The dynamics in 2008 will be different in that both Democrats and Republicans will likely be crowding into the state.  Gov. Tom Vilsack, whose term ends in January 2007, is mentioned as a possible 2008 Democratic presidential candidate; if he were to show serious signs of getting in the race that could discourage some other Democratic prospects from competing in and visiting Iowa.  On the Republican side, social conservatives form an important constituency, while Democrats will look for labor support.  And, while Iowa has an increasingly diversified economy, candidates of both parties must be prepared to address questions relating to agriculture, the rural economy, and ethanol.

Going to Iowa and talking with Iowans is fundamental to success in the Iowa caucuses but there are many other ways a prospective candidate can cultivate good will and build connections in the months and years leading up to the caucuses.  Presidential hopefuls' leadership PACs spread the wealth, making contributions to Iowa party and candidate committees.  There are early efforts to attract talent.  The hopeful need not travel to Iowa to meet Iowans; he or she can hold low key meetings in his office or home.  In 2004 some prospects stopped by to speak to the Iowa delegation during the respective national party conventions.  Finally, independently of the wishes of a potential candidate, people can work to build support for or to criticize that individual.

Iowa Visits Per Month (VPM)
2006

Jan. '06	Feb. '06	Mar. '06	Apr. '06	May '06	June '06	July '06	Aug. '06	Sept. '06	Oct. '06	Nov. '06	Dec. '06
2	5	4	5	8	7
HUCKABEE ROMNEY	PATAKI TANCREDO	HUCKABEE ROMNEY ALLEN	McCAIN GINGRICH	GIULIANI GINGRICH ROMNEY PATAKI	PATAKI BROWNBACK ALLEN  ROMNEY
	DASCHLE BAYH EDWARDS	EDWARDS	EDWARDS WARNER FEINGOLD	KERRY CLARK BAYH EDWARDS	DASCHLE EDWARDS GRAVEL

2005

Jan. '05	Feb. '05	Mar. '05	Apr. '05	May '05	June '05	July '05	Aug. '05	Sept. '05	Oct. '05	Nov. '05	Dec. '05
0	0	0.5	0.5	2	2	6	5.5	5.5	9	1	2
				BROWNBACK GINGRICH		TANCREDO PATAKI ROMNEY HUCKABEE	GINGRICH BROWNBACK TANCREDO	PATAKI HUCKABEE BROWNBACK TANCREDO	BROWNBACK HUCKABEE FRIST PATAKI ROMNEY GINGRICH HAGEL		PATAKI ROMNEY
		EDWARDS >	< EDWARDS		WARNER EDWARDS	WARNER RICHARDSON	BAYH EDWARDS CLARK >	< CLARK EDWARDS	KERRY BAYH	DASCHLE

2004
Two visits in Dec. 2004 (Kerry, Brownback).
 

2005 Summary
8 Republican prospects made a total of 22 visits totaling 34 days.  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich spent the most time in Iowa, 7 days, while Gov. George Pataki (4 visits, 6 days), Sen. Sam Brownback (4 visits, 5 days), Gov. Mike Huckabee (3 visits, 5 days), Rep. Tom Tancredo (3 visits, 5 days) and Gov. Mitt Romney (3 visits, 3 days) all made multiple visits. 7 potential Democratic candidates made a total of 12 visits totaling 19 days.  Former Sen. John Edwards (4 visits, 6 days) and Sen. Evan Bayh (2 visits, 5 days) led Democratic prospects.
 
 

Other Notes

-Leadership PACs of prospective Democratic candidates will consider acquiring the Voter Activation Network, a voter file offered by the Iowa Democratic Party--for a price. >>

-Americans for Dr. Rice, a 527 group seeking to draft Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has been quite active in Iowa:

The group reported running a 15-second radio spot in Iowa starting Feb, 15, 2005 to promote its website (coinciding with the CPAC conference in Washington).

In August, on her way back to North Dakota from four days at the Republican State Convention in North Carolina, Americans for Rice research director Crystal Dueker spent the day Des Moines meeting political people and seeking to raise awareness of the group.  Her Mini Cooper, "plastered with 'Condi 2008' stickers, attracted attention from people wanting the stickers for their cars and friends, and she was interviewed by Tom Beaumont of the Des Moines Register.

Dueker and Kavon Nikrad from Minnesota carpooled in the Mini Cooper to Des Moines for the Polk County Republicans' GOP Fest on September 20.  This event was attended by over 800 people.

Americans for Rice ran its new 60-second TV spot in Des Moines starting October 16 on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," on October 17 on "Good Morning America" and "The View," on October 18 during the fourth episode of "Commander-in-Chief," and from October 24-28 on WOI ABC TV morning news.

Americans for Rice is scheduled to have a table at the Republican Party of Iowa's Fifth Annual Ronald Reagan Dinner in Des Moines on October 22.
 

-According to several news reports in May 2005, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton invited Iowans to her Washington, DC home for a fundraiser for her 2006 re-election campaign..