December 2007 Archives

It's doubtful that anyone running into Cedar Rapids resident Jason Hedges would move to the other side of the street to let him pass. He's young, tall and attractive, with bright eyes and bouncy brown curls atop his head. Until a few weeks ago, however, he was political hired gun, pitching a Republican message in the morning and a Democratic one in the afternoon.

"It was a little confusing and, at times, felt a little dirty," Hedges said and laughed at the memory. "I'd spend the morning placing high-energy fund-raising calls that bashed Democrats and flip, often in the same day, to placing soft, more relaxed calls for the Democrat I'd been bashing."

The Iowa-based telemarketing company Hedges worked for was hired, by way of a Washington, D.C.-based marketing firm, to do fund-raising calls on behalf of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican front-runner in the presidential race. The company was subsequently also hired to do identification and outreach calls on behalf of the campaign for New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democrat ranking highest in national polling. The calls went out to households in Iowa as well as several eastern states.

"Giuliani was hard-core -- money, money, money -- always make the ask," he said. "I would get so mad at myself because I would go home at the end of the day and still be just so completely amped up after doing the Rudy calls. I mean, there was no caffeine or anything in me, but you had to get yourself in that frame of mind to do those calls and work with the pressure that was put on us."

Team leaders would come around as the workers in the call center made the pitch for Giuliani, Hedges said, and they wanted the workers to be noisy, be energized and get what they were requesting.

"We were considered the trenches," he said. "So, there was just a lot of pressure. We were constantly told to step it up, be more powerful or be more positive -- Rudy is the only one that can save this country. Of course, you can't say that on the phone, but, essentially, that's what you're supposed to feel when you are making the call."

While Hedges couldn't remember the entire Giuliani pitch verbatim, he said there were certain aspects that stuck out in his mind such as telling people that the nation "couldn't afford to have a Democrat, like Hillary Clinton, in the White House."

"Sometimes we would switch up Clinton for [Illinois Sen. Barack] Obama, but it would always be one of the big Democratic front runners," he said. "In fund raising, you are standing up. You're passionate. You've got to make these people believe that Rudy is the savior -- even at the expense of the person you know you might be pitching for later in the same day."

The standard asking price on the Giuliani calls was $250. Callers were told not to take no for an answer and to make a minimum of three asks for the money.

"Personally, I never had anyone give me the maximum of $2,500 -- but there were some in the call center who were able to get that figure," Hedges said. "Rudy's lists were all good numbers. These were people who had supported Rudy in the past, supported Republicans in the past or otherwise already had a direct connection to the campaign. The lists we were given later showed exactly how much the person we were calling had contributed previously so we could ask again for that figure -- and, of course, more."

The Clinton calls were softer and more conversational, he said, and involved both identifying supporters (or possible supporters), educating those supporting others and setting up "Hillary parties," house parties where a surrogate or strong supporter would meet with the person called and a small group of friends.

"It was different when we were doing the Clinton calls because we didn't have the team leaders walking around. People weren't screaming," he said. "It was definitely more relaxed -- more of a real conversation with the people on the other end of the line."

The conversation would begin with Hedges identifying himself and saying that he was calling on behalf of the Clinton campaign. Then the person on the other end would be asked if he or she supported Clinton. If the answer was yes, Hedges would feign excitement. If the answer was no, he'd be more subdued and immediately turn the conversation back to Clinton.

"We didn't really talk about other candidates at all, except to ask who the person was supporting," he said. "If the person wanted to talk about another choice, we'd work to bring the focus back on Clinton, her plans, policies and stances on the issues. As I said, it wasn't a high-energy sales call, it was soft and relaxed. We wanted to give information and get information. That was the goal."

Was it difficult to play at high-energy on both sides of the political aisle?

"No, not really," Hedges admitted. "It would be a little strange to start off some mornings forcefully telling people that we can't afford to have Hillary Clinton in office and then, by the end of the day, be having these easy conversations supporting Clinton. But that was my job."

One of the most interesting things in relation to the Giuliani work, according to Hedges, was the de-emphasis of Sept. 11.

"We were told not to emphasize anything about September 11th," he said. "Matter of fact, on September 10, 11 and 12, we stopped making calls to New York and the New Jersey area. We thought that would probably be his strong asset. That's where he got his national name, but he didn't want anything to do with it."

The call script, which provided information on a wide variety of issues, did not include references to that date and those making calls were instructed not to include it in the pitch.

"They really wanted us to stress Rudy's record on crime," he said. "They wanted the people we called to know that Rudy was tough on crime and had reduced it by 66 percent when he served as mayor."

Those called were also informed that by helping Giuliani get on the airwaves with advertising, they would help bring the Republican message to the nation, which would help all Republicans in the race.

"It was important for us to connect Giuliani's message with the overall Republican message," he said. "By Rudy being the front runner, when money was given to him, the callers were told they could help propel the Republican message and help other members -- and then you'd mention other candidates like Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee. I personally liked to use Huckabee because he simply wasn't that well known at the time. We wanted the callers to feel like that by giving to Rudy, that by supporting Rudy, they were helping the Republican cause."

And, it worked. Hedges estimated that during the first month alone, the call center brought in several thousand dollars for the Giuliani campaign. He was hesitant to estimate how much might have been raised during the entire time the call center was contracted.

"Rudy Giuliani pulled all of his support out of Iowa -- for fundraising -- no rhyme or reason," he said. "He just pulled the plug."

Hedges, who left employment shortly after Giuliani pulled support, says his departure from the call center was a "mutual decision," but otherwise didn't get into specifics. He has since found another job not associated with politics and, since leaving his former employer, has decided that on Thursday night he will be attending the Democratic caucus and utilize his skills of persuasion for Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd.

... Iowa phones are ringing off the hook.

Several odd poll-type phone calls have been hitting households in eastern Iowa. One of the calls begins by asking if the recipient thinks favorably of President George W. Bush. Regardless of the response, the next question is if the individual plans to attend the Republican caucus. If the answer is yes, the person is asked for whom they plan to caucus. If the person responds that he or she is not attending the Republican caucus, the caller then asks about Democratic caucus attendance. The call ends shortly after this answer, regardless of if the response is positive or negative.

A different call asks if the person who answers the phone plans to attend the caucus on Thursday night. No party information is requested, just a simple yes or no to attending any caucus. If the answer is no, the person is thanked and the call ends. If the answer is yes, the caller then asks if the person plans to stay home long enough to watch the first part of the Orange Bowl on television. Whether the answer is yes or no, the call ends after the question.

At this time, it is unknown who is responsible for either of the calls. The first has been received by both Democratic and Republican households. The second has only been reported by Democratic households -- although there could be Republican households who have received it. Most who have received the calls believe the first to be some sort of identification of candidate support on the Republican side of the aisle. The second was considered by the recipients to be something a bit more sinister. Perhaps providing information about a sporting event in an effort to lower caucus attendance.

Of course, in addition to these (and, no doubt, many other) poll-type calls, households of all political ilk are subject to automated calls from the campaigns that provide information on upcoming events and/or request support for a certain candidate. While some are done in the candidate's voice, many are being recorded by surrogates who might have local appeal.

... an extremely non-scientific poll (conducted by this journalist) of more than 50 politically-active Iowans indicates that 3 out of 10 no longer wash their hair out of fear that, when their eyes open, a presidential candidate will be standing in the bathroom.

Depending on your exact location in Iowa today, there are opportunities to meet Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Tomorrow, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is scheduled to join the fun.

Even former Assistant Secretary of State Alan Keyes has been stumping. Speaking to an audience of roughly 10 people at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids this weekend, Keyes said that the nation is in the midst of another Civil War, a battle about abortion. He added that on this issue, he is the only candidate voters can trust to make the United States completely pro-life.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette, one of the state's largest daily newspapers, reported that Keyes also "seemed to suggest that America become a theocracy." Keyes is quoted as saying: "The issue is not whether Alan Keyes or Mike Huckabee believes in God. The issue is that we're a nation that requires respect for the existences of God. If we don't, we'll be destroyed as a people. That's a simple fact."

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also campaigned briefly in Iowa over the weekend, telling supporters at his Clive campaign headquarters that he has been tested, is ready to lead and that the nation's focus should be on homeland security.

Arizona Sen. John McCain and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich have, for all practical purposes, abandoned Iowa in favor of the Granite State.

... Clinton's short visit to a Des Moines church leaves some Iowans rolling their eyes.

Iowans continue to react to the news, reported by the Associated Press, that Hillary Clinton, her daughter Chelsea, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and various members of the campaign staff went to Corinthian Baptist Church for roughly 20 minutes Sunday morning. The candidate spoke to the congregation, stressing the need for children to have a strong support system, and then left -- before the pastor delivered the morning sermon.

When Rev. James Green took to the pulpit he said, "When I first got here I was a little overwhelmed. All the dignitaries came in. I thought they were going to stay for the service, but they're still campaigning."

The Associated Press notes that earlier in the year rival candidate Obama also made an appearance before the primarily black congregation. He also left early.

... Romney and Huckabee continue to exchange barbs, each in hope of pulling more caucus night support from Iowa social conservatives.

On NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, Huckabee defended his record by labeling recent Romney attacks as distortions. Later in the day, Huckabee launched what Republicans might consider the biggest word-barb thus far. Huckabee compared Romney to George Costanza of "Seinfeld" fame, and quoted the character as saying, "Just remember, it's not a lie if you believe it." He further added that Romney "parsed his words... like former President Bill Clinton."

Rumor has it that since the negative attention on Huckabee is beginning to reap dividends for the Romney campaign, the Huckabee crew took the better part of Sunday to shoot at least one new ad that will begin airing in Iowa today. Campaign insiders say "it's a doozie."

Meanwhile, over the weekend, an independent social conservative group, Common Sense Issues, has used the Romney campaign's own ad as a double-edged sword. The ad, a 30-second television spot, "Who can you trust?" opens with a laugh track and the same beginning as the Romney ad: "Two former governors. Both pro-life..." At that point, those old enough to remember record players and albums will recognize the scratch of the needle being slapped across the grooves. The ad goes on to attack Romney on his changed view of abortion and ask the viewer if trust doesn't belong with consistency.

It's worth noting here that the Huckabee campaign has publicly distanced itself from the group, citing their negative messages cause more harm than good. In mid-December McCain requested the New Hampshire attorney general investigate Common Sense Issues and accused the group of illegally conducting push-polls -- asking questions not for a response, but to influence the recipient. The Romney campaign complained to the Iowa attorney general about the group, which they said was making calls that violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

In the type of "karma-listic" twist that sometimes happens in politics, however, the political ad company responsible for the calls, ccAdvertising, is the same firm Romney paid $53,755 on Aug. 9 for survey research in relation to the Iowa Straw Poll. Common Sense Issues employed ccAdvertising to place the calls to thousands of Iowans.

... the Kucinich campaign is sitting in New Hampshire and writing press releases based on what is printed by the Concord Monitor.

A press release was issued by the Kucinich campaign today, highlighting a news article in the New Hampshire daily that questions the sincerity of Edwards' invocation of Teddy Roosevelt. The article states that Alliance for a New America -- "the labor-linked, pro-Edwards 527 that's been running ads in Iowa and spreading pamphlets in New Hampshire" -- has ties to New York lawyer Alexander Forger, who holds power of attorney over Rachel Lambert Mellon, the 97-year-old daughter-in-law of industrialist and banker Andrew Mellon. The family is often one of three mentioned by Edwards when he describes the influence of special interest money in politics.

For its part, the Kucinich campaign writes it is "attempting to get clarification on these and other revelations disclosed by the Monitor today."

Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney traveled across eastern Iowa today with his wife, Ann, by his side. The "Mitt Mobile" pulled into Mount Vernon just before 3 p.m. this afternoon and the candidate made a short visit to the Fuel & Nest on 1st St. East.

A handful of supporters gathered at the corner, holding handmade signs and cheering their approval (even while the candidate provided brief remarks inside).

Ann was one of the first to emerge from the building and she spent several minutes speaking with supporters, signing autographs and posing for photos before the cold finally took its toll and she headed for the warmth of the tour bus.

The former governor took several minutes to meet one-on-one with supporters who remained inside and then also came out to the sidewalk and met with more supporters there.

Before getting back on the bus -- and traveling to the next stop on the tour -- Romney walked down the block to where the group of supporters stood with their signs and spent a few moments visiting.

"I've supported him for months," a woman said after getting an autograph. "This is the first time I've met him -- and Ann too. I didn't even know she would be here. Now I know that I've chosen the right couple to back. They are just real people."

... retail politics is just another synonym for family.

Barack Obama's mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, and sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, were walking through neighborhoods in snowy eastern Iowa Saturday afternoon. The pair was canvassing door-to-door on behalf of their family member, the Illinois Senator. Afterward, they delivered at least three signed supporter cards to headquarters.

Obama's wife, Michelle, is also in Iowa and will be hosting events in the western half of the state today.

Sen. Chris Dodd's wife, Jackie, has also been making the rounds on behalf her husband. She is planning several unannounced stops in communities throughout the state in the coming days.

Sen. Joe Biden's family -- including his sister Valerie, wife Jill, son Beau (who is the attorney general in Delaware) and other assorted family members -- continue to be fixtures around the state. Today, Valerie will be hosting several meet-and-greet events in Linn and Benton counties. Jill will meet Democrats in and around the Des Moines area while Beau will be in Harrison County.

Pres. Bill Clinton is back in Iowa Monday to host events in three Iowa cities on behalf of his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton. He will join Hillary at the final event of the day, a New Year's Eve celebration... more on that in a minute.

Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, is scheduled to make appearances with him today and Monday as a part of the campaign's "Strong America" bus tour. It looks like the Mitt Mobile is gassed and ready to hit the Iowa trail once again. No word yet on if Tagg or any of the other members of the Romney family will be making guest appearances.

Bill Richardson's campaign hasn't released an official schedule of events for his wife, Barbara, but those who have attended his recent events have said that she's often traveling with him.

The same is often true of John Edwards wife, Elizabeth. She and daughter, Cate, did a short swing of events on Friday, but no word yet if the family will be traveling together or solo in the final days.

... the stars are shining in Iowa.

Richard Schiff, Emmy Award-winning star of "The West Wing" is stumping throughout Iowa this weekend for Biden.

Edwards has planned a "This is Our Country" rally on Wednesday night in Des Moines with singer-songwriter John Mellencamp.

Dukes of Hazzard star Ben "Cooter" Jones is traveling Iowa this weekend and Monday on behalf of Edwards, pitching the candidate's plan for rural America.

Actor and activist Martin Sheen will be campaigning in and around the Des Moines area on behalf of Richardson today and Monday.

... the candidates are announcing their plans for New Year's Eve celebrations.

A "New Year, New Beginnings Celebration" has been scheduled by the Clinton campaign. The Senator will make appearances in Muscatine and Waterloo before traveling to Des Moines for the culmination event. The former President will be in Missouri Valley and Ottumwa before coming to Des Moines. They will ring in the new year together at a rally in Capital Square.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards will attend a New Year's Eve party at his headquarters in Mason City.

The Richardson campaign is planning a New Year's Eve party in Des Moines at the Quality Inn.

While plans are still being announced, the only candidate thus far who is definitely not welcoming the new year from an Iowa zip code is Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich. He and his wife, Elizabeth, announced they are now in New Hampshire until after the state's first-in-the-nation primary. The two, who only recently mourned the death of Kucinich's brother, will host a New Year's Eve party and concert at the MCAM TV-23 studios in Manchester, N.H. -- "Resolution for Peace: A New Year's Concert for the Community." The event will be televised locally and on the candidate's website.

... labor endorsements are starting to pay bigger dividends in terms of people-power.

Iowa Association of Fire Fighters President Harold Schaitberger continues to join the Dodd family on a "Get-Out-The-Vote" bus tour throughout the state. The IAFF has also deployed a number of graduates from the IAFF Political Training Academy, and partnered them with either a regional coordinator or a local president for the purpose of visiting every fire station and shift in the state to college campaign pledge cards. So far the efforts have led to more than 26 percent of the statewide membership -- which includes a number of Republicans -- committing to to caucus for Dodd on Jan. 3.

Today, the Edwards campaign will stage a statewide canvass that will include members of the Iowa Postal Workers Union, Iowa Service Employees International Union, the United Steelworkers and the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. The groups will have copies of the Edwards' 80-page policy book to give to interested caucus-goers.

... the Obama campaign website went dark for a short time Saturday.

Within just a few minutes of users reporting the website being unresponsive, it was mostly back up with a new look and front page news about the change.

"It starts with Iowa and before you know it more than half the states in the country will have weighed in by February 5th," writes Joe Rospars. "We're about to head into what will be the decisive contests of this election, and this morning we gave our website a bit of a refresh in order to prepare for it."

Although the front has been given a new graphic and links to many states instead of just the early ones, the Iowa area remains relatively unchanged.

... more new ads have hit the airwaves in Iowa (and YouTube).

Romney has launched a new television ad, entitled "Ready," that "highlights the very important choice voters will have to make when it comes to electing a candidate ready to make tough decisions. The ad takes direct swipes at former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for increased spending, providing in-state tuition benefits for "illegal immigrants" and pardoning or commuting over 1,000 while governor. On Sunday, Romney also launched a new, but similar, ad in New Hampshire that contrasts him with Arizona Sen. John McCain.

The latest Clinton ad, "President," spotlights the cost of the "Bush Administration's inaction on the housing crisis and calls attention to Hillary's plan to freeze home foreclosures, freeze rates on adjustable mortgages and provide real tax relief for the middle class."

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson has been running an ad, "Substance," to coincide with his "Clear Conservative Choice" bus tour. The 30-second spot highlights his plans for tax cuts, immigration and his recent endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee.

Obama has two ads currently playing -- "Interest" and "Listening." The first highlights "the millions of dollars spent by some of those Washington, DC-based groups to falsely attack Obama's health care plan." While, the second features footage of Obama's speech before Iowa Democrats at this year's Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner and endorsements from Iowa newspapers.

McCain has new ads running in Boston and New Hampshire in response to what the campaign said was a "Mitt Romney negative attack ad" in the same market.

... another blanket of two to six inches of snow has fallen on eastern and central Iowa. The seven-day weather forecast calls for snow flurries on Monday and Tuesday and high winds on caucus night. If temperatures don't rise enough to melt the top of the snow, providing an ice crust, high winds could pose a problem in rural areas prone to drifting snow.

... The campaign for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has released a letter from eight Iowans who were 2004 supporters of former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, but are now supporting Obama. The letter takes a swipe at the Edwards campaign's motto of bringing change to Washington by pointing out that a new Political Action Committee, run by Edwards' former campaign manager, launched a television ad campaign in Iowa -- and that a New York Times article reported Edwards was aware of the help coming his way. "During the 2004 Iowa Caucus we supported Senator John Edwards in part for his commitment to fight Washington insiders on behalf of working families," the letter reads. "He said he would change Washington, and we believed him. Times have changed, and so has John Edwards..."

The Obama campaign is also using the same tactic in order to bring added funds to its own coffers. In a solicitation email to supporters, the senator wrote, "Attack ads and insults, distractions and dishonesty, and millions of dollars from outside groups and undisclosed donors. The Washington establishment is throwing everything at us to try and block our path. And these outside attack groups are just another part of the same broken system that turns people off from the political process. We choose to do this differently."

The email goes on to request $25 donations. A graph at the top shows a donor goal of 500,000 (with 466,288 currently active) and a donations goal of $800,000 (with $745,484 currently in the bank). The Obama campaign is reporting a total special interest PAC spending of more than $3.3 million on behalf of the Edwards and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigns.

Iowans are fiercely independent. Caucus-goers revel in the fact that they cannot be bought by campaigns or special interest groups. They enjoy going against the grain and against conventional wisdom. For those reasons, the Obama message in these two pieces -- that outside interests are trying to influence the state's caucus -- should resonate with Iowans.

... The campaign for Delaware Sen. Joe Biden -- the lesser-polling Democratic candidate currently considered most likely earn a golden ticket out of Iowa and on to New Hampshire -- has been a family venture since its inception. This weekend is no different, with nearly every Biden family member staging events throughout the state as a final push to caucus night.

... earfl.com and IowaPolitics.com have joined forces to collect the stories of Iowans and the 2008 caucus. Residents who want to participate can phone an Iowa Hotline, go through a series of keypad selections and then tell their caucus story, in their own voice. Just like leaving a phone message, the caller has three minutes to tell his or her story of candidate support, the Iowa process or whatever. The caller can then login to the earfl site to hear his or her message, add photos, descriptions and more.

