The returns are not in, so this is not about some candidate, winner or loser, tonight.
Plainly speaking (in the Iowa style), it is a travesty that the country is hanging on the outcome of caucuses in any state, even those conducted by the good people of Iowa.
Political parties need strengthening, and if caucuses were a reflection of real party roles in America, that would be fine with me. But they are not. The caucuses are exotic enough for average citizens that few can bring themselves to attend and, when those that do get there (at least to the Democrats' meetings) they have to submit to a lot of falderal about party platforms, delegate selections, etc., before they can vote. It is a kind of process that rewards those who are best organized, not those who are most numerous.
In other words, it is not really indicative of how the country is thinking, or even how Iowa is thinking in this case.
And it is far, far too early for people to having these decisions thrust upon them.
The schedule this year is warping the democratic process.
Parties benefit greatly and preferentially under the law, and that is well and good. But they should be expected to live up to certain criteria. The first in presidential years is that caucuses and primaries should not be held any sooner than March. We have reached the point of absurdity this election season, the first where half of a presidential term is being devoted openly to campaigning for the next election. I am surprised that there has been so little protest from the public.