Why Iowa? How caucuses and sequential elections improve the presidential nominating process

Replacing speculation with empirical research, Redlawsk (Rutgers Univ.), Tolbert (Univ. of Iowa), and Donovan (Western Washington Univ.) survey participants in the 2008 Iowa caucuses and compare their responses to surveys of other Iowa voters, voters in states selecting delegates on and after Super Tuesday, and voters in the late Pennsylvania Democratic primary. These data allow the authors to examine a number of important questions. They find that interest in the 2008 contests dramatically increased participation in the Iowa caucuses, that those participants' backgrounds and attitudes were similar to those of other Iowa voters, that the better-funded candidates did better in the caucuses, and that the Iowa and New Hampshire results influence voters' perceptions of candidate viability in latter contests. The study also addresses the changing world of politics by looking at the online and offline participation of caucus attendees and primary voters. A well-written, thorough analysis of the Iowa caucuses and their influence on the US system of sequential nominating contests. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. A. D. McNitt Eastern Illinois University