This is *** vlog editorial. Iowa Democrats took *** hit last week. They lost their only seat on the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, the very group that decides the Democrat Party presidential nominating calendar, and this comes after the DNC stripped Iowa of its coveted first in the nation status in 2022. While Republicans still honor Iowa's leadoff role, Democrats now face much longer odds as they work to reclaim this coveted spot. And this is *** big loss not just for Iowa Democrats but for our whole state and frankly the nation. Critics have called the caucus process outdated, maybe so, but what the Iowa caucuses lack in innovation and ease of voting, they more than make up for an engagement. Iowans, Democrats and Republicans don't just vote, they vet. We saw it firsthand at *** 2023 Coffee with the candidates event where one voter challenged former Vice President Mike Pence saying. Are you ready for us? Another time I overheard *** couple planning *** full day of what they proudly called politicking. The intention to visit multiple campaign events and hear from as many candidates as possible. Iowa makes presidential hopefuls face real people and have real, often raw conversations. We think it's time for Iowa Democrats to act. Go first and go it alone if you must invite candidates, press the DNC to accept the results. Because this process, imperfect as it may be, is still good for Iowa and good for America. vlog welcomes responsible replies to this editorial.
Editorial: Caucuses are good for Iowa — and the U.S.
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Updated: 5:25 PM CDT Jun 13, 2025
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Iowa Democrats took a hit this month. They lost their only seat on the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee — the very group that decides the Democrat party presidential nominating calendar. This comes after the DNC stripped Iowa of its coveted first-in-the-nation status in 2022. While Republicans still honor Iowa’s lead-off role, Democrats now face much longer odds as they work to reclaim this coveted spot. This is a big loss. Not just for Iowa Democrats but for our whole state and, frankly, for the nation. Critics have called the caucus process outdated. Maybe so. But what the caucuses lack in innovation and ease of voting they more than make up for in engagement. Iowans — Democrats and Republicans — don’t just vote, they vet. We saw it firsthand in 2023. At a “Coffee with the Candidates” event, one voter challenged former Vice President Mike Pence: “Are you ready for us?” Another time, I overheard a couple of people planning a full day of what they proudly called “politicking." They intended to visit multiple campaign events and hear from as many candidates as possible. Iowa makes presidential hopefuls face real people, and have real, often raw conversations.It’s time for Iowa Democrats to act. Go first and go it alone if you must. Invite candidates. Press the DNC to accept the results. Because this process — imperfect as it may be — is still good for Iowa, and good for America.
Iowa Democrats took a hit this month. They lost their only seat on the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee — the very group that decides the Democrat party presidential nominating calendar. This comes after the DNC stripped Iowa of its coveted first-in-the-nation status in 2022. While Republicans still honor Iowa’s lead-off role, Democrats now face much longer odds as they work to reclaim this coveted spot.
This is a big loss. Not just for Iowa Democrats but for our whole state and, frankly, for the nation. Critics have called the caucus process outdated. Maybe so. But what the caucuses lack in innovation and ease of voting they more than make up for in engagement. Iowans — Democrats and Republicans — don’t just vote, they vet. We saw it firsthand in 2023. At a “Coffee with the Candidates” event, one voter challenged former Vice President Mike Pence: “Are you ready for us?” Another time, I overheard a couple of people planning a full day of what they proudly called “politicking." They intended to visit multiple campaign events and hear from as many candidates as possible. Iowa makes presidential hopefuls face real people, and have real, often raw conversations.
It’s time for Iowa Democrats to act. Go first and go it alone if you must. Invite candidates. Press the DNC to accept the results. Because this process — imperfect as it may be — is still good for Iowa, and good for America.
