An Iowan's Guide to the Iowa Caucuses

Tuesday will be the Iowa Caucuses.  The media horde has already descended upon our fair state, and it is difficult to avoid running into a candidate for the presidency.  The process draws the world's attention to my state, and I thought a few pointers may be in order.

What is a caucus?  The process differs between the parties.  This year, as President Obama will run as an incumbant, there will be very small Democratic party caucuses.  The real show will be on the Republican side.  Caucuses take place in schools, churches, garages, among other places.  Typically, the process lasts about an hour or two.  At the end, the caucus (usually by majority vote), determines who their precinct will support for President.  In the Republican process, this can be pro rated between the various candidates.  Nominees are also selected to attend the state convention and sometimes planks in the party's platform are debated.

Iowans like to "fool" pollsters:  Some think it is impolite to be asked which candidate they are supporting. Voting is, after all, a private affair.  So they will tell pollsters every candidate but the one they are actually supporting when asked.  Believe me, after the 22nd call in a week asking about issues and candidates, even the most honest person would grow weary and mischievous.  It also serves to help perpetuate the "Iowa Surprise" myth. 

Iowans Yearn for the Political Ads to Stop:  Many people exclaim that they can't wait for the seed corn and pesticide commercials to start again.  The constant barrage of negative ads and issue related commercials take their toll.  In non-election years, these ads are routinely distained and ridiculed.  In election years, we view them with nostalgia and warm feelings.  Who doesn't want to see little cutworms smashed to smithereens in 3D?

It's a bit Overwhelming:  Having to pick the perfect candidate out can be daunting.  Each one has strengths and weaknesses that must be weighed. While Iowa does not get the last word, it gets the first one, and that can lead to candidates dropping out.  That adds a lot of pressure to the process.  Iowans know that and try to honestly work through the process.

So, while I haven't decided what to do on Tuesday, I'm sure that by Tuesday evening the media will have declared a winner and moved on.