So, it seems some non-Americans have a few questions about what's going on in American politics today.
1. First things first: In an American accent, "Iowa caucus" is pronounced "Iowa cock-us" which is also kind of how it feels.
2. Iowa is the first state to vote in the seemingly endless process of the two parties in the US choosing their candidates for president, which at this stage feels like it's been happening for about 57 years.
3. Why is Iowa the first to vote? Because of some fucking history, that's why.
4. This means the candidates have to spend an inordinate amount of time schlepping to and fro in Iowa, a state of around 3 million people, in a country of more than 300 million people.
5. All of this makes Iowans weirdly powerful in American politics.
7. Wait, so who are those candidates?
8. After the candidates traipse around different Iowa libraries and high schools and dismal gymnasiums, the actual voting begins.
9. So what's a gal gotta do to caucus around here?
Well, it's different for Democrats and Republicans.