Harkin: Close counts in caucuses

By James Q. Lynch

The Gazette

Close counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, dancing and, according to Sen. Tom Harkin, Iowa's presidential caucuses.

Harkin, a liberal Democrat, speculated Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proximity will be an advantage in the 2012 precinct caucuses.

“He can step across the border any time he wants,” Harkin said Thursday. “Being present a lot obviously helps. It might be a slight advantage. But how much, I don't know.”

The similarities in the ag-based economies and demographics of Iowa and Minnesota may be to Pawlenty's advantage, Harkin said. The second-term Minnesota Republican Thursday announced the formation of Freedom First, a political action committee seen as a first step toward seeking the 2012 GOP nomination.

Harkin knows a little about the advantage of being present. He won 76 percent of the vote in 1992, ahead of uncommitted was second with 11 percent, Massachusetts Sen. Paul Tsongas was third with 4 percent, and little-known Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton was fourth with 2 percent.

Harkin dropped out of the race in early March.

Pawlenty will have more than proximity to Iowa working for him. His Freedom First PAC's staff includes two Iowans. Terry Nelson, a Marshalltown native, was involved in the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush and John McCain. Sara Taylor, the daughter of a former Dubuque state representative, was Bush's White House political director.

Harkin doesn't know where Pawlenty falls on the political spectrum. However, it appears to him the way to do well in the Iowa caucuses is to deliver an extreme right-wing message.

“It seems to me, at least, in the caucuses, the Republican Party is getting narrower and narrower in terms of their base,” Harkin said. “The more right-wing, the more conservative, the more chance you have. It looks to me that people like people like (former Arkansas Gov. Mike) Huckabee might have a leg up because of their very ultraconservative stances.”

Harkin no doubt remembers the outcome in 1992. Bush, who was not thought to be vulnerable, was denied a second term by Clinton.

For more on Pawlenty, visit: www.timpawlenty.com.