1984 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses explained

Election Name:1984 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses
Country:Iowa
Flag Image:Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1980 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses
Previous Year:1980
Next Election:1988 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses
Next Year:1988
Votes For Election:58 Democratic National Convention delegates
2Blank:Percentage of SDEs
Image1:File:Walter Mondale (1).jpg
Candidate1:Walter Mondale
Color1:567953
Home State1:Minnesota
Delegate Count1:35
1Data1:1,444.8
2Data1:48.9%
Candidate2:Gary Hart
Color2:a59400
Home State2:Colorado
Delegate Count2:20
1Data2:486.3
2Data2:16.5%
Image3:File:George McGovern (D-SD) (3x4-1).jpg
Candidate3:George McGovern
Color3:5d73e5ff
Home State3:South Dakota
Delegate Count3:2
1Data3:303.1
2Data3:10.3%
Image4:File:NOTA Option Logo 3x4.svg
Candidate4:Uncommitted
Color4:000000ff
Home State4:–
Delegate Count4:1
1Data4:277.4
2Data4:9.4%
Image5:File:Walter Mondale with Senator Alan Cranston - NARA - 176249 (cropped).jpg
Candidate5:Alan Cranston
Color5:ff00ffff
Home State5:California
Delegate Count5:0
1Data5:219.5
2Data5:7.4%
Elected Members:NH

The 1984 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses took place on February 20 in Iowa, as usual marking the Democratic Party's first nominating contest in their series of presidential primaries ahead of the 1984 presidential election.

Walter Mondale won a plurality of the precinct caucus and received a majority of the state's delegates. John Glenn, who hoped to place second, performed poorly in sixth place while Gary Hart placed second.

Procedure

Precinct caucuses were held on February 20, 1984, to select delegates who would attend county conventions on April 7. The county conventions would select delegates for district conventions on May 5, where 34 delegates would be selected from the state's six congressional districts. 24 delegates were selected at the state convention.[1] 8 of the 58 delegates were uncommitted superdelegates.[2] Candidates had to receive 15% of the vote at the precinct level to qualify for delegates.

The Democratic National Committee prohibited Iowa from holding its caucuses prior to February 27, 1984. However, on November 19, 1983, the Iowa Democratic State Committee voted 20 to 10 to move the caucuses to February 20, violating the order to be eight days before the New Hampshire primary, which was also in violation of the schedule.[3] [4] [5]

Former state chair Edward Campbell, Jean Haugland, and Charles Gifford filed a lawsuit to delay the caucuses. They argued that the early date violated the national rules and would unconstitutionally risk their delegation. However, U.S. District Judge Donald E. O'Brien ruled on January 17, 1984, that he chose between the "two significant negative impacts" of delaying the caucuses or risking the seating of Iowa's delegation.[6] The DNC chose to not penalize Iowa, which would have reduced its delegation size.

Campaign

Bill Romjue, who managed Jimmy Carter's campaign for the 1980 caucuses, managed Hart's campaign in Iowa, but later quit.[7] Hart's campaign was bolstered by his second place showing.

Maria Menne managed Reubin Askew's campaign. Askew set a goal of placing fourth. He attempted to appeal to anti-abortion and conservative voters to bolster his support. Iowan anti-abortion activists Carolyn Thompson and CeCe Zenti worked on his campaign.[8] [9] [10]

John Law managed Alan Cranston's campaign. Cranston, a supporter of the Nuclear Freeze campaign, hoped to capitalize on The Day After and scheduled his paid media in Iowa to air during it. Cranston set a goal of placing third in order "to emerge as an alternative to Mondale and Glenn".[11] [12]

Joe Trippi managed Mondale's campaign.[13] Judy Wilson, the chair of the Polk County Democratic Party, managed McGovern's campaign.[14] [15] McGovern spent $50,000 in Iowa.[16] Fritz Hollings and Jesse Jackson did not campaign in Iowa.[17] [18]

Debates and forums

Four candidates attended a debate hosted by the Brown and Black Coalition in Des Moines on January 10.[19] [20] Eight candidates participated in a debate hosted by The Des Moines Register in Des Moines on February 11.[21] 593,000 people watched the debate and polling showed Mondale and McGovern performed the best.[22]