... the campaign of Arizona Sen. John McCain announced the leadership of its Iowans of Faith for McCain coalition, a group of people who support anti-abortion issues and traditional marriage. Phil Carroll, pastor of Grace Church in Des Moines and a former vice president of Iowa Right to Life, is serving as the group's co-chairman.

"...I decided to support the candidate most likely to work with Congress to appoint and gain confirmation of strict constructionist judges, ultimately resulting in the reversal of Roe v Wade," Carroll said in a prepared statement.

Several of those listed on the leadership team were previous supporters of Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who dropped from the race this fall and endorsed McCain. Brownback also serves as one of the national co-chairmen of the Catholics for McCain Leadership Team -- a group announced yesterday.

... Edwards has launched an "Ask John" program to further highlight the fact that he has visited and taken questions in all 99 of Iowa's counties and to remind Iowans, without naming names, of which candidates have not.

From the press release: "While other candidates are sending out-of-state surrogates to counties the candidates themselves have never seen, Edwards is making the commitment to respond to questions from Iowans in all 99 counties."

Undecided Iowans are asked to attend an Edwards event, fill out a form on the candidate's website or phone campaign headquarters to ask their questions. The campaign is promising that each question will be answered prior to caucus night.

Over the summer when John McCain announced he would not participate in the Ames Straw Poll fundraiser for the Republican Party of Iowa, it was not difficult to find Iowans who proclaimed the Arizona senator's campaign dead in the water. Recent events, including newspaper endorsements and an assassination on the other side of the globe, have prompted some Iowans to give McCain a second look.

Marion resident Mary McEniry didn't have to drive far to attend Thursday's campaign stop in northeast Cedar Rapids, but she also doesn't consider herself a staunch supporter -- yet.

"I'm leaning toward McCain," she confided after the event. "I'm going to all the candidate events and trying to decide. With the [Benazir Bhutto] assassination today, that just made me think that we need somebody really strong, and he's the one."

The assassination of Pakistan's former prime minister was at the top of McCain's list when he offered his prepared remarks.

"Why do we care about Pakistan?" he asked the 200 or so supporters gathered at Granite City, a Cedar Rapids restaurant and brewery. "We care for several reasons. One of them is because of the fact that they have nuclear weapons and a nuclear arsenal. Another is ... [Pakistan] borders on Afghanistan, which is now seeing something of a resurgence of the Taliban. There are parts of Pakistan...that the Taliban are using as bases to launch attacks into Afghanistan where young Americans are in harm's way."

The situation in Pakistan, as in the vast majority of the Middle East, he said, is "complicated," and he cited the influx of "radical Islamic extremism" in the nation's military, "questionable" tactics employed by the Pakistan intelligence community and the "rocky relationship" between India and Pakistan because of Kashmir as examples.

"Now we have this situation where there is significant unrest in cities, there's a popular uprising and outcry because of this assassination," he said. "The question you have to ask yourself is 'Who wins and who loses in an event such as this?' I'll tell ya who wins and that's radical Islamic extremists -- the Jihadists, because the more unsettlement there is and the more riots and the more damage there is, the more they gain their objectives to turn Pakistan into a radical Islamic nation."

McCain said the first thing the United States needs to do is to make sure that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are secure. The second thing is to ensure Pakistan's people move forward with their plans for an election.

"Friends, I want to talk to you about a lot of other issues," he said. "Let's keep our fingers crossed. Let's hope that diplomacy works. Let's hope that the Pakistanis will move forward in a democratic and free and open way and give their people the kind of government they need."

Sara Butterworth, a Coralville optometrist and longtime supporter, made the drive to Granite City in Cedar Rapids for the sole purpose of meeting McCain and listening to him speak.

"I was dating a Marine back in 1999, and he was the first one to introduce me to John McCain," she said. "The Marine is long gone, but I've been a McCain supporter ever since then."

Butterworth said the trip was well worth it and that McCain's words on both domestic and international policies solidified her decision. She plans to caucus for McCain on Jan. 3, with her primary focus being the issue of health care.

"As an optometrist, certainly health care is very important to me," she said. "I'm not only a health care provider, but also a health care consumer. So, I feel like I see both sides of it and, to me, that's a very important issue facing our country today."

Mary Ellwood and her husband, Georgia residents visiting relatives in Iowa over the holiday, were both excited and shocked to learn that McCain would be visiting the restaurant they'd chosen for lunch.

"We had no idea he was going to be here or that any of this was going to happen," Ellwood said. "It was a great opportunity that I wasn't expecting."

Ellwood, an employee at Boeing in Macon, Ga., where she builds C-17 Globemaster cargo planes, called the meeting serendipitous because McCain had cast a vote in the U.S. Senate that she wanted explained.

"In the news clips for Boeing ... they let us know what's going on in the Senate," she said. "McCain voted against it and I want to know why. It's a wonderful plane and the military needs it. His response to me, when I asked him why just a moment ago, was: 'Don't need it. Can't afford it.'"

In response to Ellwood's question about why McCain voted not to purchase C-17s, he indicated that the Defense Department and the President hadn't requested it and that the plane wasn't on the Pentagon's unfunded priority list.

"I know that's what he said," Ellwood responded when reminded of McCain's comments. "But I know better... the planes were requested and are needed."

The response, that included a McCain caveat that the C-17 was a "very good weapon system" and that "Boeing does a great job," was not satisfactory to Ellwood, who said that she "does not" and "will not" support McCain.

"He doesn't support my plane -- and that's my livelihood," she said as her husband, who helps manufacture the much older C-5 Galaxy planes, nodded in agreement.

The good news for McCain is that the Ellwoods return to Georgia Saturday and won't be caucusing.

... the campaign for New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced it will run a two-minute television ad statewide on caucus eve -- a closing statement, if you will. According to campaign insiders, the spot has yet to be filmed and will be aired during evening newscasts on all eight Iowa markets.

... former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spent Thursday night in Des Moines at a "We the People" rally/seminar that drew a crowd over over 1,000 conservative voters. Before Huckabee took the stage, a pastor urged those in attendance to keep the institution of marriage between one man and one woman.

An Iowa judge sparked a fire storm in the social conservative community earlier this year when he tossed out a ban on gay marriage. Less than 24-hours later the same judge stayed his ruling, but not before one gay couple was married. The judge's ruling is currently being appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, and social conservatives in the state have elevated the issue as one of their top priorities -- perhaps even overshadowing abortion.

The only major Republican presidential hopeful who has not often and forcefully spoken against same-sex marriage is former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He also happens to be one of the lowest polling Republicans in the state. Huckabee, the former Baptist minister, has become a favorite among the most extreme of Iowa's social conservatives. Many believe that with the given field of Republicans, Huckabee's views most closely match their own.

Many believe that Iowa will be the first indication of which way the Republican Party, as a whole, will lean in the next election cycle. A good showing for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, for example, could mean that the fiscal conservative wing of the party is taking more control. (Ironic, given how much money Romney has spent here.) A win for Huckabee would be a nod to the social conservatives.

As a side note, the latest Bloomberg/LA Times poll shows Huckabee in the lead by eight points, followed by Romney. Twenty-six points behind Huckabee is another social conservative, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. The latest poll conducted by Strategic Vision shows both Huckabee and Romney within the margin of error. Thompson again follows, but this time only by 19 points.

... Illinois Sen. Barack Obama gets an award for best line following the 24-hour Christmas political break. While speaking to voters in Mason City, Obama asked, "You know what I got for Christmas? Eight hours of sleep... it was outstanding."

... as of Thursday, all the major candidates from both parties had returned (at least momentarily) to Iowa except Giuliani. He is currently on a tour of Florida and is expected back in Iowa this weekend -- where he has little chance of a good showing on caucus night.

Huckabee was in Florida when he made his latest gaffe of extending "apologies" instead of "sympathies" to the people of Pakistan. Most Iowans, still caught up in the swirl of the final caucus push, aren't aware of the mis-speak.

One development that has not gone unnoticed by Iowans is that former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards seems to be the only presidential candidate who spoke personally with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

... more out-of-state volunteers showed up in Iowa Thursday. Nearly 300 college students arrived in Des Moines to help lead the "Ron Paul Revolution." The volunteers will be canvassing door-to-door during the day and phone banking at night -- a great deal of hard work that the campaigns hopes will propel Paul to a slot in the top three GOP finishers.

... volunteers from across the nation are telling Iowans to scoot over and make room.

The campaign for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson sent an email to supporters, announcing the influx of "Richardson Roadrunners" in the state. According to the email, hundreds of volunteers left New Mexico Wednesday morning in order to volunteer for the campaign in the final sprint to caucus night.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign announced "Hill's Angels," individuals who will travel to communities the day prior to the candidate's arrival to meet with supporters and volunteers.

Over the past few weeks, many undecided caucus-goers received letters from people around the nation who are supporting former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. The people writing and the recipients had never met, but the out-of-stater wanted to stress the importance of the caucus and their belief that Edwards will make the best choice on caucus night.

The campaign for Arizona Sen. John McCain was requesting volunteers to help at their offices in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan and South Carolina in the first week of November: "Can you invest eight weeks of your time to make history?"

While these are only four examples of the outreach being conducted by the campaigns, they are indicative of how the next best thing to being an Iowan during caucus season is influencing an Iowan during caucus season.

... candidate spouses are making the rounds.

President Bill Clinton is tooling around the state on behalf of his wife's campaign on a "Big Challenges, Real Solutions Tour -- Time To Pick a President." For the most part, he's visiting smaller communities in Iowa. On Wednesday he made stops in Mount Pleasant, Muscatine and Solon. Today he is scheduled to visit Adel, Spencer, Arnolds Park, Emmetsburg and Algona -- if the newly arrived snow doesn't interfere.

Elizabeth Edwards is the focus of a new television ad in Iowa and continues to tour the state on behalf of her husband. In addition, Michelle Obama kicked off another 3-day tour of the state in Newton Wednesday. Jeri Thompson can often be seen beside her husband on the campaign trail and Ann Romney continues to be one of former Massachusetts Governor's key surrogates.

Of course, Jackie Dodd and her two daughters have moved into the state of Iowa for the duration. Jill Biden is in the state more often these days since her full-time teaching job in Delaware is out on holiday break. Barbara Richardson continues to make the rounds at Iowa house parties, primarily in the more rural counties.

... Iowa veterans are buzzing about the former co-chairman of Clinton's Iowa Veterans' Committee defecting in order to back Obama. Army veteran Kent Sovern of Des Moines said in a prepared statement that he believes Obama "has the judgment and courage to stand up for America's veterans and find a responsible way to get our combat troops out of Iraq."

Circle of Friends for American Veterans is holding a rally in Cedar Rapids for homeless veterans tonight. Many campaigns are sending surrogates who are veterans to the event and Iowans are wondering if Sovern will make an appearance on behalf of Obama.

... Iowan Democrats, many of whom have been less than pleased with the race's front runners, are beginning serious discussions about banning together on caucus night in "uncommitted" groupings. That is, if their chosen candidate does not have support necessary to continue to the second realignment stage (usually 15 percent), instead of joining with one of the existing candidates who are viable, the individuals would form a new group of people who give no candidate preference.

Many are wondering if the supporters for Richardson, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich will have the numbers to keep their candidates in the running. However, if the supporters from each of those four candidates can agree to stand together as uncommitted, it could very well be that one of the perceived top three could come out of Iowa with much less than expected.

There were just a few flakes of snow blowing around when I got in the Jeep and began the drive from the Cedar Rapids area to Solon in Johnson County. The purpose of the drive was to cover a Clinton campaign stop featuring Pres. Bill Clinton.

I made good time on my way there (despite having to drop the teenage daughter off at a friend's home for a slumber party on my way out of town). But it was clear by the time I arrived that the weather was going to be a factor going home.

As with most campaign events, the entry ways into the high school parking lot were lined with campaign signs. Snow remained on the ground from the dumping we received a few days ago, but, by and large, the sidewalks were clear when I walked inside. Here's the scene when I left the parking lot a few hours later:

Author's note: I realize this photo does little to up my sympathy factor with fellow Iowans; however, when it comes to my southern family, I'm going to be able to milk this for weeks.

Even with the long and stressful drive home, it was worth it to see and hear Bill Clinton again. The first time I ever saw him speak was back when he was running for governor of Arkansas. His charisma and ability to connect individually regardless of the size of the crowd were evident then and have only improved as he has aged.

The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women (ICSW) advocates for changes in state laws, supports studies and champions gender-specific changes within state government in order to eliminate inequities for women. As a part of that charge, the agency annually submits proposals to the Iowa Governor and General Assembly, which outline goals and areas of interest for the upcoming legislative session.

2008 Policy Agenda

• Opportunities for Women's Economic Success and Self-Sufficiency

  The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women supports initiatives that assist women in successful education and work endeavors, including adequate funding for safety net programs for Iowa's women and families. The ICSW supports:

  1. Set state targets and accountability standards for the participation of girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education (middle school through postsecondary) and other non-traditional occupation training programs and develop a specific state plan for skill-building, education and recruitment of women for key industry sectors that ensures women are fully utilized in addressing the skilled worker shortage.
  2. Support the federal Child Support Protection Act of 2007, which would restore the 25% budget cut ($7.2 million) to Iowa’s Child Support Recovery Unit (beginning 10/1/2007) resulting from the Deficit Reduction Act. In the event that federal changes do not restore funding, support the solution sought by the Governor to identify $4.6 million in state matching funds to assist children and families in collecting child support.
  3. Funding of $85,000 to ICSW for Women, Workforce and Money programming for ongoing focus on women in non-traditional occupations, wage equity, and financial literacy.
  4. Restore $93,000 in funding (for a total of $185,000) to ICSW for Iowa New Choices, a network of programs that provide intensive case management and workforce supports not otherwise available for displaced homemakers, single parents, and female ex-offenders.
  5. Establishing a vehicle for 12 weeks of partial wage compensation for a person taking family and medical leave.

• Women's Safety and Health

  The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women supports legislation aimed to improve health care access and ensure victims of violence are adequately protected from violence. The ICSW supports:

  1. Amending Code of Iowa Chapter 724.26 into alignment with federal law that prohibits persons who have been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or who are subject to a no-contact order from possessing firearms.
  2. Amending Code of Iowa Chapter 916 to strengthen the rights of sexual assault victims with comprehensive enumerated rights, such as the right to the presence of a victim counselor, the right to a medical exam at no cost to the victim, the right to law enforcement assistance, the right to seek a no-contact order, and the right to register as a victim in order to receive notification of proceedings.
  3. Increased funding of $24,000 to the ICSW for training on issues of violence against women.
  4. Increased funding for women’s health issues, including mammography, colposcopy, breast, cervical and ovarian cancer screenings; reproductive health services including chlamydia screenings, HPV vaccine, and family planning services; and statewide comprehensive adolescent pregnancy prevention programs.

• Gender Equity and Equal Justice for Women

  By its very mission, the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women supports full equality for Iowa women and girls. The ICSW supports:

  1. Gender balance on boards and commissions of political subdivisions of the state.
  2. Extend the deadline for filing civil rights complaints from 180 to 300 days
  3. Establish a gender-specific continuum of care for females in the juvenile justice system, beginning with restricting all 100 placements at the Iowa Juvenile Home to females.
  4. Expand state funding and the use of evidence-based practices for the Star Therapeutic Community Program at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women and community-based correction facilities.

... despite there being several inches of snow and ice on the ground, politics marches on. Several candidates had to cancel stops on the weekend before Christmas due to unsafe driving conditions. Most campaigns are praying for better weather between now and caucus night, but the extended forecast is calling for more snow tonight and Friday before the sun comes out again.

A break in the snow and ice is good news for those candidates who are depending upon first-time or inexperienced caucus-goers to up their totals. It remains to be seen exactly how much trouble those individuals will go through in order to stand in a crowded gymnasium or church basement for their chosen candidates.

Repeat Iowa caucus attendees -- the party faithful -- are those who will walk/snowshoe to caucus locations, if necessary, in order to make their voices heard. Strong supporters of this type can be found in the corners of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. On the Republican side, both former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have been drawing party loyalists to them and could also stand to benefit if the weather turns foul.

... there is still grumbling about the direct mail piece sent by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that used a quotation from Edwards to justify an attack on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's health care plan. AFSCME has endorsed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, although her name was not to be found on the full-color mailer.

A softer version of the original mailer hit Iowa mailboxes on Christmas eve. This one, also issued by AFSCME's political arm, took aim at Obama's health care plan, but did so without resorting to other candidate's words for the punchline.

... recycling bins are chock full of political mailings, most of it directly from the campaigns.

Just before Christmas New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson issued a full-color, glossy broadsheet both taking a swipe at the current administration and touting Richardson's plans for Iraq, education, energy independence and health care. Edwards, who seems to be the most prolific mailer of the bunch, has a new glossy piece outlining his plan to rebuild rural Iowa. Clinton issued a non-glossy hitting on her energy plan.

By far, Clinton seems to be garnering the most support in the state from affiliated groups, campaigning on her behalf. In addition to AFSCME, EMILY's List and the American Federation of Teachers both have advertisements and/or direct mail pieces.

... Iowans, who have been up to their eyeballs in candidates since at least February 2007, are starting to tire. The campaigns, some of them in full-fledged panic mode, are also starting to grate on volunteers. The one-day break -- yes, one day since there were campaign events on Christmas eve and scheduled for today -- was much needed by all. While the prior year cannot be completely discounted, these final few days are going to be telling.

Former Lieutenant Governors Sally Pederson, a Democrat, and Joy Corning, a Republican, joined forces to pen an essay that published in the Des Moines Register.

...As Iowans, let us remind the nation that the Constitution prohibits any religious test for public office and that the divisive use of religion to manipulate voters is unacceptable. The president-elect will take an oath to uphold the Constitution of this nation, not a religious doctrine or faith tradition. The president must serve all Americans without prejudice toward any religious or nonreligious beliefs.

We call on our fellow Iowans to show the nation that our religious and ethical beliefs inspire us to reach positive solutions to societal challenges based on our shared values as Americans. Let us not be divided by our sectarian or theological differences. Let us recognize the value in our diverse thoughts and beliefs. Let us use that diversity as a building block to strengthen our nation and world...

The piece, in and of itself, says things that should not need to be said. For example, it states that religious institutions should not be endorsing specific candidates. Of course this is the case. If a religious institution has done its job then the membership will be fully prepared to view the candidates and determine who most closely matches the individual's belief system. To do otherwise, as my father would say, makes a flock lazy.

I had planned on pulling a couple of the comments from the end of the story, but, after further consideration, I don't think they deserve re-printing here. If you read, I've little doubt that you'll find the ones I'm discussing, and, if you click to that user's profile, you can see there is little by way of discourse or discussion being offered by that person.

I'm glad Joy and Sally wrote and published this essay. It's good to see Iowa women joining hands where they can and working for the betterment of us all.

I was extremely saddened to read at the Gazette website that a fire has destroyed Breitbach's Bar & Restaurant in Balltown.

Years ago, when we would take the weekly paper to print, we'd drive to the press in Guttenberg. I'm not sure how many times, when we were early getting to press or otherwise in no hurry to get home, that we'd drive back the "long way" through Dubuque so that we could stop in Balltown at Breitbach's. I've shared so many jokes with friends and co-workers there and I can hardly believe it is gone.

When I first moved to Iowa and asked where we should go eat, the response I most frequently got was "Breitbach's in Balltown." That was a testament to the owners and workers as much as to the food.

The Associated Press reports in the Gazette that the fire started around 8:30 this morning and continued to smolder hours later. My best wishes to the family -- I hope you rebuild soon.

"Merry Christmas Darling," The Carpenters:

That was my Mother's favorite Christmas song. My first year at college, after she and Dad put the tree up by themselves for the first time in what must have been 30 or 40 years, she even phoned and sang a few bars to me.

It's really funny that when you are young, the holidays are concentrated in pretty packages. As you grow older, they are concentrated in pretty memories. Here's hoping I get some new ones to set on the shelf of my mind. Happy Yule, everyone!

Chris Woods has the news on Delaware Sen. Joe Biden picking up two more legislators Rep. Dennis Cohoon of Burlington and Rep. Eric Palmer of Oskaloosa.

