Iowa Campaign Enters Frenzied Final Hours

On The Ground And Over The Airwaves, White House Hopefuls State Their Cases

(CBS/AP)  On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, candidates from both parties made their closing pitches to the voters who could play an influential role in determining the Democratic and Republican nominees.

While the three leading Democrats criss-crossed the state and made televised appeals, the Republican contest included one candidate - Mike Huckabee and John McCain - whose schedule was notable for a visit to Los Angeles to appear on late night TV.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is asking Iowans to "take the first step" toward changing the direction of the country by voting for her at the caucuses. (watch the video)

"After all the town meetings, the pie and coffee, it all comes down to this: Who is ready to be president and ready to start solving the big challenges we face on Day One," Clinton says in the two-minute appeal to be broadcast during Wednesday evening news programs.

John Edwards will rely on the words of laid-off Maytag worker Doug Bishop, who offers a one-minute testimonial that recalls Edwards' pledge to Bishop's son four years ago that "I'm going to keep fighting for your daddy's job, I promise you that."

Barack Obama, like Clinton, purchased two-minute time slots across the state, for an ad that will air during news broadcasts. Also, in an e-mail to Iowa supporters Tuesday, Obama state director Paul Tewes cast the Illinois senator as the Democratic candidate who can attract independents and Republicans. The campaign did not immediately make a copy of the TV ad available.

Obama's campaign is focusing on turning out independent and undecided voters -- and even a few Republicans, CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds reports.

"I think he's very genuine," said Bob Hamilton, one of the Republicans who says he'll caucus for Obama.

A large turnout in Iowa should favor Obama; lower participation rates is expected to help Clinton or Edwards.

In Clinton's ad, the New York senator recounts her months of stumping through Iowa, saying "the stories you have shared will always stay with me." Iowa, first among the states to vote on nominees for president, holds its caucuses Thursday night.

Simple and spare in production, her campaign tries to create the aura of an Oval Office address with the ad. In a close-up shot, Clinton is seated with what appear to be a window and table topped with flowers in a vase in the background.

"I'm not running for president to put Band-Aids on our problems. I'm running to solve them," she said, as she has many times at campaign events.

Clinton adds a human touch to deflect criticism suggesting she is cold and calculating.

"You have welcomed me into your hearts and your homes. And I thank you," she says. "Parents juggling jobs to pay for college for their kids. Soldiers' families praying for a safe return. All the men and women across the state who have whispered their health care problems to me - bills they can't pay, parents they can't afford to care for, insurance companies who refuse to help."

Clinton's turnout effort is focused on senior citizens and older women, CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod reports, and has 5,000 drivers ready to help Iowans reach their caucus sites -- compared to the 400 used by the 2004 winner, John Kerry. Her effort even includes babysitting assistance for parents who don't want to leave their children alone during the caucuses, which start in the early evening.

Most surveys show Clinton, Obama and Edwards in a close and fluid three-way contest. Those surveys also have identified a large group of activists who have yet to settle on a candidate or who say they could still change their minds.

Clinton and Obama are visiting five cities each in Iowa on Tuesday.

Edwards makes his last appeal to Iowa voters, not with his own words, but those of Bishop, a working class father. By using Maytag as a foil, the ad touches an emotional nerve in Iowa. Maytag's washer and dryer factory was once the pride of Newton, Iowa, until it closed its doors in October. For Edwards, the plant represents a symbol for his populist rhetoric - one that criticizes corporations, foreign trade deals and special interests.

"I want a guy that's going to sit down and look a 7-year-old kid in the eye and tell him, 'I'm going to fight for your dad's job,"' Bishop says, as he introduces Edwards to an Iowa crowd. "That's what I want. I'm going to do my best to make sure that my children aren't the first generation of Americans that I can't look them in the eye and say, 'You're going to have a better life than I had."'

Edwards supplemented his television spot with a full-page ad in the Des Moines Register that included a written message from Bishop and a lengthy essay from Edwards.

