Caucus Land

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It’s an important responsibility being first in the nominating process, and Iowans take it seriously. Candidates take us seriously too – from diners to coffee shops, living rooms to the state fair, they spend a years’ worth of time listening and responding, working to convince caucus-goers that they…

Iowa Public Radio


    • Dec 19, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 45 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Caucus Land

    The perspective that is lost

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023


    Traditional Iowa news outlets are shrinking and have fewer resources to cover the Iowa caucuses. The remaining Republican presidential candidates make their case in the final weeks as misinformation blurs what potential caucusgoers know to be true.

    A tradition in name only

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023


    Presidential candidates have been rewarded in the Iowa caucuses for spending a lot of time traveling the state and meeting with voters. That strategy doesn't seem to be working for those running against former President Donald Trump in 2024. A runaway victory for the former president could mark a major shift for campaigns and could spell even more trouble for the future of the Iowa caucuses.

    Iowa's march to the right

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023


    Former President Donald Trump's first campaign for president was unlike anything Iowa caucus goers had experienced before. Many voters clung to his right-wing populist message and still support him as he runs for the White House a third time. His election in 2016 marked a clear shift in Iowa's politics that's still very present today.

    Losing first-in-the-nation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023


    Everything seemed to go well during the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses… until it came time to record the results. There was no momentum for any candidates on caucus night because of a faulty smartphone app. President Joe Biden had a poor showing and signaled the DNC to move Iowa back in the calendar ending the state's coveted long held first-in-the-nation position.

    Introducing Caucus Land ‘24

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023


    Caucus Land returns for a limited-run second season. Our first of four episodes debuts Nov. 15. Here's a preview of Caucus Land ‘24.

    Caucus Meltdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2020 21:36


    The 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses devolved into chaos when the system for reporting results failed. Technical issues, human error and reporting inaccuracies delayed the outcome for days, and the repercussions are still playing out. On the twentieth episode of Caucus Land, we take a look at the app that broke the caucuses and how Iowa Democrats are responding.

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    Caucus Meltdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2020 21:36


    The 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses devolved into chaos when the system for reporting results failed. Technical issues, human error and reporting inaccuracies delayed the outcome for days, and the repercussions are still playing out. On the twentieth episode of Caucus Land, we take a look at the app that broke the caucuses and how Iowa Democrats are responding.

    technical meltdown caucus iowa democratic iowa democrats
    Caucus Curtain Call

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 19:39


    What started as the largest and most diverse crop of Democratic presidential candidates in history has been cut down substantially ahead of the February 3rd Iowa caucuses. But it’s not just Iowa that’s winnowed the field. On the nineteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about how we got here and what it could mean for the future of the Iowa caucuses.

    Caucus Curtain Call

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 19:39


    What started as the largest and most diverse crop of Democratic presidential candidates in history has been cut down substantially ahead of the February 3 rd Iowa caucuses. But it’s not just Iowa that’s winnowed the field. On the nineteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about how we got here and what it could mean for the future of the Iowa caucuses.

    What To Expect When You're Expecting To Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 30:33


    Every four years, people have to basically relearn how the Iowa Democratic caucuses work. This year, a slate of new rules means caucus night could get even more confusing, and campaigns will have more ways than ever to spin the results out of Iowa. On the eighteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll break down what actually happens on February 3rd. Plus, conversations with two candidates: former Vice President Joe Biden and billionaire Tom Steyer.

    What To Expect When You're Expecting To Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 30:33


    Every four years, people have to basically relearn how the Iowa Democratic caucuses work. This year, a slate of new rules means caucus night could get even more confusing, and campaigns will have more ways than ever to spin the results out of Iowa. On the eighteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll break down what actually happens on February 3rd. Plus, conversations with two candidates: former Vice President Joe Biden and billionaire Tom Steyer.

