Winter Of Dis-Content

(Winter Of Dis-Content)

A confluence of events. Today, January 15th, is firstly, Martin Luther King Jr Day. It is also the day for the Iowa Caucus. Finally, today is the thirteenth anniversary of these Pages. On January 15th, 2010, The (Daily) Vent first went on air. This "Accounting of Current Events and Popular Culture" is now a teenager. Sadly, there has been more "current events," read politics, than so-called "popular culture." In any event, however, to those have come here since the beginning one can only hope the experience has been entertaining.


As was mentioned, today is the Iowa Caucus. And Iowa, at the moment, resembles a prime piece of Siberian real estate. But, like the hardy residents of that sub-Arctic environment, on Caucus Day, Heaven and Earth sometimes get moved to get to their respective polling place and cast a ballot for their preferred Republican candidate. Right now, there are four. Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswami.


In the weeks leading up to today, there has been speculation as to what the ultimate result could be. Donald Trump has maintained a commanding lead with a margin of at least twenty points. That is a spread that has perhaps been un-heard of in Caucus history. If things stay as they are, the breakdown will be Trump in first, then Governor Haley, DeSantis, at second and third place respectively, and Mr. Ramaswamy in fourth.


The immediate question to be asked is, if Trump wins, will he be above 50% ? If he is not, what might that mean for the succeeding contests ? That being said, Trump will survive Iowa, possibly as the candidate of the Hawkeye State. Iowa has been known as a winnowing machine and those who do not do well in Iowa seldom make it to New Hampshire.


As has been mentioned, Democrats are by-passing Iowa altogether, preferring to hold the first Primary in South Carolina. So, it is New Hampshire and Iowa that are being by-passed. That being said, the point has been reached where votes will be cast. The candidate most likely to prevail will be the one who has the most dedicated supporters and conventional wisdom has that the former President has that level of backing.


Finally. one more thing can be said about this thirteenth anniversary of these Pages. These have been the opinions exclusively claimed by the Author. It has been a journey and a highly fulfilling one at that. For all those who have visited here over the years, only the most extreme appreciation can be offered.


Thank you.

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