3 tickets

 Napolean Bonaparte: "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."

In Iowa the Iowa State Fair is the main attraction for all Republican candidates. I love the State Fair. That I'm missing the cookies... everything you can imagine on a stick, and the view from the ski lift makes me sad I couldn't make it back home this summer.

Given that 100,000 Iowans come to the fair each day it is not surprising that every Republican running for President was there yesterday. On January 15, 2024 Iowa hosts the first test of the Republican nominating systerm. Iowa has a mixed record in choosing the winner of the Republican nomination. #TedCruz beat #DonaldTrump in 2016 and #JohnMcCain didn't even try to compete back in #2008... but... there is no doubt #GeorgeWBush would have never been President if it wasn't for his huge win back in 2000.

There are three tickets out of Iowa. Former President Trump will most certainly be getting one of those tickets. The question becomes, "Who else gets a ticket?

In the past I liked to create mischief - I caucused for Pat Buchanan in 1996 and Rick Santorum in 2012.  Neither Republican stood a chance in the general election so I was happy to support them to become the Republican nominee.

But the days of playing mischief are over. Democracy and the role America plays on the world stage is in question. 

On January 15th, Iowa Independents and Democrats have the ability to caucus with the Republicans. The question is, Who do we support?

I suggest we have 3 criteria that the candidate must meet:

1. Accept the results of 2020. 

2. Tell hard truths to the party - Climate change is real, vaccines save lives, supporting Ukraine is important, etc.

3. Support democracy going forward.

So who does that leave for us to support?

Chris Christie is not a good choice. He is a protest candidate with a singular mission of taking out the guy he once supported.

Doug Burgham -the governor of North Dakota is interesting but to be clear, the only area of expertise is energy. It's like he is running to be the secretary of energy more than he's running for President.

South Carolina senator Tim Scott is interesting but so far his campaign seems to be like Mitt Romney 2008... meaning, he knows he's not gonna win this time so he's running in the "I shall make no enemies so please keep me in mind in 2012."

I heard a great interview with former Congressman Will Hurd... but he's the longest of longshots.

Bottom line: We Iowa independents and Democrats cannot make mischief in 2024. We have to coalesce around a Republican who is sane. Democracy is on the line and we have the ability to help one of the sane candidates get one of the three tickets to the Republican nomination.

It's time to start the discussion.

TrueBlueIowan signing off for now.