Posted by student JAMES MITCHELL – In two weeks time the state of Iowa will be the focal point of American political activity as the Iowa Caucuses begin. The caucuses are widely 
touted as the first step in the process of deciding the presidential nominee for both the Democratic and Republican parties. The results of the caucuses are likely to have a major impact on which candidates are able to remain competitive heading into the New Hampshire primary on January 8th. In the 2004 Iowa caucus, John Kerry’s surprise victory wrenched his campaign from the political graveyard and catapulted it into national prominence.
Kerry then went on to win the Democratic nomination for president that year. With a plethora of candidates competing in what may be the most contested party nomination in recent history victory in Iowa is a highly sought prize.
Currently eight Democrats and seven Republicans are traversing the Hawkeye state wooing potential caucus goers. From December 28th to January 4th I will be following their footsteps, traveling from speech to speech across Iowa to give a first-hand account of the race to the caucuses. I plan to begin in Northwestern Iowa and make my way across the state covering at least one rally for each of the 15 presidential hopefuls. I’ll be posting photos and commentary from these events at least twice daily.
James Mitchell is a Clinton School student who will be covering the Iowa Caucuses for the Clinton School Blog.