Iowa stands to be ground zero in the process of defining the 2012 GOP nominating process - on a number of levels. Tea party vs. establishment Republicans. Social conservatives vs. moderates (if they exist). Neo-cons vs. traditional foreign policy moderates.
One issue stands to intersect in many ways between national politics and state level dynamics; that issue is gay marriage.
Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate are pushing an expansive amendment that would ban both marriage equality and civil unions. The measure (HJR 6) passed the House today, but efforts seem likely to stall in the Senate.
I don't have much further commentary on the politics or the process, but I really do think the below video demonstrates the gravity of the issue and the difference between age groups and how they view marriage:
(below the fold)