How the Iowa Caucus and agriculture changed the course of history for the U.S. and China

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn

 

(Publisher’s note: Sept. 26 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray who died on July 8. Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn was serving on the governor’s staff in 1980 when the events he describes took place. He dedicates this article in the governor’s memory.)

 

For close to 60 years, three families — three political dynasties — have played a central leadership role in the two most important countries in the world.

 

The political roots of these families extend back to World War II in the Pacific and their decisions and actions while in office have impacted the most significant international events over the past half century, including: the Vietnam War, Berlin Wall, nuclear confrontation over Cuba, the fall of the Soviet Union, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan and now North Korea.

 

But one of the most fascinating features about these three dynasties is that each was affected in a critical way by an event in the same year — 1980 — and in the same place — the state of Iowa. I had the unique privilege to observe and be involved in all three events.

 

A cold night in January
For two of those three political dynasties — the Kennedy and Bush families — that decisive moment came during the 1980 Iowa Caucuses. I was in Des Moines on “loan” from the U.S. Department of State to the staff of Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray. While my status as a career diplomat precluded me from any political activity, it gave me a front row seat to watch the caucus electoral process play out on Jan. 21.

 

On that night, Iowa Democratic voters effectively ended the Kennedy family aspirations to regain the White House and continue Camelot when they chose President Jimmy Carter over Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy’s ill-timed challenge.

 

But at those same caucuses, Iowa Republicans upended the presidential race and re-shaped the next several decades of history, when they gave George H.W. Bush a stunning upset victory over heavily favored Gov. Ronald Reagan.

 

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