Nerves Jangling In Race For The White House

Greg Milam, US correspondent in Iowa
Campaigning is reaching a fever pitch on the eve of the first vote in the race for the Republican nomination in this year's US presidential election.
The Iowa caucuses, which take place on Tuesday night, can make or break a bid for the White House and candidates have poured money into their campaigns in the mid-west state.
The latest opinion polls puts former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney at the head of the field with Texas congressman Ron Paul close behind. But 41% of voters say they are undecided or likely to change their minds.
Iowans have been bombarded by $12m worth of television commercials in recent days and a blitz of phone campaigning.
The caucuses are community meetings, held at 800 locations across the state, at which voters can pitch for candidates before picking the one they prefer. The results are non-binding but traditionally give the winner's nationwide campaign a boost.
Matt Strawn, chairman of the Iowa Republican party, said: "The first thing you see when you talk to any Iowa Republican is that desire to beat Barack Obama."
Romney has been favourite throughout the 2012 race so far but the campaign has been notable for the rise and fall of several of those who represent the more conservative wing of the party.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who has been comparing herself to former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher in recent days, has slumped to just seven per cent in the latest opinion polls.
She said: "I have the best ability to take it to Barack Obama in the debate and hold him accountable."
Former senator Rick Santorum is the latest to see a surge of popularity in Iowa. Bachmann, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich have all failed to maintain similar bursts of success.
Social conservatives traditionally do well in Iowa with more than half of caucus-goers describing themselves as evangelical Christians.
Jim Ayen, president of the Urbandale Baptist Church, told Sky News: "About four days ago I told someone I had it nailed, I knew who it was I was going to go for at the caucus.
"I'm not sure anymore. I'll probably walk in and make my decision on Tuesday evening."
Iowans take great pride in the state's 'first-in-the-nation' status and, locals say, take the responsibility seriously.
Mitch Hambleton, mayor of the small city of Dallas Centre, says around a hundred voters will gather in the modest memorial hall on Tuesday night.
He told Sky News: "Many will come in with their minds made up on a specific candidate they'll be supporting but some will come in with and open mind even though they have had the chance to speak to the candidates maybe half a dozen times."
In 2008 victory in the Iowa caucuses catapulted Barack Obama to the forefront of the presidential race. The party will hold caucuses again this year but with Obama as incumbent president he is like to be unopposed as nominee.