Supermarket Sandwich Platters And Snow Shovels: Inside The Massive Iowa Ground Game

New York Times:

Senator Barack Obama is on the hunt for Iowans who have never participated in the state's presidential caucuses, including independent voters under 50 and students who will be 18 by the general election.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is searching for Iowans who have skipped the caucuses in the past and who, because of age, sex or other characteristics, seem likely to support her, starting with independent women over 65 and under 30.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Cultureshift]

I am on the ground here in Iowa and yes it looks like chaos, but this year there is a difference - destiny. I have to admit that above the roar, above all the political fray, Barack Obama has turned out to be a man of destiny.

As I dial another number from the call list, I look at the 20-somethings surrounding me. Electricity radiates from each of them. They feel it.

A volunteer rushes in the door, flush with good news from door-knocking. Her eyes sparkle as she tells us how many Obama supporters she has met. She feels it too.

Barack’s sister Alma stops by, freshly arrived from Kenya. She can hardly believe what she sees. She can also feel it.

They feel something special – something that’s been missing from our political system for decades – a sense of time, a sense of place, a sense of, dare I say it, destiny.

There aren’t that many people in the room who remember the history makers – JFK, MLK and Bobby – but I do. I know what a moment feels like. I’ve seen these wrinkles in time before. I’ve watched history-makers as they walked the earth and I can feel it with Barack Obama.

My friends, we are in a unique moment in time, a time bigger than any one of us, and yet caused by all of us. Now is the time. This is the place. We are the people. This is what destiny feels like.

[GuiltyByStander]

And Joe Biden is finding Iowans who just pay attention. Here's David Brooks and Mark shields -- worth half a minute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRJ2us-0ZaU&feature=user