The Final Push

If I lived in Iowa, I would take my phone off the hook for the next 24 hours. Can you imagine the feverish finish of those political phone banks? I heard almost 30 percent have not decided who they will pick yet. The candidates certainly have had the exposure in that state. Undecided or cagily wanting to be courted? Years ago LBJ was a very powerful Senate majority whip. He met with new senators after they were sworn in and shared sage advice. One freshmen senator remembered the advice LBJ had given him. Hold out. The undecided have more power. He used this tactic against LBJ. He would not commit quickly on a vote LBJ wanted to push through the senate. This upset the big guy. The novice had been paying attention. Maybe that 30% in Iowa have been paying attention too. Maybe they don't mind as much as I do if their phone rings incessantly with political calls. Maybe I don't mind so much that our state doesn't caucus first. More of this country now call themselves Independents. Some will caucus with one of the parties. Some will hold out waiting to be courted. Some are too darn ornery to like any of them. Maybe the guy with the best hair will win.