Iowa Caucus Today

The Iowa Caucus is today and I, for one, am experiencing an anxious anticipation in the pit of my gut.

The Iowa Caucus, in the simplest terms, is the first state presidential primary election.

Today, in 48 states, individuals participate in primaries or caucuses to elect delegates who support their presidential candidate of choice. At national party conventions, the presidential contender with the most state delegate votes wins the party nomination. Our far-reaching American news media ensures that state delegate vote counts (and the apparent nominees) are well known before national conventions begin, according to the Library of Congress Learning Page.

My anticipation is over which Democratic candidate will lead: I want Hillary Clinton, I’d be very happy with Barack Obama and I’d okay if I had to live with John Edwards. (Though disappointed that a woman or minority did not win.) Things look groovy to me on the Democratic front. I get the warm and fuzzies when I think of one of these candidates winning.

My anxiety is over the Republican candidates. As a woman, and mother of a daughter, certain candidates induce pure FEAR and LOATHING in me.

Mike Huckabee is a Southern Baptist Minister and frankly, a man who preaches wives, graciously submit to your husbandsfrom the pulpit as the President of the United States would infuriate me. I could see myself becoming far more militant in that type of political atmosphere. I would honestly consider it a misogynistic act of violence against women if America were to elect him. I’ve been in churches in the South and ladies, I’m here to tell you misogyny is alive and well and supposedly blessed by G-O-D.

Another candidate I can not live with is Ron Paul, an OB/GYN who said in a recent debate that in 35 years of practice he has “never seen anywoman have a medical need for an abortion.” Now, I personally know some very conservative Christians who have been forced to make that very excruciating decision for themselves and I must say I find his statements morally offensive, blatantly false and excessively rigid.

He stated in a recent debate that Abortion and reversing Roe v. Wade was the Number One issue of importance. Which shows an extreme lack of insight about America’s true challenges and obstacles. He would focus more on something that effects a very small percentage of the population, than real issues that effect ALL of us – like health care, a war and exploding gas prices. Hello? A president on Planet Earth, please.

But, back to the Iowa Caucus’s. We should pay attention and respond accordingly: like, maybe throw some money at our favorite candidates and get more vocal about the issues and what we, as women and families, need from our candidates.

Iowa is a thermometer of the political climate in America. It’s our first opportunity to test the water. After this, the sharks come out.

But, remember it ain’t over until the chads are counted in Florida.  

By the way: You can get very hip custom-designed bumper stickers over on So Sioux Me for $5.