Iowans Besieged by Get-Out-Vote Drives

el - I sent two letters yesterday to Iowa and New Mexico. Janette has sent around 30 often long letters mostly to Iowa, some to NM and NH.

Interviews with more than a dozen undecided voters such as Morlan, and twice as many campaign workers trying to court them, suggest that few Democrats or independents have escaped attention.

Morlan received two calls last weekend from two separate campaigns, with volunteers soliciting her vote.

She may be lucky. One Democratic activist said she received 14 calls last weekend.

About 60,000 Iowans attended caucuses in 2000, when then-Vice President Al Gore beat Bill Bradley.

Democrats expect the larger field and anti-Bush sentiments to draw 90,000 to 150,000 on Jan. 19. Dean wants a big turnout because he draws his strongest support from the ranks of Iowans who tell campaign pollsters they infrequently or never attend caucuses.

Deans aides say there will be 600 to 700 volunteers like Mississippi's Davis knocking on doors for Dean this weekend. By Jan. 19, at least 3,500 supporters are expected to have canvassed the state.

Though fewer than the 5,000 backers the campaign had predicted, advisers to Kerry, Gephardt and Edwards said Dean's organization is nonetheless impressive. One rival strategist predicted that Dean will have five or six [times] more canvassers than any other candidate.