Early Caucus Date a boon to Obama?

[Perky]

TextBy AMY LORENTZEN
Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa Republicans on Tuesday moved their presidential caucuses ahead to Jan. 3 and said they would not push the contest into December, even if another state tries to jump ahead.

"We figured putting it on (Jan. 3) gets the ball rolling, and our county chairs will be very thankful and they can get busy," said Chuck Laudner, executive director of the Iowa GOP.

The announcement came Tuesday night after the state central committee, two national committee members, the party chairman and co-chairman unanimously approved the date during a conference call.

Laudner said Republicans will continue discussions with the Iowa Democratic Party, which has yet to choose a caucus date. Democrats are believed to be considering Jan. 3 and Jan. 5. If they select the later date, it would mean the first split caucus since the 1970s.

Caucuses for both parties tentatively had been scheduled for Jan. 14.

Seems to me that usch an early Caucus date could give a small bump to Obam in Iowa. College students will still be home for the holidays. And Obama's support skews far more towards youn voters than Hillary's...Just something to consider.