The presidential candidates will still court Iowans in 2003 and 2004. Iowa Republican Party leaders have held off a plan that would have put Iowa’s caucuses at the back of the pack so other states could go first in the presidential selection process. By a 66 to 33 vote, the Republican National Convention Rules Committee voted Friday to junk a new schedule for primaries and caucuses. Many states resent Iowa’s place in the sun when it comes to the presidential campaign, but the alternative system was opposed by big states that would have gone last. The Bush Campaign also weighed in at the last minute in Iowa’s favor. The presidential candidates will still court Iowans in 2003 and 2004. Representative Rosemary Thompson of Marion is a member of the Rules Committee for this national convention. She says there probably needs to be changes, but the plans put forward were not very good.The issue may come up again today when the roughly 2000 delegates officially convene this convention, but party leaders doubt time will be spent on the issue. A famous face is making her mark on this convention. Each delegate has received a special edition “Convention Barbie.” For re-sale purposes, the doll is most valuable if left untouched in a pristine box. 63-year-old Iowa delegate Nancy Streck of Ida Grove says she’ll try to keep her new Barbie in mint condition. Iowa’s two U-S Senators will be in Philadelphia, today. Radio Iowa’s O Kay Henderson will be there as well.
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