Dems come down to Earth, Bush goes other way

Cedar Rapids Gazette ^ | Jan. 18, 2004 | Mike Deupree

[PLK]

Just when a guy was thinking he could get to bed early tomorrow night, what happens? The caucuses got interesting.

The conventional wisdom long ago awarded the Democratic nod to Howard Dean. Then all of sudden the polls showed Dean neck-and-neck (and neck) with John Kerry and Dick Gephardt, with John Edwards closing fast on the outside. Tomorrow night should be fun.

Even more fascinating will be the post-mortem. Whether Dean manages to hold on or not, analysts will be trying to explain how his seemingly insurmountable lead was surmounted, or nearly so.

I think the answer may be timing. Dean's primary appeal from the start was the way he could arouse the party faithful, feed the anger they felt toward President Bush and spur them into battel with fire in their eyes. As time passed, voters had time to cool off a bit and consider other factors.

In other words, maybe Dean piqued too early.

PARDON ME for noticing, but the preparation for the caususes reveals a double standard.

The possibility of ineligible participants, although very slight, prompted Democrats to say identities will be checked against voter registration lists, people will be required to sign affidavits, etc. This seems an entirely rational thing to do.

So why are the same people adamantly opposed to checking IDs next November when fraud will be easier and the voting really counts?

[PLK]

Mike Deupree is a local Cedar Rapids, IA opinion writer. He is usually pretty good, and I am happy he pointed this out in this morning's paper. He is, to my knowledge, the ONLY media person who has made note of this glaring hypocrisy.

[Kozak]

Since anyone Iowan can register as a Democrat adn immediately vote in th caucus this seems like a golden opportunity to wreak a little havoc on the Rats.

Personally I can't wait to ask for my Rat ballot in the Wisconsin primary in March...

[Gerasimov]

"So why are the same people adamantly opposed to checking IDs next November when fraud will be easier and the voting really counts?"

Excellent point and a good article. Thanks for posting it.
The title seems strange, though... has anyone who's been watching the dems lately REALLY thought they were "coming down to earth?"

[HHFi]

They're willing to check IDs to prevent fraud in the caucuses because there, they don't need fraud to insure that a Democrat wins.