Robertson Viewed as Beneficiary of Iowa GOP Caucus Rule

Iowa Republican Party leaders voted Saturday to keep a rule that does not require GOP registration to participate in party precinct caucuses--a move likely to benefit presidential candidate Pat Robertson.

The caucuses in 2,487 precincts will conduct a straw poll that is an important early test of presidential candidate strength, even though it does not determine the selection of Iowa delegates to the national nominating convention.

In a 13-3 vote that followed a heated discussion, the state GOP committee agreed to continue a policy that requires caucus participants to be Republicans but does not specify that they be registered Republicans.

“We’ve always opened our doors to independents and Democrats who have seen the errors of their ways,” said Ralph Brown of Dallas Center.

Iowa Democrats require party registration to participate in their caucuses to be held the same night.

The Robertson campaign will be a prime beneficiary because his supporters have been appealing to Democrats and independents to support the former television evangelist at the Feb. 8 precinct caucuses. With his nonpolitical background, Robertson has been attracting supporters who have not previously participated in politics.