It also needs to be said that in my email box this morning, there's a press release from the Obama team, announcing that Iowa Rep. Wayne Ford of Des Moines, "the longest-tenured African American in the history of the Iowa legislature," is supporting Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. The latest endorsement means that all four members of Iowa's Legislative Black Caucus have endorsed Obama's candidacy.

In addition, Charlotte Eby brings news of Bill Salier's support for former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson.

John Deeth reports that Iowa City Councilman-elect Matt Hayek has endorsed Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd.

A press release by Iowans for Voting Integrity is featured at Blog for Iowa that outlines how an Ohio voting machine review has implications for Iowans and our state's elections.

If you are in need of something pretty to look at, head over to Iowa Voice and have a look at the photographs of the red-bellied woodpecker. I completely adore that first shot because it looks as if the bird is quite offended to have been interrupted by the camera.

Jarrett Schneider, over at Price of Politics, has the listing of holiday ads from the candidates. Ho-Ho-Ho!

In case you missed it, there was somewhat of a little bombshell dropped at Iowa Independent yesterday: Ed Fallon Appears to be Taking Steps to Primary Leonard Boswell.

"It was one of most peculiar mailings I've received," said Cedar Rapids resident Gary Goldstein.

Goldstein was not the only Iowan confused by a full-color flier that arrived in Iowa mailboxes yesterday from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

"I saw it, read it and my first thought was 'Who sent this?' I finally found the sender information on the back in small lettering," he said. "I figured it was some group that was supporting [former North Carolina Sen. John] Edwards' candidacy."

Given the language of the flier, which pulled a quotation from Edwards in order to attack Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's health care plan, it is easy to see why recipients might be confused. AFSCME has endorsed and is campaigning on the behalf of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Goldstein said the negative politics of the past few weeks are one of the reasons he's no longer a supporter of the Clinton campaign. He now supports Obama. In addition, Henry County Democrat Susan Klopfer had signed on to be a precinct captain for the Clinton campaign, but has since made a video outlining how negative politics pushed her to support Obama.

The Edwards campaign was quick to give voice to its disapproval: "There have been a lot of misleading tactics and tricks in the last few weeks, but we've just never seen anything like this before," said Iowa State Director Jennifer O'Malley Dillon. "Either they are trying to trick people, or they've realized that on health care, John Edwards is the candidate who speaks honestly about what it really costs and what will be required to have truly universal coverage. ... It's fine to have an honest debate about policy, but Iowans deserve better than planted questions and campaign fliers (sic) designed to fool them."

The mailing has also created a rift within the ranks of AFSCME. Some Illinois and Iowa members, angry over the mailing and what they view as an attack that goes against AFSCME's own statements, spent a portion of their afternoon on a conference call on behalf of the Obama campaign.

"I'm aware -- have seen and was dismayed to see it -- the direct mail piece that international union sent out under an independent expenditure that gives one the impression that AFSCME supports the mandates that are in Sen. Clinton's plan," said Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31 in Illinois (a local that has endorsed Obama). "Let me be clear: the opposite is true. We've always opposed individual mandates."

The angry members pointed to an AFSCME national health care resolution passed earlier this year that declared individual mandates are "incompatible" with the principles and interests of the membership. It is the lack of a mandate that the questionable flier refers to as a "band-aid solution." In addition, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, a long-time friend and supporter of both Bill and Hillary Clinton, denounced mandates during Congressional testimony last spring, stating they would force families to pay more for their policies.

"[The mailing sent by international] is a desperate attempt to attack [Obama] and on unfounded reasons," said Carter Woodruff, former Iowa secretary-treasurer of Iowa AFSCME and a member of Local 3861. "The problem that I think most of the members here in Iowa will have with this mailing is that it assumes that people are supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton because our union endorsed her. Our union has an interesting demographic -- quite a few Republicans, Independents and Democrats. I think the people in Iowa ... are supporting Barack Obama at this point."

After being asked directly if he thought the mailing was hypocritical, Woodruff agreed that it was "definitely hypocritical, absolutely." He added that those responsible for the ad should be ashamed they "stooped so low."

AFSCME spent $34,000 on the direct mail piece. Inquiries to McEntee's office were not answered.

Call it a testament to the seriousness of Iowa politics. Blame it on a field of so many acceptable candidates. Credit an Iowa caucus season that has now spanned two years. Regardless of reason, it's the stuff that drives pollsters and campaigns crazy: supporters realizing they're no longer sitting in a comfortable chair.

Nine Iowans have agreed to put their thoughts on the record and describe how they came to support one candidate -- and then another.

"I've never, ever made a promise to someone and then just decided that I wasn't going to keep it," said Linn County attorney Sara Riley after describing how she shook New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's hand, looked him in the eye and told him that she was going to help him in any way she could in Iowa. "It's one thing to make a promise to somebody and then fail at doing it because you just aren't able to, but to actually tell someone that you are going to help him and do all you can -- to me, I had an obligation."

It was that sense of obligation, of giving her word, that made it so hard for her to accept that she had initially chosen a candidate that didn't prove to be right for her. Several months after her initial promise to Richardson and his candidacy, Riley changed her mind and subsequently became an avid supporter of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden. Making that switch, she said, was difficult, but ultimately a relief.

Those are emotions State Central Committee member and Jefferson County Chairwoman Jennifer Lunsford knows well.

"I initially went with [former North Carolina Sen. John] Edwards out of a sense of loyalty," Lunsford, an Edwards supporter in 2004, said. "I felt that since I had gone with him last time that I should go with him again this time, and I willed myself into believing that was the best decision I could make. I still like him. I still think he's good. I just no longer think he is the candidate that best represents me or that can do the best job for our country."

She signed a supporter card with the Edwards campaign in June, but the following month met Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd.

"I don't remember listening to what Dodd had to say," she said. "I don't remember his speech. I do remember watching him and how he interacted with people and with his staff. I was very impressed, interested and wanted to know more."

She had an opportunity to learn more when Dodd personally phoned her.

"He was personable on the phone," she said. "I never got the feeling that he wished he was doing something else or talking to someone more important."

Lunsford said that when she began to research Dodd and his experience, both foreign and domestic, it quickly became clear that she was going to switch her support -- regardless of polling differences between Edwards and Dodd.

"I came out in October of 2003 for Edwards," she said. "If you remember, Edwards wasn't doing much in the polls back then. Truthfully, we don't know until caucus night who is going to show up."

Selecting a winning candidate and winning, in general, were at the front of Stan Watkins' mind when he began to decide whom he would be supporting in the 2008 presidential election.

"I wish I could give you something that is more profound," Watkins, who was initially impressed with Biden and gave money to the Edwards campaign early on, said. "I was very, very anxious to support a winner. I had felt that Edwards had a lot of good programs -- and I didn't want [New York Sen. Hillary] Clinton's inevitability to rule without her being forced to prove herself."

Somewhere on his search for a winner, however, Watkins found [Illinois Sen. Barack] Obama's politics of hope and, in spite of Obama's lower numbers in the polls, both Watkins and his wife became supporters.

Gary Goldstein, who taught history for 25 years and began as a strong supporter of Clinton, was also surprised when he was touched by Obama.

"The Oprah event with Obama was about three weeks ago and my wife said she wanted to go," said Goldstein, who was at that time a firm supporter of Clinton. "I told her, 'Don't you dare give Obama any credence. Don't go.' Well, I don't know what happened, but she went and got two tickets."

Goldstein hadn't planned on attending the event with his wife, who remains an avid Clinton supporter, but the weather turned foul and he didn't want her out by herself. He went to the event and said he sat in his seat with his arms folded across his chest. He hadn't expected to get anything out of the rally, but Obama's strong words about the war and about bringing the country together resonated with him.

"I see him as a very intelligent man, a very thoughtful man," Goldstein said. "I'm reminded of [Abraham] Lincoln in 1857 when he gave his speech in Springville, the speech where he talked about a house, divided against itself, cannot stand."

After leaving the event, Goldstein said, he began to think about the plight of the nation and began to remember those in history who had the foresight to stand up, even when doing so wasn't popular, and he started to think more and more about Obama's message. A few days later, and for the first time in 40 years, he and his wife, Kathy, were supporting different candidates.

Tracy Hatfield, a Muscatine International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers member, also began the caucus season with his support firmly behind Clinton. Hatfield said, like Lunsford, he joined the Clinton campaign initially because he felt a sense of loyalty due to his support of former President Bill Clinton.

"I wasn't sure that Hillary would run," he said, "but when she did it was almost like the feeling of your buddy's wife needs your help. ... But, as the campaign went on and I began to look at her issue profiles, I thought she was way too far to the right."

Hatfield, who focuses on key issues of labor, the economy and the plight of average Americans, said he began to think that perhaps revisiting the Clinton years wasn't really what our nation needs right now.

"[The Clintons] are A plus students who turn in C minus work," he said before launching into the reasons he feels the North American Free Trade Agreement was a dismal failure -- and how he cringed when Hillary Clinton said early in the campaign that NAFTA only needed to be revisited. "We need to repudiate NAFTA," he said.

He moved to Edwards for many reasons, but key was the feeling that nothing would stop the former North Carolina senator from doing what he says he will do.

"[Edwards] hasn't changed his philosophies," he said. "He isn't running down the middle. One thing that strikes me about him is that he really works that hard. If he's going to do that -- if he's not going to stop -- if his wife's cancer isn't going to stop him, then that's the guy we need to start restoring some checks and balances, both in the government and in the economy."

Jerry Stewart, a Cedar Rapidian who lost a son in Iraq, said leaving the Clinton campaign, where he had signed up to be a precinct captain on caucus night, and joining the Edwards team was a soul-searching decision.

"It was very difficult," he said. "It came from backing a Democrat I thought was the the most electable to backing the Democrat who more closely stands for what I believe in. Now I'm really throwing myself into the campaign for the person I probably should have been with all along."

Stewart, just like all of the Iowans featured in this article, had the opportunity to see and hear from all of the candidates. He left the Clinton campaign just this past Monday.

"I really think this is the most important election so far in my lifetime," the 43-year-old said. "I really think this election is going to tell us what's going to guide our future -- as far as what kind of future my children and grandchildren are going to have. I really believe that this is the time to take action and we need someone in the White House who can do that."

Stewart has been frustrated by what he sees as the inability of the current Congress to accomplish goals.

"Democrats have control of both the House and the Senate right now and yet they can't get anything done," he said. "If [Clinton] is going to provide leadership, why hasn't she started in the Senate and really shown a way there to defeat this president? ... To me, she's been sitting there all this time and nothing has gotten done, and I'm just afraid that's what is going to happen if she gets into office."

Another Cedar Rapidian, Nancylee Ziese, began as an Obama supporter, but has since become a steadfast Clinton supporter.

"I think [Obama] is extremely charismatic and intelligent -- and I'm sure that he would make a good president, but I think he needs more experience," she said. "I think Hillary has had a very broad-based experience. So my husband and I both decided we would switch to her campaign."

Ziese, a social worker and volunteer at the Cedar Rapids Free Health Clinic, said she focused on the issues of health care, the environment and, of course, the war and America's reputation abroad.

"Honestly, I don't think we can lose no matter what candidate we pick," she said and added that she thought all the Democrats in the field were very good. "But I think we need to pick the person that has the longest and most diverse experience. That's Hillary."

West Des Moines author Jan Fleming was a long-time supporter of Edwards who has now signed on with the Richardson campaign.

"[Richardson] is going to get the troops out of Iraq within a year," she said. "That's why I switched to him -- because that's the only way to end the war. Then I found out that he's like a gift that just keeps on giving. He has so much to offer. He is just head and shoulders above the rest."

Fleming said she was drawn to Edwards by his gravitas, but it was his non-stand on the war that led her to consider others. Richardson won her attention with his stand on the war, but he's won her support based on his resume.

"His diplomatic experience is just amazing," she said and noted that he has been instrumental in bringing home remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War. "Richardson knows how the world works. He knows the world leaders. They all respect him and they will talk to him. And domestically, he's right on every issue -- education, immigration, veteran's issues and all of it. Finally, I think he is just amazingly courageous and I know he will stand up."

Council Bluffs bus driver Warren Yaple, who switched from Obama to Edwards because he felt Edwards provided specifics on issues important to him, said he believes Iowans are still moving around in the field because they realize how important their decision is in relation to the issues that will affect Iowans and Americans.

"If you listen to all of them on the issues -- I mean, I like them all -- but you've got to think about what's best," he said. "You need to think about what's best for Iowans and who should lead Iowans and the nation. We are looking for the first real president of this century.

"The Iowa Democratic Party wants all Iowans to be in this together. That's the message of the Iowa Democratic Party and, I think, that's all the message of John Edwards. We are all in this together."

The cold Iowa night turned warm and festive inside Cedar Rapid's Irish Democrat when Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and a host of firefighters gathered for what seemed to be more of a party than a campaign rally.

"Great to back in the Irish Democrat," said Dodd. "Of course, that's a bit redundant."

The first time Dodd -- most definitely Irish and a Democrat -- visited the bar, he welcomed primarily undecided voters and introduced himself to those sitting at tables and on barstools. Last night, most of those gathered around the Senator were firm campaign supporters and, of course, as credit to the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters, many of them wore yellow shirts touting both Dodd and the firefighters.

The stop was part of the campaign's 12-day "Results" bus tour across the state that will culminate on Christmas Eve. On each day of the tour, one of Dodd's major accomplishments is highlighted. Yesterday the candidate touted the Family and Medical Leave Act, which he both fought for over the course of a number of years and authored.

Dodd, who has traditionally not performed well in the polls, recently saw a surge of campaign activity when he postponed all campaign events, traveled back to Washington, and fought to keep retroactive immunity for telephone companies out of the re-authorization of the Federal Intelligence and Surveillance Act (FISA). Under threat of Dodd's filibuster, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tabled the legislation until sometime in January -- and Dodd has pledged to filibuster again if immunity remains a part of the bill brought to the floor of the Senate.

Last night Dodd commented briefly on the FISA battle and the 200 or so in attendance erupted with applause. He also asked those attending for their support and promised that he could, with their help, "be a household name" on Jan. 4.

If you think eastern Iowa seems an unlikely place to see Republican presidential hopefuls two weeks away from the caucuses, you're probably right. Linn and Johnson counties, in particular, have not been bastions of Republican strength, and, most Republicans reside in the western half of the state.

Still, the numbers didn't seem to be on former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson's mind as he campaigned today in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

"We're headed that way," he said with a laugh when asked if he began his "Clear Conservative Choice: Hands Down" bus tour in eastern Iowa because he felt the recent endorsement of Iowa's Fifth District Congressman Steve King had already locked up the Republican voters in that portion of the state. "We're headed that way and we're gonna be all over the state before we're finished. Everybody's got to start somewhere."

The 100 or so people who braved thick fog to attend the rally at the Cedar Rapids Marriott said they were thankful for the opportunity to hear speak and answer questions.

"The others -- who obviously joined this race much earlier -- they've been here and I've heard them," said Bill Davidsen of rural Linn County. "I'm still trying to decide who I will be caucusing for, but I think, at least after today, I've narrowed it between Thompson and [former Arkansas Gov. Mike] Huckabee."

Davidsen, who said "family values" are his focus when deciding upon a candidate, believes the endorsements of both King and the National Right to Life will carry a lot of weight with Iowa Republicans.

"There are liberals who despise King," he said. "That just makes us like him even more -- the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Thompson, who presented a bit flat during an October campaign stop in Dubuque, was light on his feet today and joked with members of the audience even as he frequently paused to sip water, clear his throat or cough. The vast majority of his time was spent telling audience why he joined the race, but he still made time, at least with the press, for a few jabs at the competition.

"Governor Romney supported McCain-Feingold," Thompson said. "He's changed his position on that just like he has so many other things."

Thompson, who was one of the chief architects of the election reform law, said while responding to an audience question that although he continues to support limits on campaign contributions, he feels the legislation did not live up to its intent, especially in the area of special interest groups. Thompson said that "in modern times" people have always agreed that it was appropriate to limit the amount of money given to politicians. Soft money, he added, was first put into use by President Bill Clinton and political consultant Dick Morris, but Republicans quickly followed suit. That prompted the need for reform, he said, so that the very rich and large corporations would not have undue influence in government.

"A lot of my Republican colleagues still have a hard time with it," he said when an audience member asked him to explain his stance. "They don't understand it and I appreciate that. But standing up, putting the government in the right place to do its job, to do things as best we can to minimize the temptation and the opportunity for corruption in large sums of money before somebody makes a decision on the donor is still a valid, solid, conservative concept I stand for."

Thompson said he primarily supported the legislation because he felt the $1,000 campaign donation limit for individuals -- a level that had been in place for many years -- was too low. He told the audience that it was because of his amendment that the amount was doubled to the current limit of $2,300.

By that same token, he calls the provision in McCain-Feingold that limited contributions to some political groups to the same levels as individual contributions a mistake.

"That was an error," he said. "I was wrong about that. I wouldn't do that again."

U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy has gone against Department of Justice pressure and is ordering officials to answer questions about the destruction of Central Intelligence Agency videos of the interrogation of two terrorist suspects.

Justice Department lawyers will appear before the judge at 11 a.m. EST on Friday to discuss whether destruction of the tapes violated his order to safeguard "all evidence and information regarding the torture, mistreatment, and abuse of detainees now at the United States Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay." The tapes were destroyed five months after that order.

In addition, current and former White House administration and CIA officials are reporting that at least four White House lawyers took part in extensive discussions with the CIA between 2003 and 2005, urging destruction of the tapes.

Those who took part, the officials said, included Alberto R. Gonzales, who served as White House counsel until early 2005; David S. Addington, who was the counsel to Vice President Dick Cheney and is now his chief of staff; John B. Bellinger III, who until January 2005 was the senior lawyer at the National Security Council; and Harriet E. Miers, who succeeded Mr. Gonzales as White House counsel.

The destruction of these tapes are the subject of the hearing on Friday, a Justice Department inquiry and Congressional Intelligence committee investigation. The Friday hearing in Washington will be the first public forum in which officials will be questioned about the incident.

On Sept. 17, 2001, President George W. Bush signed a memorandum of notification that, for the first time, gave the CIA the authority to kill or capture suspected Al Qaeda leaders and set up a global network of facilities to detain and interrogate them.

No doubt you've read all the hub-bub about former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's latest ad that's airing in Iowa:

Some have argued that the window or shelf located over Huck's shoulder is a subliminal message to Iowa Christians since is appears to be shaped like a cross. This, according to Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, is direct evidence of fascism in America -- just as Sinclair Lewis described it.

Dear readers, in an effort to get at the heart of the matter, I've gathered the children and force-fed them political advertisements throughout the evening to see what subliminal messages might be being sent to people in their age groups. The heartbreaking truth is that the children have determined that former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards has some sort of sick, deity-centered fetish on the game of tic-tac-toe -- or, perhaps, checkers. Just watch for yourselves:

Edwards, with two young children in his household that he obviously adores, is likely not to even realize he possesses this fascination. Iowans -- especially those who carry children's games into political rallies -- should continue to remain on high alert when they are near the former Senator and, quite possibly, other members of his family... as well as close supporters.

One can only believe that Edwards, if elected, will not only bring such games into the White House, but will sit and play them with his children -- perhaps even on the rug in the Oval Office.

I came across this video made up of pictures from the recent Des Moines Register Republican Debate today and it made me laugh out loud. Sometimes, it's good not to take everything on seriously. Enjoy!

Three women -- one of them a newly announced endorser -- led the way when former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards took the stage in Cedar Rapids Monday night to wrap up his "Main Street Express" bus tour across Iowa.

"Nothing that I have done in my life is more important than what I'm doing here tonight," said Roxanne Conlin, the nation's first female U.S. Attorney, the first woman president of the National Association of Trail Lawyers and Iowa co-chair of the Edwards campaign.

"The reason I am here tonight, and that I've been lots of places in the state of Iowa recently, is to tell you what I think is most important about John Edwards -- from the advantage point of a friend of 20 years," she said. "What you see is what you get. The man is good to his soul. He's genuine. He's authentic. He truly, truly cares about what happens to people. I promise you that. You have my word on that."

After offering the crowd of roughly 200 at Coe College some holiday gift buying tips (books authored by Edwards), Conlin introduced Elizabeth Edwards, who, in turn and after many accolades, introduced Iowa First Lady Mari Culver.

"You are blessed and the entire country is blessed that Mari Culver stands in the position that she does as first lady of this state and one of the most esteemed first ladies in the entire country," said Elizabeth.

Entering the stage to a jazzed up version of "Proud Mary (Rollin' On the River)," Culver, who also gave her support to Edwards in the days just before the 2004 Iowa caucuses, gave props to her hometown of Marion before getting down to the business of her visit.

"As you may have heard, I've got a little bit of an announcement to share with you," she said with a smile. "Iowans have a very important decision to make on January 3rd. And I, like all of you, have carefully reviewed the candidates, their positions, have read as much as I could and informed myself. You know, we, as Democrats, are very lucky. We have the best field of Democratic candidates that I believe has ever run. ... But, like you, I can select only one candidate to support on January 3rd and that is why today I'm so pleased to announce my support for John Edwards for president."

Culver said there are many reasons why she supports the Edwards candidacy and proceeded to list the fact that he was born of humble beginnings and that he has "never forgotten the important lesson of the dignity of hard work."

"Third, and most importantly, I know John Edwards can win," she said. "Not just our caucuses, but the general election too. He is ready. He is battle tested. He's been through this process before -- he has been on our national ticket. I think these experiences give him a real advantage."

After discussing a recent CNN poll which listed John Edwards as the only Democrat to beat Republican rivals, Culver said the reason Edwards wins is because he "inspires people."

"His message has always been rooted in opportunity and optimism and lifting up people," she said. "I think he inspires people to their highest calling. He and his campaign are staying above all of this name-calling and mud-throwing that we are seeing now -- those who treat politics as blood sport. I believe Americans appreciate this and will rally behind him as a candidate and as our president."

Saying that she was ready to roll up her sleeves and do everything she can between now and caucus night, Culver welcomed Edwards to the stage to audience chants of "Go, John, Go." Edwards, for his part, thanked the women who preceded him at the rally and then spoke highly of Culver and her focus as first lady on women's and children's services.

"[Mari Culver] has, from her heart, advocated on causes that are enormously important to Iowa, to America and to me," he said. "I still remember the first place we went to this morning. Literally, the people in this shelter knew Mari when she walked in the door. That's how much time she has spent there. She doesn't do this for politics. She doesn't do this to make sure she has a good photo opportunity. She does it because it is in her heart and soul, and it says something about what kind of human being she is and what kind of character she has. I am so proud to have Mari Culver's support in the caucuses here in Iowa."

The vast majority of Edwards' remarks at the event were words that supporters have heard often in Iowa. He promised to take on corporations for the benefit of average Americans, and told those in attendance that playing nice with special interests would not produce the desired results. Toward the end of his speech, however, Edwards gave a populist rallying cry of "rising up" that this reporter had not heard since 2003.

"Every time that we speak up for all of those who are struggling to give their children the life that you want to give your children -- the working middle class, the working poor, the struggling families in this country -- every time we speak up for them, America rises," he said. "When we speak up for 200,000 veterans who don't have a place to live, America rises. When we speak up for 47 million people who have no health care coverage, America rises. When we speak up for 35 million who went hungry -- in America -- last year, America rises. When we speak up for James Lowe and millions like him who live in the shadows, who Washington doesn't even know exists, America rises. And, I'll tell you something, brothers and sisters, come January the third, right here in Iowa, America is going to begin to rise...

"When we start this rising up on January the third, right here in Iowa, this rising up is going to spread like a wave across America, with a power and force like you have never seen. And these media people, they're gonna all say, 'What happened? Where did that come from?' You're gonna know where it started. It started with you, right here in Iowa on January the third. "

The Edwards campaign has made video available of the initial Culver endorsement yesterday in Des Moines:

This evening while under threat of a filibuster mounted by Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, tabled the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act bill that contained retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that provided access without warrants to the current White House administration's program of domestic wiretapping. The bill, which will expire in February unless re-authorized, is expected to come back before the Senate in January.

Dodd has offered his personal thanks by way of a video on YouTube:

In January 2009 one of the current presidential hopefuls will stand with their hand in the air and repeat the following:

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

As I watch my children sleep tonight, it is good to know that there is at least one in the Democratic field who has demonstrated an ability to fulfill that oath.

Earlier tonight Matt Browner-Hamlin, the Dodd campaign's chief blogger, reported netroots statistics that included more than half a million emails being sent to the Senate. Many blogs joined the fight and hundreds of thousands of visitors sent messages of support or notes to be read on the floor of the Senate during the filibuster. Even Reid, when announcing the bill would be tabled, referenced the public's outcry on this issue.

"So, this is an issue that the American people are focused on. I've gotten in the last week or so, thousands of inquires from all around the country. This is an issue they understand, they don't like."

Another active organization in the fight today was the Electronic Frontier Foundation. No doubt the EFF will remain an active participant for the duration of the war.

Since you can't have cheers without a few jeers, I'll give the lion's share to Captain's Quarters, The Right Voices and Sister Toldjah (and probably many others I'm not going to waste time to search out). It looks as if some on the right mistook a cloture motion -- which passed by a vote of 76 to 10 -- for a vote that actually meant something important. The vote was the first step and brought the bill to the floor, opening a maximum of 30 hours of debate on the motion. Although I had to leave toward the end of the Senate debate, I don't think the Senate ever got out of this stage to actual debate of the bill.

Of course, the bloggers probably would not have gone there had it not been for confusing reporting.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a Democratic presidential hopeful, won't be campaigning today in Iowa, New Hampshire or any of the other early states. He won't be hosting a fundraiser or on a conference call with campaign staff. Today, Dodd will stand on the floor of the United States Senate, for hours if need be, to defend the Constitution and make good on a promise.

If necessary, Dodd will launch a filibuster to ensure telecom immunity is not a part of the re-authorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill. Dodd has promised to start talking and not stop until he either loses a cloture vote or Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, refuses any bill that contains retroactive immunity for the telecom corporations that provided unmitigated access without warrants for the current White House administration's program of domestic wiretapping.

Fellow Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have said they will support Dodd's filibuster; however, calls into their Iowa press offices yielded conflicting answers. Obama's press office said that the Illinois Senator will not be traveling to Washington, D.C. today to participate in the filibuster. Representatives with the New York Senator said that, at this time, they were unsure if she would be traveling to the Beltway to participate. A request for information from the Delaware Senator's campaign office in Iowa has gone unanswered.

"There were many who said that they would stand with Chris Dodd as he stood up to the President and for our national security, but they are not there today," said Hari Sevugan, Dodd communications director. "And that's disappointing because now is a time for leadership that doesn't just talk about change but acts on it."

Dodd has postponed all planned campaign events in Iowa for Monday and Tuesday and is also prepared to offer an amendment that strips the retroactive immunity provision from the underlying bill. If that and other routes fail, Dodd will begin the filibuster.

"Last fall the American people gave this Congress a mandate to change the direction of the country and restore America's security by ending the war and restoring our Constitution and standing in the world," Dodd said. "Unfortunately, time and again, Congress has been unable to fulfill that mandate. But our country can no longer afford to continue down that road; we need to restore the Constitution, protect our civil liberties and ensure that no one is above the law. It's time for us to stand up and lead; not just say 'enough is enough,' but act on it."

Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold and Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy will support Dodd during the filibuster. Representatives in Tom Harkin's office said the Iowa Senator remains undecided on if he will join the filibuster. An inquiry left with Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley's office has not been returned.

To close debate, opponents of the filibuster will need to gather 60 votes. This means at least 10 Democratic Senators will need to join with Republicans in order to bring an end to Dodd's filibuster.

Because Dodd will need material to read while on the Senate floor -- during a filibuster he will not be allowed to stop talking or take a break -- both Crooks and Liars and firedoglake are taking comments that will be forwarded to Dodd's Senate office and, if necessary, read on the floor. Comments may also be left on the Chris Dodd for President website. In addition, several blogs have teamed up to show their support of Dodd and his efforts to launch the filibuster.

In addition to his reading, Dodd will be able to take "questions" from others, but such questions are limited to 20 minutes. It is believed that Kennedy and Feingold will be participating in this exercise.

Senator Dodd was the first presidential candidate to speak out against the FISA legislation that was passed out of the Intelligence Committee, announcing that he would place a hold on any bill that reached the floor including retroactive immunity, and would filibuster that bill if his hold was not respected. Dodd began urging Senators on the Judiciary Committee, who would have the chance to consider the measure as well, to oppose the immunity provision. The Committee later passed out a bill without the retroactive immunity. Unfortunately, that bill is not the one considered on the Senate floor.

"You don't demonstrate leadership in the footnotes of a press release, or parroting responses from focus groups," said Dodd's Director of Media Technologies Tim Tagaris in an email to supporters. "Leadership is demonstrated through action."

Congressman Dave Loebsack, in a telephone interview this morning, said that until recently he wasn't sure if he would be endorsing any of the presidential candidates.

"Like many Iowans, if not most Iowans who are involved in this process, I take [this decision] very seriously," he said. "Of course, I've been very involved in doing my job as Congressman for the Second District. I wasn't sure that I was going to endorse, let alone endorse Barack Obama. After thinking about this for a fair amount of time and very seriously, I just decided that I was going to come out for him and do it before the caucuses."

Rather than basing his endorsement on a single issue or group of issues, Loebsack, who supported former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in 2004, said he considered the candidates as a total package.

"I'm not so concerned about issues as I am as what I see as Barack Obama's ability to lead this country forward," he said. "Whatever issue may be on the table, I think Barack Obama is the most qualified to bridge the partisan divide that's been out there in America and intensified by Pres. [George W.] Bush.

"I'm not going to agree with any candidate on every issue. In many ways, that's not the point for me. The point is to have a leader that wants to move us in the direction that you and I and, I think, the vast majority of the American people want to see us. He is concerned about the very same things I am, whether it is health care, good jobs or good wages, restoring America's reputation around the world and, therefore, our effectiveness. The intricacies of how we get there are less important to me than the fact that I think he will be the best person to lead us in that direction."

Loeback, who campaigned in 2006 on an anti-war and domestic revitalization platform, has met some critics within Iowa's peace community in terms of the inability of Congress to end the conflict in Iraq. When asked if that factored into his endorsement of Obama, who has campaigned as one of the few candidates who was against the war from the beginning, Loebsack said he believes all of the Democratic candidates will take the necessary steps to end the war.

"All the folks who are running for this office on the Democratic side want us to end the war Iraq and they want us to end our involvement in Iraq sooner rather than later," he said. "In that sense, I think whomever the Democratic nominee is, that person is going to be far better than the Republican nominee."

Loebsack is currently serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Education and Labor Committee and the Armed Services Committee.

“I’m honored to have Congressman Loebsack’s endorsement,” Obama said in a prepared statement. “Dave has been fighting tirelessly to change the same old partisan, divisive politics in Washington that’s blocked progress for the people of the Second District. And by working at the grassroots level, he’s helped build a real movement for change in Iowa.”

Three of Iowa's Congressmen have now endorsed presidential candidates. Rep. Bruce Braley, who represents Iowa's First District, was the first to announce support of a presidential candidate, and he chose former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. Last week, Rep. Leonard Boswell, who represents the Third District, endorsed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Iowa's Fifth District Republican representative, Steve King, is expected to make an endorsement announcement later today. There is no word yet if Rep. Tom Latham, a Republican who represents Iowa's Fourth District, will endorse in the race for president.

In the messy system known as American democracy, "gotcha" politics takes many forms. When President George W. Bush was being pushed to answer questions about what he knew (and when he knew it) in terms of Osama bin Laden's quest to hijack commercial airliners, some cried foul, claiming that such questions and assertions amounted to "gotcha" politics. Former Virginia Sen. George Allen's now infamous "macaca" comment, which was directed toward a rival staffer of Indian heritage while Allen knew the staffer was videotaping him is both another example of "gotcha" politics as well as lesson in stupidity. (After all, it was a rival campaign staffer and a video camera that put the nail in Delaware Sen. Joe Biden's first run for the White House.)

In its purest form, "gotcha" politics is taking a single moment -- a snapshot in time based on one statement, one policy stance, one incident -- and using it to define the whole.

As we come to the final weeks of campaigning prior to the Iowa caucuses, there are few members of the press who could not stand and give a candidate's stump speech. The press knows how former Sen. John Edwards is going to answer the question on why he and his wife differ on the question of gay marriage; how former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is going to speak when asked about his Mormon faith; and the basic candidate responses to most of the questions that are asked at events and during press conferences. More importantly, most members of the press have already reported those statements to the public and are no longer interested in reporting them again.

To paint with a wide brush, the press is no longer interested in reporting the happenings at campaign events. It's rare for a new question to be asked by the public at a campaign stop and the press, above all else, is on the hunt for something new. Whether the that new thing comes from a policy roll-out or from a candidate mis-step from a previous position is of no consequence. It just has to be fresh -- scandalous or sexy are bonus prizes.

These types of political games, while admittedly fun for the press and providing some of the public's most animated water cooler discussions, leave little else behind for true discourse. Like a fire, such statements and incidents spark in one place and spread quickly in all directions, engulfing everything else in their path. All other news stories, regardless of how important they may be, either go underground or suffer the fate of the flames. The true disservice, however, comes in the aftermath, when the political prairie attempts to renew itself after the blaze. While there might be a few green twigs proclaiming the context surrounding this or that statement, they are overshadowed by the charred remains. This is something, unfortunately, I know personally.

On a Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago, I led my troop of second grade Brownie Girl Scouts on a trip to the local nature center. We were there for over two hours, taking part in a conservation program and learning about the animals that make their home there. The conservationists leading the program, parent volunteers and I, as troop leader, showed the girls animal pelts, bones, tracks and even scat to help them understand a little more about the world we live in and share with other creatures.

As we were on our way out of the nature center, a group of three friends stood with a small dog in their arms and a larger dog at their feet. The girls, some of whom have no pets as a part of their families, became very excited about petting the dogs. I quickly moved to the front of the line and explained that we would need to approach quietly, not run and then ask the owners for permission to approach the dogs.

The girls did as they were asked to do and we soon learned that the smaller dog was a pet and the larger dog was a stray. The girls were given permission to pet the smaller dog, but were asked not to approach the larger. One of the girls, noticing some wounds and other oddities on the stray, began to question what this or that was.

"What's this?" she asked while pointing to a sore on the dog's leg.

"He's been injured," I said. "I don't know how, but I'm sure he'll get patched up once the people from the animal shelter come to get him."

"Why is his skin so bubbly over here?" another girl asked while pointing to a swollen area by the dog's neck.

While I moved to get a better look, one of the three friends answered, "We think that is some sort of a fatty tumor, but we aren't sure."

Another girl stood behind the dog, pointed and asked, "What's that?"

When I moved to the back of the dog, the only thing I saw was the dog's tail and I told her so.

"No, not the tail," she said. "What's this underneath?"

I paused a few moments to consider my options. I could have yelled, "Race you to the car," and avoided the entire exchange. I considered pointing off into the woods and proclaiming that I saw a deer. I thought about the candy in my pocket that I was saving for the ride home. But, as I looked into the eyes of the girl asking the question and the eyes of the other girls, I understood that the only fair thing for me to do was to tell the truth.

"That is the dog's penis," I said and paused, intending to then announce the race to the car. The few moments of silence was all it took for the girls to grasp the gravity of what I'd said and for the shrieks of laughter to begin. The three friends also began to twitter with nervous laughter, even while the one gentleman's cheeks blushed red. My own daughter side-stepped her way beside me and, in a move I can only describe as solidarity, threaded her fingers through my own.

To this day, when the girls talk about our trip to the nature center, they don't remember the snake skins or the indoor bee hive. They don't talk about the animal pelts or the ways we learned wolves communicate with body language. The first thing that springs to their mind is their troop leader saying the word "penis."

In the coming weeks, Americans will be force-fed sound bytes and video clips. We will be asked to take tiny slivers of information as representative of 12 to 18 months of campaigning or, perhaps, lifetimes of public service. We will, no doubt, be asked to overlook the dog's penis in order to remember the whole of our learning experience. I hope we're up to the challenge.

Mike Allen at the Politico is reporting that Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman -- a former Democratic vice presidential candidate -- will endorse Arizona Sen. John McCain tomorrow.

Lieberman, who lost the Democratic primary for his seat, won another term as an Independent and usually caucuses with Democrats in the Beltway. The two, according to Allen, will appear together on the Today show on NBC tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.

The endorsement does little harm to either man. Those who voted to re-send Lieberman to the U.S. Senate did so with an understanding that he was not going to tow either party line. Those who still have McCain on their short list may not see the endorsement as a big win, but it should pull the more moderate, pro-war factions of the parties to give the Arizona Senator a second look.

With very limited research, however, it does appear this endorsement is groundbreaking in the sense that I cannot located another person who appeared on one party's ticket only to cross the aisle and endorse someone from the opposite party.

This week's earworm is a blast from the past-- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, I Love Rock N Roll:

And, yes, I totally had the Joan Jett haircut many years ago. I think it was before the Pat Benetar boy cut but after the Fame legwarmers stage.

The news of the morning is that the Des Moines Register has made its endorsements for the 2008 election -- Arizona Sen. John McCain and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Reaction to the endorsements is available on Iowa Independent (courtesy John Deeth), iowas newz liter, Price of Politics, The Demo Memo, the Right Scale, Bleeding Heartland (courtesy Chris Woods), The Phoenix's Tote Board, Marc Ambinder, Richmond Democrat, Taylor Marsh, Wade Norris (on Kos), Carpetbagger, Norwegianity, Texas Blue, konagod, The Reaction, American Street, TPM, Hotline On Call, Caffeinated Politics, Far and Wide, Sister Toldjah, and MoJo Blog.

Perhaps in another state where residents aren't provided such a one-on-one exchange with the candidates, these endorsement would matter more. Considering that, I have to think that the endorsement -- by proxy of the buzz it has begun on the internet and television airwaves -- will make more of an impact in South Carolina, Nevada or some of the Feb. 5 states than it will in either Iowa or New Hampshire.

The honest truth is that no newspaper endorsement has ever caused me to give a candidate a look or a second look -- not even the ones I've had opportunity to write myself. More than anything, I think newspaper endorsements are an opportunity for newspapers, especially publications in Iowa and New Hampshire, to call attention to themselves and, perhaps, sell a few more copies.

Iowa Voters has some details on a website that's going to provide early caucus results from the Democratic precincts. It also looks as if Bev Harris and Black Box Voting have removed their panty wad about the caucus process -- at least on the Democratic side of things.

Chris at Red Hog Diary wished his Mom a very happy birthday yesterday. We add our belated birthday well-wishes too! Nita, hope you had a terrific day.

He also has some thoughts about the upcoming FISA vote in the Senate, but we'll get into that in another post.

Tony at RFDblog takes on the Alternative Minimum Tax and the federal deficit.

The Real Sporer, displeased with the spectacle that we've come to know as Republican debates this presidential season, is advocating for another GOP debate prior to the Iowa caucuses.

Although the blogs didn't seem to be set on fire by the news out of Des Moines this week, the fact remains that Sen. Matt McCoy was found innocent of extortion by a federal jury.

Cyclone Conservatives reports that the Iowa Federation of Republican Women is offering free membership for 2008 in a new program called, "New Generation." The program is an effort to get more young women involved in the party.

If you've lost track, West Michigan Politics has the run-down of the primary/caucus calendar.

Scott Henson author of Grits for Breakfast -- a blog that closely follows the Texas Youth Commission -- took offense with Texas Gov. Rick Perry campaigning in Iowa on behalf of Rudy Giuliani.

Queen of Spain outlines her frustrations in trying to get the presidential candidates to answer questions on camera for the BlogHer community.

We were handing them 7.6 million blogher readers on a golden blogher platter (while using our Butterball potholders, of course) the majority of them the WOMEN THEY WANT TO VOTE FOR THEM and interest by the candidates has been, shall we say…less than enthusiastic. We even offered them hosts from their own parties (Morra Aarons-Mele and Mary Katharine Ham, why YES you DO see them on CNN).

And I wonder why I still have to write about feeling ignored as a woman voter. By being patronized because Obama and Oprah have teamed up. By once again feeling like I was patted on the ass and sent to go cook in the kitchen. They can market to us, sure…but can they just TALK to us? We’re women, we want you to sit down and chat along WITH your stats and stances. We’re WOMEN, we want you to answer the tough questions about healthcare and education AND Iraq. We’re not afraid to talk about the economy and choice. Hell, one of you running is even ONE OF US, and is well aware we are no longer just reading the Style section and worried about whatever it is our husband’s tell us to worry about.