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    That Other First In The Nation State

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 32:33


    There are plenty of critics of the Iowa caucuses. This year, there's pressure from insiders and outsiders to change the process. On the seventeenth episode of Caucus Land, we'll talk about why some of those changes haven't happened with Lauren Chooljian, a host of the New Hampshire Public Radio podcast Stranglehold. Plus, conversations with two candidates: former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

    That Other First In The Nation State

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 32:33


    There are plenty of critics of the Iowa caucuses. This year, there's pressure from insiders and outsiders to change the process. On the seventeenth episode of Caucus Land, we'll talk about why some of those changes haven't happened with Lauren Chooljian, a host of the New Hampshire Public Radio podcast Stranglehold. Plus, conversations with two candidates: former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

    A Historic Shift For LGBTQ Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2019 27:53


    When Barack Obama ran for president in 2008, he defined marriage as “between a man and a woman." A decade later, that position would be almost unimaginable in this cycle’s Democratic presidential race. On the sixteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about how the candidates are approaching LGBTQ policy. Plus, we’ll wade into the debate over whether Iowa is diverse enough to be first in the nation.

    A Historic Shift For LGBTQ Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2019 27:53


    When Barack Obama ran for president in 2008, he defined marriage as “between a man and a woman." A decade later, that position would be almost unimaginable in this cycle’s Democratic presidential race. On the sixteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about how the candidates are approaching LGBTQ policy. Plus, we’ll wade into the debate over whether Iowa is diverse enough to be first in the nation.

    Caucuses Test Candidates On K-12 Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2019 29:23


    One of the surest ways to fire up Iowa Democrats at a campaign event? Bring up U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. On the fifteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll hear how that outrage over K-12 policy is spilling over into presidential candidates’ plans. Plus, a conversation with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

    Caucuses Test Candidates On K-12 Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2019 29:23


    One of the surest ways to fire up Iowa Democrats at a campaign event? Bring up U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. On the fifteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll hear how that outrage over K-12 policy is spilling over into presidential candidates’ plans. Plus, a conversation with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

    How 2020 Could Change Immigration

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2019 28:00


    President Trump built his 2016 campaign on stoking fears around immigration. Leading up to 2020, Democrats are running against his policies. On the fourteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll hear more about their immigration proposals. Plus, a look at a candidate who’s been campaigning in Iowa longer than anyone else this cycle.

    How 2020 Could Change Immigration

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2019 28:00


    President Trump built his 2016 campaign on stoking fears around immigration. Leading up to 2020, Democrats are running against his policies. On the fourteenth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll hear more about their immigration proposals. Plus, a look at a candidate who’s been campaigning in Iowa longer than anyone else this cycle.

    The Climate Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 32:13


    The scientific community says the world must zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. In response, Democratic presidential candidates are rolling out aggressive climate plans. On the thirteenth episode of Caucus Land, we'll talk about what it would take to meet those goals. And later, a conversation with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

    The Climate Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 32:13


    The scientific community says the world must zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. In response, Democratic presidential candidates are rolling out aggressive climate plans. On the thirteenth episode of Caucus Land, we'll talk about what it would take to meet those goals. And later, a conversation with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

    Gun Policy And The Caucuses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 33:22


    All the Democratic candidates have plans to tighten gun laws. Mass shootings have put the debate front and center. On the twelfth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about the Democratic proposals with proponents, critics and experts. And later, a conversation with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

    Gun Policy And The Caucuses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 33:22


    All the Democratic candidates have plans to tighten gun laws. Mass shootings have put the debate front and center. On the twelfth episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about the Democratic proposals with proponents, critics and experts. And later, a conversation with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

    The High Cost Of The Caucuses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 23:52


    Running a presidential campaign isn’t cheap and one of the first places candidates spend their money is Iowa. On the eleventh episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about recent fundraising numbers and what they tell us about the state of the race. Plus, a conversation with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

    The High Cost Of The Caucuses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 23:52


    Running a presidential campaign isn’t cheap and one of the first places candidates spend their money is Iowa. On the eleventh episode of Caucus Land, we’ll talk about recent fundraising numbers and what they tell us about the state of the race. Plus, a conversation with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

    Healthcare: A Caucus Checkup

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 26:10


    Healthcare commonly polls as one of voters' top issues and political candidates have been running campaigns on it for years. This cycle, Democrats are having a very different conversation about how to fundamentally transform the way Americans get care. On the tenth episode of Caucus Land we talk about where candidates stand on healthcare and what their plans could mean for patients and providers.

    Healthcare: A Caucus Checkup

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 26:10


    Healthcare commonly polls as one of voters' top issues and political candidates have been running campaigns on it for years. This cycle, Democrats are having a very different conversation about how to fundamentally transform the way Americans get care. On the tenth episode of Caucus Land we talk about where candidates stand on healthcare and what their plans could mean for patients and providers.

    Cultivating The Farm Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2019 20:16


    Iowa farmers are finding themselves caught between the White House and China in the president's disputes over trade and agriculture policy. Some say their support for him is wearing thin. On the ninth episode of Caucus Land, we'll look at how Democratic presidential candidates are trying to win them over.

    Cultivating The Farm Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2019 20:16


    Iowa farmers are finding themselves caught between the White House and China in the president's disputes over trade and agriculture policy. Some say their support for him is wearing thin. On the ninth episode of Caucus Land, we'll look at how Democratic presidential candidates are trying to win them over.

    Caucuses Go To College

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 26:37


    The cost of college and student debt are all-consuming for some families, and they're driving political conversations this cycle. On the eighth episode of Caucus Land, we'll break down what the candidates are promising and hear what higher ed experts make of their plans.

    Caucuses Go To College

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 26:37


    The cost of college and student debt are all-consuming for some families, and they're driving political conversations this cycle. On the eighth episode of Caucus Land, we'll break down what the candidates are promising and hear what higher ed experts make of their plans.

    Hey, Republicans Will Caucus Too!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 24:44


    While most of the attention around the 2020 election is focused on Democrats, Republicans will hold a caucus too. President Donald Trump does face multiple primary challengers, but on the seventh episode of Caucus Land we'll explain why he likely has nothing to worry about in Iowa.

    Hey, Republicans Will Caucus Too!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 24:44


    While most of the attention around the 2020 election is focused on Democrats, Republicans will hold a caucus too. President Donald Trump does face multiple primary challengers, but on the seventh episode of Caucus Land we'll explain why he likely has nothing to worry about in Iowa.

    Caucus on a Stick

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2019 24:55


    The Iowa State Fair has become a must-stop for presidential campaigns ahead of the Caucuses. Candidates eat fried food on a stick and try to chat with voters through the swarm of cameras. We’ll take you through the crowds to see what the fair actually does for wannabe presidents.

    Caucus on a Stick

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2019 24:55


    The Iowa State Fair has become a must-stop for presidential campaigns ahead of the Caucuses. Candidates eat fried food on a stick and try to chat with voters through the swarm of cameras. We’ll take you through the crowds to see what the fair actually does for wannabe presidents.

    Step Right Up: Meet The Caucus Candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2019 26:46


    Some two dozen presidential candidates have been campaigning in Iowa since way before much of the rest of the country tuned in to the race. Many have been coming here for months, some for years. On the fifth episode of Caucus Land, we'll introduce them to you.

    Step Right Up: Meet The Caucus Candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2019 26:46


    Some two dozen presidential candidates have been campaigning in Iowa since way before much of the rest of the country tuned in to the race. Many have been coming here for months, some for years. On the fifth episode of Caucus Land, we'll introduce them to you.

    Caucus Consensus: What The Parties Agree On

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 23:50


    The major parties in Iowa generally agree that the caucuses should remain first in the nation and they don't agree on much else. On the fourth episode of Caucus Land, we ask the state's party leaders how they can put aside their differences to keep Iowa first and what the 2018 midterms say about 2020.

    Caucus Consensus: What The Parties Agree On

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 23:50


    The major parties in Iowa generally agree that the caucuses should remain first in the nation and they don't agree on much else. On the fourth episode of Caucus Land, we ask the state's party leaders how they can put aside their differences to keep Iowa first and what the 2018 midterms say about 2020.

    Yeah, About Last Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2019 22:48


    During the 2016 presidential election, two seemingly impossible candidates took both major parties by storm, and American politics hasn't been the same. On the third episode of Caucus Land, Iowa gives Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump a stage and a microphone.

    Yeah, About Last Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2019 22:48


    During the 2016 presidential election, two seemingly impossible candidates took both major parties by storm, and American politics hasn't been the same. On the third episode of Caucus Land, Iowa gives Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump a stage and a microphone.

    The Caucus That Rocked Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2019 18:02


    The Iowa caucuses are not known to be particularly inclusive or diverse. But in the 2008 cycle, the state became the jumping off point for a candidate who would become the nation’s first black president. On the second episode of Caucus Land, Barack Obama’s road to the White House.

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