Do you like Iowa’s caucus system, or do you think that your state should only use primaries? Rep. Kirk was first elected in 2000. 11 Republicans ran, and the majority of them were conservative. The conservative vote split, helping Kirk win the primary, with 31% of the vote. Since then, he’s been unopposed, in the primaries. I ran, as a write-in candidate, in the 2006 primary, and a newspaper said that I got 144 votes, although I didn’t spend any money, on the campaign.
Why should Iowa always be the one to go first? I don't know the best way to choose a national candidate. If we don't do it this way, the two coasts are going to have all the power and we know what will be the result of that.
The caucus system can be fun and exhausting at the same time. Sure, it's nice to have this attention and power showered on us but these candidates can wear us out at the same time. There is no end to the number of rallies, etc.
I'm usually a Johnny-come-lately supporter. The pressure gets intense because each candidate only needs the commitment of a few people to get one of the first three placements out of Iowa.
A down side to this is that I see loyalty shifts between those who should be allies. I've had to accept the fact that those I respect in one cycle may go to a candidate I don't like in another. The realignments go on and on.
I had a friend who became McCain's chairman. I let him know what I thought of it. Who knows, I may end up supporting him in his bid for gov., if he decides to do that.
Sometimes it gets difficult to forget some of these things but we must--we're all human.