Politics

Caucus voting underway across Iowa

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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CLIVE, Iowa — Voting in the Republican presidential race is officially underway in the Hawkeye State.

Iowans on Tuesday night are caucusing for their favored presidential candidates at gatherings across the state. At the Seven Flags Event Center caucus just outside Des Moines, hundreds of Republicans have poured in on this warmer than expected night, which is likely keeping turnout high. (RELATED: Full results from the Iowa caucuses)

“Second look at Gov. Perry?” one supporter of presidential candidate Rick Perry of Texas said, while handing out brochures to caucus-goers as they entered near where popcorn and other refreshments are being sold.

The caucus opened at 7 p.m. central time. By 7:30 p.m., a Republican leader took the stage at this caucus location — one of the largest — to lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Before the voting started, volunteer speakers for all the major Republicans took the stage to pitch their candidates. The speeches came from surrogates for Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

Perry showed up personally at this caucus site, giving his stump speech about making Washington as “inconsequential as possible” and overhauling the federal government to make members of Congress part-time employees.

He told the crowd that if they have his “back” at the caucuses, he’ll have their back in Washington.

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