Can Obama shake the Iowa Caucus Curse?
[IOWA CURSE: The Democrat who wins a contested presidential caucus in Iowa will not win the general election.]
After spending millions of dollars on commercials, touring with Oprah Winfrey and convincing scores of university students to cut their Christmas vacations short with their families in their home states in order to trek back to Iowa to vote, Barak Obama walked away with a win in Iowa Thursday night.
He deserves congratulations.
He joins the long list of other Democrats who fought off opponents to finish first in Iowa:*
- 2008 OBAMA
- 2004 KERRY
- 2000 GORE
- 1992 HARKIN
- 1988 GEPHART
- 1984 MONDALE
- 1980 CARTER
- 1972 MUSKIE
* 1996 was uncontested, 1976 highest vote was “uncommitted”
Like I said it is a long and distinguished list. The only problem: none of these men went on to serve as president after the general election. They either failed to get the nomination or saw their Republican opponent ascend to the White House.
Over the next few months, many will be watching to see whether or not Mr. Obama will fall victim to – or defy – the Iowa Caucus Curse.
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