Lined up who identify themselves as potential candidates for the spot. We are really excited about the breadth of our list of possible candidates. I think it is possibly the largest, most ever, most qualified field of president ial candidates that we have seen in my lifetime. Folks i really starting to feel the energy. Steven jeff kaufmann, your take on the number . Jeff right now, we have about 14 that i would consider interacting with the Republican Party of iowa on a regular basis. We have inquiries from others. I dont think i dont know the answer to that yet. It continues to grow. I couldnt agree with jennifer strong enough. This diversey that we have across the political spectrum is exciting. Grassroots republicans out here in iowa have a very tough choice. It will be a fun fun time. A real part of grassroots politics here. Steven of course both of your states, first in the nation as the caucus process begins. Let me turn to ken thomas of associated press. Kenneth one of the things on the agenda is the straw poll. Im wondering how this will be different this year. Do you think you will be able to get the real frontier president ial candidates to participate in the straw poll this time . Jeff fair question. We have gone through several different questions and debates as a party. We first asked the fundamental question, do we want to consider having a vote . I will tell you, that answer for a lot of grassroots was an overwhelming yes. The next question, we just answered a couple weeks ago was fair, do we want to continue to have at the traditional site . We put together a very thorough Selection Committee and found that our straw poll will be in boone, iowa. Imitations will be going out shortly. We will be asking all of the candidates that are available getting very good feedback from some campaigns at this point. Will be we get them all . No. That is unrealistic. I think we will have a straw poll that looks a similar to previous straw polls, with the exception of the site. We tried to put together a familyfriendly event. It almost seems like a fair in many ways. I think we will have a strong field in that particular group. I think we will attack some top attract some toptier candidates. Kenneth if they win eight raises expectations. Why should scott walker or jeb bush get involved . Jeff 20,000 enthusiastic activists. Many of them leaders across iowa. This is an opportunity to cut across a large voting bloc. In terms of expectations, i think the candidates can manage those expectations. No one here in iowa makes the claim that this is scientific or predictive in any way. This is an opportunity for candidates to get in front of activists, and ultimately is a snapshot in time. I think as long as the candidate manages the expectations, and make sure that people take away from the straw poll exactly what it is, i think there is something in it for all of the candidates. Part of this begins with the initial interaction with supporters and why they vote in the first place. Certainly, the party, we will manage those expectations and make sure people know that the straw poll adds flavor to an event. It makes no clear to no claim to be scientific. Steven we will turn to caitlin hueyburns. Caitlin scott walker was recently in New Hampshire. You have been with him in the state as you have been with other candidates coming through. Im wondering what you make of the recent change of mind on the issue of providing some kind of have to citizenship or legal status. Are you able to clarify what you think you have been aggregating for during history of their . The question for you, and also for jeff, can a candidate get through this primary having support or supporting some type of path to citizenship or legal status for those undocumented immigrants . Jennifer sure. Let me first say, it was a pleasure to have governor out walker here Governor Walker here. I have only seen him in an event to answer that question, and he said he is advocating for a path to legal says. What i would say about the issue in general is that your is no question that it will be part of the conversation this year. It is one of the many issues that unfortunately this the administration has failed to come to a satisfactory solution on. It is not the only issue that will be important. You asked me, can a candidate win a nomination and be in a position that you describe. Absolutely. Republican voters, very few voters are one issue voters. What we talk about immigration were talking about balancing the budget. In 18 trillion debt. We are talking i candidate on the other side that has helped to execute i chaotic and Foreign Policy that has danger to our nation and other nations. There are a lot of issues out there that will be very important. Immigration alone will not defined this race. Steven jeff kaufmann, your response . Jeff i agree. Emigration is an important issue here in iowa. I have traveled all over the state and have heard from hundreds and hundreds thousands at this point grassroots republicans and they say immigration is important. Securing the borders always comes up first. First and foremost, i believe any republican candidate must have an opinion on the borders and securing them. And terms of what to do with the undocumented folks that are here, i dont know that there is any one position that will make or break. I agree with jennifer. I think the iowa voter and New Hampshire voter are very discerned. They take their jobs very seriously. I think by taking their job seriously, we will not be looking at a lot of single issues to make or break a campaign. The strength of the group that we have is the diversity. Across the spectrum. Steven jennifer horn, every four years that question is thiss the same, when will the New Hampshire primary be . Jennifer i cant say exactly when he will decide. I think it will be as it has been looking at the calendar, february. Our