... Not to sound privileged or elitist from my POV as an Iowan participating the first caucus/primary event in the nation, but those who underestimate or take digs at Iowa's role should really take the time to come out and watch our caucuses in action. We have an amazing base of Iowa Democrats who take their job of quizzing and judging and measuring the candidates seriously. Labor candidates are involved, as are other Democratic leaning organizations and other interest groups seeking to seriously and intently study those candidates seeking the nomination. ... I'm a big proponent of leaving our date the same and letting NH to flail on its own. No matter what, come the 2012 election (meaning in 2009 and 2010), there will be an even bigger debate about the calendar than there was in 2005 and 2006 in the aftermath of the 2004 election.