Editorials: Iowa loves a felon

We always assumed that Donald Trump would win Iowa again in the November presidential election. What we did not expect was that Trump’s support among likely Iowa voters would actually increase in the wake of his conviction on 34 felony counts. Reading The Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll that Trump’s lead grew from 15 percentage points in the last poll to 18 points following his conviction in New York was dispiriting.

A 63-year-old man from Waterloo summed it up for The Register: He was an independent but Trump made him a Republican, and the New York case only strengthened his bond with Trump. The frustrated voter likes someone who stands up to The Establishment. It always worked well for former Rep. Steve King.

So maybe Hunter Biden should be the Democratic nominee instead. Or Mike Tyson. If Tyson were to bite off part of Trump’s ear live on CNN that might swing the Waterloo vote back to blue. Rod Blagojevich happens to be free at the moment.

The poll is just a poll, true enough. But this one is generally accurate, and it underlines a trend: That Iowa has gone off into the ditch.

We have lost our good sense, misled by a relentless propaganda machine that fools you into thinking that the Mexican, and not the corporate overlord, is the problem. Through sleight of hand Trump has supporters believing that he will take on a corrupt system that is holding down hard-working folk in Waterloo. Pity us. We gave Obama a chance, twice. Not that much more hope, not that much change, our health care delivery system still stinks. Our rivers are still polluted no matter the party.

It’s hard to see in this climate how the minority party picks up much sentiment. We appreciate that Ryan Melton is challenging Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, but it is clear that the Lord’s burning rage will have to intervene by Labor Day for the Democrat to have a ghost of a chance.

Iowans would rather see a criminal as president than an elderly Joe Biden.

That’s saying a lot.

Maybe the explanation is that we are astute enough to know when we have lost democracy already. Trump confirms their suspicions. When the Biden administration has done so little to change the Iowa trajectory, we suppose the logic suggests, why not go with the guy who says he will tear down the system? If we don’t have a real democracy, then what are we losing with Trump? It’s the only way we can interpret the trend line. That’s a sort of cynicism we did not fully appreciate in Iowa, and it shakes us down to our socks. In fairness, it also speaks to the complete lack of an effort by the Democratic Party to be relevant in Iowa, a diffidence that borders on contempt. To lose ground against a criminal convict is spectacular.

Clark has moxy

Our faith in Iowa was held together a bit when Caitlin Clark poured in 23 points on Sunday as the Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky. When Clark gets knocked down, she gets back up and says that basketball can be a tough game, so it’s time to make two free throws. When she does not land a spot on the US Olympic team (what a marketing flub!) Clark says she doesn’t mind at all. She says she will enjoy a month off to “get a little peace and quiet.”

The only person not complaining about how Caitlin Clark is being treated is Caitlin Clark. We would like to think that she learned to be grounded in West Des Moines and Iowa City, and that her parents and coaches are in her corner advising her on how to handle the heat with grace and aplomb.

Clark was criticized for not joining the debate about race and gender, when her entire focus has been on learning the professional basketball game. Obviously, her attention has been in the right place as she leads in virtually every category for a rookie, including scoring average and assists. Half her turnovers are due to players not anticipating her brilliant passes.

When other players pointed out Clark’s unwillingness to go to divisive places, Clark stepped it up and said that her name should not be associated with race-baiting and other wedge chatter. She has cheered her rivals, including those who knock her to the maples. She has deferred to the coaches and the Olympic committee and to veteran WNBA players who cleared her way. And then she goes out and puts down 23 points with nine assists and eight rebounds. The numbers do her talking.