As we approach the 2012 elections, I got to thinking about the importance of  the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.  It seems to me that Iowa with less than 1% (.97%) of the US population and New Hampshire with less that 1/2% (.42%), the numbers are from the April 2010 census and can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population, can drive candidates out of the race before the vast majority of the voting population gets to weigh-in. Now I understand small states not wanting to be marginalized by the larger states, but doesn’t this perverse setup marginalize the larger states?

Now comes Florida, the 4th largest state by population with 6% of the US population, that wants to have more of a say in the process and moves it’s primary up and everybody has their shorts in a bunch.  Both Iowa, to January 3rd, and New Hampshire, possibly into December, more their selections up to stay ahead of Florida and Florida is condemned for having the temerity to do such a thing! Watching this comic theater play out makes me wonder if we have not lost sight of the objective – that being to select the best candidate.

This cycle it is the Republicans but in 2016 it will be either the Democrats or both parties. Regardless of your political leaning all of this gnashing of teeth has to come off as absurd and unnecessary..