August 15, 2008
Posted: 09:30 AM ET
 The CNN Election Express is heading across the country.
The CNN Election Express is heading across the country.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – We’re back where it all began. Iowa’s caucuses kicked off the presidential primary season back on January 3. And Barack Obama’s victory in Iowa altered the landscape in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The CNN Election Express spent about a month in Iowa late last year to cover all the campaign action. Now we’re back — and for good reason. If you thought once the caucuses ended, Iowa was out of the political picture: Think again.

Vice President Al Gore won the state by only 4,000 votes in the 2000 presidential election. President Bush carried the state by only 10,000 votes four years ago. This time around, the fight for Iowa’s seven electoral votes should be another close one. The most recent state polls give Obama a slight lead over presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

Today we’re at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The annual fair is a must for anyone running for the White House, and it’s also a great place to talk to voters about what’s on their minds.

McCain was here last week, speaking out and talking to voters.

"I've had the great honor as I’'ve been walking around here and meeting people and saying hello to run into our great men and women who have served in our military, and that includes the Iowa guard and reserve,” said McCain.

He never ran an all out campaign to win the Iowa caucuses. Not in 2000, in his first run for the presidency, when he came in fifth in the caucuses. And not this time, when he came in fourth.

“McCain put his money on New Hampshire, which he won both years. The New Hampshire contest includes a lot more Independents — and a lot fewer evangelical voters,” says CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider, who’s riding the CNN Election Express as we make our way from DC to Denver, site of the Democratic National Convention.

But that was then. This is now. And as Schneider says, “McCain’s not about to write Iowa off the way he did in the caucuses.”

Filed under: Barack Obama • Election Express • Iowa • John McCain


calm down   August 15th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

At this modern time and date, you really cannot count on poll's because most of us have cell phones not house phones.

Des Moines Guy   August 15th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

"Clinton/McCain: Only 11% of Iowa Democrats participated in the Iowa Caucses, 11%!!! CLOSE DOWN THE CAUCUSES."

—————————

I completely agree that the caucus is not a fair way to vote for someone. They are completely disorganized, they allow people to switch parties to vote the same day, and people try to intimidate you to vote for their candidate. Obama's camp was incredibly rude to the other candidate's supporters.

That day was bitterly cold and we had a lot of snow. Many of the older folks couldn't make it out to vote due to harsh weather conditions. In addition to that, there is a very short window of time that you can cast your vote. The doors literally close at 7. This is NOT a democratic way — Obama often talks about how things aren't fair. This is a prime example where the process that isn't fair helped to put him where he's at today.

Texas Trail Dog   August 15th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

CNN WHY DON'T YOU POST MY COMMENTS. ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME YOU ARE NOT FAIR AND BALANCED LIKE YOUR COUNTERPARTS FOX NEWS. SAD, SAD, SAD. AND TO THINK I HAD SO MUCH TO SAY TO YOU WOLF, JACK, AND TEDDY BOY.

politics   August 15th, 2008 1:55 pm ET

I don't know how any realistic person would even consider voting for McCain. It is sad

Raymond Duke   August 15th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

To adress caucaus. First they are not a vote by everyone in the state and they are not secret. Next ; most americans that vote work for a living and cannot stand around for 24 to 48 hours to play games with musical chairs to get their voice heard or that supposed vote counted. In other words if you are retired , unemployed, dad or mom paying your way to college, welfare receiptent or homeless or a drug addict hanging out on the street and someone gives you enough money for a (Hit) or whatever. Hey you got nothing else to do anyway, It isn't like you are working or paying taxes or looking out or supporting anyone. I guarrantee some of them states that went for Obama in the primarys that helped defeat Clinton will be as red as blood in November. I can hear it now. Them (WHITEY RACIST CRACKERS0 changed their mind when they could do it in secret. The truth is that a caucaus is not a true reflection of a states votes based on the info i provided.

Obama BinBiden   August 15th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

Peter of Oregon

What are you on? Look at the bus again…and for you, don't sniff the cow patties.

Hello!!!   August 15th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

Election Express….bought and paid for by the Obama Campaign….

I have officially decided to vote for McCain. I was going to possibly vote for an independent, or third party candidate, or just not vote at all……but DAVID GERGEN has just convinced me to vote for McCain.

SIMP   August 15th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Charlotte

Your stupid remark about Michelle Obama is so petty. If you are not sure, or didn't hear or see if for yourself then don't repeat it. You sound like those inbreeds in WV, you just sit around and make up stuff.

Obama

Xango   August 15th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

oh lord
first off, why is the DNC even bringin the clintons in all of this???
if something happens to obama look no further who has her name in the nomination "just in case soemthing happens.

the clintons are pure evil

the DNC is just their puppet

i rather have mc bush again… than the evil empire… clinton
what a shame

Obama BinBiden   August 15th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

Watch out for the cow patties!

Joe Kiloz   August 15th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

I apologize for my previous nasty postings. I'm an idiot.

