Ahead of the 1984 Iowa caucuses, former Vice President Walter Mondale was the overwhelming favorite for the Democratic party's nomination. A Midwestern upbringing on the Iowa-Minnesota border only bolstered his caucus expectations. Expectations were so high for Mondale that the media’s attention was focused on who would come in second. Colorado Senator Gary Hart exceeded the low expectations for his candidacy, and received a significant boost in popularity from his strong Iowa showing. This segment from Iowa Public Television’s Caucus Iowa: Journey to the Presidency documentary includes archival footage and contemporary interviews with politicians, campaign staff and journalists of the era.