Six candidates attended a forum hosted by the Iowa Farm Unity Coalition and Rural America at Iowa State University in Ames on January 21.[23] [24] Cranston, Hart, and McGovern participated in a forum hosted by the Dubuque County Democratic Party on January 29.[25] [26]

Reactions and aftermath

Jerry Vento managed John Glenn's campaign in Iowa before replacing William White as Glenn's national campaign manager.[27] [28] Vento predicted that Glenn would place second with 15-20% of the vote.[29] Glenn stated that "We got whipped" after his poor showing in the caucus.[30]

David R. Nagle, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, criticized television networks for declaring Mondale the winner before the results were reported at 8:30 PM. Mondale was projected as the winner by CBS News at 8:12 PM and NBC at 8:18 PM. Nagle, Charles Manatt, and Tim Wirth claimed that the early projections influenced the results.[31] [32]

Hart's campaign was bolstered by his second placing show. Hart, despite not winning Iowa, was now viewed as the only viable opponent to Mondale. Polling in New Hampshire initially showed Mondale defeating Hart, but Hart won the primary. Hart was polling below 10% nationally in late February, but was polling above 30% by March 2, and near 40% by March 6.

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Reubin
Askew		Alan
Cranston		John
Glenn		Gary
Hart		Fritz
Hollings		Jesse
Jackson		George
McGovern		Walter
Mondale		OthersUndecided
The Des Moines Register[33] data-sort-value="2022-09-07" November 28–December 6, 1983296 Democrats±6%1%9%20%3%–3%5%43%1%15%
The Des Moines Registerdata-sort-value="2022-09-07" November 28–December 6, 1983118 LV±7%–12%16%3%–3%8%42%2%14%
The Des Moines Register[34] [35] data-sort-value="2022-09-07" December 27, 1983–January 10, 1984299 Democrats±6%–6%20%4%–3%6%49%1%11%
The Des Moines Registerdata-sort-value="2022-09-07" December 27, 1983–January 10, 1984108 LV±10%1%6%21%6%–4%6%45%1%10%
The Des Moines Register[36] data-sort-value="2022-09-07" February 12–16, 198466 LV±12%–17%11%14%–4%7%44%–3%

Results

Projections based on the initial precinct results gave Mondale 48 of the 50 committed delegates.[37]

The 13,500 delegates selected at the caucuses voted for 3,201 delegates at the county conventions. 1,654 delegates were for Mondale, 949 for Hart, 248 for McGovern, 36 for Jackson, and 314 were uncommitted.[38] [39]

The delegates to the district conventions selected 20 delegates for Mondale, 13 for Hart, and 1 for McGovern despite him having dropped out.[40] Jackson delegates to the 1st district convention staged a walkout after failing to elect a delegate to the state convention.[41] Jackson delegates to the 3rd district convention claimed that five of their ballots were destroyed.[42]

3,201 delegates were eligible to attend the state convention, but only 2,400 participated. Of the delegates present 1,358 were for Mondale, 698 for Hart, 160 for McGovern, 68 for Jackson, 1 for Cranston, and 156 were uncommitted. The state convention selected 15 delegates for Mondale, 7 for Hart, and 2 were uncommitted.[43] A deal was reached between the Hart campaign and the remaining Jackson, McGovern, and uncommitted delegates in which they would support Hart, giving him another delegate, in exchange for Hart giving McGovern one of his at-large delegates. This was done to prevent Mondale from gaining another delegate.

Berkley Bedell, Minnette Doderer, Tom Harkin, Barbara Leach, Tom Miller, Nagle, and Neal Smith served as superdelegates. Six supported Mondale, one supported Hart, and one was uncommitted.[44] Smith was the chair of the delegation to the national convention.

1984 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses! style="text-align:left;"
CandidatePreference votePrecinct caucusesCounty conventionsDistrict convention delegatesState convention delegatesTotal delegates
Walter Mondale27,896 (44.54%)1,444.8 (48.9%)1,654201535
Gary Hart9,286 (14.83%)486.3 (16.5%)94913720
George McGovern7,896 (12.61%)303.1 (10.3%)248112
Uncommitted4,701 (7.51%)277.4 (9.4%)314011
Alan Cranston5,617 (8.97%)219.5 (7.4%)0000
John Glenn3,310 (3.33)102.2 (3.5%)0000
Reubin Askew2,08473.7 (2.5%)0000
Jesse Jackson1,670 (2.67%)45.2 (1.5%)36000
Fritz Hollings165 (0.26%)1.4 (0.0%)0000
Total62,625100%3,201342458

Delegates

Iowa delegates to the 1984 Democratic National Convention[45] ! 1st district! 2nd district! 3rd district! 4th district! 5th district! 6th district! Mondale state delegates! Hart state delegates! McGovern state delegates! Superdelegates
Gerald MesserConnie ClarkJames KacherAngelyn KingRod HalvorsonBetty StrongLowell JunkinsKaren MerrickBryant HulstromNeal Smith
Patsy RamacittiLloyd FrellingerTom LongSydney HoweSylvia WilenskyDelbert LairdCharles GiffordSteve LynchTom Harkin
Carol CarterRobert RundiBeverly FullJames WengertKim MollVirginia TornellPhil KraftJanice LyleBerkley Bedell
Philip WiseBridget JanusSheila McGuireDorothy WoodsDixon TerryDean LossBetty TalkingtonKathy MaudsleyTom Miller
Rizwana AmjedRick DickisonJeffrey WinickFred Strickland Jr.Louise TinleyBarbara HartieJoy LoweJean PardeeMinnette Doderer
Patrick McCabeArturo SierraJean DoughertyRuss WoodrickNancy WalkerBarbara Leach[46]
James CarnahanLarry HamiltonDavid R. Nagle[47]
Raynae Lagunus
Cecelia McGuire
Ethelene Boyd Owens

