Prompted by Carter's re-election loss in , the national Democratic Party theorized that the drawn-out nomination process was more of a hindrance than a help to their party's nominee.
They rolled out new rules that would restrict how early any state's nomination processes could be held, but still allowed Iowa to caucus first. At that point, it seemed like everyone was happy.
Then, Vermont moved up the date of its straw poll. In response, New Hampshire made its primary earlier. In defiance of the national party, Iowa chose to move the caucuses earlier than its nationally assigned date to maintain the buffer between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. In November of , with the caucuses soon approaching, state party officials gathered to resolve the disagreement and vote on the official date. Those in favor of the earlier date wanted to preserve both Iowa and New Hampshire's unique roles in the nomination process.
Those in favor of the later date wanted the whole process shortened to help the eventual nominee. The party leaders voted for the earlier date. Iowa's status as first in the nation was, at least for the moment, secured. So the people of Iowa I will always be grateful to all of you!
Why Iowa? Chapter 3 from Why Iowa? The simplest answer may be that Iowa is the first state in the nation to show its support for candidates. George McGovern, the Democratic contender in the election, explained the significance of Iowa like this: "Iowa is terribly important. It's the first test in the nation, where we get any test at all.
That test comes from real, everyday voters. The level of support a candidate receives in Iowa gives a reasonable indication of how they will perform with the rest of American voters.
The traditional thinking goes that if middle-American Iowans support a candidate, then that candidate has a chance with the rest of the nation. The results in Iowa can also tell a candidate how their platform is resonating with voters. The early timing gives candidates time to make adjustments to their campaign messaging should the response from voters signal they need to.
A very poor showing in Iowa might force some candidates to bow out of the race. A strong showing in Iowa also sends a message to the national party leaders. Each party seeks a strong contender for the White House, and a good response from Iowans helps cement a candidate's chances to win the national nomination.
Being first in the nation certainly is important. But Iowa wasn't always first, and the votes cast by its residents in the caucus weren't always so important. Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg speaking to voters during a campaign rally in Waverly, Iowa on November 3, The Iowa Democratic caucuses will take place on February 3, , making it the first nominating contest for the Democratic Party in choosing their presidential candidate to face Donald Trump in the election.
Carter was able to capitalize on the media attention he garnered to propel himself forward, ultimately winning the Democratic presidential nomination and then the presidency. Ever since then, Iowa has remained a crucial proving ground for nearly every presidential candidate. But the state has a spotty record of picking the president. Among Republicans since , the winner of the Iowa caucuses has won the presidency just once: George W.
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