WHY are the IOWA caucuses...?

History shows that it works that way. Winning in an early state gives you a LOT of press... and people start looking at the candidate differently, actually THINKING about that candidate, if they haven't before. It can be a great help to underdogs. And yes, people are that gullible. People will vote on ballots based on name recognition. People with the last name Kennedy, regardless of relation to the Kennedy family, are more likely to be elected in any kind of election, because stupid people will not even LOOK at who they're voting for.

I don't think it's right that Iowa might have an inordinate amount of influence on the election. In my opinion, all the states should hold their primaries on one day, but hey... I'm just a citizen, heh.

At this point it's not electoral votes that are up for grabs. It's delegates to the party conventions.

I know it irritates lots of people that Iowa is first. I don't understand this irritation. Somebody has to be first.

It's good that you are thinking for yourself and have chosen a candidate but it also wouldn't hurt to pay some attention to the issues that the candidates discuss - even when they're in Iowa. It's highly likely that a candidate or two will drop out after the Iowa caucuses and the NH primary and you may be faced with another choice. So, for now, learn all you can about all the candidates and their platforms.

Why are you so offended by the Iowa caucus? Are the caucuses supposed to stop just because you have already made your decision?