Iowa has been identified by both the Bush and Gore campaigns as one of the “battleground states” in the Midwest. Congressman Jim Leach of Davenport says Iowa is one of the most competitive states in the country.Senator Charles Grassley says not having a statewide race this year in Iowa may be a blessing in disguise.With a suspense-free convention, some have questioned the need to have a four-day party nominating exercise, but Iowa Republican Party Chairman Kayne Robinson says party affairs may not always be this smooth. He says there could be a convention in the future in which there is drama about who will be selected as the nominee.Leach says the irony of the 2000 G-O-P convention is it was much like the 1992 -Democratic- convention which launched Bill Clinton’s presidency.
