Some Iowa Republican officials are predicting a big turnout for the state’s Jan. 3 caucuses, perhaps exceeding 2008’s record-breaking participation of 120,000 voters, according to a report Friday by
RealClearPolitics.
Some political observers estimate — weather permitting — up to 160,000 could show up around the state to back their man or woman in the fight for the Republican presidential nomination.
Tim Albrecht, Republican Gov. Terry Branstad’s communications director, told RealClearPolitics that “360,000 Iowans caucused, total, last time, [and] a lot of those voters will go to where the action is this year, which is on the GOP side.”
Albrecht predicted at least a 140,000 turnout, adding that another 20,000 would likely show up if the weather behaves.
Campaign officials connected to the Republican candidates who are hoping to do well in Iowa were reluctant to share their estimates of potential caucus participants. But an aide to one top contender told the political website that he expects at least 125,000 to show up.
Pollster Ann Selzer, who conducts political surveys for the Des Moines Register, was quoted saying that no matter what the weather does there’s only one factor at play in what the final turnout will be.
“It’s all about motivation,” she said.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.