USA Today: Iowa activists welcome Bernie Sanders to race

[CoffeeCat]

11. Don't underestimate Iowans!

Remember the 2008 primary when Hillary was "inevitable."?

She sauntered into Iowa as if our state was a formality that she just needed to endure on her way to New Hampshire.

Surprise!

Iowans take their "first in the nation" status seriously. We demand to know these candidates, speak to them, ask
them tough questions and get in their faces. We're polite, but we are serious about our duties.

Bernie could do very well here, and Iowa could give him some momentum from the get-go.

Hillary came in 3rd in the 2008 primary caucuses. Obama, of course won all 99 counties in Iowa. We took a look at him, listened to him and we liked what we saw and heard. If Bernie does a good job of communicating, he could actually surprise some people.

Most Progressives in Iowa are unhappy with Hillary. Our state is still a bit sour from her last rounds here, where she was inaccessible, cold and mainly gave empty, canned speeches with little dialog. She even rigged a "town-hall" meeting. She was supposed to take questions from the audience, but it was discovered that all of the questioners were her staffers who were asking her pre-rehearsed and planted questions. The story made the Des Moines Register. We didn't exactly appreciate that.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Bernie had a very strong showing in Iowa.