Iowans hope to win fight in Philly to keep caucuses first

Iowa Republican Party chairman Kayne Robinson is in Philadelphia this morning, preparing to fight to retain “first-in-the-nation” status for Iowa’s Caucuses. He says they’ve worked hard in the issue for a long, long time.Robinson and two other Iowa Republicans will attend a Republican Party rules committee meeting today where debate will begin on the primary and caucus schedule for the 2004 presidential election.Three different committees will meet in Philadelphia to consider the issue through the weekend, and the Republican National Convention starts Monday. Convention delegates may be asked to ratify a new campaign schedule for 2004, but Robinson believes the status quo may win out — and no changes will be made. He says that would obviously benefit Iowa.In political news from the other party, Senator Tom Harkin is rumored to be on the “short list” of people Vice President Al Gore is considering as a running mate for the Democratic ticket. You may recall, Harkin ran for President in 1992.