Democratic presidential campaign signs are displayed in a front yard in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 2, 2020. Joshua Lott/Getty Images
A poster with the likenesses of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders, in the style of “American Gothic,” seen in Iowa City, Iowa, on February 2, 2020. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Supporters of Pete Buttigieg cheer at a town hall event in Coralville, Iowa on February 2, 2020. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Academic Cornel West and actress Susan Sarandon spoke at a Bernie Sanders event with local campaign volunteers in Waterloo, Iowa, on February 1, 2020. Mark Makela/Getty Images
Supporters of then Sen. Barack Obama rally outside of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 19, 2007. David Lienemann/Getty Images
Walter Mondale leads the Iowa caucus tally board, followed by Gary Hart and George McGovern, in 1984. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Caucus attendees listen to Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Oelwein, Iowa, on February 1, 2020. Win McNamee/Getty Images
Voters listen to Joe Biden during a campaign event in Dubuque, Iowa, on February 2, 2020. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Why the Iowa caucuses matter
It’s because people believe they do.
By
Andrew Prokopandrew@vox.com
Feb 3, 2020,