Iowa is a test for Obama just like West Virginia was a test for JFK in '60

In 1960 the political pundits said that Catholic JFK had to prove in the primaries he could convincingly win against a strong democratic opponent in a overwhelmingly Protestant state. He did that in the pivotal West Virginia primary against Hubert Humphrey winning. In a way, Iowa is an equal test for Obama. If he won, say, South Carolina, some people would say that it was because of the states strong African-American population. But Iowa has a small, minority population and while it's much too early to say if he will win there--if he does I think he will have proved that he can win in states which don't necessarily have a large minority population.

I will see it as a big win for the corporatists who Obama really represents.

By the way, JFK was not a corporatist.

Clinton and Edwards have put in a lot of money and time in Iowa as well. If Obama wins it will be because he convinced more voters to vote for him.

People often do not vote in their own self interest. I reference the book: What's the Matter with Kansas?

"The largely blue collar citizens of Kansas can be counted upon to be a "red" state in any election, voting solidly Republican and possessing a deep animosity toward the left. This, according to author Thomas Frank, is a pretty self-defeating phenomenon, given that the policies of the Republican Party benefit the wealthy and powerful at the great expense of the average worker. According to Frank, the conservative establishment has tricked Kansans, playing up the emotional touchstones of conservatism and perpetuating a sense of a vast liberal empire out to crush traditional values while barely ever discussing the Republicans' actual economic policies and what they mean to the working class..."


This phenomenon is true beyond Kansas. People who would conform to this behavior could easily adopt a corporatist Repulican-like candidate e.g. Obama.

JFK had a full Senate term under his belt.

- Dave

but that is correct. It still doesn't change the fact that if Iowa does go for Obama (and that's still not clear) then he will have bragging rights by winning in a state that is predominately white.

... case would not necessarily apply.

The facts on the ground between 1960 and now are very different.

- Dave

Because JFK faced rampant KKK-based anti-Catholic bigotry in WV.
Barack's no Jack, and Iowa's no West Virginia.

... who were won over by JFK and his extended family's genuine grasp of the issues facing West Virginians, would've come to a much different conclusion about a Senator who didn't even finish a single term in the Senate before grabbing for the keys to the Oval.

- Dave

first term in the Senate? Kerry apparently felt that he was ready to be president with less than a full term because he made him his VP running mate.

... with the active campaigning for the Veep spot in 2004, and had serious misgivings about the impact it would have in future primary races.

- Dave

Well where do you think the test should be? What if Obama wins NH--how many other lily white states will he have to work to convince people that a black man can win?

Barack Obama is a hugely talented man. In some ways his success is even more impressive than JFK's at this point. JFK was considered (when he was in the Senate) a playboy and not a very effective Senator (unlike his brother Teddy). Many people thought JFK running in '60 was also before he was "ready".

Tell us more about how BO's success is even more impressive than JFK's.
Please, do go on.

... is a bit suspect, but the war service is indisputable.

- Dave