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Hello, everyone! It’s 6:30 p.m. and people are continuing the file in the door of the gymnasium at Vernon Middle School in Marion. It’s difficult to say how many are here tonight as more than one precinct is sharing the area. 6:38 p.m. — I’d estimate that there are 300 people in the room right [...]

[Exclusive] — Contrary to news reports from state and national media, three of Iowa’s Democratic campaigns want their supporters to know that no blanket campaign directive has been issued, instructing supporters to throw support behind a different candidate during tonight’s caucus. “If Iowans are independent enough to have chosen me from the field of candidates, [...]

… attacks on former Gov. Mitt Romney arrive in Iowa all the way from Massachusetts. A letter is being circulated in Iowa from primarily Massachusetts activists that accuses “conservative elites” of selling out principles and ignoring the grassroots by supporting Romney. In a press release late Wednesday by the Parents’ Rights Coalition/MassResistance, the letter was [...]

… Iowans are having flashbacks to 2004. During the 2004 caucus, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich instructed his supporters to join forces with then North Carolina Sen. John Edwards if they were not viable at the precinct level. Many credited the influx of support from Kucinich with propelling Edwards to a second place finish in Iowa [...]

… 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 [...]

… 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, [...]

… 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 [...]

… 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]