How important is Iowa to the Barack Obama? Not only did his victory in the caucuses do wonders to elevate his candidacy's viability, Obama returned to the state in May to mark the milestone of winning the majority of pledged delegates. After voting for the Democratic nominee in the previous four presidential elections, in 2004, President Bush defeated John Kerry in Iowa by less than 1 percent of the vote. McCain finished a disappointing fourth place in the Republican caucuses back in January, and he will need strong support from the evangelical Republican base in the state to overcome Obama's formidable campaign apparatus here.