Except that those counties that are red are the larger cities (Des Moines, Iowa City, Ceder Rapids, Davenport, etc.) and have a large flux of migrant workers and "minorities." These areas really do not reflect a s"mall town, mostly white" electorate at all. The big problem will be organized labor, the college towns, the NEA and the minority vote. I think that it is in play but it is really up for grabs. Iowa is really two states - it is the same Urban vs Country split that bedevil the rest of the nation. It seems a little stranger because the cities are generally smaller than much of the indutrialized Midwest and there in a much larger rural community relative to the cities then in other states.
One note: years ago they used to have a saying in Minnesota - "All the Rebulicans in up here were born in Iowa."
Iowa is still a quit pious state; perhaps this will help.
Except that those counties that are red are the larger cities (Des Moines, Iowa City, Ceder Rapids, Davenport, etc.) and have a large flux of migrant workers and "minorities." The urban areas are filled with union workers. That's what makes the real difference.
I've been involved in Iowa politics for more than 30 years, and I've never seen a grass roots organization like Howard Dean is putting together. Admittedly, all these 'new' voters do not know the ins and outs of the Caucus process, so Gephardt's 'old pros' may be able to manipulate the process and come out on top. But manipulation will be the only way Howdy Doody will win this thing.
Dean is importing tons of out of state volunteers to work the phones and door knock.