As Democrats look inward in hopes of rebuilding their party’s strategy following the defeat on Election Day, Iowa returns to the spotlight.

Gov. Tom Vilsack has been placed in the upper tier of candidates to succeed Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, who will step down in January.

Vilsack said one of his main goals for pursuing the post was to protect Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus status, which received scrutiny after John Kerry’s defeat at the polls on Nov. 2. Vilsack spokesman Matt Paul said he wasn’t sure if Vilsack would be making any decisions about the position.

In addition to Vilsack, the current pool of candidates includes former presidential candidate Howard Dean, former New Hampshire governor Jeanne Shaheen and former adviser to President Clinton Harold Ickes.

Iowans chose Kerry as their lead candidate in the 2004 caucus, which caused Democratic commentators to question Iowa’s status.

A liberal Web log known for its political analysis run by Markos Moulitsas called for the end of Iowa’s “exceptionalism” in a series of posts made during the past week.

Moulitsas said the current caucus system is untenable because it places Iowa and New Hampshire, two predominantly white states, in the lead, which ignores the “geographical, ethnic, and racial diversity that makes up the Democratic Party.”

“Reforming the party and the electoral process top the list,” he said. “But we must get rid of the Iowa and New Hampshire locks on the primary process.”

Changing the caucus system, he said, is part of larger reforms the Democratic Party must enact if it wants to stay relevant. Vilsack’s nomination is also a part of the older system that needs to be reformed.

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, said the fervor over Iowa’s caucus position is something that comes up after every election.

The first-place position for the caucus on the nominating schedule is important for Iowa, he said, because it brings both political prominence and economic benefit to the state.

Candidates will come to the state early in the election season to familiarize themselves with the issues and concerns Iowans face. Along with early visits, the state also receives a large boom in the state economy from other out-of-state people following the events here.

“There’s a strange dance going around,” Schmidt said. “If you are first in anything, it’s huge. We as Iowans should be proud of the Iowa caucuses.”

Gordon Fischer, outgoing chairman of the Iowa Democrats, said most candidates preferred starting in states like Iowa, where political participation and voter turnout have been high.

“It’s a terrific opportunity for citizens to meet and greet presidential candidates,” Fischer said. “No other state — other than New Hampshire — has the opportunity.”

It’s too early to determine if Iowa will be uprooted from its current position, he said. Much of the decision depends on who is elected to chair the DNC, which won’t be determined until February, he said.

Vilsack’s interest in the position will help Iowa maintain status quo, but Fisher said he’s not sure if it will change if another candidate is elected.

Fischer serves on the DNC Rules and Bylaws committee, which helps determine the caucus schedule. He said there is no guarantee that Iowa will stay in front.

Kristin Scuderi, communications director for the Iowa Republicans, said the Republican National Convention has already made promises not to alter Iowa’s status in the Republican caucus. Fischer said the Republicans’ decision will heavily influence what the Democrats decide.