Republican debate June 2011

I sat through the Republican debate tonight. It helped that I had taken a Vicodin because I had a tooth pulled earlier in the day. Otherwise I doubt I could have made myself sit through the two hour event.
By now I had hoped that I would have had the chance to see a couple of the candidates when they come to Iowa but so far my rules haven't been met. I don't want to drive any farther than Iowa City/Coralville or Washington, though in special circumstances I might consider a drive to Cedar Rapids or Muscatine. I won't go to any fundraisers and I won't take off work. A few have made their way to Iowa City but it was still while I was in school and coaching so it didn't work. As far as I know none of them have made their way to Washington.
According to the guys on TV, Michelle Bachman was the winner with Romney doing well and Gingrich keeping his campaign alive. I don't see any of the three doing particularly well in Iowa. Like it or not the Iowa Republican party is controlled by religious conservatives and all three have some problems. Gingrich has some moral issues to deal with plus his Iowa adviser's all resigned last week. Romney is Mormon, a problem for many of the religious fundamentalists, plus he comes across as a bit too slick for many Iowan's. Bachman's problem is that she is female and Iowa has yet to elect a woman as a governor or to the US House or Senate. Maybe some of the religious and social conservatives will surprise me but I think many would prefer to vote for a male.
The other four on the stage, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, Tim Pawlenty, and Rick Santorum were there. Pawlenty and Santorum should do well among the Iowa Republicans, Paul could do well especially if he can figure out a way to get young folks to attend the caucus. Cain is there, sort of the Al Sharpton, or the African-American Republican candidate from a couple of years ago. Apparently the vicodin is kicking in and I can't remember his name.
That leaves Pawlenty and Santorum as the two likely to win the caucus in Iowa, at least at this point. Both will try to out conservative the other and tout their desire to cut taxes and government. If tonight is any indication they will bash Obama on the economy but when pressed for specifics they will switch to issues like abortion, gay marriage, and "keeping our country strong." If that sounds cynical,its because I am.