Live from the Iowa Caucus

It's hard to get around Des Moines this week without bumping into a presidential candidate or the press. I was surprised to learn that CNN American Morning was at the Waveland Café, a delicious hole-in-the-wall two blocks down from my house. They were chatting with Ron Paul. Later this afternoon, Ron Paul is headed to Palmer's Deli for a quick bite to eat. Another excellent choice, Ron. I think you're really going to enjoy Palmer's.

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, in town to stump for Hillary, had breakfast at the Drake Diner today "“ another local favorite. They've got a full day of eating ahead of them, because they're also scheduled to do lunch in Ames (home of Iowa State University) at the Old Main Brewing Company. Ted and Mary, I have to say you dropped the ball on that one "“ as an Iowa State grad I can tell you that Great Plains Pizza or Hickory Park really should have been your restaurant of choice. Old Main isn't going to impress anyone.

Mitt Romney is at Principal Financial Group chatting with employees this morning. That's a few blocks away from where I work on the skywalk.

John McCain is meeting up with people at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor at the Ice Cream Capital of the world, LeMars, Iowa.

Fred Thompson is hitting up the hotel circuit, with stops planned at the West Des Moines Marriott and the Quality Inn & Suites in Council Bluffs. He is also holding his caucus party at a different Des Moines Marriott. Downtown Des Moines is going to be more hopping tonight than it has been since"¦ well"¦ caucus night "˜00.

Anyway, you can see that I'm serious when I say you can hardly take your dogs for a walk around the block without tripping over Ron or Mitt or Hillary or one of their celebrity supporters. I even heard Chuck Norris has been spotted making the rounds for Huckabee.

My husband and I are caucusing for the first time ever tonight, so I should have a full report for you tomorrow on what the whole experience was like. It should be an interesting evening!

Have any of you caucused before? What can I expect?

[Image courtesy of IntelligentTravel.com.]