Politicians in Iowa have begun discussions regarding the Iowa caucuses, the first test of the path to the presidency and the first national forum in which presidential candidates can express their views to the public.

South Carolina has decided to move its primary up, sparking a movement in New Hampshire to also move its primary to an earlier date.

Iowa, traditionally being the first state to hold a caucus, has a law stating the state caucus must remain eight days before the New Hampshire primary. This law would require the Iowa caucus to be moved up to Feb. 7, 2000 — over two weeks earlier than the previously scheduled date of Feb. 21.

On June 24, parties from states across the country will gather to present their position on being the first state to test possible presidential candidates. The final dates for all of the primaries and caucuses should be settled then.

Jud Lounsbury, communications director for the Democratic Party of Iowa, is sure Iowa will, once again, obtain the first spot despite the 1996 upset when Louisiana gained the coveted first primary slot.

“We will be stressing Iowa’s hard work in promoting the event rather than it being simply a date,” he said. “Louisiana probably will not get the slot this year after Republicans in that state have already endorsed George W. Bush as their presidential nominee. This endorsing would not make them a good host because they are not impartial.”

Lounsbury commented on Iowa’s hopeful position.

“I am glad Iowa is first. They are typically the smartest voters and are very moderate. These qualities make Iowa a good filter for presidential candidates,” he said.

Steffen Schmidt, professor of political science and host of a conservative talk show on WOI entitled “Dr. Politics,” also is confident Iowa will retain the top position.

“Iowa does a great job of poking and probing all these egotists who want the White House, and we help other Americans figure out who they want as their leader,” he said.

Schmidt commented on the reasons why Iowa originally received the first slot in the national nomination process.

“The two parties in Iowa got their national party to agree that it was a good idea to have some place to start. Iowa will provide a good place to introduce the characters and lay out the story line,” he said.

The caucuses are traditionally a time when many ISU students register to vote in Story County.

Judy Emmons, Story County auditor, said the auditor’s office does all it can to improve the numbers of voters among the student population.

“Because people can register to vote at the caucuses, we and ISU do everything possible to get students to register at this event. The date does not really make a difference,” she said.

Regardless of how early it arrives, the date will remain in early spring semester which is when students are in town and able to register to vote in the fall election, Emmons said.

“ISU has an active involvement in the registration process and especially campus political organizations such as the League of Women Voters who do everything possible to get students to vote,” she said. “The caucuses are really an ideal time for these organizations to have an active part in the process and to give students a voice during the four years of their lives that they attend ISU.”