Frenzy of voters expected to decide Iowa Democratic candidate

By ANDREW BUNCOMBE


DES MOINES - In preparation for the imminent onslaught of democracy, Linda Wise has been cleaning her house and baking banana bread and pecan slices. She also has had to remember what happened four years ago.

Today, as the people of Iowa select which Democratic candidate they want to take on George W. Bush in November's presidential election, the part-time nurse will be hosting one of almost 2000 caucuses at which voters will demonstrate their preference.

Most of them will be held in church halls or schools, but in the town of Winterset, in the heart of Madison County, Wise, 57, will be welcoming up to 50 people into her house. Normally she would expect just 7 to 11.

Pundits predict voters could number 100,000 compared with 60,000 in 2000 and this battle for Iowa is likely to be one of the state's closest races.

The latest poll placed John Kerry in the lead followed by John Edwards, Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt.

Only registered Democrats or Independents can participate in a Democratic caucus, though Republicans could, if they wished, show up and register as a Democrat.

At 7pm, half an hour after voters sign in, people will be asked to physically divide into various groups depending on whom they support. In the case of Wise's caucus, it means that supporters for Dean would literally have to stand in the large kitchen while supporters of Gephardt might opt to gather in the living room, with supporters of Kerry and Edwards taking up position at either end of the dining room table.

For a candidate's group to remain "viable" it has to have at least 15 per cent of all voters. Members of a viable candidate's group will call out to people in any non-viable group to come and join them.

When voters are satisfied, delegates are appointed to each viable group according to a formula based on the number of people involved. These "bound" delegates will vote at the county convention for delegates to represent them at the state convention and then the national Democratic convention in Boston. Its the long and arduous route to one candidate facing off against Bush in the presidential contest on November 2.


- INDEPENDENT