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College, Caucus Calendars Conflict

Iowa vote during school vacation may spell trouble for Obama

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2007 3:32 PM CST

(Newser) – The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for January 3—during most colleges' winter break. The loser in the primary leapfrogging contest may turn out to be Barack Obama, who's been counting on collegiate footsoldiers to aid an upset victory, USA Today reports. it's worth noting, however, that young people made up only 3.9% of Iowa electorate in 2004.

Although Iowa’s top campus Dem says a later primary would’ve meant the “highest new turnout in history,” the senator’s supporters say the youth angle is overemphasized and Obama’s support is deep. But many kids from adjacent Illinois attend Iowa colleges, and the candidate will be hurt if they’re home during the caucuses. Some schools will open for caucus-hungry students.

Republican presidential hopeful former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney talks with University of Iowa student Greg Baker while meeting with college Republicans tailgating before Iowa State's college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican presidential hopeful former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney talks with University of Iowa student Greg Baker while meeting with college Republicans tailgating before Iowa State's college football game...   (Associated Press)
Obama campaign volunteer Chris Elsenbast, of Ames, Iowa, works the phone at the Obama campaign headquarters in Ames, Iowa, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007.  Iowa's presidential caucuses are typically a gray-haired affair, but this year candidates are working to entice college students and even high school kids to show up and...
Obama campaign volunteer Chris Elsenbast, of Ames, Iowa, works the phone at the Obama campaign headquarters in Ames, Iowa, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. Iowa's presidential caucuses are typically a gray-haired...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, answers questions from Coe College students during an MTV/Myspace presidential forum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. Obama answered questions from a live audience of about 250 students, more questions from online viewers of the show, and said his campaign would...
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, answers questions from Coe College students during an MTV/Myspace presidential forum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. Obama answered...   (Associated Press)
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