The Iowans are getting ready to caucus. They'll gather at a local church or school and openly choose a candidate by popular vote.
But what does that mean for us in Illinois? And will it make a difference by the time we vote on Super Tuesday, come February?

You don't have to be a political pundit to know some presidential candidates will spend a lot of time in Iowa. There's the straw poll, and of course the caucuses. Unlike a primary, where your ballot is secret, caucus goers declare their support for a candidate publicly.

Caucuses meet rooms. They're like neighborhood gatherings with open discussions, until a majority is in support of one candidate.

But the fact is, Iowa is more liberal than the average state, is more elderly and has fewer urban concentrations. On average, only six percent of eligible voters will caucus. So why does the rest of the country care...? Well, the cameras are there, and the nation is watching.

Vice Chairman of the IL Republican Party, MaryAlice Erickson said, "All of the candidates are getting national attention. Do you think Oprah went to Iowa for the Iowans?"

Frank Mackaman of the Dirksen Congressional Center said, "They feel they have to do it because the attention paid to it largely by the media and because it gives them an opportunity to demonstrate viability, authenticity and strength."

This year Illinois moved up its primary from March to February 5th.
Frank Mackman says it's hard to predict what impact the early primaries will have on the presidential election. "Will it mean the eventual nominees will be selected very, very early, does it mean people won't have a chance to recover from mistakes. Will it mean someone who comes in third won't have time to raise money and come in first?"

MaryAlice Erickson says it may place more importance on Illinois, but she doesn't like its effect on local races. "I think it makes it difficult for all the other candidates. It's great for incumbents because the incumbents are established. It makes it difficult for anybody who wants to challenge incumbents."

But that will wait...because the Iowans will go first, and it's a chance for candidates to make a first impression on the rest of the country