The media and American politics: an overview -- Iowa: a political and demographic profile -- The Iowa Precinct caucuses: the decades of obscurity -- The 1968 and 1972 caucuses: the emergence of a national event -- The 1976 caucuses: the making of a front-runner -- The 1980 caucuses: a media event becomes an institution -- The 1984 caucuses: the kickoff of a front-loaded season -- The 1988 caucuses: a media extravaganza -- The 1992 caucuses: a favorite son emerges -- The 1996 caucuses: back in the limelight -- The 2000 caucuses: more important than ever -- The 2004 caucuses: change and continuity -- The 2008 caucuses: from Iowa to the White House -- Media event or local event? The caucuses in perspective
Summary
Although some people refer to Iowa as "flyover country," presidential candidates and political reporters in the national press corps have no difficulty locating the state every four years at the beginning of presidential primary season. When Iowa Democrats pushed forward their precinct caucuses in 1972, the Iowa caucuses became the first presidential nominating event in the nation. Politicos soon realized the impact of Iowa's new status and, along with the national media, promoted the caucuses with a vengeance. The Iowa Precinct Caucuses chronicles how the cau