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Washington, Iowa: ‘Life is good’

Residents of this thriving town in the state that kicks off the GOP presidential nominating process see a parade of candidates talk about problems they largely don’t have.

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Dec. 30, 2011

From left, Robert Kennedy, John Thorne, Keith Lazar and Dean Garrett meet regularly at the Coffee Corner in Washington, Iowa. With the town's economy humming, Lazar, a banker, has had a banner year. “Couldn't be better," Lazar says when a customer asks how he's doing. "Life is good."

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Charlotte Soboroff, 6, and her little brother Henry, 2, draw pictures in the condensation of a coffee shop window in Washington, Iowa. The town boasts a 4 percent unemployment rate.

Dec. 30, 2011

Charlotte Soboroff, 6, and her little brother Henry, 2, draw pictures in the condensation of a coffee shop window in Washington, Iowa. The town boasts a 4 percent unemployment rate.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A view of South Marion Avenue in Washington, Iowa. Fueled by a strong farm economy, the town's small businesses are growing. Its population is, too.

Dec. 29, 2011

A view of South Marion Avenue in Washington, Iowa. Fueled by a strong farm economy, the town's small businesses are growing. Its population is, too.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Banker Keith Lazar looks out a window at the town his bank has helped to grow. 'Pretty awesome year,' he says of the bank's finances. His situation doesn't much resemble politicians' talk about an angry and troubled country, and he feels disconnected from the national political discourse. 'What could they say that I really need to hear?' Lazar says.

Dec. 30, 2011

Banker Keith Lazar looks out a window at the town his bank has helped to grow. "Pretty awesome year," he says of the bank's finances. His situation doesn't much resemble politicians' talk about an angry and troubled country, and he feels disconnected from the national political discourse. "What could they say that I really need to hear?" Lazar says.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry, center, greets people during a campaign stop in Washington, Iowa. 'This is a nation in crisis,' the Texas governor told voters.

Dec. 29, 2011

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry, center, greets people during a campaign stop in Washington, Iowa. "This is a nation in crisis," the Texas governor told voters.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Wanda Zuehlke, 86, right, waits in a Washington, Iowa, coffee shop for Rick Perry to make a campaign stop. Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses have secured the candidates’ attention in the town.

Dec. 29, 2011

Wanda Zuehlke, 86, right, waits in a Washington, Iowa, coffee shop for Rick Perry to make a campaign stop. Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses have secured the candidates’ attention in the town.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Wanda Zuehlke, 86, poses for a snapshot with Rick Perry.

Dec. 29, 2011

Wanda Zuehlke, 86, poses for a snapshot with Rick Perry.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Residents gather at the Coffee Corner to listen to Rick Perry speak.

Dec. 29, 2011

Residents gather at the Coffee Corner to listen to Rick Perry speak.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Members of the Kiwanis Club sing 'America the Beautiful' to begin their meeting in Washington, Iowa. The club solicits community-improvement donations, which have funded have funded a weight room, a fountain in the park and a municipal bandstand.

Dec. 30, 2011

Members of the Kiwanis Club sing "America the Beautiful" to begin their meeting in Washington, Iowa. The club solicits community-improvement donations, which have funded have funded a weight room, a fountain in the park and a municipal bandstand.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Steve Bohn, center, executive vice president of Washington State Bank, helps serve up a chili dinner at a Kiwanis Club fundraising event at a Washington, Iowa, church.

Dec. 29, 2011

Steve Bohn, center, executive vice president of Washington State Bank, helps serve up a chili dinner at a Kiwanis Club fundraising event at a Washington, Iowa, church.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Banker Keith Lazar and his wife, Sam. As much as political Washington is unpredictable, their life in their Washington is an exercise in routine. They've been married 35 years. He's been at the bank for 20. And 'It's a Wonderful Life,' one of his favorite movies, plays on their TV every Christmas.

Dec. 30, 2011

Banker Keith Lazar and his wife, Sam. As much as political Washington is unpredictable, their life in their Washington is an exercise in routine. They've been married 35 years. He's been at the bank for 20. And "It's a Wonderful Life," one of his favorite movies, plays on their TV every Christmas.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A bust of the first president stands in the town square of Washington, Iowa.

Dec. 29, 2011

A bust of the first president stands in the town square of Washington, Iowa.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

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