Iowans do have the unique opportunity to be first to voice their opinion on whom they believe should be the next President of the United States.

We get a chance to see many of the candidates up-close so far, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley for the Democrats and Lindsey Graham (who recently dropped out), Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz for the Republicans are known to have brought their campaigns to Tama County. Jeb Bush also slipped in for a private meeting at Gladbrook.

Results of next Monday’s (Feb. 1) caucuses could well determine who will sit in the White House for the next four years.

How about a prediction based upon the possible Iowa caucus outcome?

Is a five-way race possible?

There’s strong support for both Clinton and Sanders for the Democrats- of course, both can’t win.

There’s some strong support right now for Trump and Cruz for the GOP nomination. – but one or both could falter.

How about three third-party candidates in the race.

Conceiveable:

Hillary Clinton as the Democrat.

Pick one of the Republican contenders.

Bernie Sanders as a third party candidate.

And yes, Donald Trump as a third party candidate.

On Sunday, it was reported New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was considering a run as a third party candidate.

Or, maybe switch with Sanders as the Democrat standard-bearer and Clinton as a third party candidate?

Trump leads the Republicans and a third party GOP?candidate emerges?

It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.