.In Iowa, Religious Right Is Now a Force Divided

[rug]

By TRIP GABRIEL
Published: October 10, 2011

DES MOINES — Measured by national polling, media attention and millions in the bank, the Republican field appears to have come down to a bout between two heavyweights: Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, vs. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.

But in the state where the first nominating votes will actually be counted, the field resembles more of an all-out brawl, with candidates who rank deep on the undercard nationally given a chance to steal an upset finish at or near the top in the Iowa caucuses, the first nominating contest, now probably less than three months away.

“I think it’s a wide-open race,” said Gov. Terry E. Branstad, a Republican. “Michele Bachmann is going to make a very strong effort here. Rick Santorum has put in a lot of effort. Ron Paul — I’ve seen a lot of Ron Paul signs — don’t count him out.”

Of course, many Republicans may ultimately rally around a candidate they consider more electable in the general election against President Obama, and as the campaign goes forward a better-financed candidate like Mr. Romney or Mr. Perry may be able to convey that message.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/us/politics/iowa-caucuses-may-be-unpredictable-for-romney-and-perry.html

[David Sky]

1. GOOD! Let these nuts eat each other before January!

None of them is a fit person to be President, and let's let Iowa's right wing religious voters prove how meaningless Iowa's caucus system is, once and for all.