Republican presidential hopefuls are criss-crossing Iowa with last-minute hopes of convincing voters to choose them in the states caucuses on Jan. 3. In this year's contest, the first of the 2012 presidential race, many Iowa voters remain undecided and the results are very much in question.
As the incumbent, President Obama is certain to be the nominee for the presidential race for the Democrats; however, the Republicans will nominate someone to run against President Obama through a series of elections known as primaries. The Iowa primary is always the first in line and takes place through a unique system of urging voters to choose a particular candidate in a town hall-style meeting.
This year, Republican voters across Iowa are very undecided about who they will choose to be their nominee, and the race will likely remain undecided until late into the night on Jan. 3.
Quotes
"Well, the first priority is to pick someone that can beat President Obama." - Iowa voter
"This time, you just don't seem to have that one that rises head and shoulders way above the others, you know, for people who say, yeah, that's the one." - Steve Scheffler, Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition
Warm Up Questions
1. How do Americans choose their president?
2. What do you know about the presidential nomination process?
3. What is an incumbent?
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think candidates are so concentrated on doing well in the Iowa primary?
2. Do you think the presidential nominating process makes sense? Why or why not? What would you change?
3. Why do you think most Iowa voters are still undecided about what candidate to nominate? Cite examples from the video.
Additional Resources
Primaries and Caucuses: How Do the Parties Choose a Candidate?
