Go rogue, Iowa Democrats

First, we’ll need to stipulate a few things.

There will be a presidential election in 2028. The current occupant will respect a constitutionally required two-term limit and won’t concoct some sort of fake national emergency to remain in power.

So, Republicans and Democrats will be vying for an open slot at the top, likely resulting in many candidates hunting for the presidency.

Let’s dare to dream of normalcy.

Under this scenario, Iowa Democrats must go rogue.

State Democratic leaders must reestablish Iowa’s caucuses as the start of the presidential nominating process, despite whatever punishments are promised by the Democratic National Committee.

Iowa Democrats gave up their national clout without a fight in 2024. They now realize it was a big mistake.

It can be corrected, now. Set a caucus date in January or early February 2028, pop some popcorn and get comfortable. That’s when the fun starts.

The DNC likely will rattle sabers and vow to take delegates away from Iowa should it fail to march to the national party’s tune. There will be threats from the party aimed at candidates who dare campaign in Iowa.

Tell the DNC to get bent.

There was big talk about punishments before the 2024 election, when Democrats adopted a calendar dictated by President Joe Biden. South Carolina, which saved his campaign in 2020, went to the front. Iowa, where Biden repeatedly stumbled, and its first-in-the nation Democratic caucuses, were banished to oblivion.

New Hampshire was supposed to lose its leadoff primary, but state officials thumbed their noses at the DNC and held the primary first anyway.

Follow its lead. The Iowa Democratic Party has been damaged enough.

Iowa Democrats lost the advantages of well-organized presidential campaigns that provide a head start on organizing for real elections. Presidential campaigns are a training ground for new party talent, which, in turn, may help state campaigns. There’s also fundraising that comes with hosting presidential wannabees eager to find favor with the state party and Democratic politicians.

It's called “party building.” Instead, the party in Iowa has been collapsing.

Iowa Democrats played nice in 2024. Caucuses were held on Jan.15 to conduct party business, but the party’s presidential preference was expressed via mail-in ballots with results released in March. Republican caucuses remained first in the nation. GOP candidates saturated Iowa with vitriol aimed at Democrats.

Iowa Democrats don’t even need an excuse.

Under state law, party caucuses are to be held “not later than the fourth Monday in February of each even-numbered year. The date shall be at least eight days earlier than the scheduled date for any meeting, caucus, or primary which constitutes the first determining stage of the presidential nominating process … “

There must be changes. And because Democrats are Democrats, they’re sending out a survey to see what’s acceptable and how the party addresses disabled and working Iowans who can’t attend an in-person caucus.

Democrats should hold a straw poll expressing the party’s presidential preference. Calculating state delegate equivalents was fun, but announcing a winner on caucus night is even more fun.

Iowa’s lack of diversity can’t be fixed. But if the party is looking to connect with working class voters who backed Obama and then switched to Trump, Iowa is full of them.

What will New Hampshire say if Iowa Democrats count votes like a primary? Who cares?

New Hampshire is not the boss of us, and, frankly, neither is the DNC. If Democratic hopefuls campaign here, the caucuses will be an event. Some are already dropping in.

Iowa should take back its starting line seat. Because the 2028 election is totally going to happen, as far as we know.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com