Temperatures were up, and so were caucus numbers. On an unseasonally mild January evening, when the dial fell to zero but no further, about 200 registered Republican voters crowded into the gymnasium at Greenwood Elementary School in suburban Des Moines.
They stood, hands on their hearts and in unison pledged allegiance to the stars and stripes before the chair of the Precinct 74 caucus invited speakers to step forward and stump for each of the candidates contesting the party's presidential nomination.
They did so in alphabetical order, starting with "B" for Bachmann, Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann – "by far the most conservative candidate in this race", assured a well-dressed young man – and ending with the former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum – "a family man with great values", appealed a woman of perhaps 70 years of age.
In between, they got more than they bargained for, when a scruffy man stepped forward, supposedly to give a shout out to the rambunctious Newt Gingrich, the thrice married former speaker of the House of Representatives who, like most of his colleagues, opposes gay marriage.
"As our leader, he will speak for our country on a grand scale," he ventured disarmingly, before adding: "By keeping gay people scared of who they are."
The intrusion was short-lived, the intruder drowned out by shouts of "Get him off". There were no takers on behalf of the former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, who had ignored Iowa in the lead up and offered a backhander from afar by claiming Iowans "pick corn" while other states "pick presidents".
"Not surprised," muttered a man to his wife as the room fell silent.
A young woman was quick out of the blocks for Ron Paul, typical of the demographic that has propelled the Texas congressman's bid, parroting his shtick of individual liberty, small government and anti-war. "He's the only candidate that would cut $US1 trillion out of government spending in his first year," she enthused.
A woman from San Antonio chipped in for the Texas governor Rick Perry; two speakers shared the five minutes allotted for Mitt Romney, the latter pleading with his audience: "We must present someone to the American public who can beat Barack Obama . . . It's extremely important for our nation." Mr Romney, he insisted, was "the most logical candidate".
By 7.47pm the talk was over, the political speed-dating over within 26 minutes. A slightly tatty FootJoy shoebox was passed among the crowd who dropped in the name of their preferred candidate scribbled on small yellow pieces of paper that resembled a "post-it" note, embossed with an elephant stamp (for Republican Party).
A quick count took place in relaxed fashion before the chairwoman drew the meeting to order, although by then at least half the crowd had departed.
"I announce that Mitt Romney is the winner of this caucus," she shouted. The result was a landslide: 125 votes out of a possible 202. Dr Paul came a distant second with 33 and Mr Santorum next with 26. Then Mr Gingrich (12), Ms Bachmann (11), Mr Huntsman (4) and Mr Perry (1).
Though in the final analysis, Mr Romney's runaway was an Iowa exception rather than the rule.
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