Iowa contest does little to impress Florida Republicans

TAMPA - Bay area Republicans are reacting to the Iowa caucuses with somewhat of a shrug.

Instead of watching the live coverage Tuesday night, member of the Republican Club of Greater Brandon chose to listen to Senate candidate Adam Hasner at their meeting instead. 

“Iowa traditionally, at least for the last several decades hasn't really picked our nominee,” observed Republican consultant Travis Horn.

Horn honors the tradition of Iowa going first, but the small sliver of largely white evangelical Christians who voted Tuesday in Iowa tend to be better at sending messages than picking winners.

Ron Paul's strong support in Iowa is not reflected nationally by Republicans leery of his anti-militarism and other Libertarian views.

What do Iowans want in a President?

An entry survey showed that  about 20% of Iowa voters wanted a candidate with strong character.  Twenty-five percent wanted a true conservative. But 30% wanted a nominee who could beat Barack Obama.

That last priority may explain a strong showing by Mitt Romney who is less than adored by the Republican base yet perceived as the most viable candidate against the incumbent President.

“Definitely the poll numbers have suggested that Mitt Romney is the most electable,” said Horn.

The candidates who fail to place or show  in Iowa, yet  decide to stay in the race until Florida's primary at the end of the month, will have to spent big money against small odds.

And while a protracted race could damage the Republican brand for the general election, many Republicans believe it will do the opposite.

U.S. Senate Candidate Adam Hasner has no fear of a drawn-out primary season.

“I think having a long primary process is a good thing because it makes our ultimate nominee a stronger candidate against Barack Obama.”