Featured Post from Cedarville University

Feeling the Bern in Iowa – Just how crucial is the first primary for DNC frontrunners?

Jan 28, 2020

2 min

Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D.


They’ve been polling for months in advance in Iowa – and with less than a week to go before Iowans gather to caucus and choose their preferred person to lead the DNC this November, the most recent polling has Bernie Sanders surging and Joe Biden fading in major races and across the country.


Polling in Iowa is still tight and shows a four-candidate race between Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, making it clear the first-in-the-nation caucus battle remains anyone’s game.


Yet it is also clear that Sanders has a strong chance of coming out on top in Iowa, as well as in New Hampshire, which will vote just a week later.


Such a result would make him the clear front-runner and would likely unnerve parts of the Democratic Party uneasy about the progressive independent being their standard-bearer in the fall.


Sanders separated himself from the pack in a New York Times-Siena Research poll of Iowa released over the weekend, one of the first to find a clear-cut leader in the Hawkeye State. And a WBUR survey of New Hampshire released this week found Sanders opening up a 12-point advantage over the next closest contender.


Sanders surpassed Biden in CNN’s latest national poll, marking the first time Biden has not held the top spot in that poll this cycle. Jan 26 – The Hill



There’s still a long way to go, and if you are a journalist covering the primaries – then let our experts help with your questions and coverage.


  • How does the Iowa caucus different from other states?
  • Are there alliances forming and can any of the leading candidates count on support from the other contenders when the drop out.
  • What will the Bloomberg factor be?
  • And who has the money and staying power to hold on if there’s bad news in February?



Mark Caleb Smith is the Director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University. Mark is available to speak with media regarding the DNC Primary and the upcoming election. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Connect with:
Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D.

Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D.

Professor of Political Science

Dr. Smith is an expert in American politics, campaigns & elections, and constitutional law.

Constitutional LawPresidential PoliticsPresidential Campaigns

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

1 min

Covering King Charles? Our Expert can Help

It's news that has shocked the world and has citizens across Britain and the Commonwealth as well  loyal watchers of the British monarchy in deep concern. This week, King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. News was released Monday in a statement from the palalce. This news will raise many questions both in the UK and abroad. Will his medical condition make him consider stepping down? Is William ready to be King? Is there still a time, place and relevance for Royals in these modern times? If you're covering - let our experts help. Dr. Glen Duerr is a citizen of three countries. He was born in the United Kingdom, moved to Canada as a teenager, and then to the United States to obtain his Ph.D. His teaching and research interests comparative politics and international relations theory. Dr. Duerr is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

1 min

Progress lost? Is there any chance for lasting peace in the Middle East?

War is on again in the Middle East - and after years of talks, negotiations and most recently the Abraham Accords - has it all been lost now that war has returned? Glen Duerr, Ph.D. a Professor of International Studies at Cedarville University and a renowned expert in the areas of international relations and comparative politics, can explain the peace process and what might be next in Arab-Israeli relations. If you're covering this ongoing war and need to know more - then let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

1 min

Middle East 101: Our expert walks you through centuries of tension and how we go to where we are today

There's nothing new about tensions, clashed and all out war in the Middle East. For thousands of years, it has been an area that has seen bloodshed, war and very few moments of peace. With all of the world watching the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, a quick lesson in the history of the region might help everyone understand this very complex region a little easier. It's why we sat down with Glen Duerr, Ph.D. a Professor of International Studies at Cedarville and a renowned expert in the areas of international relations and comparative politics. If you're covering this ongoing war and need to know more - then let us help with your questions and stories. Glen is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

View all posts
Powered by