It seems that the primary campaign is over. The Democrats have nominated Senator Barack Obamma and the Republicans have nominated former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Let the genera...

What's that? You say there are still nominating contests in 49 other states? Sorry I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion based on everything I've read and heard.

With all due respect to the people of Iowa, So What.

Here's my analysis of the news out of Iowa.

Hillary Clinton Lost. While it feels good to type that, other than that bit of self satisfaction, I don't think it means all that much. In fact I think it might even be good for her.

One of the most consistent critiques of Mrs. Clinton is that she is driven by a lust for power and that she viewed her nomination as inevitable. Nothing or no one could touch her. She could not be stopped.

I think Americans in general do not like that kind of presumption. Particularly when it comes to power. It smacks too much of nobility and royalty. And while we may be fascinated with foreign royalty, we don't want them. As a culture, we also have a soft spot for the underdog. One need only peruse a few sports forums to read the invective being hurled toward the New England Patriots to get a sense of how we react to "presumptive winners."

Mrs. Clinton's  presumption has been shattered. Not only did she lose, she came in last. She no longer has to overcome our disdain for inevitability. She only has to overcome her history, her husband, her lack of experience, her unfamiliarity with honesty, and her personality.

On the Republican side, I think the results are ideologically foreboding and practically meaningless. I don't think Huckabee has a chance at the nomination. I think he should enjoy the moment because it will likely never be this good again. I think this has to be troubling for Romney who made such a large investment in winning Iowa. Guliani never campaigned in the state. He didn't care about winning or losing Iowa. So the end result doesn’t even factor in a major candidate with a very legitimate chance at the nomination.

As for the foreboding, that brings us to the campaign I am supporting. Fred Thompson.

What I find most appealing about the Thompson campaign is the very thing for which it has been most often criticized. The lack of a "fire in the belly."

The sense I have is that the campaign is no much about Fred wanting to be President as it is about offering a President who stands for a set of clearly defined  principals. Thompson is not saying "Vote for me," but vote for my ideas.

His campaign is a referendum on Reagan conservatism. And it didn't do all that well. He got the third place he felt he needed to keep going, but I wish the gap between second and third had been a bit narrower.

If the Iowa results are anywhere as predictive as so many seem to be treating them, it looks like our choice in 2008 will be four more year of GW Bush style squishy conservatism at best versus outright socialism.

I hope the Iowa results are as meaningless as I believe. But then again (just to feel it one more time)  Hillary Clinton Lost.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 08:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment