Iowa is the first because...it's always been the first. During the late 1800's, if I remember correctly, Iowa's state politicians determined that they could get more interest in Iowa by national politicians if they held the first caucus in the U.S. So they moved up their caucus date. Now, a number of other states are considering officially changing state charters to make THEIR caucus first. Then everyone would be like, "If you don't win Nevada, you don't have a chance in the general election."
The whole thing is pretty silly, I say. I'll bet a third of people who actually vote (which is very few people in the first place) have already decided, so the momentum thing is stupid.
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