Iowans Go to the Caucuses

Today is the day Iowa caucus goers cast the first votes of the 2008 presidential campaign. Candidates on both sides of the aisle have spent an unprecedented amount of money in what amounts to the longest campaign in American history. The rhetoric has dominated the Iowa (and New Hampshire) political landscape in recent weeks and pundits continue to serve as political armchair quarterbacks but today the voters begin to finally have their say.

I am not going to make any like-minded predictions as to who will come out on top in Iowa or disclose which candidate I plan to support -- this former New Hampshire voter is all too proud of his independent politics. But it does appear as though former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson [R-Tenn.], who largely failed to live up to the media-induced hype surrounding his campaign, will conclude his White House bid due to probable lackluster showing in the caucuses. Congressman Dennis Kucinich [D-Ohio], who support marriage for same-sex couples and other progressive ideas, urged his supporters to back U.S. Sen. Barack Obama [D-Ill.] if he fails to garner sufficient support going into tonight. Others, such as U.S. Sens. Christopher Dodd [D-Conn.] and Joe Biden [D-Dela.], are also expected to succumb to low poll numbers and dwindling support in the Hawkeye State.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee remain engaged in a battle royale to the end. Both men, who are quick to point out their real or perceived socially conservative credentials, are almost certainly far too right to garner widespread support beyond Iowa and potentially South Carolina. I echo others who predict Huckabee will soon fade into political oblivion as his apparent inexperience becomes more and more known. Romney will continue to flip-flop until former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani once and for all solidifies the GOP nomination. I could be wrong but stay tuned...