As she goes on to note: 1) the candidates have seen the Voter Manifesto from which they are to be asked questions; and, 2) Oprah has 8 million viewers, BlogHer has 7.6 million readers.

I also owe a hat tip to CrankMama for leading me to Queen of Spain's highly justified rant.

For Peace & Community has reflections from Des Moines resident David Drake as he and members of a peace delegation make their way around Iran. The thoughts from Dec. 15 were penned as Drake was in Tehran.

While the rest of the world may be in woe over the recent baseball/steroid report from the beltway, I'm screaming "say it ain't so" over a Texas news clip.

Not too long ago, Dallas became home to an American Girl Boutique and Bistro in their Galleria Mall. This week, Dallas/Fort Worth news station CBS 11 offered this news about the very popular American Girl dolls and accessories:

Well, so much for thinking that only cheap toys come out of China. The American Girl dolls, with their price tags of $87 and up, are anything but inexpensive. Because I believed the dolls were made in Wisconsin and because I wanted my girls to have the dolls and to learn about history from a female perspective, I was willing to pay the higher price.

Now that I see they are made in China, I feel exceptionally cheated. The American Girl knock-offs that can be had for $15 or $20 at the discount stores are made in China. Why shouldn't I just buy one of those?

After hearing this news report, I had my oldest daughter go grab her Molly doll so that I could inspect its tags. There are no tags on the doll itself, indicating where it was made. There is a a copyright notice on the base of the doll's neck "@ Pleasant Company." I don't know if my daughter cut/pulled them off or not and she can't remember, but I'm now curious if the overseas manufacture is something fairly new. Were American Girl dolls always made in China?

By searching the internet, I found that Pleasant Rowland, founder of the Pleasant Company (originator of the American Girls), retired in July 2000. She began the Middleton, Wisconsin-based company in 1985 with the vision of making dolls that provided an alternative to Barbie and Cabbage Patch Kids. The company sold to Mattel for $700 million in 1998.

My middle daughter has asked Santa for one of the dolls this year. Quite frankly, if I don't find an older one that is actually made in America by American workers, her wish won't be coming true.

While the news clip indicates that the dolls and their accessories were tested for lead and none was found, there is a recall notice on the American Girl website for some of the children's jewelry which was found to have high levels of lead.

Update - 10:05 a.m. -- An article in The Economist from 1995 noted that American Girl dolls were produced in Germany, while many of their accessories were made in other countries. I guess they were never truly American Girls afterall.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has been the brunt of some Iowa grumblings for his tendency to downplay events of "only 20 people," including the one in South Carolina that provided the campaign's trademark "Fired Up" chant. In Iowa, 20 or 30 people in a basement or living room is not only how presidential hopefuls have traditionally campaigned, but the way the most staunch of Iowa caucus-goers believe campaigning should be done.

The exercise in contrasts -- a candidate capable of drawing thousands to an event versus traditional Iowa caucus campaigning -- hasn't been easy for the Obama or some other campaigns to manage this election season, and, much to the consternation of the national press and its appetite for political bickering, the campaign hammered out another of their compromise events on Friday at Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids.

Following a few opening remarks about his latest white paper entitled "Barack Obama's Plan to Reclaim the American Dream," Obama sat at a table with five eastern Iowans -- all of whom were already campaign supporters and a few of whom also served as volunteer organizers. Family and friends of those at the table were given chairs in the audience, not that they could necessarily see what was happening up front. Placed between the audience and the table with the candidate stood a rope line of no less than 20 large video cameras. Still photographers meandering here and there between them while a host of print and online journalists alternated between standing behind the camera operators and sitting at folding tables with their computers. Members of the press easily out-numbered those at the table, those in the audience and campaign staff in attendance.

"As of those of you who have been following us around know, we try to do these [roundtable discussions] at least once a week," Obama said. "I get a chance to talk with Iowa voters... about some of the issues that have been going on in their lives. It allows me to spend time not just talking, but also listening."

The five supporters gathered at the table provided personal stories of economic hardship. Obama listened and, on occassion, provided detail of how his plan would help.

"There's been a lot of talk in this campaign by me about the politics of hope," Obama said before sitting down at the table. "The politics of hope doesn't mean hoping that things come easy. It's the politics of believing things unseen. Believing in what this country might be and standing up for that belief -- and fighting for it when it is hard."

Difficulty and hard work is nothing new to 22-year-old Cedar Rapids college student Katherine Marcano.

"I work night shift so my days start at 1 a.m.," she told Obama. "That's when I get up every morning. I never go to bed before 10 p.m. because I'm raising my two siblings."

Marcano says she is able to function on an average of three hours of sleep each night by drinking coffee and energy drinks. One of the most looming issues in her life is health care because one of the relatives she is caring for is restricted to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy and her employer's health care plan refuses coverage.

"Right now, you just can't pay the fees to get through the process of naturalization for her?" Obama asked and Marcano responded with a nod. "In the meantime, she is a legal resident, but because she is a legal resident, she doesn't qualify for government benefits. So, basically, any help she needs in terms of her medical care -- if she was going to get it -- would have to be paid for out-of-pocket."

Marcano agreed that this is the situation she and her family faces.

"You are doing heroic work," Obama said. "I'm worry about you because I don't know if you should be drinking that Red Bull all of the time. In the meantime, there are a couple things I think we should do. Number one is: I'm a strong believer that people who are legal immigrants should be getting basic health care. That is something I think is important. These are not illegal, undocumented workers. These are legal immigrants... they should get care.

"Obviously, in terms of school, helping you pay for your college education is very important."

Springville resident Liz Loney, 36, came to speak with Obama about both the cost of education and health care.

"I've had extensive health care bills and been through a lot medically so I've personally seen what that can do to a family financially," she said.

Loney, who has two children currently attending high school, suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2002. She was able to maintain her job following the original incident, subsequent recovery and a second surgery and recovery period, but lost her job after a third surgery.

"Then came the Social Security fight that for the past three years I've been fighting," she said. "They won't let me go back to work because they say there is too much stress. So, I've had to fight for Social Security disability."

In order to obtain benefits, Loney had to hire an attorney. She has recently began to work her way through the Medicare system as well. Her 16-year-old daughter has recently started working in order to put money back for higher education.

Mary Paige, a Cedar Rapids senior citizen and insulin-dependent diabetic, came to speak to Obama about Social Security and the cost of prescription medications.

"I have several friends who are getting, I think, something like the minimum from Social Security," she said. "That doesn't really help you very much when it comes to paying your bills and giving you security... A lot of seniors don't have savings because they've been busy raising their children, paying off their bills and their homes and so-forth."

Paige's thoughts and concerns about the cost of medicines for older Americans were echoed by Ruthie Polansky, a Marion senior.

"I have a lot of prescription drugs I take all the time," Polansky said. "I raised two boys by myself from the time they were [ages] two and five. I didn't have a lot of money to save."

Medical bills and prescription costs became a problem in her life, she said, once she retired and there was confusion over what Medicare or her private insurance would be paying. In order to keep the bills current, she payed for them with credit cards.

"Since I'm on Social Security and a small pension, this is a big concern for me," she said after noting that one of her medications, a bi-weekly injection, costs over $400, with 20 percent being an out-of-pocket expense.

Brian Davidson, a 35-year-old transplant into the Cedar Rapids community, was also concerned about the cost of health care and education.

"I'm in the middle of a career change," he said and noted that he is in his third semester of one of Kirkwood's agricultural technology programs. "A large worry of mine is how to pay for this training."

Because Davidson is a non-traditional student who found financial success in a previous career, he doesn't qualify for financial aid or work study programs.

"The dream that my parents fought for and their parents fought for -- I'm finding it harder and harder to obtain," he said. "I feel, at 35, that I'm so far behind. I don't believe in keeping up with the Joneses. I'm happy with my life and I'm happy with the decisions I've made, but I have one more semester here and then I'm out in the real world again. Now I've got additional credit card debt that I'm not comfortable with, but that's how I've had to finance my college -- credit cards and a part-time job."

Throughout the majority of the discussion, Obama did very little talking and spent most of his time listening. When specific aspects of his plan would directly affect the situations described by the participants, he would speak to that -- always qualifying his statements with a nod to it being an aspect of the plan that he would enact, if elected.

Obama's "American Dream" white paper calls for a middle class tax cut of up to $1,000 for working families, elimination of income tax for senior citizens making less than $50,000 a year, guaranteed paid sick days for workers, expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act, doubled funding for after-school programs, reduction of health care costs by $2,500 per family and lowered college costs of $4,000 by tax credit at time of enrollment.

I received an email message earlier this week from one of the organizers of the annual sleep out event held in November at Coe College with two very special items of note. As you might remember, the sleep out was the culmination of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and was sponsored by Linn County Veteran Affairs and Community Circle of Care, Inc.

Each of the eight organizations supported by the sleep out was recently given a check for $2,000. Contributions had continued to come in and the final tally was $16,000. The recipients are Willis Dady, Cedar House, Mission of Hope, Foundation 2, Madge Phillips Center, Waypoint Domestic Violence Shelter, Catholic Worker House and Salvation Army Emergency Lodging Program.

I was both honored and extremely humbled to read the second item in the email:

"At the ceremony we held to acknowledge the great work done by these groups, I quoted from your blog piece. And everyone in the room felt their heart grow 3 times its size."

When my friends and I began this blog nearly a year ago, I participated for mostly selfish reasons. I wanted to write -- wanted to relate my thoughts, concerns, insights and observations. Printer's ink had been removed from my blood stream 10 years earlier and I was ready for a massive infusion that had nothing to do with with marketing brochures, annual reports or much of the other "non-writing" I'd been doing as a private contractor.

The fact that people actually came to read, then, was just about the most miraculous thing in the world. "Word therapy," as I like to call it, has its place, but writers really want and need readers. In my wildest dreams, however, I could have never guessed how distinctly emotional I'd become when someone took my words and read them for others.

I didn't write the first-hand report of the sleep out to draw attention to myself. I began writing it almost the minute I returned home that morning because I needed to stay awake to attend a political event three hours later, but also I felt so strongly about the experience. I wanted my thoughts about the night in the cardboard box to be "fresh" and raw. I was sincerely and deeply moved by non-typical thoughts -- thoughts given to me by the experience. It was, and remains to this day, a new perspective on warmth and security.

I'm thrilled that the sleep out earned $16,000 which will now be put to good use by the Linn County shelters. I'm so very humbled that my words were found adequate enough to be used at the ceremony. Above all else, however, I'm blessed. Because of the awareness gifted to me by a group of concerned citizens, not one night has gone by that I haven't stood at the window or door and wondered if there wasn't someone out there in the cold who could use some help.

As a head's up, I'm currently in the Cedar Rapids headquarters for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at a debate watch party. Former Vice President Walter Mondale and others are in attendance to watch the upcoming Des Moines Register Democratic Debate.

I'll be liveblogging from the watch party on Iowa Independent if anyone wants to follow along.

Webmaster's Note: Leave off one quotation mark in your code and you can zap an entire section. My apologies to the Tancredo supporters as his information didn't show up on first posting because of my coding error. Sadly, the absence of Duncan Hunter is no mistake. I've yet to receive a press release or any contact from his campaign and the latest press release on his website is dated Nov. 30.

As the previous post stated, I've been sick the past few days. Since there was no power and a half-inch of ice all around, it wasn't such a horrible time to be out of sorts, but I still missed a great deal while I wasn't on the computer and checking email. This catch-up posting on the Republican presidential hopefuls will be as much of a benefit for me as it will be for all of you. While I was sleeping...

The Giuliani Campaign

• The Giuliani campaign has a new radio ad, "Deliver," on the airwaves in New Hampshire today.

  The campaign has also put up a page on its website for "ad facts" that is a companion to the new buy.

• Following the recent Univision debate, Via Rudy National Chairman Raul Romero released the following statement:

  “Rudy Giuliani’s strong, tested leadership and record of proven results resonates no matter the audience. At the end of the day, Americans know they can trust Rudy to keep us on offense on the Terrorists’ War on Us and grow our economy.”

  “La fuerte trayectoria, el liderazgo probado y los resultados de Rudy Giuliani se reconocen no importe la audiencia. Los Americanos saben que ellos pueden confiar en Rudy para mantenernos a la ofensiva en la Guerra que llevan los terroristas en contra de nosotros y nuestra economia.”

• Sen. Kit Bond was on MSNBC explaining to Joe Scarborough why the people he knows in the midwest are supporting Giuliani's candidacy.

The Huckabee Campaign

• The Huckabee campaign continues to be pounded by critics via an email campaign. Two more -- one accusing the candidate of being soft on crime and the other attacking on immigration issues -- arrived in my email box during the past 48 hours.

• The campaign launched a new ad in Iowa dubbed "Secure Borders"

  The ad began airing Monday and focuses on what Huckabee said is his number one priority: sealing America's borders. The former Arkansas Governor unveiled a nine-point plan to reform immigration laws last week.

  Yesterday while in Iowa, Huckabee earned the endorsement of Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minutemen Project.

• Following an appearance at a Pastor's Policy Briefing in Des Moines, hosted by the Iowa Renewal Project, Huckabee announced the endorsement of Tim and Bev LaHaye, Iowan Chuck Hurley and an Iowa Pastors Coalition.

  The LaHayes are nationally known religious leaders. Bev founded Concerned Women of America. Hurley is the president of the Iowa Family Policy Center and a former state legislator.

  At an event in his Des Moines office, Huckabee also announced the endorsement of Luana Stoltenberg, a Davenport anti-abortion activist and former Sen. Sam Brownback supporter.

• Today, Huckabee is in Des Moines as he takes part in the Des Moines Register debate. Following the debate he will make guest appearances on Fox News' "Your World" with host Neil Cavuto, CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer and MSNBC's "Tucker" with host Tucker Carlson.

• Huckabee drew some ink this week when he discussed Morman faith. The campaign issued a press release yesterday to clarify the exchange, as follows:

  "A report released tonight cites an upcoming article in the Sunday edition of The New York Times Magazine which quotes former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee asking a question about the content of the Mormon faith. In fact, the full context of the exchange makes it clear that Governor Huckabee was illustrating his unwillingness to answer questions about Mormonism and to avoid addressing theological questions during this campaign.

  "'Governor Huckabee has said consistently that he believes this campaign should center on a discussion of the important issues confronting our nation,” said Senior Advisor, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, “and not focus on questions of religious belief. He wants to assure persons of all faith traditions of his firm commitment to religious tolerance and freedom of worship. Governor Huckabee believes that one of the great strengths of our nation lies in its diversity of thought, opinion and faith.'"

The McCain Campaign

• John McCain's campaign has launched a new ad, "Trust," in New Hampshire.

  The 30-second ad highlights McCain's plan to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families by permanently repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax and eliminate Washington spending.

  The campaign's previous ad, which featured Curt Schilling, was also launched in New Hampshire and began airing Dec. 8.

• McCain announced a National Hispanic Advisory Board to coincide with the Univision presidential debate on Dec. 9.

  Following the debate, Rick Davis, campaign manager, issued the following statement:

  "John McCain was the only candidate on the stage tonight with the experience, judgment and character to lead our nation as commander and chief from day one. He continues to be the only candidate with consistent record on issues important to the Hispanic community, including expanding economic prosperity and advancing democracy and freedom around the world. John McCain alone put principle over politics to try to address our broken immigration system. His courageous leadership on this emotional issue proved that while he understands that securing the border is essential, we must also treat all people with compassion -- we are all God's children.

  "John McCain is the only conservative who can beat Senator Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat next November. John McCain's unmatched national security experience, consistent conservative record and demonstrated appeal to independent voters make him the most formidable opponent for Senator Clinton or any other Democrat nominee."

• Following today's Des Moines Register debate, McCain stays in Iowa to campaign in West Des Moines and Waukee. On Thursday, he will host town hall meetings in Sioux City and Davenport.

  On Monday, McCain's Iowa Chairman Dave Roederer issued a preemptive strike against an ad by rival Mitt Romney's campaign:

  "News that Mitt Romney will launch a new attack ad tomorrow is another move by a campaign that continues to insult Iowa voters. Iowa families should not be subjected to this negative style of campaigning, especially during the holiday season.

  "Governor Romney has flip-flopped on several major issues that voters care about. It's particularly amazing that Governor Romney would attack anyone on immigration when he's on his third position. John McCain has run an honorable campaign that all Iowans can be proud of. I call on Governor Romney to drop his plans for this negative attack and follow John McCain's lead. Candidates need to raise the level of the debate, not lower it."

The Paul Campaign

• The Ron Paul campaign has released an ad wishing us all a happy holiday season.

  The campaign has also launched a television ad in Iowa and New Hampshire that focuses on health care.

  This 30-second spot highlights Paul's commitment to giving Americans the power to take control of their health care choices by stopping pharmaceutical interests, insurance companies and bureaucrats from interfering with doctor-patient decisions.

• The campaign is reporting that a stop in Council Bluffs this week netted an estimated crowd of over 600. The stop was a part of the candidate's two-day visit tour of Iowa.

  The Council Bluffs speech followed stops in Sioux Center and Sioux City. Today, Paul participated in the Des Moines Register debate and is scheduled to make an appearance at the Iowa State Fairgrounds tonight.

• Following the Univision debate, campaign spokesman Jesse Benton issued the following statement:

  "Ron Paul's message of freedom, peace, and prosperity resonates with Americans from all walks of life. The American people are ready to unite behind the principles of freedom on which this nation was founded."

The Romney Campaign

• The big news for the Mitt Romney campaign was gaining the endorsement of the National Review. Romney was on the cable airwaves to discuss the endorsement with MSNBC's Joe Scarborough.

• The Romney Campaign began a new ad, "Choice: The Record," in Iowa on Monday that contrasts their candidate with Mike Huckabee.

• The Michigan Romney for President campaign has launched a charity drive, "Mittens for Mitt," that will collect mittens, hats, scarves, gloves, coats and other winter goodies for children in need.

The Tancredo Campaign

• The campaign for Tom Tancredo continues to air the ad, "Consequences," in Iowa... and I hear it is running in South Carolina and New Hampshire as well.

  When the ad first hit the television, Tancredo made the following statement: "I would like to introduce our second television ad which just as the first one focuses on the tragic consequences of open borders and massive uncontrolled immigration. It addresses the dramatic increase in drugs, gangs, and violent crime because gutless politicians refuse to do their jobs.”

• On Monday, the Tancredo campaign issued a press release that condemned a "bigoted" group in Iowa -- GodVoter.org

  “The attached "questionnaire" purports to be intended to help voters in Iowa determine the Christian qualifications of those seeking the Republican nomination for President of the United States,” Tancredo was quoted in the press release. “I believe it is anything but Christian in its tone and intent and I call on every candidate to repudiate it.”

  Among the numerous prejudiced responses, Godvoter.org refers to “Mormonism as a Christ-dishonoring cult” while bashing Governor Mitt Romney and calling for him to renounce his religion.

  Tancredo concluded, “God and God alone will judge the hearts of us all.”

  The questionnaire also states that "the media appears ready to let [Mitt Romney] get away with it instead of making him address the core problem of his Mormonism" while discussing the candidate's latest speech on faith and politics. If that isn't clear enough, the email goes on to ask and explain "What really is the problem with Governor Romney's Mormonism?" -- in not so delicate (or truthful) terms.

• While I believe Tancredo is owed kudos for his response to that email, I also think he deserves a stern talking to for boycotting the Univision debate. He made the following statement: "It is the law that to become a naturalized citizen of this country you must have knowledge and understanding of English, including a basic ability to read, write and speak the language. So what may I ask are our presidential candidates doing participating in a Spanish speaking debate? Pandering comes to mind."

  While I tend to agree that the most stand-out thing about the debate was the overt pandering of the candidates, it still was an opportunity for Tancredo to explain his views to a group of people who don't necessarily agree with him. It was an opportunity for him to look presidential and, instead, he looked like the boy taking his toys and leaving the sandbox.

The Thompson Campaign

• Yesterday the Fred Thompson candidacy earned the support of Virginia Republican National Committeeman Morton Blackwell. Blackwell is the founder and president of the Leadership Institute, an educational facility that trains conservatives for leadership in politics.

