Opinion editor's note: Star Tribune Opinion publishes a mix of national and local commentaries online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.
•••
It's now time for the regular bashing of the early presidential contests in New Hampshire and Iowa. Yes, their efforts over the years have not been perfect, if there is a perfect process.
But as a transplanted Iowan, an American government teacher and a legitimate "political junkie," I must offer some needed clarification to "End the kingmaking in Iowa and N.H." (editorial, Nov. 2).
Iowa presidential caucuses offer individual citizens the unique opportunity to meet and question candidates for the presidency. It's called "retail politics." Iowans are proud of this assignment.
Larger states may be jealous of Iowa's premier position. But which larger state would offer candidates and citizens a comparable opportunity to meet face-to-face?
Small states, yes, come with a media market offering easier access for a candidate with fewer resources in money and manpower. Larger states with more expensive media markets eliminate that personal contact. Then we are at the mercy of media to ask the pertinent questions, and of the glossy, 30-second ads that rarely ask the truly definitive questions of the candidates.
Iowa and New Hampshire admittedly are not as diverse as other states, but "white" Iowa did twice give the nod to Barack Obama for president. Open-minded is a better description of Hawkeye citizens.