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The End of a Presidential Launchpad | The End of a Presidential Launchpad |
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It was an inauspicious debut, to say the least. In February 1975, a little-known governor from Georgia named Jimmy Carter showed up in Des Moines, Iowa, to kick off an improbable campaign for president. His team rented a hotel ballroom and bought enough food for a crowd of 200 people. Three showed up. | It was an inauspicious debut, to say the least. In February 1975, a little-known governor from Georgia named Jimmy Carter showed up in Des Moines, Iowa, to kick off an improbable campaign for president. His team rented a hotel ballroom and bought enough food for a crowd of 200 people. Three showed up. |
So Carter started working the streets and stores. Gerald Rafshoon, who was his media adviser, recalled the other day a story that later became famous. “Carter walks into a barbershop and says, ‘My name is Jimmy Carter and I’m running for president,’” Rafshoon told me. “And the barber said, ‘Yeah, the boys and I were just laughing about that.’” | So Carter started working the streets and stores. Gerald Rafshoon, who was his media adviser, recalled the other day a story that later became famous. “Carter walks into a barbershop and says, ‘My name is Jimmy Carter and I’m running for president,’” Rafshoon told me. “And the barber said, ‘Yeah, the boys and I were just laughing about that.’” |
From that modest start, however, something really big grew. Over the next year, Carter practically lived in Iowa and beat every other candidate in the caucuses that followed, propelling him to the White House. Now, nearly a half-century later, the Iowa launchpad is about to close down. With it will go the romance of the long-shot candidate who goes door to door in farm country to emerge from obscurity and reach the heights of American politics. | From that modest start, however, something really big grew. Over the next year, Carter practically lived in Iowa and beat every other candidate in the caucuses that followed, propelling him to the White House. Now, nearly a half-century later, the Iowa launchpad is about to close down. With it will go the romance of the long-shot candidate who goes door to door in farm country to emerge from obscurity and reach the heights of American politics. |
At President Biden’s behest, the Democratic National Committee is moving around its presidential primary schedule to end Iowa’s marquee first-in-the-nation status. The party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee on Friday approved a schedule putting South Carolina first, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada and then Georgia and Michigan, dropping Iowa from the early lineup. For the changes to be adopted, the full D.N.C. still must sign off early next year. | At President Biden’s behest, the Democratic National Committee is moving around its presidential primary schedule to end Iowa’s marquee first-in-the-nation status. The party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee on Friday approved a schedule putting South Carolina first, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada and then Georgia and Michigan, dropping Iowa from the early lineup. For the changes to be adopted, the full D.N.C. still must sign off early next year. |
It is unclear whether Republicans will follow suit, but as my colleague Trip Gabriel wrote, “one of the most idiosyncratic and consequential pageants in American elections has come to its likely end.” | It is unclear whether Republicans will follow suit, but as my colleague Trip Gabriel wrote, “one of the most idiosyncratic and consequential pageants in American elections has come to its likely end.” |
The Carter breakthrough in 1976 gave birth to generations of campaigns by little-known candidates hoping to replicate his stunning success. Iowa had never been a force in primary politics until then, but Carter’s team, which had noticed that George McGovern got a bounce out of a second-place showing in the state in 1972, decided to invest time and resources there. | The Carter breakthrough in 1976 gave birth to generations of campaigns by little-known candidates hoping to replicate his stunning success. Iowa had never been a force in primary politics until then, but Carter’s team, which had noticed that George McGovern got a bounce out of a second-place showing in the state in 1972, decided to invest time and resources there. |
It was a humbling experience. Just getting a reporter to show up for an event was a major victory. “Anyone with a scratchpad and a tape recorder would send us into ecstasy,” Carter recalled to Jonathan Alter for his biography “His Very Best.” But, from nowhere, Carter got 28 percent of the vote on Jan. 19, 1976, placing him second behind “uncommitted,” with 37 percent, but ahead of all the flesh-and-blood candidates. He went on to win the New Hampshire primary that came next. | It was a humbling experience. Just getting a reporter to show up for an event was a major victory. “Anyone with a scratchpad and a tape recorder would send us into ecstasy,” Carter recalled to Jonathan Alter for his biography “His Very Best.” But, from nowhere, Carter got 28 percent of the vote on Jan. 19, 1976, placing him second behind “uncommitted,” with 37 percent, but ahead of all the flesh-and-blood candidates. He went on to win the New Hampshire primary that came next. |
Iowa was a proving ground for most candidates who followed. When George H.W. Bush beat Ronald Reagan there in the 1980 Republican contest, he ecstatically declared that he had “the Big Mo,” or momentum, only to fall in New Hampshire afterward. In 2008, Barack Obama upset the front-runner, Hillary Clinton, demonstrating that a Black candidate could win in a predominantly white state and giving credibility to his underestimated campaign. | Iowa was a proving ground for most candidates who followed. When George H.W. Bush beat Ronald Reagan there in the 1980 Republican contest, he ecstatically declared that he had “the Big Mo,” or momentum, only to fall in New Hampshire afterward. In 2008, Barack Obama upset the front-runner, Hillary Clinton, demonstrating that a Black candidate could win in a predominantly white state and giving credibility to his underestimated campaign. |
Iowa picked the ultimate Democratic nominee all but two times since that original 1976 contest until 2020, the exceptions being 1988, when Richard Gephardt won the caucuses only to lose the nomination to Michael Dukakis, and 1992, when Iowa’s own Senator Tom Harkin was running. On the Republican side, it has been less influential. Putting aside incumbents running for re-election, no Iowa winner has gone on to win the G.O.P. nomination since George W. Bush in 2000. But it has always played a role in winnowing the field. | |
One candidate who did not particularly like getting winnowed was a senator and later vice president named Joseph R. Biden Jr. In 2008, Biden drew less than 1 percent of the vote in Iowa and dropped out. In 2020, he finished in a humiliating fourth place when he was the presumed front-runner, though he ultimately bounced back. | One candidate who did not particularly like getting winnowed was a senator and later vice president named Joseph R. Biden Jr. In 2008, Biden drew less than 1 percent of the vote in Iowa and dropped out. In 2020, he finished in a humiliating fourth place when he was the presumed front-runner, though he ultimately bounced back. |
No surprise, then, that Biden might not feel too committed to Iowa’s claim to the first vote. South Carolina, his choice for opening contest in 2024, is where he turned around his 2020 campaign. | No surprise, then, that Biden might not feel too committed to Iowa’s claim to the first vote. South Carolina, his choice for opening contest in 2024, is where he turned around his 2020 campaign. |
It did not help that the Iowa Democratic Party’s new app-based counting in 2020 was so botched that the winner did not emerge for days. (Under its complicated rules, Pete Buttigieg barely edged out Bernie Sanders for the most state delegate equivalents, the key metric.) | It did not help that the Iowa Democratic Party’s new app-based counting in 2020 was so botched that the winner did not emerge for days. (Under its complicated rules, Pete Buttigieg barely edged out Bernie Sanders for the most state delegate equivalents, the key metric.) |
And so that is the end of the Jimmy Carter scenario, at least for the Democrats. “When we decided to do it, it was one of the smartest things we did,” Rafshoon told me. Now, that is just a story in the history books. | And so that is the end of the Jimmy Carter scenario, at least for the Democrats. “When we decided to do it, it was one of the smartest things we did,” Rafshoon told me. Now, that is just a story in the history books. |
Related: The Democrats’ new primary calendar indicates that Biden plans to seek re-election. | Related: The Democrats’ new primary calendar indicates that Biden plans to seek re-election. |
The Supreme Court will hear a case on a Christian graphic designer who is opposed to working for same-sex couples. | The Supreme Court will hear a case on a Christian graphic designer who is opposed to working for same-sex couples. |
Georgia’s Senate candidates delivered their final campaign pitches before tomorrow’s runoff election. (These could be the most competitive precincts.) | Georgia’s Senate candidates delivered their final campaign pitches before tomorrow’s runoff election. (These could be the most competitive precincts.) |
