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Iowa? New Hampshire? Why Not Laguna Beach?

By James Utt
By James Utt

Every four years, we in this part of the country are gripped by a sense of powerlessness and frustration. We must sit idly by as the Iowa caucus, then the New Hampshire primary go a long way, a long disproportional way toward determining who the presidential nominees will be. By the time the California primary rolls around, it’s all over but the shouting. I have nothing (well, almost nothing) against these states. My very best friend in the world is from Manchester, but come on, these are the mice that roared. Iowa’s population is 3.1 million; New Hampshire’s is 1.3 million. Orange County’s population is 3.2 million. Bell weather states? Please.

They don’t always pick the eventual winner (see Santorum, Rick Iowa 2012), but a candidate had better do well in one of these two states or face huge odds. Even sitting presidents are not immune from the power of these little rural giants. Truman decided not to run after losing in New Hampshire in 1952 and LBJ did the same after a poor showing in 1968.

We need a better starting point for the presidential selection process, and I believe I have just the one.

That’s right. I propose that the first presidential primary be held in Laguna Beach. There would be a time limit on how long candidates could actually campaign here. Instead of the two year dating period that wannabe presidents have now with Iowa and New Hampshire, I suggest one month. And that month would, of course, be February. Let’s keep it short.

But wait you say, aren’t we too atypical a city to be given such power? Not at all. Despite our liberal reputation, the political party affiliation is about equally divided. We are not Newport Beach. Some might say we are too racially homogeneous. It is true our city is 90% white, but Iowa is 92% white and New Hampshire is 94%, so no big deal there. And Laguna Beach has other things that would make us a good starting point. For example, 65% of our town has at least a bachelor of arts. I won’t hurt the other states’ feelings by mentioning theirs. In addition, women own 30% of the businesses. I will hurt Iowa’s feelings by saying they have the lowest rate of any state in that department. Laguna is smart, open minded, and tolerant. Hey, we’ve even got churches and lawn bowling.

And think of the advantages for the candidates themselves. No more eating those “heart attack on a plate” dishes at the Iowa State Fair, talking about corn subsidies, or tramping through the snows of New Hampshire. Instead, they would get great food and our mild winter. There is a danger, though, that some of the candidates might like it here so much that they just might drop out of the race, take up residence in our fair city and start their own businesses. Imagine “Pantsuits by Hillary,” “Christy’s Real Jersey Pizza,” and “The Donald Hair Salon.”

Yes, we residents would have to put up with intrusions. Big buses, the press everywhere, and being interrupted at our favorite restaurants by candidate “drop ins.” But I think we could take one for the team, so to speak for the good of the electoral process.

Plato believed that democracy would not work because, the average citizen was not informed enough, not smart enough, not involved enough to make intelligent choices. Plato never visited Laguna Beach.

Author James Utt is a retired high school history teacher who lives in Laguna Beach.

 

 

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Great column, we do not have enough local writers who have deep understanding of the national election process and the synical Witt to dissect and skewer it. I appreciate and share interesting columns with family and friends.

  2. Although I live in Cornona Del Mar, I feel there is a “coastal connection’ with my home town and Laguna Beach. I read Mr. Utt’s column often and enjoy his thoughtful observations and wit. I have shared his columns with friends and family, we are always looking for something intelligent to read by our local journalists.

  3. I wholeheartedly agree! I find the entire election process mind-numbing and exhausting. It’s time we start thinking about how to make the election process less painful. Thanks for this fun and inciteful piece.

  4. James Utt’s column (Iowa? New Hampshire? Why Not Laguna?, January 21) is one I enjoyed reading. He has a wit about him that is worth reading. Hope to see more from him

  5. Razor sharp analysis fused with wit and wisdom. A welcome point of view from a talented writer. Loved reading this column and look forward to more. Bravo!

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