Over breakfast, Iowans talk politics before caucuses

Iowans ate breakfast and talked politics at a local diner on Monday in Des Moines as the state prepares to host the first presidential nominating contest to help choose which Democratic candidate may eventually take on President Donald Trump.

"I like a lot of the candidates," 34-year-old Kara Vaughn said.

"I think we have a really diverse profile this time, but I'm caucusing for Elizabeth Warren, because she has really thorough plans for everything." But 47-year-old Heidi Weiss disagreed.

"Pete Buttigieg, because I think he can really bring people together," Weiss said.

"He's a peacemaker, he doesn't come with a lot of baggage.

I think he's a perfect choice." But 28-year-old David Mahnke said he would caucus for entrepreneur Andrew Yang while 53-year-old Mark Lowe showed interested in billionaire Tom Steyer and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Iowa Democrats kick off what could be a bruising nominating process when they gather at caucus sites around the state on Monday to begin choosing a challenger to President Donald Trump.

At more than 1,600 schools, community centers and other public locations, voters will render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runners Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Vice President Joe Biden, who have battled for the top in recent Iowa opinion polls.