secretary of state, bill gardner, has been doing that job for 30 years. One of his priorities as secretary of state is preserving our first of the nation status. Protecting our state constitution here in New Hampshire. We think it is very important. We think we provide a Value Added Service to the whole nation. I think it will probably come up on the calendar exactly when we are all looking at it right now. Our secretary of state will make that decision until he is absolutely certain that no other you know, similar event will be scheduled before. Steven you are looking at possibly february 9, correct . Jennifer exactly. Until our secretary of state says it himself it is just the possibility. I very comfortable that that is what it will end up. Kenneth jeff, on iowas caucus there were problems in 2012. Some voters initially thought that mitt romney won the state. It turned out that Rick Santorum won the state by very narrow margin. Are you taking steps to try and ensure you dont have voting problems in the future . Also, are you trying to find ways to make the caucus more successful . There has been talk of trying to help younger folks with children participate, or military veterans, those serving overseas. What steps are you taking their . Jeff absolutely in terms of the first question. It sounds like an old adage or cliche, but we will learn from the mistakes that were made four years ago. It is a deadly important that both the incredibly important that both the democratic and Republican Party in iowa have a caucus process as perfect as human beings can make it. Immediately after that happened, we put together a blueribbon panel. We looked at it not only in terms of some of the mistakes that were made in previous caucuses, but what we can do to enhance that. Yes, there will be steps made. Whats also exciting is that we are going to be announcing a very Important Initiative in a few weeks that is not only going to enhance the caucus, it will make it more transparent. It will make it more credible. I think the media, the people to be honest, i think the nation will be very pleased with where we are heading. We are taking a very seriously. In terms of access, i just visited with the democratic chair this morning. Mrs. Mcguire is our new chair out there. One of the things that we are going to do is try to open this up. I think try, because there is some urography that one has to jump through in d. C. To open this up to our overseas veterans. That would be one way to enhance that. We willl continue to have a truly bipartisan dialogue out here. Kenneth just a followup, your date is february 1, as it stands right now. You have any concerns that any of the other states may try to leapfrog and get into that area that is typically reserved for the part about states . Jeff we always have that concern. Im told now im in contact with our national party, which is absolute fantastic as far as working with party chairs out here. At this point, i dont see any movement that is actually going to happen action come to fruition. Theres a lot of talk at this time of year. Right now, we have set february 1. Last week, we set it officially. At this point, im feeling confident about that. You never say never in this business. Especially if you are one of the cars out carve out states. Caitlin i want to ask about New Hampshire. The bush family has diddly not had good runs there. Jennifer, how do you assess jeb bush is doing and has the potential to do . Is it a wide { . Had uss how the candidates are doing this so far . For both of you, im wondering if the future nominee has to win at least one of your states to go on to win the general . Steven jennifer foreign, we will begin with you. Jennifer im sorry, you want me to answer . Steven yes. Please. Jennifer thank you. Yes. Working backwards through those questions, i would say, it is absolutely a wide {. It could be at this stage in the game, it could be anybody. As far as governor bush, he was very well received on his first european. He was able to fill a house. Very successful with the voters. That is what anybody has to do. The fact that he comes with a wellknown name, i dont think it is particularly a helm or hindrance. It will be at a case of which candidate is willing to come to New Hampshire over and over again, me all the voters over and over again and answer the questions. What is really important in New Hampshire, whether you are jeb bush, scott walker, rand paul or anyone else, you are here taking unfiltered questions. That town hall type of environment. In peoples living room, having coffee whether it is to people, 20 people, 200 people it is being willing to take the questions and answer them directly, honestly, sincerely, and from the heart. If governor bush is able to connect with people in New Hampshire on the issues that they care about, he will do very well. I would say the same thing about all candidates now. Steven jeff kaufmann, does the nominee need to win iowa, New Hampshire, one of the early caucus states . Jennifer i certainly think it is helpful. It is particularly helpful for a candidate that is still working on name recognition. That is part of this, part of the justification of having iowa and New Hampshire as carve out states. We are manageable for the candidate that may not have the finances or name recognition to move into a situation in which they can be competitive. Is absolutely necessary . Probably not. Is it incredibly helpful . Absolutely. I would certainly say it is necessary if there are name recognition issues. When people say, look me in the eye and make the decision. That happens here in iowa. Jeb bush will have to prove himself as a candidate in and of himself, and so far it looks like he is willing to dedicate the time and energy to do that here in iowa. Steven if there are 12 or 14 republican candidates, will there be more than three tickets . Jennifer i think so. Yes. I think there will be some candidates who will find it difficult to see that path to the nomination. I think you can i think when the Iowa Caucuses said and done, there will be much more than three candidates. Steven lets go to ken thomas of ap. Kenneth the playoff of that you have played a very Important Role in the caucuses. We will probably have a very large field in iowa. Does that potentially dilute religious conservatives influence and power. We saw this past week, ted cruz announced his campaign at Liberty University in a clear attempt to connect with religious conservatives feared. Jennifer i am a government professor that is my paying job. What of the things that i would be observing very carefully is that its not only how the group as a whole is attracting to voters and how they are trying to present their message but also are subgroups. Certainly, we have groups in Iowa Republicans where social issues are very important. Evangelical christians would be one of those groups. I think one of the things to look at is how candidates that are directly appealing to that group ted cruz for example bobby jindal, Mike Huckabee how they are perceived within a particular group. The last caucus we had, Rick Santorum one. It was very very close. Nearly a virtual tie. Mitt romney was the other. Certainly, it christian evangelicals are a crucial part of our electorate. They are not the only group. We are a very diverse state. You will see thousands of a look caucusgoers that cross the complete spectrum in the Republican Party. Steven i want to come back to that point in a moment. First, caitlin hueyburns. Caitlin i think we will start to see different influential sleep people, whether in politics or involved in the grassroots level. Im wondering in iowa and New Hampshire, who are some of the people who can help shape this election . Tdo endorsements carry as much weight these days . If you can tell us, is a senator, someone at the organizing level . Who can influence how this big field shakes out . Jennifer would you like me to take the question . Jeff i will go first a couple of times. First, i think any of our elected officials at the federal level have potential. Senator grassley has not been in the habit of endorsing. Certainly, his endorsement would be i would say, the golden ring. We have a governor that within one year will be the longestserving governor in the United States history. His endorsement is certainly crucial. Our new senator, and joni joni ernst, still has rockstar status. We have three golden rings as far as endorsements that are available here. Im not sure if other endorsements matter. You know, when i was a legislator i sought those endorsements. I never knew beyond the Immediate Group of people, how much impact that have. In iowa, we are all about shaking hands and looking what another in the eye. I dont know if endorses are that crucial. Steven jennifer horn. Jennifer i would agree with jeff on that. You know, certainly folks like u. S. Senator kelly, maybe some for former governors, these folks are the big names may be in our state that may or may not choose to get involved. A New Hampshire honestly, the endorsements that matter are the activist. We have 400 state house representatives that are unpaid. They are the activists that have the biggest influence on how the direction of the vote goes. Those five or 600 500 600 activists that will be volunt eering on the campaign, spreading the word of the candidates, those are the folks in New Hampshire who quite honestly make a difference. They will decide in which direction this goes. Certainly, we have a whole class of political operatives in our state, and is always interesting to see which Campaign Hires which consultants. In the end, the outcome will be decided by many hundreds of activists, grassroots level. As they decide which campaigns to get involved in. Steven jeff, i want to come back to your role in the process. In 2008, Mike Huckabee won the campaign. This past cycle, Rick Santorum winning the caucus, and his campaign though he won 10 or 11 primaries, lost traction. Do you worry that iowa is putting candidates on the center stage, and yet not really giving the voters the candidate that ultimately becomes either the nominee or a key player in the nomination process . Jeff i dont. Heres the reason why. First of all, i would separate the straw poll from the caucus. Four years ago, Rick Santorum did win the caucuses and one several other primaries. Mitt romney was just a few votes behind and became the nominee. Dont forget, both bush is one iowa. Iowa is the beginning. It is a snapshot at that time. I dont think we want iowa to continually named the winner. If im a chair of one of the 49 other states, that would be game over. I think it is healthy that i would does not necessarily pick the winner every time. I think the strength of iowa and why i would argue our first face the nation status is so important is because we did everyone a shot. Senator grassley does every year. I think that is the strength. Also what jennifer said, the fact that endorsements are certainly less important to the average citizen. I think that is the strength of the iowa caucus. Not necessarily that we can get it right everything will time, long before other states have had a chance to weigh in. Steven ken thomas. Kenneth i went New Hampshire are the beginning. They are just be the battleground states. We havent talked about Hillary Clinton. How confident are you that the process will lead to a strong nominee and not cause divisions and put the nominee in a position that might prove difficult in a general election . Jennifer m. Horn, why dont we start with you. Jennifer sure. It seems clear that the Democratic Party has already chosen secretary clinton as their nominee. If you listen to the chairman of the Democratic Party here in New Hampshire, he sa