There are a SEVERAL MAJOR dynamics at work in Iowa that everyone in the media is missing...
1) The Universities will be CLOSED on Election Day, so there will be no ready pool of New, Young Voters and volunteers for any of the campaigns to rely on...
This was FINALLY mentioned TODAY:
Student break makes Christmas tough for U.S. campaignshttp://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2532747420071225?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true
2) This will be the FIRST Election coming DIRECTLY on the heels of large family gatherings.
How much are those Family Arguments at Holiday time going to influence the voters?
3) Many Iowans will be on the road, and away from home during the runup and decision phase of this campaign. How is being OUTSIDE of the Iowa Media bubble going to affect thier opinions?
4) Its DEEP WINTER...
How will the weather affect the older, Boomer Democrats and Republicans abilities to get to the polls?
5) Ive only seen ONE poll that has taken SECOND CHOICES, a critical element of the Iowa Caucuss...
Don’t know if this will have any effect, but it is also the night of the college football championship game. I think it is the Orange Bowl. So how many die hard football fans will pick that instead of the caucus also.