The Meaning of Iowa

Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families: The first vote of the 2008 election has finally taken place in a campaign that has already been raging for a year and still has a long year to go. And it is safe to say after the Iowa's caucus, that both the Republican and Democrat presidential races are wide open, and anyone can win. In fact, a national poll yesterday showed five Republican candidates were bunched together with only five percentage points separating the first candidate from the last! Here are some observations to consider.

Values Voters Are Alive and Well - Since the disappointing 2006 elections, Big Media has been quick to proclaim that values voters are on "life support" and no longer a force to be reckoned with. But those voters turned out in large numbers last night giving Mike Huckabee his victory over Mitt Romney. Fully 60% of the Republican caucus-goers were evangelical Christians. While social conservatives may not make up as large a share of the electorate in upcoming states on the primary calendar, we will be large enough in every vote that no candidate can afford to ignore, or be hostile to, our concerns. But, while values voters turned out last night, the rest of the conservative coalition was AWOL. (See below)

2. Hillary Is In Trouble - Hillary Clinton's third place showing was devastating. This was, after all, supposed to be a coronation of the Clinton dynasty. The stakes are now very high for her in New Hampshire. But don't underestimate the "Clinton machine." It is well-funded and knows how to play political hardball more effectively than any of her competitors do. Senator Obama better get ready to take some hard punches, as the political landscape is littered with candidates who have underestimated Bill and Hillary. I hope Republicans pay close attention, too, because I don't think our side can afford to nominate a candidate who is inclined to pull his punches. I don't think we will beat Hillary, or Obama for that matter, by being "nice." The Republican nominee is going to have to draw clear contrasts with his Democrat opponent and be willing to hit hard.

3. The "Passion" Is On The Left - The worst news out of Iowa last night was the relative level of enthusiasm among caucus-goers. The Democrats had a huge turnout in Iowa, and the level of passion was extraordinary. The political Left is "on fire." Many liberal activists believe they were cheated in 2000 and 2004. As much as we may dislike the constant campaigning of the past year, liberals have been campaigning against this president for the past seven years! Now, the Left believes it is headed for a sweep this November. On the GOP side, many voters are still dissatisfied with their choices they. Many people I talked with in Iowa noted a stark contrast between the two sides. Preliminary results indicate that around 120,000 Republicans voted, while over 225,000 Democrats turned out.

But, if you need a reminder of why Hillary, or any Democrat, would be a disaster for conservatives, ponder this: Liberal legal activist Jonathan Turley recently stated his belief that the next president could make as many as three appointments to the Supreme Court, with most of the vacancies coming from the high court's liberal wing. CNN reported on the possibility that should Hillary or Obama win in November, Bill Clinton may be appointed to fill the first Supreme Court vacancy! If this sounds crazy, there is precedent for such a move. Republican William Howard Taft served as president from 1909 to 1913 and was later appointed to the Supreme Court by the next Republican president in 1921. Nothing is too outlandish for the Clintons! If the former first lady can be elected to the Senate from a state she had never lived in before, why can't the former president be named to the high court?

4. Obama A Uniter? - It was hard to watch press coverage last night suggesting that Senator Barack Obama is enjoying strong support because he is perceived as someone who can bring the country together. What? He is further to the Left than Hillary Clinton! In Illinois he blocked legislation that would have saved babies born alive after failed abortions. He said he would begin his presidency by surrendering Iraq to the terrorists and entering into negotiations with our enemies in Iran, North Korea and Venezuela. In the months ahead, his radicalism will become more apparent.

My friends, our country faces a number of serious challenges in the days ahead. From the war against Islamofascism to the make-up of the Supreme Court to the expiring Bush tax cuts in 2010, there is simply too much at stake for America to take a radical lurch to the left. As the campaign continues, we will continue to work with all the leading candidates. To ensure that our values prevail in this crucial contest, we will do everything we can to reunite and reinvigorate the Reagan coalition. In order to succeed, we must motivate all elements of the conservative movement, or else we risk a devastating defeat in the war abroad and in the cultural war here at home.

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Tags: Election 2008, Gary Bauer, Iowa, Iowa Caucus, presidential candidates