THE BHUTTO EFFECT. It is a stark reminder that world events can dramatically alter the best laid political plans. As Republican and Democrat presidential candidates started what they expected to be another day of glad-handing in Iowa they suddenly had to scramble to issue statements on the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Those with a bit more international savvy, like John McCain and Fred Thompson, delayed rushing to the microphones until they could get more facts and details about the assassination and the current situation in Pakistan.

Others, like Mike Huckabee, made his inexperience in international affairs an issue by “apologizing” for the death of Bhutto – somehow implying that the U.S. had something to do with it – and then incorrectly claiming that the Pakistani government had imposed martial law. Coming just a few weeks after he admitted not having read the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and that he didn’t even know about it, Huckabee can ill afford any more foreign policy gaffes.

PAULISTAS ARE WORKING OVERTIME. The Ron Paul headquarters in downtown Des Moines is packed full of 50-75 volunteers working the phones and cranking out a new direct mail piece that claims Mike Huckabee is a “habitual tax hiker.” A second mail piece hits both Huckabee and Mitt Romney with comparisons to their “weak” and “failed” records on abortion, illegal immigration, education choice, and taxes.

Crystal, a Des Moines mother and grandmother, is working at the headquarters and became actively involved in the Paul campaign after hearing him speak a few months ago. It is the first time she has ever been active backed a candidate. After the caucuses, she says she may head to South Carolina to work on the campaign effort there. The Paul campaign has perhaps the largest number of novice political activists on the Republican side of things, but they also appear to be the most passionate and ardent supporters on the ground in Iowa.

WILL RADAR O’REILLY CAUCUS FOR FRED? Ottumwa, Iowa hasn’t received much attention since Radar O’Reilly (played by Gary Burghoff) departed the television cast of “M*A*S*H.” But the Thompson campaign is hoping an endorsement by the Ottumwa Courier will pay big dividends far beyond the city limits of Radar’s hometown. Of course, Radar never revealed his political leanings so he could be caucusing with the Democrats.

IOWA WEATHER FORECAST. Heading into the final weekend of campaigning before next Thursday’s caucuses the weather in Iowa will be cold and snowy, but the longer range forecast may bode well for a good turnout on January 3. The forecast calls for clear skies with a high of 35 and a low of 22 on caucus night. That’s almost balmy by Iowa standards.   

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Money is the mother's milk of politics and the cupboard is bare for the Thompson campaign. That may actually be good news, however. It has forced Thompson to engage in the retail campaigning that has long been missing from his campaign, and it has produced a re-energized candidate who is making strides with the voters. CLICK HERE.

Although Mike Huckabee frequently touts his conservative credentials, he has a track record of accepting cash from groups who promote issues that seem at odds with his moral compass. Or maybe his moral compass is for sale. CLICK HERE.