All the political analysts are quick to note that the incomplete results in the Iowa caucuses cast serious doubt about the strength of the Joe Biden campaign. Yet I submit they show much more — that none of the "leading" candidates would be strong contenders in the general election. At present, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg has over 26% of the delegates.
I believe that many Democrats wish that sexual orientation were not relevant. However, there is a huge contingent in the U.S. (in both parties) that would never vote for a gay president of the United States. The fact that so many voted for him shows a distaste for the others — Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren for trying to win on a platform of revolution, and Biden (perhaps) because he is too old and has many questionable actions and votes in his past. The mere fact that Buttigieg, rather than someone else, has become the champion of moderation is astounding. Michael Bloomberg entered the race because he could see that none of the leading Democratic candidates can defeat President Donald Trump.
I agree with that assessment.
Edward J. Schwartzbauer, Edina
IMPEACHMENT
The result matters less than the process. And it wasn't followed here.
Regardless of whether or not a president is convicted during an impeachment process, the American people should be concerned about what happens during that process. President Donald Trump's impeachment and the final vote were demonstrative of the fact that this whole action was managed with politics in mind and was not done according to our Constitution ("Acquitted," front page, Feb. 6). Even the final votes were all by party line with one exception, and this is representative of how the whole process was handled by both parties.
At the start of the trial phase, the senators all took an oath stating they would "do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help me God." Prior to and during the trial, ignoring that oath, many of the senators publicly stated how they planned to vote. Testimony by viable witnesses should have been a part of both the House and the Senate processes, particularly during the trial phase, yet both parties belligerently stood their ground for political reasons. I excuse the House managers and the president's trial attorneys for their testimony because good representation requires the full effort of those presenting their case, but I do not feel that true justice was done because both parties had predetermined conclusions.
In the only two prior presidential impeachment processes, both parties came forward in the end and appeared to vote based upon the testimony presented. That did not happen this time. This process was a shame from the beginning, and both sides are to blame. If our elected officials cannot act in accordance with the oath they have taken, I wonder if they can be trusted to perform the duties of their office.
Mark Anderson, Ramsey
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I had to chuckle as I picked up the Star Tribune off the driveway today and saw the large print headline on the front page notifying us all that No. 45 was acquitted.
That's like a feature on winter that has a banner pronouncing "COLD!"