No more phone calls: Iowa picking its winners

Luke Skywalker · Feb 1, 2016

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[h=4]No more phone calls: Iowa picking its winners[/h]After months of polling, debates, political attacks and counterattacks, Iowans on Monday will*finally cast the first presidential votes.

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What is a caucus? And what will happen at the caucus? Get the details and learn how the Republican and Democratic caucuses are different in the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses. VPC

Ben Blystone of Des Moines wears an Uncle Sam costume and waits for passers-by to take and drop a cotton ball in their favorite candidates jar inside the Theatrical Shop.(Photo: Brian Powers, The Des Moines Register)

WATERLOO, Iowa*—*After months of polls, debates, political attacks*and robocalls, Americans on Monday will*finally cast*— sort of*—*the first votes of the 2016 presidential campaign season.
They will only be Iowans, and they won't line up at voting booths. Voters will gather in public meetings across the state starting*at 7 p.m. CT.*Caucuses generally begin with speeches in support of candidates*before the actual voting gets underway. It could take awhile.
Republican hopeful Donald Trump told voters in Waterloo*he loves them*"win, lose or draw" in tonight's Republican*contest.
"This is it," Trump told at a small crowd gathered at a convention center in northeast Iowa. "Crunch time, right?"
Locked in what appears to be a tight battle with Ted*Cruz, the New York businessman got in a few last digs at the Texas senator, particularly his opposition to ethanol subsidies.*Citing it as "a major industry in Iowa," Trump told the crowd that Cruz "will destroy your ethanol business, 100%."
Trump also made a final appeal appeal to a key group*of Iowa voters, evangelicals.
"The evangelicals have been unbelievable to Donald Trump," he said, adding that religious people "really do get me."

It all begins today - WE WILL FINALLY TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK AND MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 1, 2016

Earlier, Trump declined to predict victory on NBC's Today.*Former Republican*vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was less reserved in her forecast.
"I believe that he will win Iowa,'' she told Today. "Iowa voters, too, are ready for restoration to constitutional government again, and Donald Trump is the one that can do this."
An Iowa victory would bring the noise this week, but might not carry long-term weight. The last two Republican winners here, Rick Santorum in 2012 and Mike Huckabee in 2008, saw their presidential fortunes quickly founder. Both are here again this year*— as longshots.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Twitter feed was making a hashtag push Monday: "It's #IAcaucus day! If you're standing with Hillary, let her know why by tweeting with #ImWithHer."
Clinton kept with tradition in keeping a lower profile on caucus day. At around 9:30 am she and her daughter, Chelsea, dropped by her campaign’s South Des Moines office on with iced donuts and coffee for volunteers.
“I had to stop by and tell you how much I appreciate your hard work,” Clinton told them. “I thought I’d bring you some unhealthy snacks!”
Clinton said that volunteers knocked on 186,000 doors in the last three days. Clinton spent about 10 minutes at the office meeting with about 60 volunteers who were heading to "get out the caucus" in the area.
She took more than a few selfies, signed books, and took a picture with two girls for Snapchat.
"That's so great," she told the girls as they snapped the selfie for social media. "You guys are so good!"
Democratic hopeful*Bernie Sanders was also expressing gratitude to campaign workers, saying "we have come a long, long way" since the independent senator from Vermont declared his candidacy nine months ago.
"We will win tonight if the voter turnout is high," he told his cheering supporters. "We will struggle tonight if the voter turnout is low. That's a fact."
Jane Sanders, wife of Democratic hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders, chatted up the hosts of CNN's*New Day, rejecting claims from her husband's detractors that he is too liberal to win the general election in November.
"His ideas are the same as the American people's ideas," she said, adding that she and her husband "are surprised not by the resonance of his ideas, but the fervor of the support."
Jeb Bush had a special guest at an event Monday, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. The Republican*wasn't there to endorse Bush, but to discuss education reform and other issues.
At one point, two people interrupted Bush claiming they came to event expecting to get paid.
"Get out of here!" Bush said as the crowed booed.
Republican Marco Rubio spent some of his morning in a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Clive, Iowa. The Florida senator tweeted that he "loved meeting caucus goers."
Republican hopeful Rand Paul lobbies for his candidacy on MSNBC's Morning Joe. He said he doesn't think*Trump, who had consistently led GOP polling, represents a policy of smaller government that Americans want. And the Kentucky senator*did not write himself off from winning here, despite polling in single digits.
"I think the polls are becoming increasingly erratic," Paul said. "It's hard to find people on the phone, it's hard to find young people. I think there is a very good chance we will see a lot of surprises tonight."
Republican Ben Carson was interviewed on National Public Radio and NBC's Today. He also lobbied for support on Twitter: "I*hope that Iowans will consider caucusing for me. As President, I'll protect our nation, revitalize our economy, and wage war on #ISIS."
Bacon reported from McLean, Va. Contributing: Jason Noble, The Des Moines Register.

