Happy New Year / Iowa Caucus

The beginning of a new year is a time of resolutions and new beginnings, thus, what better way to start out then to begin blogging again. Fall is past, 2011 is over, and it is now 2012 -- election year; and I am back in full force (hopefully not to slack off again).

I hope all my readers enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing, joyous holiday season.

I planned over the fall to do a special posting on each of the Presidential candidates, but that has yet to happened and two of the candidates have already dropped out -- Herman Cain, and Michelle Bachmann.  I never felt that Herman Cain was the right person to be the presidential nominee, but I am most sorry for the reasons which forced him out.  With regards to Michelle Bachmann, as many have said already, she ran a dignified campaign. I respect her and wish her the best as she continues representing her Minnesota district in the US House of Representatives.

The results of the Iowa Caucus were surprising for the most part. The expected was Jon Huntsman finishing last and Bachmann not doing well. The biggest surprise of the evening was Rick Santorum, who almost won it. While I am not sure he can win the general election, I am very pleased with his showing, and it sends out a clear message as to what conservatives voters are seeking.

As the polls have shown, and last night's results proved, the conservatives are looking for someone other then Romney to represent the Republican party. He never seems to get about the 25% mark. Republican voters have slowly rotated through being in favor of Bachmann, Rick Perry, Cain, Newt Gingrich, and now Santorum. I do not feel however that Santorum will be able to sustain his Iowa success, thus leaving the door wide open for Perry or Gingrich to take back over as the lead candidate.

I was actually surprised that Romney had as strong a showing last night as he did. I expect him to finished third or fourth.  The other very surprising placement was Ron Paul actually finishing a close third. My opinion of him will be saved for a post all of its own. Equally, I was not expecting Gingrich and Perry to finish as poorly as they did. But again, nothing is every concrete in politics until the votes have been cast.

Many news commentators state that as Iowa goes so goes the national election. Well, I would like to remind everyone that it is a long way off until the Republican National Convention and only one state out of FIFTY have cast their vote. Of the last three Republican presidents (Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush), each won two out of the first three contests, but only Bush, 43, won Iowa. All three did, however, win South Carolina. It will be interesting in the upcoming weeks as to see who begins to emerge stronger.

As your state caucus or primary comes up, please vote, and do not vote based on who currently is leading, but who you feel is best suited to lead our nation. This is a critical time in our nation to return us to the values and roots on which this great country was founded.