U.S. presidential candidates count on Iowa caucus

Since 1972, the Iowa caucus has become the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States . It has served as an early indication of which candidates for President of the United States might win the nomination of their political party at that party's national convention. The next Iowa caucus will be held on January 3, 2008.

Photo: U.S. presidential candidates count on Iowa caucus

The Iowa caucus operates very differently from the more common primary election used by most other states. It can be defined as "gathering of neighbors." Typically, these meetings occur in schools, churches, or public libraries. The caucuses are held every two years, but the ones that receive national attention are the presidential preference caucuses held every four years. In addition to the voting, caucus attendees propose planks for their party's platform, select members of the county committees, and discuss issues important to their local organizations.

In the 2008 Iowa Caucus the participants will be as follows:

Republicans: John Cox, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson.

Democrats: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson.

Thus on the threshold of the coming process the point of rest for leading candidates Clinton and Obama are older voters and generally female in the former case and younger and male in the latter.

Edwards is trying to attract new voters, too. Recent events featuring singers Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne were designed to allure Iowans who might not show up for a routine political rally.

The campaigns offer a lot of benefits to attract all the ages. Especially Hillary Clinton’s, who is sure that many people will come because they are eager to help elect the first woman president.