The Iowa caucuses suck. They put Hillary at disadvantages and they put Bernie at disadvantages. The rules are Byzantine and undemocratic and they leave bad tastes in people’s mouths and turnout is always low. And demographically, Iowa (as well as New Hampshire) does not represent the Democratic Party. But at least New Hampshire has an actual primary. The Iowa caucuses suck.
So, here’s one thing upon which I hope everyone can agree: This is the last year Iowa leads off the Democratic Party’s presidential nominating process. States that are more diverse and better (if not best) reflect the demographics of the Democratic Party get to lead off. They still can be smaller states— larger states would be too much of a disadvantage to less well-funded candidates— but they have to be demographically diverse. And they have to have actual elections, with secret balloting and actual vote counts and everything.
Iowa, we love you. You’re wonderful. But your caucuses suck. You don’t get to go first anymore.