How the Iowa caucuses rules could benefit Bernie Sanders

Published February 4, 2020 2:52am ET



Bernie Sanders has taken over cable news, flooding the gyms and auditoriums of Iowa caucus sites documented by telegenic journalists in live time. But on the outskirts of the Hawkeye State, Joe Biden, Andrew Yang, and Amy Klobuchar are proving some of the only viable candidates in a number of precincts, and as it turns out, the rules of the caucuses may disproportionately harm those overperforming in rural areas.

For example, in Mitchell County’s 11th precinct, the three are the only viable candidates, with Klobuchar earning 13 supporters, Biden seven, and Yang five. Technically, Klobuchar ought to earn twice the county delegate count in the precinct than Yang, but since they’re in a small precinct, each of the three will likely earn one.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.