After 50 years, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee has recommended Iowa lose its first-in-the-nation status. But not only that, Iowa won't be in the first 5 early states at all. Laura Belin, Editor and Publisher of Bleeding Heartland, Iowa's progressive news source, explains the reasons for this historic and tragic shift.

Belin says a few factors may be at play in this decision. President Joe Biden didn't do well in Iowa. He finished 5th in 2008 and 4th in 2020. He finished 5th in New Hampshire which has also had its first primary status challenged. Also, Iowa is no longer the swing state it used to be. Did Democrats' poor performance in Iowa during the 2022 midterms play a factor too? Belin says it's certainly likely.

Belin explains why prominent Iowa Democrats have said they will still move forward with first-in-the-nation causes, and why the Democrat National Committee might punish candidates for coming to Iowa. She explains how Democrats are dealing with their loss of ground in rural areas, and explains how Iowans are extremely good at asking well-researched questions, while the national press has historically struggled. 

And did the technical errors of 2020 play a role? Can the caucuses be saved by the official vote in January? She has thoughts.

See the full show notes at https://iowapodcast.com/laura-belin-bleeding-heartland

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