In Monday’s caucus, each voter selected a candidate by gathering in that candidate’s corner. Then, candidates that garnered less than 15 percent were knocked out and their voters were allowed to choose another candidate. The caucuses took place in town halls, school gyms and even private homes.
Iowa’s caucus format may have added percentage points to Kerry and Edwards’ decisive victories. But Glickman said he thought that although the numbers may have been slightly inflated by the caucus system, Kerry and Edwards’ major leads were significant and close to what they would have garnered in a standard election.
The College Crowd
Back at Harvard, student politicos said the surprise finish in Iowa has energized undergraduates and will drive greater participation in New Hampshire campaigning.
Harvard College Democrats President Andrew J. Frank ’05 said turnout among college students in Iowa was higher than in previous years.
The youth turnout, he said, validated candidates’ focus on college voters and shows that students can be wooed effectively.
“Young people are starting to get involved in the process, more so than in the past,” he said. “I think the candidates are right to court that block.”
Nicholas F.B. Smyth ’05, president of Harvard Students for Kerry, said the caucuses had mobilized support for Kerry on campus.
“It was great to see the people who are switching over to Kerry, and the people who have been supporting Kerry all along, but kind of got disheartened by the New Hampshire polls and the third place [polling in Iowa],” Smyth said. “Now we have tons of people excited to go up to New Hampshire this week and over the weekend.”
Brittani S. Head ’06, president of Harvard Students for Edwards, said Monday’s results were giving Edwards a similar boost among undergraduates.
“We have a bunch of people throughout the year who said, ‘We like Edwards but he’s not polling high enough,’” Head said. “There’s definitely been a tangible effect on enthusiasm for the campaign on willingness to get involved.”
Even Harvard Students for Lieberman saw the benefit of Iowa—a reminder that big comebacks are possible. Lieberman, who had opted not to campaign in Iowa, currently trails by 18 points in New Hampshire.
“Kerry’s unexpected victory has totally turned things around,” said Rebecca E. Rubins ’05. “It showed more than anything that everything is totally variable.”
Frank said the College Democrats will send at least 50 students to campaign in New Hampshire over the next week.
“People are really excited,” he said. “This is the most interesting presidential primary that there has been in a long, long time and there may be in a long, long time—now or never.”
—Staff writer Stephen M. Marks can be reached at marks@fas.harvard.edu.