Months of campaigning come down to final hours in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) -- Presidential hopefuls are campaigning down to the wire in Iowa today, determined to motivate supporters to brave the icy cold and attend the evening's caucuses, kicking off the 2008 race for the White House.

After countless visits, dozens of policy speeches, more than $40 million spent in television advertising, and months -- if not years -- of building statewide political operations, the battle for Iowa comes down to one simple reality: For each party, turnout is the key.

That's why more than a dozen Democratic and Republican hopefuls were campaigning hard, determined to reach as many people as possible before the 1,781 caucuses that start at 7 p.m.

A win or a loss in the Iowa caucuses could possibly determine the next president of the United States, which is why the candidates are trying to persuade every one of their supporters, young and old, to brave the biting January cold and attend.

Former Sen. John Edwards -- who placed second in the 2004 caucuses -- swore off sleep to hold a final, 36-hour marathon.

"culminated last night with a 3,000, 4,000-person rally here in Des Moines. It's got a lot of energy and excitement, a lot of movement, it's all encouraging," he said Thursday.

"This is the last 10 hours, and I feel good," Democratic hopeful Bill Richardson told CNN.

"You know, I think a lot of the undecideds are breaking my way. Iowans make up their minds at the last minute, maybe 30 percent of them in the last three to four days, and I'm seeing good movement."

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Months of campaigning come down to final hours in Iowa - CNN.com

For some candidates,this is only the beginning and for others,this may be the end.

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins ..

How It Works In Iowa

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins ..