By wplog

Published Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 | 5:37 p.m.

Updated Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 | 2:38 p.m.

Look for my final dispatch from Iowa in Monday's paper, a look at the Iowa Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Des Moines. There were 9,000 people there, each a hard-core devotee of their chosen candidate. Obama and Edwards got after Clinton, who fired right back.

More important than the speeches, however, was the show of organizational muscle. The J-J dinner is viewed as a dress rehearsal for the caucus itself. Can you get people to show up in Des Moines on a Saturday night? Can you get them to do what they're told?

One candidate looked best in that regard. See who in Monday's piece.

From here on out, especially this week in Vegas, you'll be hearing "Fired up! Ready to Go!" from Obama partisans, while Hillary supporters will be chanting "Turn up the heat!"

The coverage:

Nagourney and Zeleny in The New York Times set it up as a duel between Clinton and Obama.

Mike Allen of Sun partner Politico wraps up coverage.

Politico columnist Roger Simon wasn't impressed, calling the speeches "rehashed, rewarmed, regurgitated campaign rhetoric."

Obama was on "Meet the Press" today. Chicago Trib summarizes the appearance.

In the Sun today, D.C. Bureau Chief Lisa Mascaro looks at Harry Reid's 2010 race, in which he tries not to be Daschled. (Recall, former Senate Majority and Minority Leader Tom Daschle, defeated in 2004.)

Of particular interest, former chief of staff Susan McCue returns on a part-time basis to hone the Democrats' message in Congress.

Mascaro: "With McCue's touch, watch for big-picture themes heading into 2008 about how Reid and Democrats stand up for middle-class Americans, national security and energy independence."

Republicans are rightly excited about possibly knocking off Reid. He's not polling great in his home state.

The only problem: Finding a Republican candidate. One possibility, Rep. Jon Porter, will have to win a tough race against likely Democratic challenger Robert Daskas this cycle before he can even think about it. Beyond that, the Republican bench isn't very deep right now.

In my own Sunday story, we examine whether the Iowa caucus, with its tractors and county fairs, is really as "authentic" as they'd have us believe.

I also caught up with Obama and Edwards at the end of the week. Both hope Iowa will carry them to victory, ala Sen. John Kerry.

Also in the Sun today:

Sun reporters Michael Mishak and David McGrath Schwartz preview the upcoming Democratic debate in Las Vegas.

The first rule: Do no harm.

The Brookings Institution will be in town to talk foreign policy. Mishak previews.

Sun columnist Jon Ralston offers a 10-point planto fix the state's fiscal, social and educational policy woes.

By the way J.R.: David Yepsen says hello.