In the University of Northern Iowa-Dome Tuesday, the clang of metal chairs, the whoosh of a golf cart and the quiet voices of volunteers echoed through a sports arena as Black Hawk County Republicans prepared for thousands of Iowans to cast their votes in the caucuses.
For the Republican candidates for president, months of debates, meet-and-greets, television ads and grilling by voters in Iowa conclude Tuesday night as the would-be nominees meet or fail to meet expectations in garnering votes from caucus sites across Iowa.
One factor that may boost turnout: A cold but snowless night, which will make driving to caucus sites easy for voters.
The candidates themselves have played the expectation game along with the public but have promised to fight on no matter what the results. After Iowa, the Republican road show will move on to New Hampshire, the first primary state, and South Carolina, where candidates with a explicitly religious message may have an edge.
But first the candidates must get through Tuesday where they will deliver their last speeches to caucus goers -- Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich and perhaps others are slated to come to Black Hawk County, expected to attract the most caucus-goers in a single location -- and then wait for results. Although the caucuses start at 7 p.m., results are not expected until the 9 o'clock hour or later.
Keep checking back at the Hot Dish blog for reports through the night and follow reporters on Twitter at @RachelSB and @StribDiaz for tweets of the action.
