« Les caucus du Parti démocrate de l’Iowa (2020) : faux départ ou fin de partie ? »

Résumé En

This article focuses on the Iowa caucuses of the Democratic Party (Winter 2019-2020). Months before the caucuses, presidential candidates crisscross this Midwestern state, in the hope of more freely reaching out to the people there. At the same time, national expectations strongly constrain them. In order to explore this local / national duality, we first take stock of how caucuses work and what their complex voting system entails. We also highlight the geographic and demographic specificities of the Hawkeye state. Secondly, we look into the communication techniques of different candidates, whose skillfully crafted shows matter as much as—if not more than—the political content of their speeches. Finally, we analyze the divergent strategies of two center-left candidates (Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden). The former chose to run a local campaign, hoping to carry momentum to New Hampshire and the next states, whereas the latter had a national race in mind, treating Iowa as just another state. We conclude that the uniqueness of the Iowa caucuses does not in any way hinder the candidates’ success, provided they already have and political experience and enjoy name recognition on the national stage.