that they will abide by the electoral result [after due consideration of any issues], that Trump is not fit to be president again nor to be the standard bearer of the GOP, that those who support and encourage him are betraying the GOP & country and should cease and desist in those efforts = it doesn't matter who will be the GOP nominee. In fact, if Haley really believes Trump is wrong for the country she'd say so and she'd confirm the truth of the above points. She, like our dear governor, wants to straddle the fence and keep peace with the MAGA wing. I'd have some respect for any display of courage by GOPers who are brave enough to cross Trump/MAGA. Sadly, not many examples.
I confess I have lust in my heart for Nikki Haley, not for her personally but as the candidate with the only chance to stop Trump within her party. Her pathetic civil war/slavery response seriously cooled my passion however and reminded me how an otherwise decent and honorable R running for office can be corrupted by Trump and Trumpism.
Richard, “Our Man in Havana” made me repeatedly laugh out loud. Graham Greene is a master.
I'm glad to see her comment mentioned and if you are/were on Twitter she has no shame in scaring voters about Kamala Harris, a smart woman who sticks up for other women and their rights, unlike Haley. Iowans have a tendency to look the other way on covert racism and I'm happy to see it brought to the discussion.
I also hope Haley gets the Republican nomination, for two reasons. neither of which make me a fan of hers. If she were to be elected she would be a poor president but the nation and democracy would likely survive her. That makes her a better choice than Trump (though that's damning with faint praise). But the important reason is that Trump and MAGAs would not accept her nomination and it would split the party and make certain the best person for the job, Joe Biden, would get four more years. By the way, if Bob Ray were running I would secretly vote for him. I and many other Democrats have a button that says, "What Would Bob Ray Do?"
Richard, have always suspected you might have a great mind (defined as anyone who agrees with me!) and you have just engraved it in electronic data. Those aghast at your and Chuck's scheme fail to look to the long term chaos inevitable in the current likely matchup in November regardless of who wins. When a large majority of Americans of all persuasions prefer alternatives I am amazed at the scant support amongst Writers Collaborative readers (commenters, anyway--suspect there may be others just lurking) for the two of you. They can't do anything to influence the Democratic ticket given incumbency (not to mention his emasculation of the Iowa D caucus) but as you point out we Iowans are still uniquely situated across the aisle. Fearing her victory in November if nominated is a rational fear and a very likely outcome but even that is preferable to the current matchup. Hey, can we carpool?
Haley will bend and flex farther to the right because the Repub influencers have her in their pocket. She didn’t get this far without committing to the Right Wing Nut agenda. Playing the registration game only distorts the reality for many people. People are looking for decency more than anything.Ultimately, trump can only carry his own swamp.
Thanks, John. And BTW, for Christmas my stepson gifted me a copy of “Our Man in Panama” and very excited to get into it. Talk about a great example of writing! So any good comment coming from you is humbling. Cheers, Richard
Hooray! A great example of writing to bridge the partisan divide and lower the temperature of hostility in politics. Hoping to see others follow Chuck's and Richard's path in the coming months.
Terrific column, Richard, and I hope it brings you as many comments, both "fan" and "fang" mail, as my column endorsing Nikki Haley did me. I've enjoyed people sharing their views -- with one exception that I deleted -- no matter where or what they are. I've been around this column writing game long enough that I really do believe that once I have my say, I need to give readers plenty of time and space to have their say, too. Now, at this late stage of the 2024 Iowa Caucuses campaign, I think a lot of voters are thinking, "Well, which of the candidates seems most 'presidential'?" I think that's Nikki Haley. That especially came through this past weekend in the "Iowa Press" interview of her on Iowa PBS television. But whoever you favor, in whichever party, I hope everybody will get out there, get involved and enjoy the caucuses. As you said Richard, we have an incredibly important privilege here in Iowa. Let's all honor the role we're given.
Who Chuck endorses is not really that important to me. Yes, I know he is an influencer and writer with a great history. He once interviewed me and wrote a fabulous column about some antics of my friends. My grandfather, TZ McCarthy, had a quote that I now frequently utter (mea culpa): "Opinions are like anal orifices, we all have one." Yes, I sanitized the quote. It behooves all of us to read commentary that we may not find agreement. Use your critical thinking skills.
