Next week is the Iowa caucus, which means two sure things.
First, regardless of outcome, more than one candidate will claim momentum gained, and every pundit will inform us about what it means for Mitt Romney, however he does. Candidate spin and media overkill will dominate.
Second, the quadrennial exercise of examining what a caucus is will ensue. Some will call it the ultimate in retail politics, others will label it quaint democracy and some will note that the whole exercise is in no way a representative cross section of America. Iowa’s a white, agricultural state that is heavily fundamentalist. Call it the silo vote, and it can have a disproportionate impact on the candidates’ campaigns.
For local color, it will be pointed out that even 17-year-olds can participate (if they are going to turn 18 before the general election). And if the media doesn’t interview some 17-year-olds, it’s only because their parents were uber vigilant. And the process doesn’t last all day–just a couple of hours. Also, no absentee voting, so Iowans on active military duty can’t vote.
But at least Republicans cast secret ballots. Democrats must stand up in their gatherings at libraries or schools or living rooms and give their opinion and announce their vote. Talk about peer pressure.