• Thompson also received the support of George P. Bush. The young Bush will serve as the national chairman of the Young Professionals for Fred Thompson. Nicolee Ambrose will serve as executive director of the group's steering committee.

  Those named to the national steering committee are Ambrose, Will Alexander, Clay Barclay (Southeast Regional Director), Ken Emanuelson (Southwest Regional Director), Harrison Frist (Northeast Regional Director), Stephen Gele (Chair of Fred Force), Kyle Jones (Western Regional Director), Joseph Konzelmann, Baxter Lee (Chair of Fred Founders), and Nick Wahoff (Midwest Regional Director).

• The campaign has released a video of Thompson speaking Sunday in Miami at Iglesia El Rey Jesus Church.

I've been sick the past few days. Since there was no power and a half-inch of ice all around, it wasn't such a horrible time to be out of sorts, but I still missed a great deal while I wasn't on the computer and checking email. This catch-up posting on the Democratic presidential hopefuls will be as much of a benefit for me as it will be for all of you. While I was sleeping...

The Biden Campaign

• Joe Biden's son, Beau, and Iowa Reps. John Whitaker and McKinley Bailey will work with Iowa Veterans for Biden to host forums in Fort Dodge, Mason City, Burlington and Waterloo. Bailey will host a forum in Fort Dodge today at 3 p.m. at the VFW. Beau will host a forum in Mason City at the Mason City Public Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Whitaker will host a forum in Burlington on Tuesday, Dec. 18, location to be announced. Beau returns to Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 27, to host a forum at the Waterloo VFW at 3 p.m.

• The Senator will be at the Des Moines Register debate tomorrow afternoon in Johnston and will travel to the Polk County Democratic Central Committee that night. Friday he will speak at a Caucus Countdown event at the home of Susan Dunek of Keokuk, a Caucus Countdown event at the Iowa Motorlodge in Fort Madison, a Caucus Countdown event at the Port of Burlington and end his evening at the Red, White and Blue event at the Starlite Ballroom in Davenport.

• The entire Biden family is coming to Iowa for the weekend. Sister Valerie, wife Jill, son Hunter, son Beau and daughter Ashley will all be the state for events.

• MSNBC's Chris Matthews pegged Biden as "the third best bet for the nomination" during Hardball's power rankings this week.

• Biden is on the airwaves again with the launch of his latest television ad, Action:

  The ad buy was "upwards of $1 million dollars," according to campaign staff.

• Biden also made headlines when he -- as former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and current chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- called on Attorney General Michael Mukasey to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Central Intelligence Agency's destruction of interrogation tapes: "Under federal law, the Attorney General may appoint a Special Counsel to prosecute matters when he or she determines that an investigation by the Department itself would present a conflict of interest, or there are other extraordinary circumstances and it would be in the public interest to do so. I believe these conditions are met.

  "This is a White House that has sanctioned and pushed for the kind of interrogation techniques captured on those video tapes. This is a White House that was informed of the CIA's desire to destroy those tapes. Thus, it is possible this investigation could lead to the White House. For these reasons, I believe the CIA's destruction of these interrogation tapes meets the extraordinary circumstances criterion and it would be in the public's interest for Attorney General Michael Mukasey to appoint a Special Counsel to do an independent investigation."

The Clinton Campaign

• Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in Johnston on Thursday afternoon for the Des Moines Register debate and then will travel to Shenandoah for an Organizing for Change Event at the Shenandoah Fire Department at 6:30 p.m.

• Campaign Chief Strategist Mark Penn sent out a memo highlighting national polls -- the WaPo/ABC, the NYT/CBS, and AP/IPSOS -- as proof that Clinton continues to run strong nationally. "The ABC/Washington Post poll is particularly strong -- showing how Hillary beats Obama and others on every single issue and almost every core attribute related to being president."

  The campaign is launching an English and Spanish video today, "Con Hillary Una Vida Mejor/A Better Life with Hillary," to target Latinos. The campaign is also unveiling a 60-second spot in Spanish titled, "Nuestra Candidata" (Our Candidate).

• Home improvement guru Bob Vila is in Iowa today, Thursday and Friday to stump for Clinton. He's doing events in Council Bluffs, Carroll, Spencer, Sheldon, Sioux City, Onawa, Dunlap and Missouri Valley.

• The Vinton Eagle -- the largest newspaper in Benton County -- endorsed the Clinton candidacy.

• The Clinton campaign also launched a new ad, "New Beginning"

The Dodd Campaign

• Chris Dodd has had difficulty campaigning in Iowa and has canceled several events so that he could return to the beltway and vote on the farm and energy bills. A Mason City event, originally scheduled for tonight, will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Hanford Inn at 7:30 p.m.

• Dodd plans to attend the Des Moines Register debate in Johnston tomorrow afternoon before traveling to Grinnell and Story City. On Friday he will continue his "12 Days of Results" tour in Davenport and Cedar Rapids before attending Scott County's Red, White and Blue Dinner that evening in Davenport. Saturday the tour visits Monticello, Dyersville and Dubuque. On Sunday he campaigns in Bellevue, Cascade, Epworth and Elkader. The tour continues all next week with stops in and around Des Moines, Waterloo, Ames, Carroll, Council Bluffs, Clinton, Burlington, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. The campaign plans to highlight a different area of specific results that Dodd has delivered on each day of the tour.

• Although it isn't an official campaign ad, some innovative members of the Dodd Squad have put "T'was the Night Before Caucus" up on YouTube:

• As far as official ads go, here's the campaign's latest, entitled "I Am"

  The ad is the first of at least two spots in a statewide media buy that began yesterday. On a personal note, I can't believe the campaign waited this long to tout that Dodd is the only major Democratic candidate to have served in the military.

• Over the weekend, Congressman Tim Ryan and former Congressional hopeful Ned Lamont campaigned for Dodd throughout Iowa.

• Dodd's wife, Jackie, joined with staff of the Iowa Homeless Youth Center's Street Outreach Program on their afternoon round through Des Moiens homeless encampments and evening meal at the downtown outreach center yesterday.

The Edwards Campaign

• John Edwards is on day three of his "Main Street Express" tour, which highlights his plan to support law enforcement and keep families safe in their communities -- a nine-point "Keeping Our Communities Safe" initiative. Today, he received the endorsement of 38 Iowa law enforcement leaders including retired police officers, court liaisons, county attorneys, former county sheriffs and sheriff deputies.

  The tour will hit Grinnell and Des Moines at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. today, respectively. Tomorrow Edwards visits Johnston for the debate before continuing the tour in Indianola. On Friday, Edwards will be in Cedar Rapids, Manchester and Elkader. On Saturday he visits Dubuque, Cedar Falls and Mason City. On Sunday, he visits Ames, Colfax and Ottumwa. And, on Monday, he visits Fairfield before returning to Cedar Rapids' Coe College.

• The campaign announced 10 new offices yesterday. Each office posted signs that highlighted Edwards' stand against PAC and lobbyist money. "Edwards is the ONLY Candidate Who Has Never Taken A Dime from PACs and Washington Lobbyists in His Life," read the press release. The new offices are in Algona, Decorah, Fairfield, Grinnell, Keokuk, Maquoketa, Marshalltown, Muscatine, Newton and Spirit Lake.

• On Sunday, the campaign launched "6 Degrees of John Edwards," to coincide with the tour -- during which Edwards was joined by actors Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins. The focus of the drive was to encourage supporters to reach out to undecided caucus-goers and help bring them one degree closer to Edwards.

• A John Edwards Book Club was also launched as a tool to reach out to undecided caucus-goers. Volunteers host a book club-style house party and invite six or more undecided friends or family member to discuss the Edwards' 80-page policy book, "The Plan to Build One America: Bold Solutions for Real Change." Meetings for the "book club" have already taken place in Des Moines, Dubuque, Gravity and Cedar Falls.

• Valley News Today -- a daily newspaper in Shenandoah -- has endorsed the Edwards candidacy.

• Republican Strategist John Feehery was on MSNBC and said that "Edwards is the one that scares me the most."

The Kucinich Campaign

Although I typically do a Sunday earworm and linkfest, a cold prevented me from finishing it yesterday.

Taylor Swift - Teardrops on my Guitar:

You've probably heard that there is a second county coordinator for the campaign of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton being asked to step down. Linda Olson an Iowa County activist forwarded a racist email in early October that attempts to paint Illinois Sen. Barack Obama as Muslim who will destroy America.

Judy Rose, a secretary for the Jones County Democratic Central Committee as well as a coordinator for Clinton's campaign, was the first casualty. Rose has indicated that she did not agree with the email, but was forwarding it in late November as an example of nasty politics.

It isn't the first time that eastern Iowa has seen fallout from a racist email. During Swati Dandekar's first run for the Iowa House in 2002, her Republican opponent Karen Balderston sent an email to a conservative political action committee that question whether Dandekar, an immigrant from India, was "adequately prepared to represent Midwest values and core beliefs." Local Republican leaders denounced Balderston's remarks and withdrew support of her candidacy.

Dandekar has held the Iowa House seat since that race and is now working toward a seat in the Iowa Senate -- as well as endorsing the Clinton campaign.

"We've made our position on this crystal clear," Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee told the AP. "Our campaign does not tolerate this kind of activity or campaigning. As soon as it came to our attention, we asked this individual to step down."

While not glowing, M.R. Field's commentary on the Double 'O' Show is one of the best that I've read. Repeatedly, she has shown that she has ability to step outside of the political to ask the practical questions.

There is also video of the Des Moines event at Century of the Common Iowan.

At Bleeding Heartland, desmoinesdem has a geeky yet fascinating post that shows the Iowa field offices and lays out the delegate counts for each county.

After watching the Black and Brown forum, The Real Sporer said he now understands why "Democrats report more depression." It seems to have something to do with Dems living in reality and trying to change it.

And from the "projection" files -- A Boy Scout leader who sued the City of Berkeley for challenging a national Scout ban on members being gay or atheist has been arrested on charged that for at least five years he sexually abused young Scouts. Four young men, ages 13 to 17, said they had been sexually abused by him.

And, while we are talking about failed policies, did you see that teen birth rates are on the rise? Guess that abstinence only sex ed isn't all it's cracked up to be.

If you can only take one of my links from this list, let it be this one from Slant Truth. Kevin takes on an article from Psychology Today that outlines the Ten Politically Incorrect Truths About Human Nature.

The light sleet falling in eastern Iowa wasn't enough to deter nearly 10,000 people from driving to the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids and hearing what Oprah Winfrey had to say on behalf of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Driving in inclement weather, waiting nearly an hour in a packed arena and then waiting, in some cases, well over an hour to exit a jammed parking garage, shouldn't be confused with steadfast support.

"I came to see both Obama and Oprah," said Doris Nuss of Manchester, who indicated that she will be caucusing for the first time in several years and is trying to decide between New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Obama. "As this goes along, I'm getting closer to caucusing for him than I am for her. I don't think Oprah made a big difference as far as changing anyone's mind, but she was really good and it was worth it to come out on a cold night."

Cedar Rapids resident Matt Spellman, who is juggling between Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, said he doesn't anticipate making up his mind until the last minute.

"My girlfriend and I came to see both," he said while the couple inched their way out of the arena. "It was very exciting tonight. It stuck out to me when Oprah began to talk about the war and that just pressed home even more how much we need to get out. We've got to get our country back to the place it used to be in terms of international respect."

When everything was said and done, however, Spellman said he didn't hear anything new from the candidate on his wedge issue of education.

"I think I'll be making up my mind on caucus night," he said and added it may just come down to a coin toss.

Not everyone in the audience was undecided. At least two women traveled across three states to attend the event.

"We came all the way from Mississippi," said Suzanne Robinson. "We flew in this morning to see Obama. I like Oprah, but I came to see Obama. [The event] was wonderful. It was great. I was already sold on Obama, I just wanted a chance to see him live and at an event. I was not disappointed."

Robinson said that having Winfrey at the event was "just icing on the cake."

"He'll have to come to Mississippi next time," said Dorothy Howell, who traveled with Robinson. "I thought the event was wonderful -- very awe-inspiring."

While in Iowa the two women were staying with family in Coralville -- family that also supports Obama.

"I'm not going to be caucusing -- I'm undecided as a voter," said Coralville family member Kelli Malone. "I just think he is very impressive. He's right on the top of my list. The first time I saw him, he was being interviewed about the book he wrote. I was very interested in the book he wrote, although I have not yet read it. Still that first time I saw him I thought 'wow,' he's just very impressive. I also very much like his wife and I just think they make a nice package."

While Malone supports Obama and his candidacy she said she didn't plan to caucus because she never has, is concerned about finding time and is unsure of the process.

"I brought my mom and wife here tonight from Black Hawk County so they could see Oprah," said Ray Goodman as he stood in the skywalk, waiting for traffic to clear the parking garage so he could drive home. "They already support Obama and I know they will be caucusing for him. I was just the driver and, since I'm trying to decide between [Connecticut Sen. Chris] Dodd and [Delaware Sen. Joe] Biden, I really didn't think I'd get much out of tonight. But, I was wrong. Now I think Obama would make an excellent vice president for either of the other two.

"Of course, that's only if Dodd and Biden can't work something out between themselves," he added with a laugh and a wave as he headed to his vehicle.

6:25 p.m. -- Roughly 30 minutes out from the start of the campaign event featuring Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and the first lady of daytime television, Oprah Winfrey. The U.S. Cellular Center -- which will always be the Five Seasons Center in my heart -- is quickly filling with maybe half of the seats remaining open.

An all-male choir from Iowa City is entertaining the audience now. They are an A Capella group and doing very well -- not to mention making the wait bearable for those seated in the upper areas of the arena.

I'll attempt to live blog the entire event, however, there are concerns that all the press may overload the internet connection that's available. We'll see how it goes.

6:32 p.m. -- The men's group has left the stage and, as has become typical for an Obama event, some of the staffers are holding a watch-and-learn caucus training. I'm not sure that the audience is listening. Many seem to be heading to the concession stands or visiting with friends in the audience.

6:44 p.m. -- With the caucus skit complete, the stage is being set up with the podium while Tom Petty sings how he "won't back down" over the audio.

There are at least two different ticket colors for those attending. Some (supporters?) have a color that appears to grant them access to the floor. Depending on how much a person likes to stand, having this ticket could be a good thing or a bad thing. There is limited seating around the floor and those now coming in the door are left to stand between the stage and the seating areas (which will probably end up blocking the view of most in the first 2-3 rows of seats. My guess is that many will be standing throughout the event.

The first level of balcony is appears to be full now -- only spare seats here or there, probably being held for those who visit the facilities or concession stands. The top balcony is starting to fill as well. On one side, roughly two rows remain empty. On the other side, many more are open -- perhaps six rows.

The stage has been set in the round. From the way the podium is set, it looks as if press has risers straight on and stage right. Many of the national corps are still on the road here from the earlier event in Des Moines.

Many Johnson County folks are in the audience tonight, despite the rapidly declining weather outside. The outside doors have remained open for about the past 30 minutes as people continue to file in. This has resulted in the arena itself turning into an igloo. Most of the press -- since we are in the direct line of fire from the cold air -- have given up all pretense and reached for their coats and gloves. Many in the audience in this area have also put their coats back on.

7:09 p.m. -- The "fired up" and "ready to go" chanting and, of course, the wave has made a few rounds of the arena. "The way you do the thing you do" is playing and the mood in the arena is very festive with many people standing and dancing, waving signs and clapping to the beat of the music.

I haven't seen the national or traveling press come in yet, so I'm not sure if the weather has affected their travel time from Des Moines. The roads were already slick when I headed to the venue at 5 p.m. and the sky was still spitting a mix of ice and snow. It wouldn't be surprising if we got underway a bit late because of it.

An employee at the U.S. Cellular Center told me that the arena holds over 9,000 people. That would only be the actual seating, and there are at least another 1,000 to 2,000 on the floor in front of the stage now. During my last walk around the place, I had people estimate how many they thought were here. An elderly gentleman wearing a button for Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd low-balled it at 5,000. The highest number I got was 15,000. Most guessed there were between 10,000 and 12,000 here. If I run into a staff person later, I plan to ask how many tickets were distributed.

7:15 p.m. -- We must have did the entire music rotation because we're back to Tom Petty not backing down.

7:27 p.m. -- Staff ran out of signs and had to bring in two more boxes. (I know this because a friend sitting in the handicap section had asked me to go search for her a sign. There were none to be had until the new boxes arrived.) The arena is now brimming with signs and it looks like everyone who wanted one is going to be accommodated.

I asked two volunteers and three members of staff how many tickets were distributed for the event. Only one would wager a guess -- "about 10,00?" -- the rest said they had no way of knowing since there wasn't a centralized distribution location.

The arena is not completely full, but I'd wager there is only room in the stands for another few hundred people. The upper balcony on stage right that had a couple of empty rows at the top is now full. The other side that previously had six rows empty now has only the top two rows available.

We're definitely re-visting the recorded music. The folks are happy to be "living in America" for at least the second time tonight.

7:33 p.m. -- We're underway with Michelle Obama taking the stage first. The audience is very happy to have something to cheer about and nearly all are on their feet and waving signs.

"Thank you for being here tonight," Michelle Obama said. She added that she played a trick on the audience in Des Moines by telling them that Barack and Oprah weren't there. The people here put up with too much traffic and nasty weather for that type of trick, she said, and assured everyone that they were both backstage.

Michelle provided a few accolades to her husband and to Oprah Winfrey and then announced Oprah. If I thought the crowd went nuts over Michelle... that's nothing compared to what they are doing for Oprah. You can literally feel the applause beat on your skin.

Oprah starts her speech by leading the crowd in the "fired up, ready to go" chant. "You are here," she says, joking that on the way down they speculated that no one would be here due to the weather.

"This is completely stepping out of the box for me," she said. "I'm comfortable in my little box in my little studio. I've never taken this type of risk before. I've also never felt compelled to step out and speak like this before."

7:39 p.m. -- Oprah assures the audience she has no cars or refridgerators to give away, but says she is here because she believes what this country can be. I'm going to step away from the laptop for a few moments in hopes of taking some photographs.

7:46 p.m. -- I should have broken out the SLR camera with the zoom lens for tonight. Oh well...I think I got at least one good shot.

Oprah continues to speak. She brought the crowd to its feet a few moments ago when she said that people should not get caught up in the "experience" argument. "He's been living a long time," she said.

The crowd is on its feet again as she discusses Obama's "moral authority to do what is right" and brings up that he was against the Iraq war from the beginning.

7:48 p.m. -- "You are off-kilter when you neglect to realize that all human life is the same," she said. "We need a president who cares about our nation's friends and our enemies... We need a president that can bring us all together. We need a president who can overcome the racial divides. We need a president who can overcome the religious divides."

These are dangerous times she says -- don't you feel it? "What we need is a leader to teach us how to hope again," she said. "Barack Obama has siezed this moment and it is a beautiful thing to see... I see that he sees the potential in all of us."

7:51 p.m. -- "There are those who say about Barack Obama that maybe this isn't the time -- that we need to wait four more years or eight more years," she said. "No one is God and we don't know what the future holds... I believe the moment is now. The moment is now. You may not have four more years. You may not have tomorrow. You must seize this moment now."

That last statement had the audience on its feet and screaming their approval.

"Cedar Rapids, I know he is the one," she said before handing over the stage to Obama.

7:55 p.m. -- While the crowd is intoxicated with the loud music and Obama taking the stage, let me pass on that Cedar Rapids Fire Capt. Guy Williams has estimated that there are nearly 10,000 people in attendance.

"You know I like strong women," Obama said. "I was raised by strong women and I like strong women."

Once again I'm going to walk away from the laptop in order to search out a spot for photo-taking. Be back in just a few minutes.

8:04 p.m. -- Obama is hitting the funny material from his stump speech: "George Bush will not be on the ballot." and "My cousin, Dick Cheney, will not be on the ballot." This brought the crowd it its feet. Looking around, I'm curious by the laughter and applause how many are hearing this for the first time. They were even laughing at the "whispering" Republican story.

"We are in a defining moment in our history," he said. "Oprah referred to it and you can feel it."

As Obama moves on with what is primarily his stump speech -- the "great revival speech" as my friend refers to it -- I will note that most of the press has shucked the hats, coats and gloves again. Amazing how a few thousand people hopping around can heat a place up.

Say the war should have never been authorized is another big applause line of the night for Obama. The crowd is alternating between being very quiet and being extremely loud. At the moment there is quiet as Obama talks about the current state of affairs in the nation.