My first caucus in 1972 is still in my brain. Being an informed, engaged and responsible citizen has been my mode. I have attended Republican and Democrat caucuses. In my desk drawer I have voter registration cards for R, D and No Party. Yesterday, I went to the county auditor's office and changed from No Party to D. In no way can I step into a Republican caucus. I know I hold anger and distrust for Republicans who continue to adore and support Trump and his ilk. Yes, I also fear the fate of our country under another Republican president. A degradation of democracy is at the heart of many of the Republican candidates. As far as the age issue, how many people criticize Warren Buffett over his age? On that note I end this missive. Best to all for a productive and safe snowy day. Keep thinking and keep your pencil sharp.
I know of a couple of people who are changing registration to attend the republican caucus to vote for Nikki Haley. Their sole purpose is to stop an election cycle that includes Donald Trump because the prospect of him being re-elected is beyond frightening. They do not intend to vote for her in the General because the thought of republicans being completely in charge of the government these days is also beyond frightening. When I saw Chuck's headline my first thought was "uh-oh" because he has always been a straight down the middle guy and I was afraid the comments would not be kind to him. We all need to learn to disagree agreeably, like it was in the Robert Ray Republican days. Thanks for reminding us what that looks and sounds like, Richard.
I respect your opinion but this election is not a beauty contest. A woman’s right to choose her health care, especially to save her own life should not be up for debate. A guy doesn’t have to worry about that right. Haley is soft on a woman’s right to choose and will sway with the political wind of the evangelical base. Our daughters and granddaughters deserve better.
Pat—I remember Bob Case when he’d come to the statehouse. Now there was a reporter! Thanks for reading…
Richard, your caucus poll did not give the option of not attending. That is an option and I am NOT attending unless I am asked to cover one. Caucus day/night was always a work day or night for me. If I don't cover one I will be staying home for the first time since 1976 - and I didn't go then because I had college homework. Caucuses are not elections, they are partisan political events and I still do not feel, even in my halflife as a freelance journalist, that I can participate . Like I told somebody once, you can't ask the umpire to play shortstop. Also haven't voted in a primary since 2010 because I don't want to register with a party. I don't need some politico gadfly looking over my shoulder and putting the Vulcan Mind Meld for Media Bias on me. The right to vote in secret is endemic to the right to vote. I vote, but I vote in private and it's nobody's damn business how I vote unless I choose to tell them. As my old Waterloo Courier colleague and political reporter par excellence Bob Case used to say, quoting Prince Otto von Bismarck, "A connoisseur of politics and sausage should not watch how either is made." I've seen a lot of sausage making on caucus night. Maybe if we had a secret ballot in the nominating process, or at least an option for it, there wouldn't be the electioneering and intimidation we've seen of late which are anathema to democracy and an invitation to autocracy.
On January 9, yesterday, Jonathan V. Last made a strong case in the Atlantic Magazine that Haley is actually running to be Trump’s VP. So now I wonder whether those who intend to caucus for her next week would vote for such a ticket: Trump- Haley. If so, I suggest that you are dooming us to chaos.....Please think again.
I’m pretty sure my voting record matched yours and I too liked Chuck’s column. I Miss reading his good ol’ boy outlook in the DM register from back in the day.
Richard,
May I ride on your and Chuck’s Bandwagon?
Herrman
Unless and until Haley and ALL Republicans [McConnell, Ernst, Grassley....etc.] = come out and say what needs to be said - that Biden won, that Jan 6 was a travesty [& an insurrection], that they will abide by the electoral result [after due consideration of any issues], that Trump is not fit to be president again nor to be the standard bearer of the GOP, that those who support and encourage him are betraying the GOP & country and should cease and desist in those efforts = it doesn't matter who will be the GOP nominee. In fact, if Haley really believes Trump is wrong for the country she'd say so and she'd confirm the truth of the above points. She, like our dear governor, wants to straddle the fence and keep peace with the MAGA wing. I'd have some respect for any display of courage by GOPers who are brave enough to cross Trump/MAGA. Sadly, not many examples.
Courage...yes! Thanks, Victoria!
Richard and Chuck,
I confess I have lust in my heart for Nikki Haley, not for her personally but as the candidate with the only chance to stop Trump within her party. Her pathetic civil war/slavery response seriously cooled my passion however and reminded me how an otherwise decent and honorable R running for office can be corrupted by Trump and Trumpism.
Richard, “Our Man in Havana” made me repeatedly laugh out loud. Graham Greene is a master.
I'm glad to see her comment mentioned and if you are/were on Twitter she has no shame in scaring voters about Kamala Harris, a smart woman who sticks up for other women and their rights, unlike Haley. Iowans have a tendency to look the other way on covert racism and I'm happy to see it brought to the discussion.