Donald Trump called for a “termination” of the Constitution, drawing some bipartisan criticism. | Donald Trump called for a “termination” of the Constitution, drawing some bipartisan criticism. |
Eric Adams, New York City’s mayor, is close to twin brothers with dubious financial pasts, a Times investigation found. | Eric Adams, New York City’s mayor, is close to twin brothers with dubious financial pasts, a Times investigation found. |
Iran abolished its morality police, an official suggested, after months of unrest incited by the death of a woman they arrested. | Iran abolished its morality police, an official suggested, after months of unrest incited by the death of a woman they arrested. |
A Korean pop group is accusing an executive at its agency of abuse, reviving worries about exploitation in the industry. | A Korean pop group is accusing an executive at its agency of abuse, reviving worries about exploitation in the industry. |
Europe and the United States started enforcing a price cap intended to limit Russia’s oil income. Russia threatened to cut off supplies. | Europe and the United States started enforcing a price cap intended to limit Russia’s oil income. Russia threatened to cut off supplies. |
Germans are using heat pumps to warm their homes, an alternative to expensive Russian natural gas. | Germans are using heat pumps to warm their homes, an alternative to expensive Russian natural gas. |
War and sanctions are pushing Russia’s economy back in time. | War and sanctions are pushing Russia’s economy back in time. |
Internal documents from Twitter revealed how the company handled an unconfirmed news report about Hunter Biden. | Internal documents from Twitter revealed how the company handled an unconfirmed news report about Hunter Biden. |
Gunfire at two substations knocked out power for tens of thousands of people in North Carolina in what an official said was an “intentional” attack. | Gunfire at two substations knocked out power for tens of thousands of people in North Carolina in what an official said was an “intentional” attack. |
A shipwreck or a piece of an old pier? An 80-feet wooden object emerged on a Florida beach. | A shipwreck or a piece of an old pier? An 80-feet wooden object emerged on a Florida beach. |
Gail Collins and Bret Stephens (already) discuss presidential primaries. | Gail Collins and Bret Stephens (already) discuss presidential primaries. |
Georgia’s runoff election has big implications for judicial appointments, the 2024 election and more, Ross Barkan argues. | Georgia’s runoff election has big implications for judicial appointments, the 2024 election and more, Ross Barkan argues. |
North Carolina has been ground zero for Republican attempts to manipulate elections. Now they want to do the same nationwide, Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, argues. | North Carolina has been ground zero for Republican attempts to manipulate elections. Now they want to do the same nationwide, Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, argues. |
Freaky, geeky Gucci: Alessandro Michele changed how people dress. | Freaky, geeky Gucci: Alessandro Michele changed how people dress. |
Vows: They met in study hall. | Vows: They met in study hall. |
Quiz time: Take our latest news quiz and share your score (the average was 9.8). | Quiz time: Take our latest news quiz and share your score (the average was 9.8). |
Metropolitan diary: Choosing a special park bench. | Metropolitan diary: Choosing a special park bench. |
A Times classic: The colleges where graduates are most (and least) likely to get married. | A Times classic: The colleges where graduates are most (and least) likely to get married. |
Advice from Wirecutter: Check yourself for signs of hearing loss. | Advice from Wirecutter: Check yourself for signs of hearing loss. |
Lives Lived: Bob McGrath was an original “Sesame Street” cast member who played an advice-giving music teacher for nearly half a century. He died at 90. | Lives Lived: Bob McGrath was an original “Sesame Street” cast member who played an advice-giving music teacher for nearly half a century. He died at 90. |
Injury: The San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot in the 49ers’ win over Miami yesterday, a blow for the team’s Super Bowl aspirations. Brock Purdy subbed in. | Injury: The San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot in the 49ers’ win over Miami yesterday, a blow for the team’s Super Bowl aspirations. Brock Purdy subbed in. |
