World News: OnPolitics: Will Iowa get the boot?

Wednesday, November 30

Registered democrats meet to caucus at Hayloft in Grant, Iowa on Feb. 3, 2020.

The Iowa caucuses, first in the nation no longer?

Will Iowa get the boot as the first-in-the-nation caucus? Could Michigan get a top slot for its primary? Democrats are weighing a new calendar for choosing presidential nominees.

For 50 years, Iowa has held the plumb spot, drawing hordes of candidates and operatives who crisscross the state to court voters.

The Hawkeye state's fate is on the line when the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee gathers for a three-day meeting in Washington beginning Thursday.

Why it matters: Former President Barack Obama has long spoken of his affection for Iowa, which delivered him key momentum after he scored an upset victory over Hillary Clinton in the caucus in 2008. It's one of many examples of Iowa's role as a kingmaker.

But Iowa's vaunted status came under fire in 2020, when technological and organizational snafus delayed the result of the Democratic caucus for several days.

Iowa has been trending red in the last couple of presidential cycles and it lacks diversity, further fueling calls for a shakeup.

Could Michigan or Minnesota move up? If Iowa gets shoved aside, Michigan and Minnesota could end up with better slots. New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada -- three states that are already in the top tier -- are jockeying for position. As Brianne Pfannenstiel and Francesca Chambers report, the stakes are immense.

While the outcome of the DNC meeting is far from clear, one thing is certain: it will get messy. 🌽 Want to stay in the loop on the twists and turns? Follow our coverage at USATODAY.com Friday and Saturday.

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