- Title: USA: Iowans prepare to cast their votes in the first Republican primary
- Date: 4th January 2012
- Summary: DES MOINES, IOWA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 3, 2012) (REUTERS) DOWNTOWN PEOPLE WALKING ON SKYWAY OVER STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) CASEY HARVEY, WAUKEE IOWA RESIDENT, SAYING: "I'm leaning towards Mitt Romney, mainly because of his experience with the business sector and executive side as well as his government experience. I think he's someone I can back." (SOUNDBITE) (English) JASON HARPINEAU, DES MOINES, IOWA RESIDENT, SAYING: "I'm kind of on the fence as well here. A name that's been kind of sticking out, along with everyone is Rick Santorum. We're not a hundred percent for sure yet, but you know." (SOUNDBITE) (English) JEN HAMPEL, WEST DES MOINES, IOWA RESIDENT, SAYING: "I'm fairly moderate so I'm caucusing for Romney. I'm not a conservative, I'm not a social conservative so he's the best candidate for me." (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAY SYVERSON, URBANDALE, IOWA RESIDENT, SAYING: "I'm probably going to caucus for Mitt Romney tonight because he's got the best chance to defeat the president and I think he's pretty in line with the majority of the Republicans and moderates, which will be important to win in the fall too." PEOPLE WALKING ON SKYWAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROSS CAMERON, URBANDALE, IOWA RESIDENT, ON HIS CHOICE OF RICK SANTORUM, SAYING: "At least in Iowa, he's traveled the whole state, talked with everybody he could and just seems to be more in the know with everybody else around here. He seems to be growing, doing better as the caucus has been going on." (SOUNDBITE) (English) LISA HAMILTON, DEMOCRATIC VOTER, SAYING: "Yeah I think so. I know several people going to the Democratic caucus tonight. He's running unopposed but they're still going." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARB SULLIVAN, DEMOCRATIC VOTER, ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CHANCES, SAYING: "I think he does. I think it'll work out well for President Obama this year, or next year. Yes, in Iowa." VARIOUS OF DOWNTOWN DES MOINES
- Embargoed: 19th January 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA3RNV6GB7CG3SXIF3M2VANKHT4
- Story Text: On a cold, clear Tuesday morning (January 3) in Des Moines, Iowa residents went back to work after the New Years holiday many of them still making up their minds about who they want to vote for in the 2012 Republican caucuses.
Republican presidential candidates have criss-crossed the Midwest state trying to win supporters for their bid for the White House.
Iowa's caucuses, which bring voters together to cast ballots, are the first step in a state-by-state nominating race that ultimately will decide the Republican challenger to President Barack Obama in the election on November 6, 2012.
Jason Harpineau, a Des Moines resident, says he hasn't quite made up his mind.
"I'm kind of on the fence as well here. A name that's been kind of sticking out, along as everyone is Rick Santorum. We're not a hundred percent for sure yet," said Harpineau.
Some voters are more concerned about the national election and want a candidate that will be competitive.
"I'm probably going to caucus for Mitt Romney tonight because he's got the best chance to defeat the president," said Urbandale resident Jay Syverson. "I think he's pretty in line with the majority of the Republicans and moderates, which will be important to win in the fall too."
The Republicans are not the only ones casting ballots. Democrat party caucuses are also taking place throughout the state. Although President Barack Obama is running unopposed in Iowa, party supporters are still planning on showing up to their caucus to vote.
Democrat Barb Sullivan says she's not going to caucus but has high hopes for the incumbent.
"I think he does. I think it'll work out well for President Obama this year, or next year. Yes, in Iowa," said Sullivan.
The caucuses are usually held in libraries, schools or other public locations, although in some smaller communities they can be in homes, churches or other spaces. One caucus this year will be held in a winery. The turnout at each caucus can vary by community, ranging from as many as 1,000 in cities like Des Moines to a few dozen in sparsely populated areas. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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