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TV ad time is being snatched up by the major candidates. With so many potential caucus-goers still undecided, the scene is quite frenzied and volatile in Iowa. Kerry is moving up in the polls, as is Edwards (who just got the coveted Des Moines Register endorsement).

The Lee Enterprises poll released today puts support for Dean at 23%, Gephardt at 18%, Kerry at 15%, Edwards at 9%, and Kucinich at 4% (margin of error plus or minus 4.9%, so things are very tight).

The Democratic presidential candidates laced into each other on the issue of race tonight during a Des Moines debate sponsored by the Iowa Brown and Black Forum.
As in recent debates, Howard Dean was a frequent target although he came in from the heaviest criticism this time around from Rev. Al Sharpton rather than Rep. Dick Gephardt or Sen. John Kerry.
Dean, who has talked about leading a national discussion on race, fumbled for an answer when Rev. Al Sharpton noted that Dean had not employed any minorities in his cabinet. Dean first said his state government had African-American and Latino workers, which evaded Sharpton's point. Then he said one member of his staff was a minority member; still not a direct answer. Finally he acknowledged that had not filled any cabinet position with a man or woman of color.