College, Caucus Calendars Conflict

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. (More Barack Obama stories.)