Iowa Democrats Not Batting an Eye at GOP Offerings

The Iowa caucuses are less than a month away and yet, with all the spectacle and the potential of a Republican booting Barack Obama out of office, few have bothered to ask the Democrats what they think of all this.

Until now.

Seriously, who can avoid it? You can't flip on the TV without seeing a political ad or debate or even look at the morning paper without seeing another poll or endorsement. Heck, even cell phones and e-mail are blowing up with requests for votes and donations.

Whether bleeding heart liberal or ultra-conservative, we all pretty much know that Michele Bachmann said John Wayne was born in Waterloo (John Wayne Gacy was), that Herman Cain has allegedly had multiple extra-martial affairs and even that Rick Perry couldn't recall his entire three-point plan. No one is immune. Not even the Democrats.

But even without a horse in the race, they still have their opinions. Who wouldn't?

Tom Henderson, Polk County Democratic chairman, says he's seen it all these last few months and he's come to a conclusion: the Republicans don't stand a chance against Obama.

"Every one of them has a major defect," he said of the candidates. "It's so disappointing. The Republicans haven’t come up with anyone that’s any good."

Henderson points to the glaring spotlight that the candidates have stepped into that's setting the party back. He said the white-hot light illuminates all their flaws, making them much less appealing to voters.

If anyone can clinch the caucus win in January, he thinks it's Ron Paul, not Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich, as recent polls may suggest.

"I have to give a little credit to Ron Paul," he said. "He has had a constant group of supporters and really been the most active here in Iowa. He will take a percentage of the vote and it may just be enough to finish first in Iowa."

Sam Roecker, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, said the failure of the Republican party to come up with a constant frontrunner has nothing to do with popularity. It's all about policy and what the people want the most out of a candidate for the presidency.

"Iowans are no stranger to presidential campaigns in the state," said Roecker. "While the current field of Republican candidates tries to out right-wing each other, the bottom line is they all support the same failed economic policies. These policies do nothing more than shift the burden to middle class families in order to pay for more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires."

Desmund Adams of Clive, a Democrat running for Iowa Senate in district 22 against an evangelical pastor, says no one in the field of candidates has impressed him. 

"I think whomever is elected needs to have the traits of accountability, responsibility and discipline," he said. "I haven't seen that in any of the candidates."

It remains to be seen how the Republicans will fare come January. What the Democrats really care about, though, is the election come November.