[Gaffer]

Your first example was about Iowa. It was decided before it even started is my point.

Iowa’s mystical importance in national politics is solely due to being ‘first’. The quixotic tents, the straw polls and the rabid pandering that goes on is idiotic.

I’d take Iowa politics more seriously when they get rid of ethanol subsides and generation requirements.

[Dr. Sivana]

It was decided before it even started is my point.

It may have been decided by the establishment, but not by the populace at large. Of course, Bush the Elder also beat Reagan in Iowa in 1980, thumping no Bibles, and Dole (farm subsidy type guy) being on the same roster. That prompted Reagan to fire the evil John Sears, and just in time.

In '88, Bush couldn't even get a majority in New Hampshire, and Robertson beat Bush (handily) in non-Bible thumping areas like Minnesota and Washington state. Does that mean these places wanted Robertson? No. But like Buchanan's surprisingly strong showing in New Hampshire in '92, it indicated widespread distrust of the anointed candidate.