Votes Are Yardage, Delegates Are Touchdowns (And Other Sports Metaphors)

There is a reason why some states choose to go with caucuses instead of primaries. A caucus can be used to gauge a level or organizational skill and voter enthusiasm for a given candidate. They tend to benefit from strong grassroots connections and the ability to bring out reliable constituencies like unions. Primaries, on the other hand, have the benefit of simplicity (more or less).

Whether a state chooses a primary or a caucus, the goal is to WIN DELEGATES. As everyone following Iowa understands, there is a big difference between first and second place, but that is almost entirely because of one's ability to shift the media narrative.

In the long run, it is like a prize fight. Sure, it always helps to get in the most punches, but that doesn't mean you will win the fight. Certainly not in a knockout, but not even in a split decision. What matters is who won the most rounds.