Iowa caucus

Since 1976, the Iowa caucus has been the first indication of which candidate for President of the United States would win the nomination of his or her political party at that party's national convention.

History

While the Iowa caucus has been the first such caucus each year in the United States for a century, it only came to national attention in 1976, when obscure Georgia governor Jimmy Carter won the most votes at the Democratic caucus. In a major upset, he went on to win his party's nomination and eventually the presidency. Since then, presidential candidates have focused increasingly on achieving a win in Iowa. In 2000, for example, the Iowa caucus results placed Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush far ahead of their rivals. The two would go on to win their parties' nominations later in the year.

Related Topics:
Iowa - Caucus - United States - 1976 - Georgia - Governor - Jimmy Carter - Democratic - 2000 - Al Gore - Republican - George W. Bush

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The 2004 caucuses, similarly, proved to be important for Democratic presidential nomination hopefuls. Often, the caucus is an important factor in determining who remains in the race and who drops out. In the days leading up to the caucus, predictions showed candidates John Kerry and Howard Dean neck-and-neck for first place, with Dick Gephardt and John Edwards right behind them. Other candidates, notably Joseph Lieberman and Wesley Clark, who did not campaign in Iowa, failed to secure more than 5% of the vote. (For further information on the 2004 Iowa caucus, see 2004 Iowa Democratic caucuses.)

Related Topics:
2004 - John Kerry - Howard Dean - Dick Gephardt - John Edwards - Joseph Lieberman - Wesley Clark - 2004 Iowa Democratic caucuses

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