Crossposted at Low and Left - a gross exercise in assfoolery and general obnoxiousness
Apparently, weak forces are pushing for the Yearly Kos to move to Iowa next year . . .
Now that we've all had a good laugh, this is a little less far-fetched than you might think. (but still very far-fetched.) Reasons are behind the link.
- June 2007 is the mid-way point in the Cash Primary. It's a guarantee that YK will be the pre-primary fundraising event next year, but Iowa support for the cost of the Iowa Caucus run always looks good to Iowa voters in January.
- Sen. Harkin and the Iowa Democratic Party host the annual Steak Fry where presidential candidates-to-be quite often show up for vetting and gathering early support. Howard Dean was a slightly known candidate with an unpolished speaking style best known for calling for getting out of Iraq ASAP in June 2003. YK in Iowa at the same or close to the same time, will decrease that event's importance and bring closer attention to the Internet grassroots and away from current Democratic institutions.
- Tom Vilsack, Iowa's retiring Governor and '08 candidate, has only a 10% backing number in his home state for the nomination. While Tom's number may go up because he's showing leadership and that he's got pull, the YK in Iowa is unlikely to benefit him greatly. What it will do for him is increase his stature for a plum position in a Democratic cabinet or Administration job.
The positives considered - this won't happen. Why?
- It's Iowa! Duh! Trade the Rivera, run-down as it is, for a site without gambling and entertainment in walking distance? Please. Like commenter hrh says - we don't have enough decadence. The hotel that will host is most likely going to be downtown - which puts it in a growing funky district, but the entertainment options in this city's downtown area are certainly 'developing'. And no hotel here could manage the guest influx all by itself; it would have to be downtown to accommodate all the visitors.
- The airlines run very cheap deals to Las Vegas McCarran. They never do the same to Des Moines snort International. Ever. Not gonna happen.
- Again - It's Iowa! Kos and numerous opinion-makers have long fought against Iowa's status as the 1st presidential contest. Anything to entrench that status is going leave a very bitter taste in the mouths of activists whom have campaigned for greater ethnic and class participation in the early tests.
Now there are possibilities. What if Iowa traded hosting the YK until the end of time for it's position of first-in-the-nation caucuses? That's a hell of a bargaining chip and it also answers the economic argument against surrendering the caucuses. I doubt you could get the GOP to go along with it, though.
Anyway, if we're here, I'm willing to play the host! But I'm not adding onto my house.