Let's talk about the three states that could determine the fate of the Democratic candidates for the presidency: Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. A total of 16 electoral votes of the 538 available. It seems that is where all the action is.

Each party in Iowa sponsors a local neighborhood meeting in January. The meetings, called "caucuses," are open to any voter who wants to support that party. At the caucus party members discuss political issues and candidates. They also elect representatives called “delegates” to the county convention. The same discussions occur at the county conventions, and the county convention elects delegates to the state convention. At the state level the convention selects delegates to the national convention. Quite convoluted!

So, what is important  to Iowans? According to the Des Moines Register Republican poll respondents are seeking discussion of fiscal and defense matters. Republican poll respondents are seeking discussion of fiscal and defense matters. Ninety percent or higher say they want candidates to spend "a lot" of time talking about the budget deficit, national defense, taxes and terrorist groups such as the Islamic State, or ISIL.

"The U.S. looks like a weak power to all these foreign countries," Republican poll respondent said. These new candidates need to lay out how they're going to handle that. No one wants to overstep, but we need to clean things up."

Democrats, conversely, are far more interested in hearing about domestic policy. Energy (92%) and income inequality (90%) top the list of issues that Democrats say candidates should spend a lot of time discussing.

Just one issue ranks in the top five for likely caucus attendees from both parties: job creation.

These differences illustrate a fundamental disagreement between the parties over the role of government. While Democrats believe government can and should address social and economic issues, Republicans are less confident about its ability to solve such problems and focus instead on limiting taxes and spending while maintaining national defense.

"What you're seeing in the Iowa data here is simply a reflection of the agendas of the leadership," Manza said. "It's the voters following the leaders — the rhetoric of the leaders and the policy priorities of the leaders."

Especially wide divergences emerge on a few issues.

90% of Democrats want to hear candidates talk about income inequality — making it the No. 2 issue. For likely Republican, though, income inequality ranks 19th out of the 20 issues tested by the poll, with 36% of respondents saying they wish candidates would devote a lot of time talking about it.

An even wider gap between Democrats and Republicans is evident on climate change. While 81% of Democrats planning to caucus say they want to see candidates focus on it, just 18% of likely Republican voters are interested in hearing a lot about the issue.

There are areas, too, where the interests of likely caucus attendees from the two parties are more aligned. An equal percentage of Democratic and Republican respondents say candidates should talk about job creation. Likewise, discussing immigration is important.

Just 48% of GOP respondents say they want candidates to spend a lot of time talking about abortion and same-sex marriage rates even lower.

Away from Iowa, many other states delegates to the party’s national convention that nominates the presidential and vice presidential candidates are selected in a primary election. Party members go to the polls and vote for the presidential candidate of their choice. Delegates for the national convention are awarded to each candidate based on the number of votes the candidate receives in the primary election.

CNN suggests that "the influence Iowa is increasing even as the state's odds of predict...