Barbecue, says Larson. Last June, one of the local gentry hosted a cookout for Forbes that Larson estimates fed some 6,000 folks. Give an Iowan a free meal, says Larson, and he'll love you forever. It doesn't matter if they know who died or not. One of the most important things to know about a presidential caucus is that very little time is spent actually discussing the presidential race.
People nominate one another to be spiteful.
Those nominated then nominate someone else as payback. During the election for secretary, a little drama even develops. Lois Daum, a tiny, grandmotherly woman, is nominated and moves over to sit at the head table. Some troublemaker throws Stephanie Verkandt's name into the mix, and an open vote must be taken. The hands go up.