If this means they'll be less relevant

Then bad perhaps for Iowa, but good for the nation as a whole.

This year, there is no contested Democratic primary, given that President Barack Obama has no serious challenger. Only Republicans are competing, and those candidates are approaching the state differently, both visiting and hiring less. Also, like it did everywhere else, the race here started slowly – months later than usual – as a slew of GOP politicians weighed candidacies, only to abort White House bids.

Of course, it may all get super-freaky in 2016.