Iowa’s Political Landscape

A Closer Look At The Important, And Much-Courted, Voters Of Iowa

(CBS)  There’s a line from The Music Man: “You really ought to give Iowa a try.”

And tomorrow many voters will, CBS News anchor Katie Couric reports. Some candidates have been stumping here for two years. Iowa's nickname - the Hawkeye State - honors an independent-minded Indian chief, Black Hawk.

It's a state of pioneers: the birthplace of movie legend John Wayne and polling innovator George Gallup. It's also the ultimate political swing state, going blue for Al Gore in 2000, but red in 2004 for President Bush.

“Iowa has a wide variety of viewpoints,” said Scott Brennan, Iowa Democratic Party Chair. “Look at our two longtime senators. We have Sen. (Tom) Harkin who's a long time proud progressive and look at Sen. (Charles) Grassley who is a long time proud conservative."

And the more closely America looks at Iowa, the more we see the similarities - and big differences - between caucus country, and the rest of the country.

Iowans are about twice as likely to live in rural communities. While 31 percent of Americans are racial and ethnic minorities, only about 7 percent of Iowa is non-white. This state is No. 1 in the nation in pork, corn, soybeans, and eggs, but almost last in young people.

"Iowa has proportionately higher percentages of people over the age of 65 than many other states," said Pollster Ann Selzer. "It has to do with younger people leaving the state. That they find opportunities elsewhere."

Since the 1980's, the rise of evangelicals has also transformed GOP politics here.

"They play a major role," said Iowa Republican Party executive director Chuck Laudner. "Over half of our caucus goers are going to be social conservatives and identify themselves as such.”

Agribusiness is shifting to just business in the Eastern part of the state, where younger Iowans are filling white collar and high-tech jobs. These more urban voters though tend to be Democrats, and many are straddling two worlds.

"The image that people have of Iowans with pitchforks in their hands is just quite outdated," Selzer said.

Rural or urban, Eastern or Western, Iowans are all focused on energy in a state that produces 30 percent of the nation's ethanol.

"We make ethanol and soy diesel. That's a major issue," one Iowan said.

"There's such a big concern about global warming. environmental issues," said another.

Perhaps the best argument for Iowa's starring role in the presidential process is that time gives Iowans have the rare opportunity to really get to know these candidates up close and personal.

"It's not very often that you can be at dinner and have Hillary Clinton come sit in the booth next to you," one voter said.

“We just don't show up a few days before the caucus, make our decision and move on. They really take this seriously but we want to get it right because we know the results punch two or three tickets to New Hampshire,” Laudner said.

[wfbdem]

"These tiny backwater states matter because the people are well educated, moderate and generally have a good common sense which is a main reason for first status. How could you effectively narrow a field of canidates down with a state like California, Florida, or Texas?"

This is a joke right? Iowa well educated?
Since the majority of American (you know, the ones who elect people) live in states such as California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois and Michigan, maybe, just maybe, we should let the majority decide.
Not a bunch of dirt farmers from Dubuque.
I''ve been to Iowa. Seriously, you need to get out more.

[denn034]

I''m split between Romney and McCain. I like McCain''s approach to immigration but, I don''t like his love affair with the liberals. Romney''s positions are better, though I don''t like his immigration approach. I don''t envy the Iowans for the choices they have to make.

[apolloknowsa]

Huck, you sure were funny on Leno...I would vote to keep you on Last Comic Standing, but definitely not Presidential material.

I remember we elected a candidate who played with the band on a late-night talk show...and he was a corrupt governor from Arkansas, as well...

that was the 1990''s, we live in a post-9/11 world and can not afford a jester-in-chief. We need a proven executive, a true leader who understands world markets and how to put America back on top.

Mitt Romney is the only one who can do it.

[bcs20071]

These tiny backwater states matter because the people are well educated, moderate and generally have a good common sense which is a main reason for first status. How could you effectively narrow a field of canidates down with a state like California, Florida, or Texas? That is what the later dates and general election is for. No way could anyone get enough face time or knowledge to make an educated decision on narrowing the field for president this early with a "big" state. That is precisely why Iowa and New Hampshire (definitely backwater states - truly an intelligent comment)are priviliged. To make a fair and balanced decision! The current system is far more democratic than anything the big population states could come up with.

Iowan and Proud

[g02342000]

Edwards / Biden is the best ticket for all America, anything less will be as bad as keeping Bush in office forever. America deserves honest men of integrity that will fight for all Americans. Edwards is a true patriot that can make America great, he has the substinance, determination, and will to fight greed, corruption and end the outsourcing of our jobs, His economic, education, health and welfare policies are now being copied by all the candidates. Edwards spoke out months and even years before the others. America needs to think about why are the "Washington Greed, Corruption, Large Corporations and Media" trying to make this a two candidate Democratic race? Edwards is the only one able to win the Presidency from the democratic side, and any republican that is nominated will beat Clinton and/or Obama. Elect someone that cares about America and will make it great for all, John Edwards.

[wfbdem]

Seriously, why do these tiny, backwater states even matter?
A bunch of white farmers in Iowa have the pulse of America? This is a sick joke right

Change the system: Have California, New York, Florida, Texas, and then Michigan or Illinois in the first week of primaries. ( I do not live in any of these.) Then have 5 a week, one from each region, roughly, a week afterwords.
Why can two tiny, non-representive of the rest of the nation, make or break a candidicy? By the time I get to vote, it will be decided. Most people live in the 5 states I named. Have the polls open all week, with th eresults released on Saturday. From there you will have a much better, and more accurate numbers, per party.

[apolloknowsa]

Well, Huck might do well here, he might even win, but he is not electable in November because his bigotry has fractured the party along religious sects. His anti-Catholic rhetoric from his campaign in the Summer and now the anti-mormon bigotry (notice his rise in the polls coinciding with the bigoted whisper campaign at churches and the push-polls?)...wow.

Anyway, he sure reminded me a lot of Bill Clinton tonight, another of the most corrupt politicians coming out of Arkansas (according to judicialwatch.org)

Just a reminder of the past week...the media finally looked into the dumond issue (rapist who was assisted by huck in getting out of jail early)...Huck pardoned 12 convicted murderers, 1000+ other convicts, wanted to give scholarships to illegal aliens (adults, mind you) and to pay for it, he fought for increases in sales tax on food and gasoline...and the general sales tax.

To be fair, he did cut some taxes, but overall, the average tax burden per family went up more than it did under Bill Clinton. He also pardoned more people (let convicts out of jail like Gov. Dukakis did) than the previous three governors combined...again, including Bill Clinton.