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESPresidential candidates pander to Iowa | 01:13Listen to these hilarious instances in which United States presidential candidates pandered to the state of Iowa ahead of the caucuses Monday. USA TODAY

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESVideo: How the Iowa Caucuses work | 01:05What is a caucus? And what will happen at the caucus? Get the details and learn how the Republican and Democratic caucuses are different in the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses. Gannett

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESIs Trump for real? And other answers from Iowa | 01:42After months of hearing from pundits and pollsters, voters will answer some big 2016 questions.

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESTrump Hits Cruz in Iowa, Exhorts Supporters | 01:25With voting in the Iowa Caucuses two days away, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump questioned Ted Cruz's citizenship, and exhorted supporters to give him a win, saying it would enable him to "run the table." (Jan. 30) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESTrump Takes Optimistic Tone On Eve of Caucuses | 02:21On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, an optimistic Donald Trump says he'll win swing states in the general election and bring into play states traditionally written off by the GOP. He also introduced his rarely-heard-from wife Melania to the crowd. (Jan AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESHuckabee, Santorum show up at Trump's Iowa event after debate | 01:59Donald Trump stuck to his word and skipped the 7th GOP debate, choosing instead to hold an event for veterans. Fellow candidates Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum showed up after the debate to show their support. USA TODAY

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESEvangelical voters are confusing pundits in Iowa | 01:48Their support for a certain thrice-married billionaire is making this election different than previous ones.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESJust how consequential is Iowa? | 00:48The state that holds the first vetting of the presidential candidates contributes a surprisingly low number of delegates to the national conventions.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESEvangelical Influence Could Shape Iowa Caucuses | 02:23Social conservatives wield a powerful hand at Iowa's Republican caucuses. The AP's John Mone reports on why winning over this voting bloc is key for the GOP candidates. (Jan. 31) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESSusan Page and news from Iowa caucuses | 03:35Susan Page covers the first presidential caucus

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESGov. Terry Branstad on Trump, Cruz and Iowa turnout | 08:06Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad discusses Trump, Cruz and caucus turnout.

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESIowa's First to Vote Status Yields Big Influence | 02:27For 44 years, the sparsely populated, largely rural state of Iowa has held the first in the nation nominating contests, giving it an outsized influence over the process, despite a spotty record of success in choosing the eventual nominee. (Jan. 29) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESCampaigns Step Up Ground Game Ahead of Caucus | 01:42Presidential campaigns are stepping up their efforts on the street ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses -- knocking on doors and making phone calls to make sure supporters turn out to caucus. (Jan. 30) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESCandidates in Iowa Target the Youth Vote | 02:15Iowa's first in the nation presidential nomination contest may have a boost in younger voters in 2016 - mainly because of timing. (Jan. 29) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESO'Malley to supporters: 'Hold strong' at your caucus | 01:03Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley faced a tough question from CNN's Chris Cuomo during a town hall. VPC

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESRide along with candidates on Iowa campaign trail | 02:0418 hours, 19 stops and nine candidates. The Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen staff photographers spent one day all over the state documenting a full day on the campaign trail in Iowa. VPC

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESElection 2016: What Are The Iowa Caucuses? | 01:45For more than 40 years, Iowa has been at the front of the presidential nominating process. Here is a look at how the Iowa caucuses work for the Democrats and the Republicans. (Jan. 28) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESOut of State Students Learn to Caucus in Iowa | 02:05The timing of this year's Iowa presidential caucuses means that out of state college students will be back from winter break and able to vote. Hundreds showed up for a lesson at one university in Des Moines. (Jan. 28) AP

ALL ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUSESLearn how caucuses work in under a minute | 01:05What is a caucus? And what will happen at the caucus? Get the details and learn how the Republican and Democratic caucuses are different in the first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses. VPC

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No more phone calls: Iowa picking its winners

Luke Skywalker

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