The Creation of a Political Phenomenon
When Iowa’s Republicans gather tonight to cast the first presidential ballots of 2024, Richard Bender, known as the godfather of the Iowa caucuses, will be watching with both interest and regret. Over 50 years ago, Bender, a young Iowa Democratic Party staffer, played a key role in creating this unique and closely-watched event in American politics. However, with the Democratic Party now shunning Iowa in favor of later contests in South Carolina and Nevada, Bender is sorry to see the demise of a tradition he helped establish.
The Unplanned Birth of the Caucuses
The Iowa caucuses, which have become an internationally watched spectacle and a crucial early test of political strength, originally began as a coincidence. Iowa had a tradition of selecting its delegates through a series of precinct-level gatherings and a statewide convention, which were largely controlled by party bosses and insiders. However, after the chaotic 1968 Democratic National Convention, there was a push to reform the process and give voters more say.
Under the leadership of Clif Larson, the head of the Iowa Democratic Party, Bender was tasked with creating a more open system. The changes included eliminating the winner-take-all rule and requiring public notification at each step of the nominating process. Due to the party’s financial constraints, the caucuses were scheduled for January 24, 1972, making it the first vote in the country.
The Evolution and Criticism of the Caucuses
Since those early days, the Iowa caucuses have grown in significance, attracting national attention and becoming essential to presidential campaigns. Candidates like Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama used strong showings in Iowa to propel themselves to the White House. However, as the caucuses gained more influence, resentment also grew.
Opponents argued that Iowa’s outsized influence was unfair, and criticized the state for being too white and too rural to be representative of the country or the Democratic Party. The 2020 Democratic caucuses, marred by delays and confusion, provided further ammunition to those calling for Iowa to lose its prime spot in the presidential calendar.
The Future of the Iowa Caucuses
Despite the criticism and setbacks, the Iowa caucuses remain a unique opportunity for voters to engage directly with presidential candidates. Bender still holds hope that Iowa will regain its prominence in Democratic politics once President Biden departs. He believes that the intimate and personal nature of campaigning in Iowa, where candidates can have meaningful interactions with voters, is valuable in a world dominated by media soundbites and social media posts.
As the 2024 presidential race unfolds, Iowa’s political fate hangs in the balance. Will the caucuses reclaim their former glory, or will they become a relic of the past?