I also hope Haley gets the Republican nomination, for two reasons. neither of which make me a fan of hers. If she were to be elected she would be a poor president but the nation and democracy would likely survive her. That makes her a better choice than Trump (though that's damning with faint praise). But the important reason is that Trump and MAGAs would not accept her nomination and it would split the party and make certain the best person for the job, Joe Biden, would get four more years. By the way, if Bob Ray were running I would secretly vote for him. I and many other Democrats have a button that says, "What Would Bob Ray Do?"
Richard, have always suspected you might have a great mind (defined as anyone who agrees with me!) and you have just engraved it in electronic data. Those aghast at your and Chuck's scheme fail to look to the long term chaos inevitable in the current likely matchup in November regardless of who wins. When a large majority of Americans of all persuasions prefer alternatives I am amazed at the scant support amongst Writers Collaborative readers (commenters, anyway--suspect there may be others just lurking) for the two of you. They can't do anything to influence the Democratic ticket given incumbency (not to mention his emasculation of the Iowa D caucus) but as you point out we Iowans are still uniquely situated across the aisle. Fearing her victory in November if nominated is a rational fear and a very likely outcome but even that is preferable to the current matchup. Hey, can we carpool?
Haley will bend and flex farther to the right because the Repub influencers have her in their pocket. She didn’t get this far without committing to the Right Wing Nut agenda. Playing the registration game only distorts the reality for many people. People are looking for decency more than anything.Ultimately, trump can only carry his own swamp.
Thanks, John. And BTW, for Christmas my stepson gifted me a copy of “Our Man in Panama” and very excited to get into it. Talk about a great example of writing! So any good comment coming from you is humbling. Cheers, Richard
Hooray! A great example of writing to bridge the partisan divide and lower the temperature of hostility in politics. Hoping to see others follow Chuck's and Richard's path in the coming months.
Terrific column, Richard, and I hope it brings you as many comments, both "fan" and "fang" mail, as my column endorsing Nikki Haley did me. I've enjoyed people sharing their views -- with one exception that I deleted -- no matter where or what they are. I've been around this column writing game long enough that I really do believe that once I have my say, I need to give readers plenty of time and space to have their say, too. Now, at this late stage of the 2024 Iowa Caucuses campaign, I think a lot of voters are thinking, "Well, which of the candidates seems most 'presidential'?" I think that's Nikki Haley. That especially came through this past weekend in the "Iowa Press" interview of her on Iowa PBS television. But whoever you favor, in whichever party, I hope everybody will get out there, get involved and enjoy the caucuses. As you said Richard, we have an incredibly important privilege here in Iowa. Let's all honor the role we're given.
Who Chuck endorses is not really that important to me. Yes, I know he is an influencer and writer with a great history. He once interviewed me and wrote a fabulous column about some antics of my friends. My grandfather, TZ McCarthy, had a quote that I now frequently utter (mea culpa): "Opinions are like anal orifices, we all have one." Yes, I sanitized the quote. It behooves all of us to read commentary that we may not find agreement. Use your critical thinking skills.
My first caucus in 1972 is still in my brain. Being an informed, engaged and responsible citizen has been my mode. I have attended Republican and Democrat caucuses. In my desk drawer I have voter registration cards for R, D and No Party. Yesterday, I went to the county auditor's office and changed from No Party to D. In no way can I step into a Republican caucus. I know I hold anger and distrust for Republicans who continue to adore and support Trump and his ilk. Yes, I also fear the fate of our country under another Republican president. A degradation of democracy is at the heart of many of the Republican candidates. As far as the age issue, how many people criticize Warren Buffett over his age? On that note I end this missive. Best to all for a productive and safe snowy day. Keep thinking and keep your pencil sharp.
let's use belly buttons.
I know of a couple of people who are changing registration to attend the republican caucus to vote for Nikki Haley. Their sole purpose is to stop an election cycle that includes Donald Trump because the prospect of him being re-elected is beyond frightening. They do not intend to vote for her in the General because the thought of republicans being completely in charge of the government these days is also beyond frightening. When I saw Chuck's headline my first thought was "uh-oh" because he has always been a straight down the middle guy and I was afraid the comments would not be kind to him. We all need to learn to disagree agreeably, like it was in the Robert Ray Republican days. Thanks for reminding us what that looks and sounds like, Richard.
I respect your opinion but this election is not a beauty contest. A woman’s right to choose her health care, especially to save her own life should not be up for debate. A guy doesn’t have to worry about that right. Haley is soft on a woman’s right to choose and will sway with the political wind of the evangelical base. Our daughters and granddaughters deserve better.
I agree. She is as sexist as they are and she plays it.
Thank you for pointing out the obvious!