Don't Let them Kill the Caucuses

Several so-called opinion makers are on the witch hunt against the Iowa caucuses.  They don't matter, they are not representative, Iowa does not matter, Iowans are not comparable to the rest of the nation... blahty blah and more blah.

As an outsider who observed the caucus process, I want to contend that we need to keep the Iowa Caucus system.  First, it was heartening to see non-politicos, non-bloggers, non-whateveryouwanttothinkof - interacting with the candidates in a way that is direct.  Being asked questions even if not representative of all constituencies or stakeholders (and, yeah the larger states are always representative - come on, give me a break). 

Second, this is democracy.  Yup, its messy.  It is awkward and funky but it gives someone outside of the beltway, outside of the big media outlets an opportunity to give the candidates a tire test -- you know, kick the tires see how it feels, how the car handles -- that is inescapable. 

No Charlie Gibson asking leading questions or Bill-O screaming about how everything is really about him, or Crazy Peg Nooners freaking out about whatever Reagan inspired melodrama she cooks up in that whacked out noggin of hers.  No, Iowa has a level headedness that is refreshing.  It's not about what the punditocracy and freepers tell us to believe, its about a handshake, a question, a look-me-in-the-eyes moment that is hard to experience in the national campaign.

So, for those reasons and more, let's keep the Iowa caucus.