Sprint to Iowa Caucus Has Presidential Candidates John Edwards, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson on the Road

Only in the first-in-the-nation state can you be within 25 miles of seeing John Edwards, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, and Chris Dodd in the last few days of the 2008 Iowa Caucus campaign season.

At early a.m. stops in Centerville and Ottumwa on January 2, John Edwards (www.johnedwards.com/iowa), urged supporters to make sure they get to their caucus and bring their family, friends, and neighbors - unless, he added good naturedly, "You think they plan to support someone else." To the more than 50 supporters at a pre-dawn event in Centerville and that many in Ottumwa, he said he was energized by this 36-hour tour that would take him to most parts of the state.

Volunteers from many states have flooded into Iowa to campaign for their candidates in the last few days. Natives speculate that the early caucus timing, which was moved to January 3 to ensure Iowa has the first vote, enabled more volunteers to come because they could factor the trip into their holiday breaks. As Kristy Mundt of San Diego shook John Edwards' hand she told him she had not worked for a candidate since Bobby Kennedy.

"You inspire me," she added.

Barak Obama (www.barackobama.com) welcomed supporters to Ottumwa High School on Saturday. Former President Clinton was set to appear before a packed ballroom at the Hotel Ottumwa on New Year's Eve, but mechanical problems grounded his plane in western Iowa. He spoke to the group via phone, urging them to support Senator Clinton (www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/iowa/) and let her put her experience to work for them. Because Mr. Clinton could not get there, the campaign paid for attendees' entry to the hotel's annual New Year's Eve party. Hotel staff had to work at breakneck speed to convert the ballroom from seating area to party site.

On Tuesday, Joe Biden (www.joebiden.com/iowa) will appear in Ottumwa at noon, Chris Dodd (http://chrisdodd.com) at 3:45 and Hillary Clinton at 6:30. Their volunteers have been busy calling potential attendees. During the past weekend, canvassers for all candidates braved snow and bitter winds to canvass voters (which translates to knocking on home doors). They are generally created with civility, but it is becoming more common to be greeted with a grumble. Usually Iowans get a longer break from the campaigns over the holiday season. This year, phones generally didn't ring on Christmas Eve or Christmas, but there was no such pause for the New Year holiday.

As candidates tell their supporters at every stop, turnout is the key. Fortunately, the ice and snow storms that have swept the state for the past 10 days have moved to the east, and temperatures will actually go above freezing in some parts of the state on January 3.

Meanwhile, life goes on in Iowa. This morning local radio reported that there are one million hogs backed up for processing at meat packing plants.

Unfortunately, they can't vote.