I held off on posting yesterday because I had word that a major announcement involving Republican Party of Iowa Chairman, Matt Strawn was in the works to go down today. I presumed the scuttlebutt was correct that he would be stepping down and now we know that he has. I of course have more than a few observations on this.
Matt Strawn took over after the “leadership” of Stew Iverson and Ray Hoffman. Let me put it this way, Iverson and Hoffman are the RPI leadership rock star equivalent of Senate Republican Leaders Paul McKinley and Ron Wieck. Yes, they are just that inspiring. Needless to say, Strawn was a huge breath of fresh air and had much success in his first 2 year term resulting in a 2nd term as chairman.
Let me state that I am a Matt Strawn fan, but somewhere on the road to Strawn’s coronation as the heir apparent to represent Iowa in Congress, things began to unravel and thus dim his political aspirations. His anti-climatic and poorly run Ames Straw Poll has all but put the final nail in the event’s coffin. And then the matter that has everyone around the country scratching their heads or sharpening their pitchforks like they are in Iowa, the way he handled the Iowa Caucus results. His mistakes and re-made mistakes are well documented and have been cause for many who value our First in the Nation Caucuses to call for his resignation.
My concern is not only the irreparable harm that has been done to the Ames Straw Poll and the Iowa Caucus itself, but the fallout of his resignation. Where does that leave us? Are we better off as Iowa Republicans without Strawn at the helm? Perhaps not. It does not take a University of Iowa graduate in astro physics to understand that Bob Vander Plaats or one of his minions that he can control will want to take over. Of course we also have to consider the strong possibility that the Ron Paulbots who have placed 4 of their ilk onto the RPI state central committee will try to grab the top post as well. Still think Strawn should have resigned? I can think of nothing more detrimental to the Iowa GOP than a Chairman Vander Plaats or a Chairman Ivers.
Let’s just hope none of these nutjobs can corral the votes to become chairman.
The brightest of the young new stars in Iowa politics, Secretary of State Matt Schultz, seemed to be owning the news cycle (Till Strawn) and his timing could not be better for his future in elected office. Just a week ago was the arrest of Iowa democratic political operative and Obama staffer, Zach Edwards for “allegedly” stealing the Secretary’s identity for the purposes of implicating him in unethical or illegal behavior. Speaking of Edwards, why in the name of Zeus’s $@%& is Matt Whittaker defending him?
The Dems who cry foul over any attempt to require authentication of a person’s identity at the polls, have gone way out of their way to prove the need for that which they claim is not a problem.
This isn’t the first time an Iowa democratic operative stole a Republican’s identity. Then candidate for State Representative, Renee Schulte had her identity stolen by Adrian Noe who fleeced her for 30 large.
Last week, Secretary Schultz made a renewed call for legislation requiring that photo identification be presented in order to cast a ballot. A similar measure passed 60-40 in the House of Representatives last year, but failed to be even taken up for consideration in the Gronstalling Senate. This issue of election integrity via Photo ID is why a majority of independents sided with Republicans and even some Democrats in supporting the newcomer to statewide politics.
Democrats better wise up and realize that it’s their misguided philosophy that is their problem, not the freedom loving Americans preventing ACORN, ACT or DNC from cheating come election time. Nobody likes a cheater which is why EVERYBODY hates the New England Patriots.
This is a shock. What was the reason?
I am really torn. On the one hand he was a good chairman for three years. On the other hand, what are we as republicans or even democrats without the Iowa Caucuses being first in the nation. We have not lost them yet, but I think he just handed over the keys to Florida and Michigan in 2016.
Iowa isn’t losing its FITN status now or anytime soon. We always see this gnashing of teeth if Iowa does this..or Iowa does that..
Let’s remember what Iowa’s role is here in the process–The caucuses serve as the first test of a campaign’s strength.
If a candidate has the support to get people to come out on a winter’s night in Iowa to come out and express that support–those are the campaigns that do well and are able to move on to New Hampshire and beyond.
Iowa’s job is not to “pick the winner” of the GOP nomination. Iowa’s role is to WINNOW the field. To start separating out the contenders from the pretenders.
As for your contention with the Straw Poll–how was it “anti climatic” or “poorly run”. The only beef that I’ve ever had with the Straw Poll is that the past two events have been held in the middle of the Iowa State Fair. Not good timing for wanting to generate turnout in the middle of Iowa’s biggest summer event.
I have serious concerns now about the Iowa GOP’s ability now to help put the state in the column for the GOP presidential candidate come November–now that bloggers like Craig Robinson have managed to succeed in getting Matt Strawn pushed out the door.
If there was anything that Matt Strawn was brilliant at doing–it was putting together a solid statewide organization in place to help GOP candidates win elections.
explain how he has handed over the keys to Florida or Michigan in 2016
A couple of points; First, Strawn would not have resigned if he had not screwed up so bad that he was forced to resign or be ousted which would be far worse for his career and aspirations. Second, he has done irreparable harm that will be siezed upon by Michigan and Florida who are the two largest protagonists of 48 states who want Iowa to lose its leadoff caucus status. He made a mockery of the results of the Caucus and discreded the process by his involvement with a special interest group whose mission was specifically to advance some candidates and oppose others. I have trouble even typing it, the actions are that bad and devastating to the Caucuses. If Michigan and Florida don’t walk away with our leadoff status, I geuss we can expect the Vikings and Bills to meet in the Super Bowl next year so that one of the 0-4 teams will not lose again. My point being that anything impossible will become reality.