Column #3: "Off to Iowa, in search of hope with crutch in hand"

As Carol Marin gets ready to go to the Iowa Caucuses, she reflects on 2008's presidential election and the preparation for this year's presidential election.  Texas Congressman Ron Paul's surge in popularity this year is surprising as well as Mitt Romney's as both men along with their fellow Republicans compete to become the Republican Party's presidential candidate.  Yet at the same time, there appears to be an Obama operation brewing in Iowa as well.