Iowa Caucus 2012

**Cricket** · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012, 04:16 PM

Okay, I feel like a fool for not knowing the answer to this, but could you help me understand the importance of the Iowa Caucus?

Brave7 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012, 04:39 PM

Regarding your question I think this article will answer it:

How Important is the Iowa Caucus?
http://www.ivillage.com/how-importan...cus/8-a-415103

IMO, it will set the tone of the Presidential election.

**ScriptMan** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012, 04:47 PM

Money. Contributions. Recognition.

It is the first official showdown in the primary race.

Winners get more contributions from people who don't want to bet on the wrong horse and live with it for 4 years.

An official recognition of the candidates standing and potential chances.

Top 3 or 4 go on as do the stubborn. Finish last and you might as well fold your cards.

Who me?

Sunfyre7896 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2012, 01:54 PM

While it does normally set the tone, it's important that last caucus' results weren't indicative of the nomination as McCain didn't finish in first in Iowa. Also, despite Santorum being only 8 votes out of first and possibly getting the same number of delegates as Romney and Paul, he's unlikely to even finish strong. He spent all of his time and resources in Iowa pandering to their evangelicals and nowhere else. Likewise, Huntsman spent all of his time in New Hampshire and not Iowa and both results showed.

Again, while it does set a sort of standard and pace as to what will happen, by itself, it doesn't wholly affect the outcome with only a small percentage of delegates to the whole.

Breeze Wood · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2012, 09:24 PM

You can't live with them and you cant live without them ... when they are the "First" it goes to their heads.

Poor Hilary did not have a chance, probably their best coup of the decade.