He is also in the middle of a 36-hour marathon of campaigning, one that has already forced him and his staff to change buses twice - the first bus broke down, and the second didn't have enough workspace for staff, CBS News' Aaron Lewis reports. (Read more from Lewis)

At a stop in Mt. Pleasant, Edwards sounded a skeptical note when asked about the possible impact of Dennis Kucinich's instructions that his supporters caucus for Obama at sites where they fail to reach a viability threshold.

"It's very hard to tell Iowa caucus-goers what to do," he said. "I think they'll make up their own minds."

Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, also spoke up at the event, dismissing a radio ad from Obama - while also offering a surprise defense of Clinton's health care plan, Lewis reports.

"It's just complete untruth," she said. "I'll speak on behalf of Senator Clinton as well. Both Senator Clinton's and John Edwards's health care plans cover one hundred percent of Americans and Senator Obama's does not."

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The Republican race is largely a two-man contest between Mitt Romney and Huckabee. Recent polls have shown the two nearly tied, with McCain and Fred Thompson vying for a distant third place.

Instead of spending the day in Iowa, Huckabee flew out to Los Angeles to appear on the first episode of NBC's "The Tonight Show" since the Writers' Guild launched a strike in December.

At a stop in Bettendorf, Romney took a shot at Huckabee, suggesting his caucus-eve priorities are misplaced, CBS News' Scott Conroy reports.

“Frankly my focus is on the caucuses here in Iowa,” Romney said at a press conference at a middle school here, as he was flanked by about 50 mostly younger supporters. “I think Mike is more concerned about the caucus in Los Angeles.” (Read more from Conroy)

Huckabee and his aides have defended the decision, saying many Iowans watch the show. However, the former Arkansas governor appeared caught off guard when informed that the writers' union hadn't reached any sort of agreement with The Tonight Show's producers.

"My understanding is that there was a special arrangement made for the late-night shows, and the writers have made this agreement to let the late night shows to come back on, so I don't anticipate that it's crossing a picket line," Huckabee told reporters traveling with him Wednesday from Fort Dodge to Mason City.

Told he was mistaken and that writers had cleared only Letterman's show, Huckabee protested: "But my understanding is there's a sort of dispensation given to the late-night shows, is that right?"

Told again that he was wrong, Huckabee murmured, "Hmmm," and, "Oh," before answering another question.

John McCain spent the morning in New Hampshire, but later traveled to Iowa, where polls have him in a surprising third place and where, CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella reports, he's now getting the attention of a front-runner.

Polls in New Hampshire, which holds primaries on Jan. 8, show McCain and Romney in a dead heat. Though he was in Iowa, Romney clearly had the Arizona senator on his mind, CBS' Conroy reports, taking time to criticize McCain's record.

“I think he was just wrong to vote against the Bush tax cuts twice,” Romney said of McCain in his opening remarks to reporters. “He continues to defend that vote. He continues to believe it was the right thing to vote ‘no’ on the Bush tax cuts, despite the fact that the Bush tax cuts helped working families, helped people meet their obligations.”

[gunownerdan]

Why doesn''t the corporate-owned media spend much time talking about Ron Paul? Because it would not be profitable for them. The best prostitutes get the most attention.

[antoniof123]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 09:26 AM : Jan 03, 2008

If what you say is true then how come Bush is using his veto to keep us in Iraq, to keep children from getting health care expansion. We all want that or at least the overwhelming majority does. So your argument is false it goes on the assumption that but parties will work together but as is the case the party lines are drawn by Democrats and Republicans.

That was Bill Clinton''s greatness he knew how to control congress for American George Bush knows only how to control the Republican party to a point. By next May the Republican moderates in congress will be screaming for his head but it will be too late.

The mark of a great President is how the people of his country see him. And Bill Clinton has one of the highest approval ratings in history.

That by itself is all that needs to be said.

[antoniof123]

Bill Clinton''''s greatness, like Hillary''''s experience, are figments of their supporters'''' imaginations.


