Chronicle Editorial

Remembering our local “rock” stars
                A pair of highly-anticipated additions in two Franklin County border towns are a welcomed site for both local residents and military veterans alike.
                Freedom Rocks were recently completed in Ackley and Dows by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II. The Iowa artist is a third of the way through his goal of painting a Freedom Rock in each county, and his latest additions promise to be popular attractions for the years to come. Each one features a unique mural depicting a patriotic scene saluting local veterans.
                Sorensen’s project is an admirable attempt at memorializing war veterans in communities throughout the state. He has a ways to go, but the Freedom Rock Tour is still an impressive feat 32 counties in. Local residents are lucky to have two located so close. That number will eventually turn to three once Franklin County’s rock is finished in a few years, and we encourage residents to donate to the project to make it a reality.
                Our veterans deserve the utmost respect and admiration. What better way to do that than with a beautiful mural immortalizing their service for future generations?
Deconstructing the debate
By now, political pundits and media outlets have analyzed last week’s GOP debate to nauseating extremes.
     Did Donald Trump’s punches land?
     Were other candidates too timid?
     How will this affect the polls?
     Who won?
     The truth is, this debate means very little in the grand scheme of things. Seventeen Republican candidates currently comprise the field, and it’s safe to say voters have been inundated with barrel-fire rhetoric and strong takes during the past few weeks. This event simply gave them another stage to blast their platforms at the national level.
     That’s not to say this debate was a complete waste. Voters got to see candidates showcase their positions and directly contrast themselves right in front of their opponents. That’s a good thing for a packed field of nearly 20 candidates vying to gain an edge, but it’s entirely too early for this debate to significantly affect the race in the immediate future.
     There’s still five months until the Iowa Caucus. That’s a lot of time, and last week’s debate was extremely early. Candidates have plenty of time to separate themselves from the pack and winnow the field. However, the sheer number of contenders could prove to be an extreme detriment to the GOP come November 2016.
     Hard competition and high stakes typically create rather ugly races. Candidates will tear the competition down in an attempt to gain an edge, and it often leads to disjointed party politics and bitter infighting. This splits the party and often hinders the eventual nominee’s shot at winning the general election. Too much mud gets flung during primary season, which can turn off moderate voters in swing states.
     Based on shear party cohesiveness, it seems Democrats currently hold an edge over Republicans – only five candidates have thrown their hats into the ring on that side so far. That allows voters to research each contender more thoroughly and contrast their postions easier. There’s simply less commotion and bickering, which can translate into votes come Election Day.
     Though you can’t force the process, it would be in the GOP’s best interest to cut the field by at least five before January. The current list of candidates is extremely saturated. Some are in this to boost their own personal brand and ego, while others have more genuine goals. Nevertheless, it’s clear there’s plenty of fat that can be trimmed to reduce the field down to more reasonable levels.
     Ultimately, that task lies with voters. Choice is always good, but too much can make a hard situation even more difficult.