Elected: Fred McGriff earned entry into baseball’s Hall of Fame yesterday by a unanimous vote from the Contemporary Era Committee. He hit 493 home runs across 19 seasons. | Elected: Fred McGriff earned entry into baseball’s Hall of Fame yesterday by a unanimous vote from the Contemporary Era Committee. He hit 493 home runs across 19 seasons. |
College Football Playoff: Georgia, Michigan, T.C.U. and Ohio State will decide this year’s national champion, arguably the toughest decision the playoff committee has had to make. | College Football Playoff: Georgia, Michigan, T.C.U. and Ohio State will decide this year’s national champion, arguably the toughest decision the playoff committee has had to make. |
Round of 16: France beat Poland, 3-1, and England won 3-0 against Senegal. | Round of 16: France beat Poland, 3-1, and England won 3-0 against Senegal. |
Suriname: The tiny country is responsible for some of soccer’s greatest players. | Suriname: The tiny country is responsible for some of soccer’s greatest players. |
Lionel Messi: This is how a team could stop him. | Lionel Messi: This is how a team could stop him. |
Spot the ball: We removed it from these photos. Where do you think it was? | Spot the ball: We removed it from these photos. Where do you think it was? |
Today: Japan plays Croatia at 10 a.m. Eastern, and Brazil faces South Korea at 2 p.m. | Today: Japan plays Croatia at 10 a.m. Eastern, and Brazil faces South Korea at 2 p.m. |
Books are, in many ways, the quintessential gift: They offer infinite variety, are easily wrapped and can be tailored to the recipient. So it makes sense that they have been a favorite of holiday giving for as long as people have had holidays, Jennifer Harlan writes. | Books are, in many ways, the quintessential gift: They offer infinite variety, are easily wrapped and can be tailored to the recipient. So it makes sense that they have been a favorite of holiday giving for as long as people have had holidays, Jennifer Harlan writes. |
A Roman gift guide for the celebration of Saturnalia by the first-century poet Martial included several texts on parchment, including works by Virgil and Cicero and Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.” In December 1851, just a few months into The Times’s existence, the paper declared a “season of Book-blossoms,” adding, “The Holidays act upon books like April upon trees.” | A Roman gift guide for the celebration of Saturnalia by the first-century poet Martial included several texts on parchment, including works by Virgil and Cicero and Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.” In December 1851, just a few months into The Times’s existence, the paper declared a “season of Book-blossoms,” adding, “The Holidays act upon books like April upon trees.” |
To this day, the holiday book-buying rush continues. In Iceland, it is called the jolabokaflod, or the “Christmas book flood.” | To this day, the holiday book-buying rush continues. In Iceland, it is called the jolabokaflod, or the “Christmas book flood.” |
These sesame-brown butter udon noodles are slurpable and quick. | These sesame-brown butter udon noodles are slurpable and quick. |
Stream the year’s best Christmas movies. | Stream the year’s best Christmas movies. |
John le Carré was one of the last great letter writers. | John le Carré was one of the last great letter writers. |
The pangram from yesterday’s Spelling Bee was conjoined. Here is today’s puzzle. | The pangram from yesterday’s Spelling Bee was conjoined. Here is today’s puzzle. |
Here’s today’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Tea variety (five letters). | Here’s today’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Tea variety (five letters). |
And here’s today’s Wordle. After, use our bot to get better. | And here’s today’s Wordle. After, use our bot to get better. |
Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. | Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. |
P.S. Lauren Leatherby, who has contributed to this newsletter, will cover Europe and the Middle East as a visual reporter in London. | P.S. Lauren Leatherby, who has contributed to this newsletter, will cover Europe and the Middle East as a visual reporter in London. |
Here’s today’s front page. | Here’s today’s front page. |
“The Daily” is about Ukraine’s winter. | “The Daily” is about Ukraine’s winter. |
Lauren Hard, Lauren Jackson, Claire Moses, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Tom Wright-Piersanti and Ashley Wu contributed to The Morning. You can reach the team at themorning@nytimes.com. | Lauren Hard, Lauren Jackson, Claire Moses, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Tom Wright-Piersanti and Ashley Wu contributed to The Morning. You can reach the team at themorning@nytimes.com. |
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