No Holiday For Presidential Candidates

July 4, 2007 — -- As people gather today to celebrate the nation's independence, for many presidential candidates there is no holiday from campaigning.

From Sioux City to Cedar Rapids, an energetic voter could meet half the democratic field today, including Senators Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, and Barrack Obama.

The candidates will try to parade and barbeque their ways into voters' hearts.

As sure as red white and blue banners on Main Street, and fireworks just after dark, the politicians will pound the pavement today, marching to John Philip Sousa.

Iowa is used to tuning into presidential politics long before the rest of the country. It is partly because Iowa voters like to believe they're vetting the candidates for the rest of us.

"I met Joe Biden, Bill Richardson," said undecided voter Mary Kay Shanley. "I've not met Christopher Dodd. I want to take a look at all of them."

"There's a horserace on July 4th," said Associated Press chief political reporter Mike Glover. "Remember this is the most wide-open political race of my generation. It's the most wide-open race for the White House in awfully long time."

In Clear Lake, Iowa, Hillary Clinton may have some company as she marches in the 4th of July parade. Republican Mitt Romney plans to be there, too.

"It started early, started intense, and it's going to stay that way from now until the end," Glover said.

Primary season is earlier because several other states have moved up their contests, and making Iowa that much more important.