Both parties of Iowans have struggled tooth and nail over the years for their state to be the first to decide the presidential nomination.
Why? The state could lose millions in tax revenue if the Iowa caucuses were to lose their position as the first in the country. Iowa’s population grows by many thousands during the political season. There are campaigns, media, and other hangers-on flooding the state over several months. This doesn’t include political advertising that exceeds $100 million.
It’s no surprise that every four years, Democrats threaten Iowa’s position as kingmaker. This is because let’s face the facts, Iowa is very, very very white. The party’s lack of “diversity,” matched only by a lack of diversity among Democrats, is a problem for the good-natured Democrats who lead it.
Washington Post: This document, titled “draft for consideration,” sets out three criteria that the party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee will use to choose early nominating countries. They include the diversity of the electorate (ethnic, geographic, union representation, and economic). The state’s ability to conduct a fair, transparent, and inclusive process.
Iowa is not known for its significant racial and ethnic diversity. It is no longer considered a swing state. Iowa is required by law to have a nominating committee, but not a statewide primary.
The RBC will review all applications and decide which state gets first. The committee will choose five states to hold primaries or caucuses prior to the first Tuesday of March. Any state that does not attend the convention on time will lose its voting rights.
The party radicals are trying to change the process that made Iowa the first to go. They only succeeded due to the absolute clusterfark of the 2020 caucuses.
Nevada could fill the gap left by New Hampshire and Iowa.
Nevada leaders, including Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), circulated a glossy brochure in the last weeks that boasted of the state’s racial and ethnic diversity, high union membership rates, significant rural population, and recent successes Democrats have enjoyed in the historic swing state.
The brochure contains quotes from journalists slamming New Hampshire’s or Iowa’s head of the pack positions, which give disproportionate power to states with large white populations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 90 percent of Iowans are white, while 93 percent of New Hampshire residents are. Contrary to this, 74% of Nevada residents and 69% of South Carolina residents are white.
“Come to Nevada, we’re not as White as New Hampshire or Iowa”! Although it’s not as long as a bumper sticker, or T-shirt, it tells the story.
It is fascinating to learn the background of Nevada’s quest for “first in nation” status. The Democratic Socialists orchestrated a coup against Harry Reid, the moderate political machine that had run the state party for many decades. Reid moderated the Democrat’s message to transform a red state into a purple one.
There is no hiding the radicalism of the Democrats now. Judith Whitmer is a socialist Democratic chair and a fervent Bernie Sanders foot soldier. She supports Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as well as the squad.
If Democrats want all the attention on Nevada Democrats, they are more than welcome to end the tradition.