The work to prepare the Hilton Coliseum, on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, is proceeding apace. Each campaign has tented space outside the facility to hold its picnic and party during the day.
Barbecue seems to be high on everyone's menu projections.
Some 600 reporters are expected to come in to cover this thing, in addition to the campaign staffs and volunteers. First, there's nothing else going on. Second, and more importantly, no one knows how it will turn out. By the time we get to the National Conventions this time next year the nominating process in both parties will be long since concluded. The consensus among reporters I spoke to yesterday was that if Bush gets about a third of the votes that will be good enough.