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Justin Webb's America

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A wonderful Iowan

  • Justin Webb
  • 3 Jan 08, 07:48 PM GMT

Met a wonderful Iowan in the hours before the caucuses begin: Glenna Finney works at the John Wayne museum in Winterset, half an hour outside Des Moines.

Mrs Finney, like her hero, is a Republican. She USED to know who she was going to support BUT - incredibly really, given all the fuss there has been - she has recently decided that she is, once again, Undecided!

She is seriously going to go this evening without any clear idea about who she will support - and she says she knows others who are in the same position.

That is the aspect of the caucus process so difficult for foreigners to grasp - that Americans (well, some Americans) care so deeply about their democracy that they are willing to go out in the snow and spend time thrashing it out...

Great expectations

  • Justin Webb
  • 3 Jan 08, 07:56 AM GMT

Barack Obama's people, chatted to backstage while the candidate did his last evening rally, seemed genuinely relaxed and cheerful. The fact is that they go to event after event and see enthusiasm and warmth towards the senator - it's a jump ball, they admit, between the three main Democratic candidates - but then they would, as doing well after lowering expectations is what the Iowa game is all about. I think they think he will win big.

Bumped into George Stephanopoulos, who said the Obama campaign reminded him of Clinton in 92: "It is all about YOU the people, doing what you want and giving you the lead and getting your priorities noticed." But Obama also reminds me of Jimmy Carter, in a way - or, indeed, Ronald Reagan or any of the others who have run successful insurgent anti-Washington campaigns; the rhetoric is of the outsider banging at the gates.

Talking of which - I had an enjoyable chat with Ron Paul, who tells me hand on heart that he can win! I cannot decide whether he is a serious candidate or not, but the decision will be made for me (and you) by the caucus-goers of Iowa in a few hours time...

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