Iowa race still wide open

By Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier

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Since the race for a Republican presidential nominee for 2012 is still considered a wide open contest, expect a flurry of activity from now through Jan. 3 - the date of the Iowa caucuses.

Results from the latest Des Moines Register poll showed businessman Herman Cain sporting a thin lead with the support of 23 percent of respondents. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was right on his tail at 22 percent.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul placed third at 12 percent, followed by Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann at 8 percent. Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich polled at 7 percent each and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum got 5 percent.

Anything can happen between now and Jan. 3. Large numbers of Iowans are still undecided. According to The Associated Press, fewer than 20 of Iowa's 76 Republican legislators have declared their support for a candidate, and no candidate has a clear edge among those who have picked sides. At this point four years ago, nearly all lawmakers had endorsed someone.

The outcome of the Iowa caucuses will help to shape what happens in the states that vote next - New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.

That, and the fact that this is anybody's game, should make for a busy two months in Iowa for most of the candidates.

Romney had been seen as a front-runner all along, but Cain's surge in Iowa has given him some momentum.

Romney is expected to return to Iowa this month and hold a conference call with thousands of Iowa GOP caucusgoers.

“I'd love to win Iowa, any of us would,” he said. “I will be here again and again, campaigning here.”

Cain has been adding campaign staff and has been visiting the state recently. Although he has made steady progress in the polls, he trails both Romney and Perry considerably in fundraising.

The fact that no one candidate has emerged from the pack is sure to concentrate attention on our state. With many Republicans still undecided, we expect them to go out and see what the various candidates have to say.

There should be plenty of opportunity.

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