"We haven't just been talking about Health care since George W. Bush took office. We've been talking about it for decades and it is time we did something about it," he said.

8:11 p.m. -- If you read Chase's post about the Des Moines event earlier today, you'll note that he saw people leaving the venue while Obama spoke, after they'd seen Winfrey. Perhaps it is the difference in the venues -- my understanding was that there was little or no seating in Des Moines -- but I'm not seeing any people leaving from the Cedar Rapids event. Matter-of-fact, I don't even see people heading to the bathrooms or concession stands.

"People should be able to send their kids to a good school and send them to college," Obama said. "People should be able to retire with some respect and some dignity."

Obama has that tone in his voice that indicates we are wrapping up here. It's also worth noting that when he hit his last forceful note, his voice cracked. No doubt all the raised talking he does on the campaign trail takes its toll. As he raised his voice about tax breaks, his voice just broke again -- not so badly that he can't be understood, but definitely he's stressing the vocal cords tonight.

"I'm in this race because I am tired -- sick and tired -- of being sick and tired of talking about the 47 million people with no insurance," he said.

Obama finished the portion of his stump speech where he discusses how his mother spent the last few months of her life reading insurance forms and is now hitting education hard and heavy. It's difficult to hear what he is saying because of the audience. The folks here are being very rowdy with their approval.

"We don't have to just end the war in Iraq, We've got to change the mindset of what got us into the war in the first place," he said. "Cedar Rapids, I want to break the politics of fear. As President of the United States I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Obama said he will, then, finish the job in Afghanistan.

8:22 p.m. -- Obama says there are billions of people around the world who need us to be a bright and shining light, he said. I want to go before the world and go before the United Nations and say, "America is back and we are ready to lead again."

"I want to lead by brining about an end to the genocide in Darfur," he said. "I will close guantanamo and restore habeas corpus."

"Iowa our moment is now. America our moment is now. I don't want to spend the next four years just having the same old arguments and not getting anything done."

8:25 p.m. -- "Tomorrow I'm going to disclose all my kindergarten papers," he said. "Tommorrow I'm going to disclose that I colored outside of the lines."

"I always knew this was going to be an improbable journey, because I've never been on a journey that wasn't," he said. "I got on this journey because of something that Martin Luther King called the 'fierce urgency of now.'"

"I know the only reason I'm standing here today ... is because somebody, somewhere, at some point in our history, stood up when it was risky, stood up when it wasn't popular, stood up for ... you stood up," he said. "Now is our time to stand up! We can change America! I need you to stand with me and caucus with me! We will not only change America, but we will change the world."

8:30 p.m. -- "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" says the music. Only a few are heading to the doors, most are dancing in the arena as the music plays.

I'm going to hunt down some crowd members to chat with about the event. Everyone be safe on the ride home -- it's gonna be slick out there. Good night.

Often at December campaign stops in Iowa, presidential candidates accepting questions from the audience are presented with inquiries that have little, if anything, to do with the topic they came to discuss. Such was not the case at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids when Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd came to discuss the Constitution and the rule of law.

"I think everyone is this room will agree that [President] George Bush and [Vice President] Dick Cheney have abused the Constitution," said Bill Werner of Cedar Rapids. "If you really believe in restoring Constitutional law, I think George Bush and Dick Cheney really need to be brought to court to answer for all of their crimes. They've broken American law. They've broken international law... and the Democratic Congress has sat there -- spineless -- and let them get away with it. I think we need to have these two men held accountable."

Werner went on to add that he felt that with each passing administration, American presidents were grabbing more and more power. He asked how Dodd, as president, would scale back the powers that have been accumulated by the executive branch.

"Come January 20, I have no hesitancy whatsoever looking back and reaching back," Dodd said. "Those who have violated the law, the Constitution or any of those principles, will face the bar of justice [when I am] the next president."

At this point, Dodd was forced to pause his response while the audience applauded his answer. When the audience calmed, he continued, "Implicit in your question, I think, is the question of why we have not filed articles of impeachment or had an impeachment trial. For very practical reasons, I'm not enthusiastic about that approach. Democrats regained the power of the Congress a year ago. I identify with your frustration -- particularly on the Iraq war. The one reason we regained the power was because of the Iraq war. More than anything else, it is why people voted for Democrats last fall. They wanted a change in that policy and I think we have failed the people of this country terribly on that issue."

Congress has failed, according to Dodd, because they have not used the one power bestowed on them by the Founding Fathers to change bad policy: the power of the purse.

"[Congress] does not have the power -- nor should it -- to manage a conflict," Dodd said. "The idea of 535 members of Congress deciding what happens operationally, day-to-day when things come and go is not within our power -- nor should it be. But the power to stop funding a bad policy is exactly what was given to us by the Founding Fathers. Congress has one obligation, if you think this is a bad policy, stop funding it."

Dodd also cried foul on those who would say that by withholding funding Congress is not supporting the nation's military.

"I served in the military," he said. "I was in the National Guard and the Army Reserves after the Peace Corps. I'm offended by anyone who would suggest that because I'm going to stop funding this policy that I'm going to put our troops at risk. That's baloney. We are going to do whatever is necessary to see to it that our men and women in uniform are going to be safe and secure. That's not the issue. The issue is whether or not this policy is worth pursuing or not. Congress has one job: stop funding. I'm the only Democratic [presidential] candidate from the United States Senate that is opposed to funding the conflict in Iraq."

When it comes to impeachment, however, Dodd said he believes the American people will turn against any party that ties up government and prevents progress on the international and domestic issues our country faces.

"[Impeachment proceedings] would consume the entire year," he said. "Frankly, I will tell you that the likelihood of us winning the next national election becomes nil if that is all we end up doing over the next year. I think the American people would react terribly negatively -- with all the other issues they face, it would look like politics as usual. Democrats going after Republicans with no likelihood whatsoever of producing end results. You might have a trial, but you're not going to get a conviction."

In answering Werner's final question regarding power grabs by the executive branch, Dodd said "it hasn't just been Republican presidents."

"Too often we've allowed the executive branch to undermine legislative authority and to exceed executive authority," he said. "The latest effort of this are these so-called 'signing statements' ... you can sign it or veto it, but the idea that a president is going to all of the sudden describe what the Congress did in a signing statement is way beyond anything included in the Constitution of the United States. There will be no signing statements in a Dodd administration. I promise you that."

Werner, who posed a similar question to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and didn't feel he received an answer, said he was pleased that Dodd took the time to fully answer his question, but he didn't agree with what the candidate had to say.

"George Bush and Dick Cheney have broken countless laws in their pursuit of getting more power -- whether it is wire-tapping, extraordinary rendition, sending our troops into an illegal war," he said following the event. "I mean, basically, those guys are war criminals. If we are not willing to impeach these guys, that means that the next president that comes in, he's able to say, 'Well, if Bush and Cheney did it, it must be okay.' That's because we've condoned it. If we don't hold these guys accountable for the crimes they've committed, what does it say?"

Such high standards, Werner said, makes his decision on caucus night difficult.

"You know, I love [Ohio Congressman Dennis] Kucinich, but he has just no chance of winning," Werner said. "I know that's a bad thing for me to say, but he just has no chance in the world of actually winning the national election. They would tear him to pieces. [Former Alaska Sen.] Mike Gravel says a lot of wacky things, but sometimes I like what he says. I like [Illinois Sen. Barack] Obama because he, I think, is so smart and he appears to be able to bring people together in a way that I don't think [New York Sen.] Hillary [Rodham Clinton] could or in a way that [former North Carolina Sen. John] Edwards could. I was very impressed with Dodd."

Dodd opened his public remarks by reciting a quotation that's been attributed to Ben Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Werner said he sees little difference between what that quotation represents and the question he asked.

"If we are willing to sacrifice the rule of law so that we can be elected," he said, "how is that any different than what Ben Franklin warned against? If my child does something wrong, I expect them to be held accountable. I don't expect to delay it until a more convenient time. ...When the police see someone commit a crime, they don't say, 'Well, I'm not going to arrest you now. I'm going to do it a more convenient time.' That just isn't done."

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd was at Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids Thursday to discuss the Rule of Law and the Constitution with Iowans.

In the first two video clips below, Dodd's prepared remarks are presented with limited clipping for time. The last clip features two audience questions and Dodd's responses.

Politics, it's been said, makes for strange bedfellows. After the news that came out of the U.S. House of Representatives late yesterday, I'm about to prove that adage correct. I agree whole-heartedly and without question with Congressman Ron Paul on his vote against the Securing Adolescents From Exploitation-Online (SAFE) Act of 2007.

On Wednesday, members of the House voted 409 to 2 to approve a bill that says anyone offering a public, wireless internet connection must report illegal images including "obscene" cartoons and drawings or face fines up to $300,000. The two Congressmen who opposed were Paul and Rep. Paul Brown, R-Georgia.

The bill, if also approved in the U.S. Senate (something that seems likely), will enact new restrictions on multitudes of individual Americans and small businesses who operate public wireless networks.

Wednesday's vote caught Internet companies by surprise: the Democratic leadership rushed the SAFE Act to the floor under a procedure that's supposed to be reserved for noncontroversial legislation. It was introduced Oct. 10, but has never received even one hearing or committee vote. In addition, the legislation approved this week has changed substantially since the earlier version and was not available for public review.

The Senate has a similar bill, introduced by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and cosponsored by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, and six other legislators.

The definition of which images qualify as illegal is expansive. It includes obvious child pornography, meaning photographs and videos of children being molested. But it also includes photographs of fully clothed minors in overly "lascivious" poses, and certain obscene visual depictions including a "drawing, cartoon, sculpture, or painting." (Yes, that covers the subset of anime called hentai).

There is also an image retention component built into the law -- not for the government, but for the private entities running the servers. It is something especially troubling for Internet service and email providers, including Gmail and Yahoo!

Once again, at least it seems, the government is willing to sacrifice individual privacy under the guise of saving the children. Once again, it seems, we have legislators who are willing to rush faulty bills through without fully reading them or understanding their intent and impact. What we have now, in essence, is a green light for law enforcement to ticket a robbed convenience store for leaving it's door open during business hours.

If you have a laptop that can access WiFi, I highly encourage you to drive through nearly any neighborhood and see how many open connections there are. If I planned on doing something -- anything -- illegal while on the internet, I would not be sitting at the local coffee shop or library where everyone could see me. I'd pull into a middle-class neighborhood of a town where I didn't live and hop on to any of the numerous, open networks available to me.

Here's the big rub: the United States already has a law that requires Internet Service Providers to report child pornography to proper authorities. This is the exact problem this new SAFE Act also proposes to tackle.

What this new legislation does that the existing law does not is target wireless networks -- hotels, motels, coffee shops, hospitals, schools, restaurants, etc. And that, I believe, is the bullseye Congress took aim and fired upon. American cities have been fighting with existing internet companies in order to set up free public WiFi access throughout downtown (or larger) areas. The new law does not provide protections for government agencies that offer wireless connectivity. While the new law may create a new burden on services like Gmail when massive amounts of content must be retained, is there anyone who doubts Google's capability of doing so? Consider the same burden placed on your local coffee shop.

Two more aspects: "obscene" and "drawings."

I hate to bring up this question, but exactly who gets to define what is and what is not obscene? Quite frankly, I find very little obscene and I'm quite adept at pushing the delete or off button when I do encounter it. I have a very cute/funny photo of my middle daughter who shoved two bouncing balls up her shirt. Would that be considered obscene? How about the photo of my sister reaching across the Thanksgiving table and her shirt falling open to expose her bra? How about the family portrait from the early 1970s where my mom's skirt was too short and you can see up it?

When it comes to child pornography, the pictures are illegal as fruit of the crime. Where is the victim in a drawing? (Provided, of course, that there was no live model posing for the drawing.) How exactly does one punish a thought or a burst of creativity?

Okay, I lied, here's another point: enforcement. The only way the local coffee shop could possibly begin to enforce this is to manually check packets for graphics data. And, while I'm visiting geekdom for a moment, let me clue you in to what that really means: The local coffee shop is going to be checking your packets, all of them, all of the information that travels through their network going either to or from your laptop. They would have to do this because there is absolutely no way to determine what's in a packet of data until it is re-assembled. That is, the store or shop is going to have to look at every piece of data -- and, under this new law, retain it.

Finally, when your computer is connected to a network, there's really only one identifiable trait: your MAC address (a unique string that identifies your network card). How exactly do they plan to track people down based on a network card string? Those who know and who are doing something wrong are simply going to buy another one. Those of us who are just checking our email -- and praying that strange Uncle George hasn't sent any questionable jokes -- will be the ones tracked. We will be the ones watched. And, if we happen to screw up -- click a wrong link or open a wrong email -- our friends the shop owners will be liable for $150,000 if they fail to report us.

A new ad released today by the presidential campaign of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama features footage from the candidate's speech at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, held in November.

In the ad, Obama discusses his desire to move past the "textbook" campaign that pits "red" against "blue" America.

The minute-long television ad begins airing in Iowa today and, according to the campaign, may be aired elsewhere in the future.

The video of the full 20-minute speech made by Obama at the Democratic event is available on YouTube.

An autopsy on the body of 24-year-old Douglas John Lindseth of rural Ellsworth has determined "blunt force injuries of the head and multiple stab wounds and incised wounds of the chest and neck" to be the cause of death. Due to the findings of the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, the case is now officially classified as a homicide.

On Monday evening at roughly 7 p.m., deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to Lindseth's residence. Law enforcement was responding to a report of a possible assault and discovered Lindseth, already dead, upon arrival.

The following day, local law enforcement partnered with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to arrest 25-year-old Michael Anthony Lindseth on murder and burglary charges. Michael Lindseth is the victim's older brother. Assistance in the investigation and crime scene was also provided by the Story County Sheriff, Colo Ambulance, Hamilton County Attorney, Hamilton County Medical Examiner, Iowa State Patrol and the Ellsworth Ambulance Service.

No further details are being released at this time.

A mid-day event Wednesday in Marion was billed as a stop for the campaign of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and, without a doubt, the vast majority of the 40-some people in attendance were Clinton supporters, but there were also those Iowans who came just for the privilege of seeing her surrogate, Gen. Wesley Clark.

Susan Bremer of Marion is not only a supporter of Clinton, but a frequent volunteer for her campaign in Linn County. Coming to see Clark speak on Clinton's behalf was important, she said, because it adds to her knowledge base of the candidate.

"I want to know as much as I can about the people who are involved with her and her life," she said. "He's known her for 24 years. That gives you a good idea of what her personality is if she has friends like that."

Dale Todd of Cedar Rapids, who signed up early on with the campaign for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, didn't come to the event to learn more about Clinton.

"[Clark] is an incredibly neat and gifted public servant," Todd said after the event. "I worked and volunteered for him. There were a lot of us who were involved in his campaign -- or maybe we should say 'the campaign that could have' -- here in Iowa. We encouraged him to campaign in Iowa and, we think that if he had, the last election would have came out a bit different. We just saw huge support those last few weeks. If he had just came to Iowa, who knows what type of impact that might have had."

Todd came today, he said, "because Wes is a good friend."

"I don't think you'll find anybody who's got the depth and the breadth when it comes to foreign policy and the culture of the military," he said. "He's a hard worker and just has an incredible work ethic. And, really, he's just a down to earth guy. While he is outspoken and against the war, he commands a huge respect among the military. He's a force to be reckoned with -- one, of course, we would have loved to have on our side."

Bremer agrees and says she knows the Clinton campaign is fortunate to have such an important surrogate and supporter.

"He is unbelievable vocal and very charismatic," she said. "He is a presence. I met him last night at headquarters and while he was just standing there, he exudes professionalism and believability. You can tell he has honesty and integrity."

Clark spent the bulk of his prepared remarks listing the reasons why he is supporting a Clinton candidacy. The question and answer period, however, turned to foreign policy -- Clinton's vote to label the Iranian Guard as a terrorist organization, former military efforts in Bosnia and the current state of U.S. relations throughout the world.

"It is difficult for him to bring down the war into terms that the general public can understand, but he did very well today," Bremer said. "He was able to tell us about some of the Iran and Iraq issues that we are having and that they are having. He actually made me feel more comfortable wit the war just in those few minutes. I was looking at him and it is people like him who are commanding procedures over there. I feel confident -- especially with Hillary in as president -- that we are going to be able to pull out of this war with maybe less casualties that we expected originally.

"But, all that being said, he's just a super nice man and, of course, he's supporting Hillary because he's super intelligent smart," she added with a wide smile.

Bremer said that, like Clark, she has lots of reasons for her support of Clinton, even if she's never met the candidate face-to-face.

"I saw her and [former President] Bill [Clinton] at a park in Cedar Rapids on 4th of July," she said. "I got goosebumps -- the hair stood up on me. I've never seen anyone so warm and so loving and so kind, but at the same time very articulate about what she wants. She's going to be a tough candidate and I want her to be tough. We need to clean up this mess we are in now. I have kids and I don't want to leave the world this way because I was never wanting it the way it is now -- with Bush not caring about middle class people, the people that do all the work. They are the crux of the American society, economy and community. Hillary knows that they've been overlooked for the past eight years, and she's going to make sure that this doesn't continue."

Her words echo what Clark told the audience at the event.

"She wants the job to do something for the United States of America -- for our people -- and to use America's power to help people all over the world," he said. "I think that's the right reason and the right character to seek this office.

"So, Hillary Clinton. Smart. Experienced. Great character. Tough minded. She'll stand up for America. Let's make her our next president."

Video of Clark's prepared remarks is also available.

Gen. Wesley Clark was making the rounds in eastern Iowa today on behalf of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. One of his stops was at Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion. A portion of the General's prepared remarks are in the clip below:

As usual, I'm working on a formal write-up of the event for in the morning.

Seven Democratic presidential hopefuls converged in Des Moines Tuesday afternoon to take part in the first audio-only debate of the campaign hosted by Iowa Public Radio and broadcast nationally by National Public Radio. While front-running candidates exchanged a few swipes on the three issues discussed, and have had their words broadly publicized since the debate, the event provided a stage for the lesser-known and lesser-financed candidates: Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel. To say that they played the day for all it was worth would be an understatement.

When the debate concluded, a handful of candidates -- Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Kucinich and Gravel -- made themselves and their staff available to members of the press who had gathered outside or in the lobby of the Iowa State Historical Building.

The debate itself focused on three issues -- Iran, China and immigration -- in an attempt to bring more depth to the candidates' discussion. Some in the national press have argued that having Kucinich and Gravel as a part of the conversations in Des Moines weakened the format, removed talking time from the other candidates and served no purpose. Iowans -- many of whom said they listened to the debate were found at area businesses afterward -- welcomed at least one last opportunity to hear from the race's lesser-knowns.

"I don't feel that way at all," said Alano Rodriquez of Des Moines when asked if Kucinich and Gravel should have been excluded from the debate because of their lower poll numbers and lack of organization in Iowa. "I won't be caucusing for either of them, but what they have to say is important."

Jamie Marshall, who said she listened with friends from Iowa State University, agreed.

"I don't think the big candidates tell the truth all the time," she said. "I think you need the other, lower candidates in there to make them talk -- to get them out of their political comfort zones. I wish they'd let them talk more."

When asked about the format of the debate, Kucinich mostly declined comment.

"I think NPR did a good job," he said before walking away.

While no Iowans were willing to concede a Gravel or Kucinich win in the debate, not one was found who was unappreciative of the candidates being invited and participating.

"Many of us -- at least I know this is true for me -- have chosen our candidate," Rodriquez said between sips from a coffee cup. "We aren't going to see the other candidates like we should, and are now concentrating our efforts to help our candidate. These events that have all the candidates are probably the only time those of us who are supporting one candidate or another get to hear from the others."

Rodriquez said he has chosen his first and second candidate choices, but refused to name them because his "number two keeps changing."

Candidates taking part in the debate were New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Biden, Dodd, Kucinich and Gravel. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was not present for the debate. He attended the funeral of Clem R. Boody, an Iowa soldier who lost his life during the Korean War. Richardson and Anthony Principi, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, were instrumental in the recent return of the veteran's remains to his family.

NPR and IPR have stated that they hope to put on a similar audio-only event for the Republicans after the first of the year -- no word yet on when and/or who has been invited.

Author Clarification: Based on conversations I had with guests following the debate, this article originally stated that guests at the event were provided a live video feed of the debate. National Public Radio and Iowa Public Radio provided no video or closed-circuit viewing of the debate for either guests or the press.

