On the December 12 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, while discussing the presidential primary system, Michael Savage asked, “What kind of rubbish is this that New Hampshire -- a bunch of drunks up there -- and Iowa, they're going to determine the outcome of an election?” Savage also referred to the residents of New Hampshire as “yokels” and “stamp collectors” and the residents of Iowa as “corn farmers.”

During the broadcast, Savage played a clip from the December 12 Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, in which Des Moines Register editor and moderator Carolyn Washburn stated: “We're going to focus on issues Iowans say that still want to know more about. We won't talk a lot about issues like Iraq or immigration.” Savage interjected: “First of all, who cares what they think in Iowa? That's number one. Why are we still running elections like it's the 19th century, where New Hampshire determines the election? A bunch of yokels in New Hampshire are going to determine the election as much as my dog is going to determine the election. Or a bunch of corn farmers in Iowa. I have nothing against corn farmers, don't get me wrong. But I'm sick of this 19th century model being used to tell who's going to win the election.” Savage went on to say, "[T]he people know that it's all fraudulent and that both parties are part of the same scam."

Later, a caller stated, “I'm just calling to say you're absolutely right about Iowa. I was disgusted when I read in the paper the other day that the turnout of the voting age population in Iowa for the caucuses is 10 percent.” Savage replied: “What kind of rubbish is this that New Hampshire -- a bunch of drunks up there -- and Iowa, they're going to determine the outcome of an election? Who came up with that nonsense? That's like believing in Santa Claus. If you believe that a bunch of drunks in New Hampshire and a bunch of stamp collectors in New Hampshire and a bunch of corn farmers in Iowa really are going to predict who the next president will be, that is like believing in Santa Claus.”

From the December 12 broadcast of Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation:

SAVAGE: Is anybody out there paying attention to these debates? I don't understand it. I'm in the business. This is supposed to be the most important election in the history of the universe, and I think that basically I'm watching Jackass I. Why would I watch a debate where they wouldn't even discuss immigration today? Did you hear what went on? The so-called Republicans initiated a so-called debate with a so-called moderator who said we're not going to discuss immigration. This is amazing to me how they can expect you to come out and vote for them. Do we have that sound bite? Play it if you have it.

WASHBURN [audio clip]: We're going to focus on issues Iowans say that still want to know more about. We won't talk a lot about issues like Iraq or immigration. They're important issues, no doubt, but Iowans say they know where the candidates are coming from --

SAVAGE: Aw, shut up. Just shut up. Iowans say nothing. Shut up. Get her off my show. Iowans say? First of all, who cares what they think in Iowa? That's number one. Why are we still running elections like it's the 19th century, where New Hampshire determines the election? A bunch of yokels in New Hampshire are going to determine the election as much as my dog is going to determine the election. Or a bunch of corn farmers in Iowa. I have nothing against corn farmers, don't get me wrong. But I'm sick of this 19th century model being used to tell who's going to win the election.

It's absurd. It's stupid. It's not a dog and pony show. It's a presidential election in the United States of America circa now, where the people know that it's all fraudulent and that both parties are part of the same scam, which is the “demican” and “republicrat” oligarchy. So we all understand that -- that's why nobody gives a rat's behind about any of it. Do you understand that? Play “Jingle Bell Rock” while I compose myself here. I started out feeling good.

[...]

SAVAGE: WTNT, Steven, you're on The Savage Nation.

CALLER: Hi, Dr. Savage. I'm just calling to say you're absolutely right about Iowa. I was disgusted when I read in the paper the other day that the turnout of the voting age population in Iowa for the caucuses is 10 percent.

SAVAGE: But why do we care about Iowa? This is a holdover from the 19th century, when we were largely an agrarian nation. What kind of rubbish is this that New Hampshire -- a bunch of drunks up there -- and Iowa, they're going to determine the outcome of an election? Who came up with that nonsense? That's like believing in Santa Claus. If you believe that a bunch of drunks in New Hampshire and a bunch of stamp collectors in New Hampshire and a bunch of corn farmers in Iowa really are going to predict who the next president will be, that is like believing in Santa Claus.

CALLER: I agree --

SAVAGE: There's no relationship. None whatsoever. None. And that's why I don't pay attention to these debates or these polls. They're utterly meaningless.