Iowa caucus season low-key

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111106/NEWS01/711069919#iowa-caucus-season-low-key

By Robynn Tysver
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20111106&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=711069919&Ref=AR&maxw=490&maxh=275
Republican presidential hopeful, businessman Herman Cain, looks relaxed in an "Iowa" sweatshirt as he campaigns outside of Kinnick stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, before Iowa's NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011.


In the 2008 presidential cycle, Iowa was awash with presidential candidates. Political junkies like Jeff Jorgensen got to shake hands with GOP candidates like Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee three or four times.

This year, Jorgensen, chairman of the Pottawattamie County Republicans, is seeing fewer presidential candidates, and he's seeing them fewer times. He has seen Romney, one of two GOP front-runners, once.

"(Iowans) have just gotten spoiled ... with the attention and the candidates coming through on a regular basis," he said. "This year, I think most of the candidates are trying to stick with a nationwide campaign."

Clearly, it ain't 2008 for the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

The 2012 version is, for now, attracting fewer visits. And fewer candidates also appear to be banking on a Hawkeye State win to propel their candidacy onto the national stage.

FULL story at link.

[rurallib]

1. If you look back at 2008, the Repugs didn't draw much attention in Iowa

then either.
Edwards, Clinton and of course Obama drew huge crowds. Republicans, not so much.
Even Richardson was outdrawing Republicans.

[progressoid]

2. Yup.

in '08 we filled a gym and down the hall the repugs were in a classroom.