Monday was an important night in American politics. Iowa held the first caucus in deciding who would represent the Democratic Party in November’s election.
The first few states are important to win because it sets the stage for later primaries. So, for months, all eyes were on Iowa.
I probably don’t have to tell you that Iowa is different. In most states, you go to the machine, push a few buttons then go home. The whole process takes less than a minute.
In Iowa, you go to your caucus site and battle it out with your neighbors late into the night. Each candidate is assigned a different corner of the room and the candidate’s supporters gather there. Last night, they had more candidates than corners, I have no idea what they do when that happens, but I’m sure it worked out.
If there isn’t enough support amongst neighbors for your favorite candidate, the other caucus goers coax you to side with their candidate. This happens until eventually Iowans decide on a winner.
And no, I’m not joking. This really happened on Monday night all over Iowa.
Since the caucus is first and, as you can imagine, only a few people participate, every vote really does count. It’s democracy at its best (if you’re voting) or worst (if you decide its not worth the hassle).
What the people of Iowa came up on Monday was a surprise to rest of the country, including myself. In a turn of events the Johns took charge, with Kerry and Edwards taking the top spots, respectively. My man Howard Dean had a disappointing third place finish and after a tragic fourth place showing, Dick Gephardt dropped out of the race.
And so, the seven remaining candidates move on to New Hampshire to battle it out on January 27. This state follows more conventional election methods, but after taking a trip there this weekend to do some volunteering for a campaign, I argue that the work going on still has the same personal touch as Iowa, except election night is more voter friendly.
I, along with other volunteers, wrote handwritten letters, knocked on doors to speak with voters, and held up signs on street corners. The point of each of these tactics was to make an individual connection with voters, to make the people of New Hampshire feel like they mattered. My experience wasn’t unique, as I’m sure the other campaigns had their volunteers doing the same thing.
So, even when the primaries move beyond the limelight of Iowa and New Hampshire, I hope the candidates continue their grassroots movement in other states to make people feel valued and involved in the election process. Americans learned in the 2000 election that every vote does count. I hope that in 2004 enough of those disenfranchised people get out and make things change.
