Republicans set for first hurdle

Republican presidential candidates have one week to convince voters in Iowa that they are the one to defeat President Barack Obama next year.

The state holds the country’s first nominating contest on January 3 - state-wide precinct caucus meetings. They will probably reduce the seven-person field and shape the coming six-month string of state-by-state primary elections and caucuses leading up to the Republican National Convention that officially names a candidate in August.