Raymond Duke   August 15th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

I never knew the bus was any where else except up Barack Hussien Obama's backside with the rest of the cnn network except for Lou Dobbs who is an indepedent. They really want to make it more obvious they can always send Jack Cafferty ( the recovering Drunk) who lost all his brain cells who for some reason hates everybody but Obama. But i Guess the reason he likes him so much is that he is like Jack. They can point out all the problems and holler for hope and change but can not give you one solution. I bet Georgia had a lot of hope and change before the Russians kicked their tail. Then they did what all you liberals would do. Started screaming for help and giving speeches in the city square of the capital. Words like change and hope don't work so good against bullets.

dittohead with forty names   August 15th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

My name is really "Legion" for we are many,and we listen to Rush Limbaugh everyday to get our taking points.

Clinton/McCain   August 15th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

Only 11% of Iowa Democrats participated in the Iowa Caucses, 11%!!! CLOSE DOWN THE CAUCUSES.

ANGIE   August 15th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

MCCAIN IS NOW MCLIAR GO FACT CHECK OBAMAS TAX PROPOSALS MCCAIN IS LYING cnn when are you gonna report that the pastor that married jenna bush is slaming mccain for suggesting cindy particapate in the miss buffalo chip contest in sd offering his wife to go topless the pastor calls it a disgrace and hes right mccain is disgraceful to woman calling his wife the c word joking about chelsea clinton being ugly joking about woman being raped or wife beating google it its out there i dont know how any woman in their right mind could vote for him the clinton woman supporters surley have no respect for hillary or her daughter to support mccain!!!!!!!!

Marge Hibbing Mn   August 15th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

Gee and did someone check to see if all those "students" oprah bussed in to vote in Iowa, when they returned back to Illinois and the other states voted there also. Crooks from the get go…but then HE said Hillary would do anything to get elected.

David   August 15th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

Follow Obama …..and you end up going around in circles

Peter of Oregon   August 15th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

My friends, the once "maverick" will never go back where he once began. He's been soiled by all of that elitist, big-oil, Americans making over $250,000 a year money.

Let me give you some straight talk… The Straight Talk Express ran off it's tracks a few months ago when McCain lost his bearings as he secured the Republican nomination.

California Gold   August 15th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

McCain's voting record is not the record that will hand him Iowa in November, no matter how many pigs he is photographed kissing.

Geri   August 15th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

This bus is traveling all over promoting Obama. Isn't that against some rules of the television industry?? The Messiah hasn't won yet but if he does we can definitely rename CNN as the official Obama News Network. Wonder ow they will cover his screw ups and his inability to speak without a teleprompter.

anyonmous   August 15th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

m

Credit Card Republicans   August 15th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

Glen Beck should be on Faux News,not CNN.If I were CNN I would be ashamed .

Charlotte   August 15th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

Guess Obama doesn't need Iowa. Isn't that where Michelle commented, "there ain't blacks in Iowa."

vic nashville,Tn   August 15th, 2008 11:54 am ET

CNN EXPRESS good you are back But I won’t believe what ever you say until you appear in LOU DOBBS

proud army and navy mom   August 15th, 2008 11:50 am ET

if the good people of iowa are smart, they will see thru mccain. He is a bush/cheney puppet that will not be a good leader for this country.

Mcwarmonger is already making his staff work overtime to coverup his ineptness and fumbles. Just imagine what it would be like if he were elected pres. That is positively scary.

Sen Obama evokes competent and wisdom that is sorely needed in the White house.

Joe Kiloz   August 15th, 2008 11:47 am ET

Why don't you take the bus and drive it to Chicago public housing where

Mr. Obama claims huge successes. Please send back some pictures

and a few interviews of the people who are sooooooo happy to live

in those urban slums.

Carl from MI   August 15th, 2008 11:46 am ET

Just make it clear what you want to hear and McCain will say it for you,

… but ONLY if you donate lots of cash to his campaign!!!

Lisa in Iowa   August 15th, 2008 11:40 am ET

"McCain's not about to write off Iowa the way he did in the caucuses."

The problem, McCain, is that Iowans have written YOU off. If Iowa only matters when you need us, then you don't deserve our votes or our support.

And for those who pointed out that, in the caucuses, Obama only received the votes 4.7% of the registered voters in Iowa, bear in mind that by that same calculation, McCain only received votes from 0.8% of the registered voters here, ending in 4th place. Doesn't sound to me like enough support to turn this state red again.

Lisa in Iowa

Obama/Biden 08

sherry for Obama   August 15th, 2008 11:40 am ET

I cant believe that Obama doesnt have a larger percentage over McCain.

Are there really that many idiots out there who would want the same crap we have gone thru these last eight years and actually want more?

Wake up America!!!
Vote for change….Change that will bring us out of this mess were in.

OBAMA 08

TWT   August 15th, 2008 11:36 am ET

Just keep questions about getting shot down or being a POW and McCain will be alright.