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. News: February 21, 1984 . Caucuses just first step in delegate selection . 10A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212110432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/140783722/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  2. News: February 22, 1984 . Mondale's foes say 1984 Democratic campaign is just getting started . 6A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212113120/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140784113/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: May 4, 1984 . Iowa wins dispute; Democrats agree to seat convention delegates . 5A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212175638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140787039/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  4. News: February 12, 1984 . Will Iowa remain first? . 2P . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214013836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140873992/ . February 14, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: November 21, 1983 . Gailey . Phil . Dark Horse Likes Iowa Caucus Rules . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215145133/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/21/us/dark-horses-like-iowa-caucus-rules.html . February 15, 2024.
  6. News: January 18, 1984 . Judge keeps Feb. 20 as caucus date . 1A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214013315/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140851870/ . February 14, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  7. News: February 21, 1984 . Good debate performances helped revive Hart's campaign in Iowa . 7A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212112824/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140784063/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: February 11, 1984 . Gailey . Phil . To Iowa Democratic Leaders, Reubin Askew Remains 'That Masked Man' . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213072532/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/11/us/to-iowa-democratic-leaders-reubin-askew-remains-that-masked-man.html . February 13, 2024.
  9. News: January 8, 1984 . Iowa anti-abortion voters could buoy Askew . 4B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213064432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140851369/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  10. News: January 4, 1984 . Askew hires anti-abortion activists to aid campaign . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213063905/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140851253/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  11. News: December 15, 1983 . Sen. Alan Cranston's campaign manager said Thursday Cranston must... . . live . February 15, 2024 . https://archive.today/20240215202454/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/12/15/Sen-Alan-Cranstons-campaign-manager-said-Thursday-Cranston-must/9590440312400/.
  12. News: February 15, 1984 . Richards . Clay . Cranston, Hart work Iowa differently . . live . February 15, 2024 . https://archive.today/20240215202128/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/02/15/Cranston-Hart-work-Iowa-differently/9732445669200/.
  13. News: February 26, 1984 . Street-tough Kennedy team now organizing for Mondale . 3B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212115307/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140784487/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  14. News: June 10, 1984 . Delegates joke about recent Jepsen disclosure . 5B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212140752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140787598/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  15. News: November 27, 1983 . Peterson . Bill . McGovern Uses Long-Shot Status to Speak Freely . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212141137/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/11/28/mcgovern-uses-long-shot-status-to-speak-freely/fc5c29e7-27d4-4d53-bb61-93c021c33166/ . February 12, 2024.
  16. News: February 26, 1984 . New Hampshire party leaders say Hart gaining strength rapidly . 5A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212115709/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140784534/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  17. News: February 20, 1984 . Tonight, winners could be losers, and vice versa . 1 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214023845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/140910378/ . February 14, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  18. News: February 19, 1984 . Raines . Howell . Candidates Facing First Major Test In Iowa Caucuses . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516001608/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/19/us/candidates-facing-first-major-test-in-iowa-caucuses.html . May 16, 2023.
  19. News: January 2, 1984 . Cranston will join debate . 5A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213065109/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muscatine-journal/140851507/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  20. News: January 11, 1984 . Democrats woo minority voters . 3 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213065429/https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/140851525/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  21. News: February 12, 1984 . Candidates spar in D.M. debate . 1A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213181824/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140873766/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  22. News: February 17, 1984 . Hart, McGovern impress older Iowans . 5A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214021748/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140909082/ . February 14, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  23. News: January 22, 1984 . 1,500 hear 6 Democrats rap Reagan . 1A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213071812/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140852004/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  24. News: January 21, 1984 . Democratic candidates 'warm up' for today's farm forum in Ames . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213071929/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140852049/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  25. News: January 30, 1984 . Hart, Cranston, McGovern spar in Dubuque . 1A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213175241/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140871920/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  26. News: January 30, 1984 . 3 hopefuls back Jackson trip to Syria . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213175621/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140871928/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  27. News: January 27, 1984 . Glenn shakeup . 12 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213172725/https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/140870054/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  28. News: January 28, 1984 . Glenn says race for presidency has just begun . 2A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213172940/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140870184/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  29. News: February 21, 1984 . Depth of Glenn's defeat . 2 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212112025/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil/140783946/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  30. News: February 21, 1984 . Mondale claims 'great victory' at caucuses . 1 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212105352/https://www.newspapers.com/article/globe-gazette/140783584/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  31. News: February 21, 1984 . Democrats protest early TV projections . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212111046/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen/140783801/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  32. News: February 28, 1984 . TV networks criticized for caucus projections . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212124028/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140785364/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  33. News: December 18, 1983 . Depth of Glenn's defeat . A4 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213062605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140850927/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  34. News: January 15, 1984 . Glenn moves to solid No. 2 spot on poll . 1B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213173201/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140851667/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  35. News: January 15, 1984 . Reagan, Mondale nearly even in poll . 6B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213065911/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140851663/ . February 13, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  36. News: February 19, 1984 . Most likely for 2nd place: 'Uncommitted' . 4A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214022251/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140909476/ . February 14, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  37. News: February 22, 1984 . Democrats quickly turn to New Hampshire . A16 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212113948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal/140784233/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  38. News: April 6, 1984 . Democratic caucuses start again Saturday . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212132137/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen/140786266/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  39. News: April 9, 1984 . Iowa's Democratic delegate count . 6A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212132005/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140786228/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  40. News: May 6, 1984 . Iowa's Democratic delegate count . 1B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212134432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140786874/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  41. News: May 6, 1984 . Jackson backers walk out . 20A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212162802/https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/140787031/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  42. News: May 7, 1984 . Third District Democrats struggle hours to pick delegates . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212162955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140787018/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  43. News: June 10, 1984 . Mondale forces dominate state convention . 1B . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212140400/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140787494/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  44. News: June 10, 1984 . Mondale appears winner of more Iowa delegates . A1 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212234512/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal/140803590/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  45. News: June 11, 1984 . Deadlock delays vote . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212171556/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/140787680/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  46. News: July 18, 1984 . Iowans try to bury hatchet and win elections at home . 4A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212174721/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140799583/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  47. News: June 11, 1984 . Campbell will try to unseat Democratic chairman Nagle . 3A . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212173932/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/140799005/ . February 12, 2024 . Newspapers.com.

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