Say A Little Prayer
With 81 of 1781 precincts reporting, the IA Dem Party shows John Edwards leading Hillary Clinton 37-30%, with Barack Obama at 28%, Joe Biden at 2% and Bill Richardson at 1%.
ABC News' Sarah Amos reports, Richardson "took the day off from campaigning." Richardson did, however, dismiss the Iowa Independent story claiming he had "struck a deal" with Obama's camp if Richardson doesn't reach 15% ("Political Radar").
"The good news is not a lot of people have talked to Bill Richardson personally, so perhaps we're benefited from the blogosphere in that sense" -- Obama adviser Samantha Power, on the deal rumors (Politico.com).
Dem strategist Donna Brazile writes on CNN's "Political Ticker": "Joe Biden is definitely a part of the conversation out in Iowa. Quite honestly, it seems to me that he doesn't have a hard time convincing voters that he is the best candidate for the job -- the tough task is convincing folks that he is viable. But his camp seems confident that this is where their large group of legislators and party chairs will bring it home for them. Once they get into those rooms on caucus night, they say, they will see all the others for Biden -- and between that and professional organizers doing their thing, they will bring it home to fourth place or higher."
Howard Dean wrote a letter to caucus goers. Basically, all the candidates are good (Caucus Call! reporting).
Wall Street Journal's Brody Mullins reports, Bill Clinton "created a stir" at Brubaker Elementary in Des Moines. "Scores of caucus-goers left their assigned classrooms as word spread that the" ex-Pres. was greeting late arrivals. B. Clinton "didn't campaign heavily for his wife. Instead, he seemed to bask in the praise of" Dem fans ("Washington Wire").
Mitt Romney IA press sec. Tim Albrecht announced tonight that the press bus "has logged more than 1900 miles" since Romney got to the state last Thursday and started traveling on Friday. And though Romney's "been known to change clothes mid-day before, he was wearing the same dark blue suit and bright blue tie he was wearing this morning" at the first caucus site (NBC/National Journal).
CNN's Bill Schneider: "The majority of Democrats who arrived early at the caucus are women. ... The Republican side includes a lot of older voters. ... Most of them are evangelical Christians."
ABC News' Jake Tapper and Kevin Chupka report, "a spontaneous prayer circle" consisting of Mike Huckabee supporters "broke out” in the Des Moines Embassy Suites ballroom. The group then sang "God Bless America" ("Political Radar").
