Jamie Chandler, a political scientist at Hunter College in New York, spoke with the International Business Times about who will win in Iowa, who will drop out afterward and what various outcomes would mean as the primary season continues.

When it comes to the Iowa caucuses, who loses is almost as important as who wins. Iowa doesn't often vote for the eventual nominee, but it does tend to weed out non-viable candidates. Who will be weeded out tonight?

With the Iowa caucuses just five days away, a new poll shows Ron Paul and Mitt Romney in a statistical dead heat for first place and Rick Santorum, against all odds, in third place. Newt Gingrich, who held a wide lead last month, has fallen into fourth place.

Rick Santorum has been a sideshow for most of the Republican presidential campaign. Now, two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, he has nabbed endorsements from two evangelical leaders, Bob Vander Plaats and Chuck Hurley. But is it too little, too late?

Just one month after he shot to the top of the Republican polls, Newt Gingrich is already beginning to fade. He still leads by 4.5 percentage points nationally, but that's down from a double-digit lead last week, and he lost his lead in Iowa on Monday, slipping to third place behind Ron Paul and Mitt Romney.

Ron Paul has overtaken both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in the latest poll ahead of the Iowa caucuses, which will be held on Jan. 3. The poll showcases a remarkable rise by Paul, who has exemplified a slow and steady growth campaign model.

Modern Family leads with 5 nominations in the TV categories.

Herman Cain, who said on Tuesday that he was reassessing whether to stay in the presidential race before saying on Wednesday that there was no chance he would drop out, is now changing course again and saying he may decide to drop out after all -- but not until he talks to his wife.

Ron Paul has surged in two recent polls of Iowa Republicans, challenging the front-runners and making it clear that he will be a contender in January's caucuses.

Given the increasing presence of women in high levels of politics around the world, I am wondering what the “standard protocol” for such greetings should be?

The sexual harassment scandal surrounding Herman Cain has become a messy he said, she said affair, with accusers going public and Cain fiercely denying their allegations. What's next for the Georgia businessman who shot from obscurity to the top of the polls last month?

The Republican primary debate held in Michigan's Oakland University has the potential to start whittling down the field. Recent headlines lend importance to the event's economic focus. But ultimately, Republicans may decide the night's winner with a simple question: Who wants to undo President Barack Obama's work with the greatest fervor?

In light of his landslide win in the Ohio straw poll last weekend, should Ron Paul get more attention as a viable contender for the Republican presidential nomination?

Herman Cain is ahead of Mitt Romney in several recent polls. But can he sustain that lead, or is he just another candidate du jour? Political experts say a Cain nomination is unlikely.

The former chief executive of the Godfather Pizza chain now poses a serious challenge to front-runner Mitt Romney.

Herman Cain holds an astounding 20-point lead over Mitt Romney in a poll of Republican primary voters, and he is in a statistical tie with President Obama.

Chris Christie has stated flatly he will not seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie will reportedly announce his candidacy for the Presidency on Monday,

Not everyone is convinced that Perry will actually come out ahead at the end of this long race.

Between 1960 and 2008, the percentage of eligible voters who have bothered to cast their ballots during the presidential elections have ranged from about 49 percent to 63 percent.

During every presidential campaign season, a number of underdog candidates decide to run for the White House – most of whom have no hopes of ever getting elected.

Obama laid out an ambitious $450 billion package of spending plans and tax cuts designed to stimulate the economy and create badly needed jobs.

While compromise is the name of the game in Washington D.C., some wonder if the huge gulf between left and right might lead to a kind of permanent malaise in our national body politic.

Republican presidential contenders will meet Wednesday night at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., for a debate.

Palin, a polarizing figure that nonetheless enjoys broad support among social conservatives and the Tea Party set, has thus far been coy about her intentions.

Palin, a polarizing figure who nonetheless enjoys broad support among social conservatives and the Tea Party set, has thus far been coy about her intentions.

Keep in mind that since the election of John F. Kennedy, no Catholic has ascended to the White House. Neither has a woman, or a Jew, or an Asian or a Latino.

'The mayor is at a critical point in his third-term because he’s facing his lowest public approval numbers to date.

Perry is a favorite among social conservatives, including the Tea Party

Obama desperately needs to re-energize his flagging re-election hopes.