--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The 2008 battle in Iowa for the…" description: "\"The 2008 battle in Iowa for the Democratic caucus was perhaps the most titanic single nominating contest in the history of modern politics.\" — John Dic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg" --- # The 2008 battle in Iowa for the Democratic caucus was… ![“The 2008 battle in Iowa for the Democratic caucus was perhaps the most titanic single nominating contest in the history of modern politics.” quote by John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg) > “The 2008 battle in Iowa for the Democratic caucus was perhaps the most titanic single nominating contest in the history of modern politics.” [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Iowa Democratic caucus was an unusually massive and intense contest in modern political history. **In simple terms:** Iowa 2008 was a huge political battle. Key Takeaway Recognize the scale of political contests. Themes politics competition history Mood analytical historical Type political educational When to use this quote - campaign strategy - media coverage - voter engagement Key Concepts electoral dynamics grassroots mobilization Questions to Reflect On - What made this contest so fierce? - How do such battles shape party direction? A Different Perspective Focusing only on winners ignores broader impacts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Iowa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iowa/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Titanic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/titanic/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [I'm just really proud of the Democratic caucus. I look around in our meetings, and I think we really look like America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyrsten-sinema/i-m-just-really-proud-of-the-democratic-caucus-i-look-around-in-our/) [Kyrsten Sinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyrsten-sinema/) > [I don't believe that there is anybody who denies climate change in the Democratic caucus. Everybody accepts that it is a real problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/i-don-t-believe-that-there-is-anybody-who-denies-climate-change-in/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [I certainly want to be the whip, and that's an election every two years in the Senate Democratic caucus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-certainly-want-to-be-the-whip-and-that-s-an-election-every-two/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [When you're on the floor of the House of Representatives in the Democratic caucus, I like to say it feels like New Jersey. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikie-sherrill/when-you-re-on-the-floor-of-the-house-of-representatives-in-the/) [Mikie Sherrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikie-sherrill/) > [Which of the following two groups contains the most former grand dragons of the Ku Klux Klan - the first 59 Tea Party people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-carr/which-of-the-following-two-groups-contains-the-most-former-grand/) [Howie Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-carr/) > [I have been in the Democratic Caucus in the Senate for over 24 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-have-been-in-the-democratic-caucus-in-the-senate-for-over-24-years/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Just think of all those women on the Titanic who said, 'No thank you' to desert that night. And for what?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/just-think-of-all-those-women-on-the-titanic-who-said-no-thank-you-to/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Everyone has a 'Titanic for the first time' face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-styles/everyone-has-a-titanic-for-the-first-time-face/) [Harry Styles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-styles/) > [“Our Titanic of a family sank deeper and deeper as time went on. But in a sick way, I'm almost glad it did. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-colfer/our-titanic-of-a-family-sank-deeper-and-deeper-as-time-went-on-but-in/) [Chris Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-colfer/) > [When I was 15, I came downstairs one morning, picked up mother's newspaper and, oh, what a shock! The Titanic had gone. The 'unsinkable'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allingham/when-i-was-15-i-came-downstairs-one-morning-picked-up-mother-s/) [Henry Allingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allingham/) > [The Kate Winslet thing has been a shocker. I was like, that is the most ridiculous claim. Amazing, obviously. She's been my idol since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-pugh/the-kate-winslet-thing-has-been-a-shocker-i-was-like-that-is-the-most/) [Florence Pugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-pugh/) > [She watch Titanic for the love story. I watch it for one scene with boobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/she-watch-titanic-for-the-love-story-i-watch-it-for-one-scene-with/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [I think I've definitely found a niche working in comedy, but dramatic films are what brought me here. After I saw 'Titanic' in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-craig/i-think-i-ve-definitely-found-a-niche-working-in-comedy-but-dramatic/) [Carly Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-craig/) > [“Robertson called his ship the Titan; the White Star Line called its ship the Titanic. This is the story of her last night.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lord/robertson-called-his-ship-the-titan-the-white-star-line-called-its/) [Walter Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lord/) > [I've heard from the movie marketplace that James Cameron did such a killer job with 'Titanic' that it's almost impossible to do anything better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/i-ve-heard-from-the-movie-marketplace-that-james-cameron-did-such-a/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) ## More by John Dickerson > [That's what politics is. It's the story of what's happening, what does it mean, what's the conclusion, who are the interesting characters?