What are caucuses and why are Iowa and New Hampshire so important?

Question

Iowa and New Hampshire are both small states, so what makes them so important in the caucuses?

Answer 1

they are 1st

but that's not the same as being "important"

only 116,000 Republicans took part last night

that almost nothing in a country with 300 Million people.

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the Associated Press says only 114,000 Republicans took part

and that's a lot more than last time !

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hey Swimbike

I didn't say I was better than anyone

Yes - Every STATE is important.

but a caucus is Not

geese !

Answer 2

Traditionally they are first. That is not a good reason, but it may be that they are cosidered part of the heartland.

Answer 3

They're first.

Answer 4

http://www.iowacaucus.org/iacaucus.html

check out this site...some good info

and this one for state sizes:

http://www.ipl.org/youth/stateknow/popch...

Iowa isn't as small as many think.  Look at some of the interviews with the candidates.  They even say that Iowa is truly a state that wants to learn about the candidates and wants to get to know them on a personal level.  I wish I could have gone to some of the events to talk face to face and ask those questions they don't have random answers for.

edit: ducky - every state is IMPORTANT, just because you aren't in IA doesn't mean you are better than us!

Answer 5

Winners get more money, losers drop out.

Answer 6

they are only important because they go first.   They go first so they can be important for a little while.  Othewise, no one would pay attention to them.

Once they go, the media just picks the top 3 from each party and presumes those are the ones everybody else will vote for..   and everyone else drops out.    in this way less than %1 of the country votes, then the media basically picks the candidates.

Answer 7

I was wondering the same thing! My husband said it is just to decide by each state (Iowa was first) which persons will be allowed to run for president.