Iowa's Finish Line

Thank you, Iowa.

For more than a year, the people of the Hawkeye State attended a graduate seminar in presidential politics while the rest of us got to sleep in and borrow their notes. They took their responsibility seriously, braving suffocating heat at the Ames straw poll in August and near zero temperatures during caucus week to meet the candidates and study their records. They attended town meetings, rallies, coffee klatches and house parties, and they interrupted their family festivities over the holidays to hear two or three more political speeches in large auditoriums and crowded diners across the state.

...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!