The way i saw it whoever has won Iowa in years past usually failed to become POTUS.
McCain finished fourth in IA in 2008 and Romney finished in a tie with Santorum in 2012.
They both went on to lose in November.
Most have not.
The big reason is that the winner usually spends so much time there, that they have no clue as to how to repeat the win in a completely different part of the country.
Then why do all the candidates “have to win” Iowa? I’ve never understood it.
but not always.......you should ask why......why did Huck and Santorum fail after winning Iowa? Because their candidacies were doomed from the start by being a niche only candidacy.
That’s not the case with Cruz, Trump or Rubio. This year, the niche candidates hardly registered. Three candidates with appeal in several voter sectors dominated. Yeah, I know, “why” is troubling notion for some....but it’s damned important.