Phil in KC   August 15th, 2008 11:33 am ET

I'm going to try to get ahead of a couple of comments that are bound to be made.
First, for those who say caucuses are not democratic, as one who has attended caucuses and voted in primaries, let me say that it is an extremely democratic process. The right to vote demands an informed electorate and the caucus process provides that in spades. If you were educated before you walked in, you will be by the time you walk out.
Second, to those who would diminish the impact of state with a relatively small number of voters, that is exactly why Iowa and New Hampshire are so important. In the big states with a large number of voters, you get wholesale politics. Everything is done via big rallies and media buys. Everything is a sound bite. Iowa and NH, by contrast, are retail politics. The candidates spend time there. The voters get to know them. They hear speeches in small gatherings on a wide range of issues. They get to meet the candidates face to face and, sometimes, one on one. In short, they are in a much better position to accurately evaluate the candidates.
I support Obama now, yes. But originally, I was hoping for Biden or Dodd. And they didn't make it past Iowa. So this is not prejudice because of my candidate.

OBAMA SUPPORTER IN IOWA   August 15th, 2008 11:30 am ET

Welcome to the Iowa State Fair CNN. I hope you'll see a lot of enthusiastic support for Senator Obama as you visit with people today. Our State Fair is a great State Fair. . . .

maurice   August 15th, 2008 11:25 am ET

Just make it clear what you want to hear and Obama will
say it for you.

Barry Soetoro AKA Barrack Obama   August 15th, 2008 11:24 am ET

You should name your guys' bus… The Biased Express.

Your moderators for these posts should be fired. You allow biased racially remarks by anyone that supports Obama. Yet you do not allow a single comment in support of a war hero. Nothing but uneducated trashing of McCain on every post, you allow people to reply with LOL like this an instant messaging service. Get your organization in check. My God what a joke CNN has become.

Well keep this in your deleted archives… Because I already know this won't see the light of day.

The Real Texas Trail Dog!   August 15th, 2008 11:12 am ET

WHO CARES WHERE CNN IS. IT WILL NOT BE EQUAL AND FAIR NEWSCASTING. OBAMA IS THEIR, "BOY."

DR. YES   August 15th, 2008 10:50 am ET

iowa is obama country ,now.get used to it repubs.

Rave   August 15th, 2008 10:43 am ET

CNN, i think we understand your politics. You desperately want McCain to win in November.
You first raise the hopes in that poor black man and every black person in America and then start stashing him when it is comming towards the end. This is typical old white politics.
But, my vote is reserved for him and most White people and others will vote for him in November. Obama will win in November
OBAMA (2008 -16)

Toyin,Austria   August 15th, 2008 10:39 am ET

Go on my man Obama, you will carry all state in November and we will celebrate with you here in Austria. GGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOObama.

Denise   August 15th, 2008 10:38 am ET

IOWA has been good to Obama.

Paul from Texas   August 15th, 2008 10:37 am ET

When CNN stop in small towns,diners,stores, truck stops, and gas stations. You give us more of a true report on how the people really think about who they would like as President and what is important in each area of the country. Go Election Express Go!

INDEPENDENT NYC   August 15th, 2008 10:36 am ET

What I would really appreciate is honest and objective reporting. What I'd like to see is every gaff, misrepresented statement or deception uncovered no matter who is responsible for it.

What I'd like to see is real journalism - not commentary or reporters relying on others for the content of their stories.

Election Express can you do that?

Montana is Obama Country   August 15th, 2008 10:31 am ET

CNN you are not back where it all began because your ethics in reporting and gossip have excelled..!!

You would rather sensationalize news on a loop and beat a dead horse then report the facts..issues ..or oncerns of consumers in America..!

get back to reporting real NEWS and you will be back where it all began.

Justin Castro   August 15th, 2008 10:30 am ET

Looking foward to this election. May be a very close race depending on how the candidates weather the televised debates.

dittohead with forty names   August 15th, 2008 10:29 am ET

Im backing John McCain and Rush Limbaugh as VP.

cecil   August 15th, 2008 10:27 am ET

More Tax Deceptions factcheck.org
August 8, 2008
Updated: August 12, 2008
McCain misrepresents Obama's tax proposals again. And again, and again.

Why Would You Want To Believe His New Tax Ad Now!

He Continues To LIE!

McScaremonger

MD   August 15th, 2008 10:23 am ET

Polls do not mean a thing. Iowa will be blue this November, especially after McCane's stance on ethanol subsidy.

not an obamabot, thank GOD   August 15th, 2008 10:21 am ET

please tell the great people from Iowa, that growing food to put into peoples car, is the most elitest view on human life I can think of, people would KILL for corn and us Americans want to fuel our cars with it. Why dont we use the corn we would put in our cars and send it to Africa or better yet to American Farmers and Rancher to feed their livestock, or even the poor Americans we have here in this great place so they can eat something.

Mc Attack!!!   August 15th, 2008 10:14 am ET

I've had the great honor as I’'ve been walking around here and meeting people and saying hello to run into our great men and women who have served in our military, and that includes the Iowa guard and reserve,” said McCain***.Did you remind them that you voted for the UNJUST WAR in IRAQ and now you are Georgian ***
Bomb BOMB BOMB BOMB

18,000,000 plus the disenfranchised   August 15th, 2008 9:59 am ET

You mean the Obama express!!!?????? Don't you?

VON BISMARK,Vienna.   August 15th, 2008 9:54 am ET

I saw him talking to a pig asleep.

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