The Iowa Caucus
Beginning in January of an election year, the parties in each state select their delegates to the national party convention. This means that the candidates engage in 50 separate contests to win delegates to support them at the convention.
The first such contest is the caucus held in Iowa. All voters who are registered for with the party can participate. Small, neighborhood, precinct-level caucuses are held initially sometimes at a local hall or at someone’s home. Delegates are chosen at these meetings based on their support for a particular candidate. They then attend county caucuses, then congressional district caucuses, and then finally a state convention (which is usually held months later).
The Iowa Caucus, held on January 3, 2008, proved to the public that Obama was a significant contender for the Democratic nomination. He won 38 percent of the popular vote against Edward’s 30 percent and Clinton’s 29 percent.
Obama visited Iowa on several occasions, as shown here, to get in touch with the voters and make his commitment known.
What did news analysts think about Obama’s win in Iowa? Listen to their reaction in January 2008.
Journal: The 2008 Election 30 points
Complete part two of your journal assignment. Based on the way caucuses work what would your campaign strategy to win the Iowa Caucus be? Why would such a win be important to your campaign?
