karen tentner's a democrat who may caucus as a republican: "...to make sure that a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." vicky daniel interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. "it's important. i wanna stand up for my candidate." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. unlike republicans, there's no secret ballot: "you have to put your hand up in public and say 'i am for this candidate.' that's really something. that's just hands-on public democracy." nbc's political director knows just how important the first in the nation's caucus are. chuck todd was there when a record number of voters turned out to caucus in 2008. the meet the press host joins us live from west end salvage to tell us what we can expect going into the time has come to make a choice... about which candidate can actually make a difference for you. in a world as complex as this, we need a president as experienced as hillary. at the negotiating table... and always on your side... fighting for children and families. with a real plan to get incomes rising... ...

karen tentner's a democrat who may caucus as a republican: (sot: karen tentner/ iowa resident :46-:52) "...to make sure that a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." vicky daniel interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. (sot: vicky daniel/ iowa resident :57-1:00) "it's important. i wanna stand up for my candidate." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. unlike republicans, there's no secret ballot: (sot: tom mccann/ iowa resident hand up in public and say 'i am really something. that's just hands-on public democracy." iowa... tonight. but keep in mind: the biggest turnout iowa ever had was 2008 - about one in six people here showed up. i'm tracie potts in des moines iowa - back to you. >> republican jeb bush was back in siouxland this weekend, campaigning in okoboji. the former florida governor stated our current government entitlement programs keep americans in poverty rather than lifting them out of it. bush says his first action..if elected president...wil l be to ensure the united states is safe and secure. he says th

karen tentner's a democrat who may caucus as a republican: "...to make sure that a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. secret ballot: "you have to put your hand up in public and say 'i am for this candidate.' that's really something. that's just hands-on but keep in mind: the potts, nbc news, there are more than 16-hundred caucus sites all over this state... where neighbors will gather tonight to select presidential nominees. hillary clinton and donald trump are leading the latest polls... but there are plenty of undecideds... and no guarantees. we will also have extended coverage tonight -- to bring you all the action. we'll have a full hour of news and again from ten til eleven. we'll have updates on our website -- throughout the night. ahead of tonight's caucuses, donald trump will be in eastern yesterday he began his final push in council bluffs. the candidate unloaded on his top rival, ted cruz, over a campaign mailer that mentioned the caucus voting record of the recipient and their neighbors... violatio

karen tentner's a democrat who may caucus as a republican: sot: karen tentner/ iowa resident :46-:52 "...to make sure that a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." vicky daniel interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. sot: vicky daniel/ iowa resident :57-1:00 "it's important. i wanna stand up for my candidate." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. unlike republicans, there's no secret ballot: sot: tom mccann/ iowa resident 1:06-1:17 "you have to put your hand up in public and say 'i am for this candidate.' that's really something. that's just hands-on public democracy." democracy... in action... in iowa... tonight. tracie potts but keep in mind: the biggest about one in six people here showed up. i'm tracie potts in des moines iowa - back to happening today... attorney general mark herring will testify as a witness before a special senate committee about opiod abuse among older adults. the attorney general has made combating the heroin and prescription opiod epidemic a top priority... attacking the problem with enforce

karen tentner's a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." vicky daniel interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. "it's important. i wanna stand up for my candidate." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. unlike republicans, there's no secret ballot: "you have to put your hand up there are more than 16-hundred caucus sites all over this to select presidential nominees. hillary clinton and donald trump are leading the latest polls... but there are plenty of undecideds... and no guarantees. we will also have extended coverage tonight -- to bring you all the action. we'll have a full hour of news from six to seven -- tonight -- and again from ten til eleven. we'll have updates on our website -- throughout the night. ahead of tonight's caucuses, donald trump will be in eastern iowa, stopping in waterloo and cedar rapids. yesterday he began his final push in council bluffs. the candidate unloaded on his top rival, ted cruz, over a campaign mailer that mentioned the caucus voting record of the recipient and t

karen tentner is a democrat that may caucus as a republican. >> i want to make sure the republican candidate're not interested in is not included. >> reporter: she interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. >> it's important. i want to stand up for my candidate. >> reporter: that's what democrats have to do here, literally. unlike republicans, there is no secret ballot. >> you basically have to put your hand up in public and say, i am for this candidate. that's really something. that's just such hands-on public democracy. >> reporter: democracy in action in iowa tonight. and again, they're still trying to get the vote out here, trying to get people interested. more than 1200 stops across the state, and they are still campaigning, barbara. but guess what? not everyone participates. in fact, most people don't. the biggest turnout they had back in 2008, only one in six iowans participated in that caucus. that was the first year president obama was elected. >> well, it should be interesting to see what happens tonight, tracie. thank you so much and i hope you're having

and almost half of republicans here have favorites: (sot: mos may caucus as a republican: (sot: karen tentner/ iowa resident :46-:52) "...to make sure that a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." vicky daniel interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. (sot: vicky daniel/ iowa resident :57-1:00) "it's important. i wanna stand up for my candidate." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. unlike republicans, there's no secret ballot: (sot: tom public and say 'i am for this candidate.' that's really something. that's just hands-on public democracy." democracy... in action... in iowa... tonight. tracie potts, nbc news, des moines, iowa. the iowa caucus is a big deal because it's the first real measure of how voters feel about the candidates. however keep this in mind, the biggest turnout iowa ever had was in 2008, and only about one in six people showed two virginia tech students charged in a missing teen's death. we'll tell you what's ahead today for one of the suspects. plus, deadly storm. you'll see more of the scene where a big tree

karen tentner's a democrat who may caucus as a republican: "...to make sure that a republican candidate we're not interested in is not included." vicky daniel interrupted her florida vacation to fly home for tonight's caucuses. "it's important. i wanna stand up for my candidate." that's what democrats have to do here - literally. unlike republicans, there's no secret ballot: "you have to put your hand up in public and say 'i am for this candidate.' that's really something. that's just hands-on public democracy." democracy... in action... in iowa... tonight. audio outcue: tracie potts, nbc news, des moines, iowa. 9news political reporter brandon rittaman is in iowa this morning. he'll have more on the caucuses over 9news political reporter brandon rittaman is in iowa this morning. he'll have more on gives customers a unique view -- that's because it's underwater!!! the 'real poseidon' restaurant officially opens today. you can enjoy panoramic views while you eat. this concept lets you see the fish from a scuba divers perspective without getting wet. they serve thai food, mexican food...