Iowa And Beyond!

Most Americans by now know the Iowa Caucus on Monday was a disaster. With a low turnout there were differences between the two ways counts that are made. Currently, it is being sorted. But, Pete Buttigieg has enough support to have officially won the version of the counts that determines the official winner.

Leading up to the caucus, I have read a lot of articles from a few places, all reliable, about the complicated process. I also have read a lot of articles either doubting whether Iowa is worthy of being the first state to vote or not.

New Jersey has our primary votes in June. I hate being that late. Because by then the winner has basically already been selected. By then, most states have already voted and the likely nominee is already a clear picture. Our votes don't feel like they matter as much by then. Does anyone out of state even look to see how NJ voted?

Iowa uses one argument for being first. They say their voters take this roll very seriously. I think that is true. Iowa has all of these events to meet the candidates that can attend. In every interview I read with an Iowa voter, every voter said they were hearing multiple candidates speak. They were listening to each candidate. They take this responsibility seriously.

But, they mostly were either undecided or willing to change their minds. Most polls show that most democratic voters are undecided or flexible. Personally, I am in that boat too. I love Pete Buttigieg. But, if the two front runners in June are Biden and Bernie, I am going to help Biden out. At this moment I do not think Bernie can beat Trump. Clearly, Iowa agrees with me.

Should Iowa have that sweet voting spot? I haven't decided on that. They make a valid argument. But, so do the arguments about how Iowa doesn't represent American's diversity, That can't be ignored. Before I decide, I would need to know if a different state with a lot of diversity takes voting as seriously as Iowa.

Looking forward from Iowa we see more of the same. Indecision. That same indecision contributed to the Iowa count issues. Things were close and they will continue to be. One thing I continue to hear is the need for the field to get smaller. Now that voting has started, it probably will work its way down to about six candidates when it hits us. Two of them will be pretty strong by then. Most NJ voters will go for one of the top two.

This is going to be a long four months. The theory is that it will get easier as each state has their primary election. That it will get easier as the field grows smaller. I disagree. If anything, it will get harder to make a decision until mid-May. Because we ask ourselves "how will Trump dirtily attack and how can we beat him?" We all have different opinions on that one!

Indecision literally broke Iowa's election. The machines doing the counting got different numbers. Turnout was low because of too many undecided people. Hopefully, those people will vote blue in November when the candidates are easier to choose from. But, moving forward from Iowa, we can't continue to break elections with indecision. So, decide!