Posted by tuckerndfw at 09:26 AM : Jan 03, 2008

Sorry but Bill Clinton was elected twice not appointed by the Supreme Court remember. His greatness was listen to America and fiscally responsible not conservative. That is what America wants if they believe they can get Bill back to do the same job then the Democrats will not have a problem in this election.

[ireachable]

IOWA caucus goers as well as others can cast their support here today or any time. We will be publishing IOWA snapshot/results after the caucus.

http://www.ireachable.com/vote

Make your choice make a difference to your candidate''s score as well as make your basis (''the why factor'') known using the story/tag line in the affinity section.

You can use one or more other affinities available to suit your vote needs.

[weezee4bill]

The majority OF THE DEM CANDIDATES are from EAST OF THE MISSIPPI river. If Kerry?Edwards would''ve carried the WESTERN STATES they would have WON instead of GWB. Who can carriy the Western States?
I believe it is Bill Richardson.
His vast EXPERIENCE IS UNDENIABLE, 7 term Congressman, 2 term Govenor of a Western state, U.N. Ambassador, Energy Secretary, Nominated 5 times for the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, personnaly freed servicemen & hostages from Iraq, N. Korea & Sudan. Can any of the
" top 3" say to that? NO.

Who can WIN THE WEST & BEAT THE REPUBLICANS IN ''08?

Tonight when I go to Caucus, I WILL CAUCUS FOR "PROVEN EXPERIENCE". I WILL CAUCUS FOR BILL RICHARDSON FOR PRESIDENT..

[nolalou]

tuckerndfw, The republican congress fought Bill Clinton every step of the way! They deserve zero credit for the economy and budget surplus during his administration! His ''93 budget bill passed without a single Republican vote! I''d take Bill Clinton back any day over another G.W. Bush clone!

[g02342000]

Edwards / Biden is the best ticket for all America, anything less will be as bad as keeping Bush in office forever. America deserves honest men of integrity that will fight for all Americans. Edwards is a true patriot that can make America great, he has the substinance, determination, and will to fight greed, corruption and end the outsourcing of our jobs, His economic, education, health and welfare policies are now being copied by all the candidates. Edwards spoke out months and even years before the others. America needs to think about why are the "Washington Greed, Corruption, Large Corporations and Media" trying to make this a two candidate Democratic race? Edwards is the only one able to win the Presidency from the democratic side, and any republican that is nominated will beat Clinton and/or Obama. Elect someone that cares about America and will make it great for all, John Edwards.

[ioweign]

The GOP controlled Congress is responsible for the balanced budget and the economic boom of the 1990''s, so exactly what did Clinton do that was so "great"?


Posted by tuckerndfw at 08:57 AM : Jan 03, 2008

The GOP has controlled Congress until 2006 and the Federal budget has mushroomed and the National Debt has doubled under a GOP President and a GOP Congress since Bill Clinton.

[antoniof123]

People keep claiming Bill Clinton was a "great president."

Can anyone name anything he did that would indicate "greatness"?

The GOP controlled Congress is responsible for the balanced budget and the economic boom of the 1990''''s, so exactly what did Clinton do that was so "great"?

Bill Clinton''''s "greatness" appears to be much like Hillary''''s "experience," - a product of someone''''s overactive imagination.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 08:57 AM : Jan 03, 2008

Let''s see unemployment was nonexistence no war of vanity, the list goes on but let''s take a look at the Republican congress argument now.

The Republicans controlled congress for 6 years under Bush and the results was lock stepping complete breakdown of the system of checks and balances. Once again Bill Clinton''s popularity speaks for what he did and the Republicans popularity speak for what they did.

Does that explain the difference for you if not then I can go into it deeper.

[roncraw]

Obama is the change candidate? What a farce. Without a willing congress the only thing he could change is his underwear.

[antoniof123]

Huck is not presidential. He is funny, but we need a president, not a comedian. Bill Clinton was folksy, too, but didn''''t we learn the first time? Don''''t be fooled by another corrupt Arkansas ex-gov.

Posted by apolloknowsa at 03:48 AM : Jan 03, 2008

Excuse me but you seem to forget one important fact Bill Clinton is one of the most popular Presidents in American History. Facts speak for themselves before you say something make sure everyone knows that it is your opinion only.

