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A year before 2016, Iowa full of presidential hopefuls

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2014 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., right, talks with local residents after a town hall meeting in Ames, Iowa. Democrats and Republicans are waiting for Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jeb Bush and other major prospects to formally kick off the 2016 race in the state with the first presidential caucuses, other lesser known or more unlikely aspirants are already active in Iowa, letting everyone know they're available. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2014 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., right, talks with local residents after a town hall meeting in Ames, Iowa. Democrats and Republicans are waiting for Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jeb Bush and other major prospects to formally kick off the 2016 race in the state with the first presidential caucuses, other lesser known or more unlikely aspirants are already active in Iowa, letting everyone know they're available. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) – Nearly two years before the next presidential election, Iowa is already full of long-shot White House hopefuls trying to get noticed.

Liberal independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Ben Carson – a neurosurgeon – are among those counting on the notion that far-fetched political dreams can come true in the state with the first presidential caucuses.

Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley have also been showing up in Iowa to make friends and road-test their campaign messages.

The potential candidates are taking advantage of the lull as Democrats and Republicans wait for Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jeb Bush and other major prospects to formally kick off the 2016 race for the White House.