By wplog

Published Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 | 6:29 p.m.

Updated Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 | 2:28 p.m.

As promised, our final Iowa dispatch, this one from the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Des Moines.The Obama forces were well organized and loud. Team Clinton was also organized, though not as numerous and not as loud. Clinton aides mocked the Obama crowd as young and not likely to caucus.

David Yepsen, dean of the Iowa press corps, declared Obama the winner.

The Sun’s Mike Mishak talks to Culinary boss D. Taylor, who is ho-hum about the presidential caucus. Money quote:

“We have to catch our breath,” Taylor said. “I know the politicos don’t give a hoot about our contracts and just want us to endorse. But we’re coming off a difficult, eight-month campaign.”

Chevy Chase to return to SNL to comment on politics, New York Times reports. Let’s hope for some memorable Ford-style falls of old.

The Times also has a big story on the soft-money race developing. “Soft money” refers to the unlimited donations used to elect candidates, though the law requires they not be coordinated with official campaigns, so they’re usually backed by rich people and run by political pros not affiliated with the campaigns. In 2004, hundreds of millions of dollars flowed into the presidential race to support Sen. John Kerry from wealthy backers like Peter Lewis and George Soros. They used groups such as MoveOn and America Coming Together to push the Kerry candidacy, if indirectly through voter registration and turnout operations. Both sides are gearing up operations.

Related: My fellow Notre Dame alumnus Tom Matzzie has moved from D.C. political director of MoveOn.org to run a $100 million soft money campaign aligned with Democratic-leaning groups, Chris Cilliza reports in The Washington Post.