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/that-s-what-politics-is-it-s-the-story-of-what-s-happening-what-does/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [When the kids were young, they just wanted to be around us. We were units of comfort and support. As they get older, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/when-the-kids-were-young-they-just-wanted-to-be-around-us-we-were/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [If we practice hard enough, we can become thoroughly interested in even the simplest things of daily life, the way a child would. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/if-we-practice-hard-enough-we-can-become-thoroughly-interested-in/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [In addition to surviving the Forrestal, McCain has survived three other plane disasters, including being shot down over enemy territory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/in-addition-to-surviving-the-forrestal-mccain-has-survived-three/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [There's kind of a Tom Harkin aspect to Bernie Sanders, even though Harkin is supporting Secretary Clinton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/there-s-kind-of-a-tom-harkin-aspect-to-bernie-sanders-even-though/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [I am always looking for material - whether for my notebooks or for Twitter or Instagram - which means I'm looking for meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/i-am-always-looking-for-material-whether-for-my-notebooks-or-for/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [When former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote his recent book, 'Duty', it was full of tough assessments and candor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/when-former-defense-secretary-robert-gates-wrote-his-recent-book-duty/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [Mr. Obama said that he personally told Mr. Putin to knock it off and vows to retaliate. But the Obama presidency is coming to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/mr-obama-said-that-he-personally-told-mr-putin-to-knock-it-off-and/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [When she died, Mom left me her letters and journals. Windows into things I would have been too young to understand when she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/when-she-died-mom-left-me-her-letters-and-journals-windows-into/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [The swashbuckling independence of my childhood was not all good, and as a father, I'm puzzling out how to be part of my children's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/the-swashbuckling-independence-of-my-childhood-was-not-all-good-and/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [Mother's Day is a welcome event in partisan times. Nearly everyone agrees that we should show mothers gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/mother-s-day-is-a-welcome-event-in-partisan-times-nearly-everyone/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [Talking to the press is not always good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/talking-to-the-press-is-not-always-good/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [When I interviewed John McCain in 2000 about whether he had taken medication for his anger, I remember thinking, 'Let's see how this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/when-i-interviewed-john-mccain-in-2000-about-whether-he-had-taken/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [A president cannot grow a long-term lack of trust in someone with whom they had full confidence the day before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/a-president-cannot-grow-a-long-term-lack-of-trust-in-someone-with/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [What is the appetite for truth in the Trump White House? That's not a question about the untrue things the president says. It's about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/what-is-the-appetite-for-truth-in-the-trump-white-house-that-s-not-a/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) [Explore all 93 John Dickerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) ## More Battle quotes > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/) [Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/) > [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [I knew Jimmy Dean. He tested for 'Battle Cry'. Paul Newman tested for 'Battle Cry'. I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/) [Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/) [David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) [Browse all 4,526 Battle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The 2008 battle in Iowa for the Democratic caucus was perhaps the most titanic single nominating contest in the history of modern politics.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Dickerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democratic-caucus-was-perhaps-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Battle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democratic-caucus-was-perhaps-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-dickerson-7273_battle_the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democrat_2260912.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The 2008 battle in Iowa for the Democratic caucus was perhaps the most titanic single nominating contest in…” — John Dickerson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Dickerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The 2008 battle in Iowa for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democratic-caucus-was-perhaps-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/the-2008-battle-in-iowa-for-the-democratic-caucus-was-perhaps-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```