It's been said that the caucuses are the reason that Iowa doesn't have an NFL team: there's simply not enough energy in the state for people to concentrate on both. In many ways this is true, although unfortunate for those of us who love the pigskin.

I snapped this photo by accident while trying to get a shot of former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards working the "sign line" at the Hawkeye Community College event with Congressman Bruce Braley on Monday.

What's interesting is while I halfway remembered the lady's head popping into one of the pictures -- and, yes, that's Edwards right behind her -- I didn't really "see" her. I was too busy looking through the camera and trying to get the shot of the candidate.

While I don't want to get too melancholy on a Tuesday night, it seems to me that I'm truly a member of the press now because I -- just like "them" -- allowed myself to get so caught up in chasing the one that I forgot the many. For the next 30 days I'm going to wake up each morning and remind myself that all of this isn't just about the candidates and I will do my best to keep the focus on all of you.

At the end of the day, I'm going to be very proud to know that I've met the next resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. That being said, I'm going to be even more proud that I was part of this wonderful and often times crazy process in Iowa. Sign wars. Driving 10 miles on snow and ice in hopes of asking a question at a political rally. Walking past the expensive button, bumper sticker and t-shirt vendors because we know campaigns have free stuff inside. Plastering our bumpers with numerous candidate stickers because we haven't decided yet. Standing outside an event hall for an hour, in the rain, and only getting a handshake in return. Houses with rival candidate signs -- or rival party signs -- in the yard. A firm understanding that caucusing is better with warm treats and goodies.

No one does it like we do it. No one does it better.

This morning, before a crowd of roughly 100 Iowans at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, one of Iowa's youngest Congressmen was the first from Iowa to offer an endorsement of a presidential candidate. Congressman Bruce Braley publicly announced his support for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Following the event, Braley, an Edwards activist in 2004, said he was happy to endorse the Democratic candidate and explained the timing.

"I represent the First District of Iowa and I wanted to make sure that the people in the First District had the opportunity meet the Democratic candidates and make up their own minds," he said. "I was trying to make sure that I had a clear distinction between the stances of all the candidates and I had also told all of them that I would not be making an endorsement decision until after Thanksgiving. I've been very focused on my job in Washington and I've not had the time to sit back and reflect on this important decision."

According to Edwards, the Braley endorsement was "heavily courted" by the candidates in the Democratic field.

Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, CLC, are touring Iowa to drum up support for Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and his bid for the White House. In the video below, fire fighters participating in the tour discuss why they support the Dodd candidacy.

The men and women on the tour have visited Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Fort Dodge, Boone, Ames, Nevada, Marshalltown, Mason City, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Ottumwa. The tour will continue today with stops in Keokuk (Keokuk Labor Temple, 1:30 p.m.) and Burlington (Catfish Bend Casino, 6 p.m.).

On Tuesday the tour will visit Muscatine and Davenport, locations to be announced. On Wednesday the fire fighters will visit Clinton (Best Western Frontier Motor Inn, 9 a.m.) and Dubuque (Happy's Place, 7 p.m.).

The tour wraps up on Thursday with stops in both West Des Moines and Des Moines, exact locations to be announced. Dodd will join with the fire fighters at their final stop in Des Moines. The latest information on the tour is available on the Fire Fighters for Dodd website.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, judging by his public remarks, wanted to speak to audience members in Cedar Rapids about the economy, immigration and taxes. Audience members at the event, however, not only had questions about Romney's social conservative beliefs, but left the venue with mixed reactions to his answer.

"There was an article in our local newspaper this morning... that said 'GOP Pro-Choice Group Targets Romney,'" said a male questioner at the Nov. 30 event. "The article states that they are going to challenge you on what they call this flip-flop on abortion. I want to know, from you, how you are going to combat this type of smear tactic?"

Less than a second passed from the end of the question to Romney beginning his response.

"You know, it really is great that you can be defined by people attacking you in some respects and, you know, I guess they just can't get over the fact that somebody who was effectively pro-choice -- I've always personally opposed abortion, but I questioned what the role of government should be and said I'd protect the current law and that's a pro-choice position," Romney said. "When someone who is pro-choice becomes pro-life, the media and some people just can't get enough of it. You go the other direction and it is heralded like you've made some great and wonderful discovery. If you become firmly pro-life, people get all upset about it.

"My experience is pretty straight forward. It was all an interesting topic and I laid out my position, theoretical in some respects, until I became governor, and a bill came to my desk that would have allowed the creation of new embryos -- new life -- solely for the purpose of experimenting and destroying them. I simply couldn't sign it."

Romney said he spoke with the the individuals pushing for that bill and explained to them that he could not sign the legislation. He said he also authored a column in a Boston newspaper proclaiming his new pro-life credentials.

"Every piece of legislation that came to my desk, I came down on the side of the sanctity of human life," he said. "Every single one. And when my term as governor was over the Massachusetts Citizens for life invited me to come to their banquet and receive a leadership award for my contribution and my commitment to life as governor of Massachusetts. But, you know, there are some people who do not want to forgive you for making a mistake. And the truth is I was wrong. I saw that I was wrong. I admitted I was wrong and I'm now pro-life. That's just the way it's going to be. I'm not going to apologize for following the same pathway Ronald Reagan followed."

The audience, which erupted with applause twice, appeared at least agreeable with Romney's answer. One Johnson County Republican in the audience, however, said he's not sure if the explanation given is good enough to earn his support.

"Of course, no matter who the Republican is on the November ticket, I'll vote for that person," said Doug Roberts, who said he's trying to decide if he will caucus for Romney or former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "What I really want to do -- what I think is important -- is to be for someone instead of against someone on the other ticket. I want to feel good about my choice and, while I believe Romney when he says he is pro-life, there's something inside of me that says he always was and just played a game to be elected governor in Massachusetts."

That type of opportunism -- of a politician saying what he or she thinks will turn out the most voters -- is something that doesn't sit well with Roberts.

"I know I'm not alone in feeling that way," he added. "It isn't Planned Parenthood taking out these ads -- it's Republicans. If a person will say whatever to get a job, I don't think that necessarily makes that person trustworthy."

Lisa Davis of Monticello disagrees and says she plans to caucus for Romney.

"No matter what you think about how [Romney] was elected to be governor, you have to admit that he has always voted pro-life," she said after the event. "Actions speak louder than words, in my opinion, and his actions have always been where I wanted them to be."

The 30-second television ad and full-page newspaper spread discussed in the Associated Press article is being funded by the Republican Majority for Choice and have already been distributed to Iowa voters. The group will spend more than $100,000 to run the television ad in Iowa and New Hampshire and to place newspaper ads in the Des Moines Register, Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Union Leader.

Jennifer Blei Stockman, the group's national chairwoman, said the flip-flopping question is fair.

"It's an issue about trust," she said. "We believe candidates running for the highest office in our land should be capable of trust."

In 2002, according to Stockman, Romney sought out the group's endorsement and won it based on his responses on a questionnaire -- specifically his pledge of support for Roe v. Wade as well as for providing state funding for poor women seeking abortions.

Romney, who has previously enjoyed a sizable lead in Iowa polling, has recently begun to see Huckabee gaining traction with voters -- both in the state and nationally. The Romney campaign has distributed mailers in South Carolina which tout the candidate's anti-abortion credentials, stating he is "the only major presidential candidate who supports the Republican Party's pro-life platform: A Constitutional amendment banning abortion nationwide." The readers' definition of "major" determines whether or not this is a factual statement.

Iowa politicos don't need holiday decorations on street light poles in order to know it's December.

Today, following a poll in the Des Moines Register that gave Illinois Sen. Barack Obama a six point up-swing to over take his competitors for the first time in the Democratic field, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton continued her earlier attacks on Obama's health care plan. This time, however, the New Yorker took it a step further by suggesting what goes around in politics comes around and, when questioned, that Iowa voters who pay attention might discover Obama has a character flaw.

"It's beginning to look a lot like that, when we can't get a straight answer on health care, where somebody runs on ethics and not taking money from certain people is found to have at least skirted if not violated [Federal Election Commission] rules and to use lobbyists and [Political Action Committee] money to do so," she said. "... I have said for months that I would much rather be attacking Republicans and attacking problems in our country."

"I have been for months on the receiving end of rather consistent attacks," she added, "well, now the fun part starts. We're into the last month and we're going to start drawing contrasts because I want every Iowan to have accurate information when they make their decisions."

Obama was quick to launch his own weapons in this battle of words via press release following the Cedar Rapids Clinton event: "This presidential campaign isn't about attacking people for fun, it's about solving people's problems, like ending the war and creating a universal health care system. Washington insiders might think throwing mud is fun, but the American people are looking for leadership that can unite this country around a common purpose, and that's what I'll continue to offer in this campaign."

Clinton had been scheduled to appear in Cedar Rapids to push a caucus "buddy" program, an effort to pair 20,000 Iowans to caucus for her. Just 30 minutes prior to the campaign stop, the Clinton campaign issued a press release that accused Obama of "rewriting history" when he said at his own campaign stop in the state that he had "not been planning to run for president for however number of years some of the other candidates have been planning for."

The release cites articles from four separate news organizations as proof that Obama has done the exact opposite -- including a news article that detailed the candidate's third grade essay entitled, "I Want to Be a President."

"Senator Obama's comment today is fundamentally at odds with what his teachers, family, classmates and staff have said about his plans to run for president," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer. "Senator Obama's campaign rhetoric is getting in the way of his reality."

Obama's Iowa press spokesman, Tommy Vietor, struck back with sarcasm: "I'm sure tomorrow they'll attack him for being a flip-flopper because he told his second grade teacher he wanted to be an astronaut."

An earlier press release -- distributed at roughly 11:30 a.m. -- repeated a call by Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on "Meet the Press" this morning that Obama shut down a PAC.

Wolfson faced off against Obama strategist David Axelrod on the news show this morning, saying: "There's a lot that voters don't know about Barack Obama. And one thing they don't know -- we found out this week -- is that he has been using and operating a so-called leadership PAC, in apparent contravention of campaign finance laws, taking in money from lobbyists despite the fact that he said he doesn't take money from lobbyists, taking in money from lobbyists and giving money out to candidates in New Hampshire and Iowa to support his presidential campaign. Senator Clinton does not have such a PAC."

Wolfson went on to describe the money as a "slush fund" and to call on the Senator to shut it down. The Clinton campaign has made the question available on YouTube.

Federal Election Commission law prevents a candidate's campaign from using leadership PAC monies to directly benefit the campaign. Clinton has charged that Obama's fund -- Hopefund -- has given 68 percent of its political donations to officials in early states.

The heated exchange between the two candidates came to a head late last week when the Clinton campaign strongly suggested that the Obama campaign remove its television ad in New Hampshire that focused on health care, stating that it was inaccurate.

"I am writing concerning a false advertisement you are currently airing, in which Sen. Obama claims that his health care plan would 'cover everyone,'" Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle wrote in a letter to David Plouffe, Obama campaign manager. "Your advertisement not only contradicts the judgment of health care experts, but public statements by your campaign and your candidate. Senator Obama has pledged to put 'honesty first' in this campaign. In that spirit I respectfully request that you stop running this ad which is misleading voters in New Hampshire."

I had planned on attending the Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Moines today, but the weather didn't cooperate. We began heading west on I-80 only to hit a solid sheet of ice. Still, we continued to truck along until we saw a van that appeared to have flipped off the top of an overpass and into the interstate median. It looked bad and was enough to scare us into taking the next exit.

We were just able to get checked into a hotel room and found the Heartland event on CSPAN's Road to the White House.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards came out first and, judging by his last two answers, he appeared to have done a good job. He hit on his two Americas theme, and most of the questions seemed to fit directly into his stump speech.

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is on stage now. A Latino woman from Marshalltown is asking a question -- she appears to be incredibly emotional -- that relates to the recent immigration raids in the community.

A woman named Marvie Chapman from the Mississippi Poultry Project in Lake, Miss. She works at Tyson and wants to talk about labor concerns.

Kucinich shows her his watch -- her Lady of Guadaloupe -- and then proceeds to answer her question in both Spanish and English. He says he wants to end NAFTA and get out of the WTO. "We give those who come to this country a path to legalization," he said.

The audience is responding to him extremely positively -- lots of cheering and applause.

Following a question by a Korean woman, Kucinich is now offering his labor stump speech. He is extremely passionate as he shouts that NAFTA must be repealed, that workers must be allowed to organize and that health care should be public -- Kucinich is the only of the Democratic candidates who has a fully public health care plan.

Vern Tigges of Carroll is asking a question on behalf of Iowan Citizens for Community Improvement. He wants to know about hog lots -- about air quality. Deborah Kathleen Thomas follows Tigges. She is a part of the Powder River Basin Resource Council in Colorado and continues to pound home the environmental impacts of various corporations. She wants to know how Kucinich would stop the political interests of corporations.

"Why do we permit the oil companies to have federal land anyway?" asks Kucinich. "We have to move our economy away from reliance on oil, coal and nuclear."

"We have a right to demand that our government represents us and upholds the Constitution," he said.

When Edwards was on earlier, he was asked if he'd meet with the community leaders in the first 100 days of his term as president. Edwards responded that he'd do it in the first week. Kucinich was just asked the same question and he responded that they should all just come into the White House and sleep in the Lincoln bedroom.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is on a satellite up-link. It seems the weather has prevented her from traveling into Des Moines for the event.

Barb Kolbach, a board member for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, is providing the opening statement about the forum -- just as she has done for all of the candidates thus far.

I now understand a little bit more about the format. In each question period, you have two community activists. The first activist tells a story and the second asks a question.

Patricia Divine Wilder of Walla Walla, Washington and representing Washington Community Action Network. She tells the story of a family member who could not afford insurance and was diagnosed with cancer and died quickly afterward. It is very emotional moment for the questioner and many in the audience.

Debra Greenwood of Atlanta's Gamaliel Foundation continues to discuss Americans not having health care.

"I am proposing a universal health care plan," Clinton said. "I don't want to leave any American out." She said that if you have health insurance that you like, you don't have to switch. Otherwise she plans to open up the Congressional health care plan to the public.

Bret McFarland, a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and a physician at a Polk County hospital, says he finds Clinton's plan flawed because of the private-public mix. "Why further reward the greed of private insurance with more monies?" he asks.

"My plan provides for a public option to compete with private insurance," she said. She added that her plan regulates the private insurance companies. "I've been working on this for more than 25 years," she said.

As the doctor finished his question, the audience erupted... very positive toward the doctor and his question.

New Mexico resident Mayte Rodriquez of Somos un Pueblo Unido said she was brought to the United States when she was very young by her single mother. "We have a broken immigration system," she said. Mayte said she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class and holds two associate degrees. She said she will soon have her bachelor's degree and she wants to teach. She wants to know why her family -- a family who now calls this nation home, despite them being in different stages of immigration -- and her community cannot integrate. She says their success will be this nation's success.

Larry Ginter of Rhodes, another member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, adds family farming to the immigration question -- "we've got to quit treating immigrants like common criminals," he said. "Is it time to rethink our immigration policy?"

Clinton calls for comprehensive immigration reform that protects our borders. She says employers should not be able to exploit people.

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refuge Rights member Billy Lawless wants to know if Clinton is willing, in her first 100 days, to give immigrants a path to citizenship.

"I have been in favor in a path to citizenship for years," she said. "I have spoken out about it in Iowa and in the nation."

Lawless says, "What about the first 100 days?"

Clinton responds that Congress has to do the legislation... and is subsequently greeted with a grumbly "boo" from the audience. Another round of grumbling occurs as Clinton signs off.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd is up now.

Dodd hears from a black gentleman who discusses... with a bit of a ramble... community values. Finally the question comes to the front: Would you support community values?

"As a 22-year-old when I graduated from college, I was inspired by a president to join the Peace Corps," Dodd said. He adds that he knows that when people work together, they can make a difference. He also takes time to plug the Family and Medical Leave Act.

"This nation of ours has an obligation to not only provide that type of community values here but also abroad," he said.

Tam Tran of Los Angeles and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. She tells the story of an immigration raid separating her from her family -- after she was raised as an American since she was six years old.

The question comes from Emira Palacios of Witchita, Kansas (Sunflower Community Action), who came to this country 22 years ago and is now a citizen. "How should a nation that values community treat others who are born elsewhere but are now woven into the fabric of America?" she asked.

"I"m a strong advocate of the Dream Act in a sense," he said. "That's the easy thing to say, but let me tell you what I've done." He goes on to discuss legislation he has proposed and passed to keep families together.

"We have to have secure borders," he said. "We have to deal with the security issues." Dodd is cut off as his time is up. He laughs and tells them he's still getting more time in this forum than he gets the other debates.

Veronica Dahlberg, director of HOLA Latino Organization, asks about six children who were taken and placed in foster care while the parents were put in jail. "This is the consequence of enforcing bad laws without reforming them," she said.

She wants to know if Dodd will over a path to citizenship in the first 100 days of his administration.

Dodd said he would. "I begin with the notion of being a welcoming people," he said. "I will make this a priority." He said that no one candidate or no one political party is going to get this accomplished. Dodd hops to his "results matter" stump speech and hits his Head Start legislation... audience reacts to him positively.

Second group of community leaders... Cary Martin, a practicing attorney from Chicago, who is a former homeless person. She is a member of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. She tells her personal story -- how she was given opportunities that helped her to be able to succeed.

The first question comes from Kenya Bradshaw of Concerned Memphians United of Memphis, Tennessee. "What will you do to ensure my generation is not forever burden by personal debt for basic needs -- education, housing, etc.?" (paraphrased)

Dodd goes off about the Bankruptcy Bill and says it was one of the worst pieces of legislation passed in the past 30 years. "You ought to never lose your home in a bankruptcy proceeding," he said.

Dodd takes a swipe at his opponents by saying that he likes the stump speeches he is hearing from the candidates today, but he wishes they were with him 20 years ago when he was fighting for the same things they are making speeches about now.

Matt Russell of Lamoni, part of Iowa Citizen Action Network, says that pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is a failed domestic policy.

"I invite people to go back and look at my record over the last quarter of a century on these issues," said Dodd. "I'm no johnny-come-lately on these issues."

When asked if he would meet with community leaders in first 100 days of office, Dodd said the community leaders wouldn't have to wait until after inauguration, that he'd meet with them in the week following the election.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is now on the stage and getting the introductory remarks from Tony Boatman -- "If elected will you ensure our nation lives up to its community values?"

"Absolutely," said Obama. He is now providing an overview of his life -- that he worked as a grassroots organizer in Chicago. "Important for us, as Americans, to know that we aren't in this on our own," he said.

The story Obama hears comes from Dedra Lewis of Springfield, Massachusetts. She speaks about her daughter, who suffers from a rare eye disorder, and how she lost her health insurance. The question comes from Martha Sanchez, president of Pilsen Neighbors Community Council in Chicago. "Are you willing to tell the American public that, in some ways, there is a need for more government?"

Obama beings by thanking Dedra and her daughter for sharing their story. "Government has a role to play in helping people live out their dreams," he said. This means health insurance -- not just in an emergency room -- it should be health insurance they can count on. He said the private sector is not enough.

Robin Ghormley of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement stresses that the gap between rich and poor must be closed. She wants to know how he will achieve that goal.

"We have lost balance in this country," he said. He says special interests have been driving the agenda for too long. "They will not work in my White House and they will not drown out the voices of the American people."

Obama said he will rollback the George W. Bush tax cuts and that he will close tax loopholes for companies who set up business outside of our nation. Obama is cut off when he runs out of time.

Barbara Anderson of Cleveland, Ohio -- Empowering and Strengthening Ohio's People -- also discusses what predatory lending has done to her neighborhood. "Will you put pressure on lenders to convert adjustable rate mortgages to fixed rate mortgages? What steps will you take to provide relief to the people with these mortgages?"

Obama says that he's going to "round them all up." He wants to bring everyone to the table to help those still in their homes keep them and those who have already lost find homes. The federal government, he said, needs to regulate this. He adds that he has sponsored legislation that will help deal with it.

When asked the 100 days question, Obama said he's going to be calling all the groups in to help shape the agenda for his administration.

The event -- at least as far as the presidential candidates are concerned -- has wrapped up. If we can find the Brown and Black forum on the boob tube tonight, we might check back in. Until then, and also in the morning, every please be safe. It's mighty slick out there.