DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – In Iowa’s leadoff presidential caucuses, longshot Democratic candidate Martin O’Malley could finally be a player.
That’s probably not because of any hidden depths of support for the low-polling former Maryland governor.
Rather, the quirks of the Iowa process mean that candidates must have a minimum level of support in each of the state’s nearly 1,700 voting precincts. If O’Malley backers can’t reach the threshold, they will have to select another candidate.
That second-choice support may matter to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders if their contest is at tight on Feb. 1 as polls now suggest.
O’Malley has campaigned aggressively in Iowa. He has some well-regarded activists and paid staffers. But he has failed to catch on with most Democrats.