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Ready, Set, Go!

The race is on! The presidential election may be nine months away, but the next two months are filled with crucial contests. They will help determine who wins the White House in November.

Iowa voters go first. Their state uses a system of neighborhood meetings called caucuses, which were scheduled this year for January 24. People belonging to the same political party gather at these meetings to vote for their favorite Democrat or Republican candidate.

Polls in Iowa show that George W. Bush will probably win the Republican popularity contest over his challengers. Vice President Al Gore is favored to grab more Democratic votes than former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley. Gore has accused Bradley of spending "stacks of money" to flood the airwaves with TV and radio ads.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Opening Act
Next week New Hampshire voters will have their turn. They will vote in the first primary--a statewide election. "Iowa and New Hampshire are the opening act of this campaign," admits Bradley. "Then we have five weeks, and suddenly it becomes a national campaign." A Bradley win in New Hampshire may convince the nation's Democrats that he's their man.

Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona has campaigned almost nonstop in New Hampshire. He has been shaking hands, telling jokes and giving speeches. Political experts believe he needs to win in the state in order to stay in the race.

If McCain stumbles, Republicans Gary Bauer, Steve Forbes, Orrin Hatch and Alan Keyes are ready to move in. And the front runners will have plenty of opportunities to stumble. Delaware, South Carolina, Arizona, Michigan, North Dakota and Virginia have primaries scheduled for February. Then on March 7 and 14, many other states, including big California and Texas, take their turn.

The Race Begins Again in August
Candidates Pat Buchanan and Donald Trump are busy giving speeches and appearing on TV but are sitting out these state-by-state primaries and caucuses. They are competing for the small Reform Party's nomination.

In August each of the three parties will hold a nominating convention. A convention is a huge televised gathering. The purpose of the convention is for each party to finally choose its candidate. That's when a whole new race begins!

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