Must be a neo con trying to shift the truth we have had enough stick to the fact. Like Huck raised taxes included the state income tax but he is not Bill Clinton that was a great President.

[perception5]

Slick Huck is a dishonest politican. This guy is from the same town and state, Hope Arkansas, that Slick Willie Clinton is from.

And their both the same when it comes to telling the truth. Slick Huck is a "scab" for breaking the picket lines at the Hollywood writers strike.

When asked about it, Slick Huck, said I thought the strike was over. When he clearly knew it wasn''t.

Slick Huck is just that "slick". That''s why I not voting for "tax hike mike" ...............NEXT!

[heartlandjim]

Mike Huckabee made a great point on The Jay Leno Show last night when he talked about vertical politics. The left and right are so far apart nothing is getting done for us. That''s horizontal politics. Vertical politics is when the two sides come together to solve problems for the betterment of all of us out here working hard every day. My two favorite goals of Mike Huckabee are a more "Fair Tax" and energy independence in 10 years. I truly believe it''s time for a change. That''s why I''m voting for Mike Huckabee!

[usayesterday]

IOWA SHOULD NOT BE THE FIRST STATE TO CHOSE OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES!!!

Iowa is over 90% white

Iowa is near the bottom of educated populous

And the caucuses are in the middle of Winter!

What moron decided that Iowa (or even New Hampshire) is so friggen important to this country that they get first choice?!

California:

The most diverse state in the country in many ways, from political affiliation, ethnicity, religious affiliation (or none at all), and diverse in terms of level of and type of education!

When this country decides it wants a change, the American people will demand it. But for the past few decades, Americans have not wanted real change in our government. Yet, there are far more people who complain about the lack of change then there are people who actively help to bring about change.

[jsilver2th]

Iowa- Go out there and caucus for Edwards...

Republicans pick your choice of the one you want to looooooose....

[apolloknowsa]

Huck is not presidential. He is funny, but we need a president, not a comedian. Bill Clinton was folksy, too, but didn''t we learn the first time? Don''t be fooled by another corrupt Arkansas ex-gov.

[jamurphy4]

Posted by kissamaarse .. You hit the nail on the head..

I''d like you to post this on several web sites. Thatnks.

[julianbook]

Hillary is courting Iowa farmers, but the only thing she''s ever planted is questions in the audience. Bill was elected promising universal health care. The Congress was democratic. 80%of the public was behind it. The economy could easily support it. Her program was 1000% failure. She had another 6 years to try to revive it. Let''s hear the excuse for 8 years of failure on her supposed pet program - when her husband was the president no less. Now there''s an election, she''s promising you healthcare again just like Bill did - but with an unworkable mandatory plan. The theory is that if you can fool them once, you can always fool them. As Geffen says, "the Clintons lie with such ease, it''s troubling". The NY Times'' William Safire called her a "congenital liar". Hillary flunked healthcare. She flunked Iraq. She flunked Iran. She flunked Pakistan. She flunked the Washington bar exam twice, and is a serial failure as a housewife. That''s her record - her so-called experience.

[cs4466]

To be a republican you need to believe:
1. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush''''s Daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can''''t find Bin Laden" diversion.
2. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
3. A woman can''''t be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational drug corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
4. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans'''' benefits and combat pay.
5. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won''''t have ***.
6. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism. HMO''''s and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
7. Global warming and tobacco''''s link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
8. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
9. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you''''re a conservative radio host. Then it''''s an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.


Posted by kissamaarse at 01:19 AM : Jan 03, 2008

LOL Kiss!! All so very true - thanks bud!

[kissamaarse]

To be a republican you need to believe:
1. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush''s Daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can''t find Bin Laden" diversion.
2. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
3. A woman can''t be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational drug corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
4. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans'' benefits and combat pay.
5. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won''t have ***.
6. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism. HMO''s and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
7. Global warming and tobacco''s link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
8. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
9. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you''re a conservative radio host. Then it''s an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.