"Grinnell College, a private liberal arts school whose students are on winter break until January 21, agreed to open its athletics facility to about 140 students so they could participate on January 3 and have a place to sleep.
MORE: "The college chose to make these special arrangements so Grinnell students can participate because Grinnell students are very active," said Cindy Deppe, Grinnell's director of media relations.
The head of the University of Iowa Democrats said he had commitments from 10 to 15 members to spend part of their winter break calling and e-mailing reminders to some 4,000 college students who had signed cards pledging to participate in the caucuses.
"In terms of our organization, we're a little bit in a tough position because it's over break," said Atul Nakhasi, head of the university organization. Still, "we're seeing massive commitments by students, not just to vote but to work for these campaigns."
There are a SEVERAL MAJOR dynamics at work in Iowa that everyone is missing...
1) The Universities will be CLOSED on Election Day, so there will be no ready pool of “New, Young Voters” and volunteers for any of the campaigns to rely on...
2) This will be the FIRST Election coming DIRECTLY on the heels of large family gatherings.
How much are those “Family Arguments” at Holiday time going to influence the voters?
3) Many Iowans will be on the road, and away from home during the runup and decision phase of this campaign. How is being OUTSIDE of the Iowa Media bubble going to affect thier opinions?
4) It’s DEEP WINTER...
How will the weather affect the older, “Boomer” Democrats and Republicans abilities to get to the polls?
5) I’ve only seen ONE poll that has taken SECOND CHOICES, a critical element of the Iowa Caucus’s...
I doubt if this will be much of a hindrance to the Paul campaign. One thing he has no shortage of is enthusiastic self-organizing supporters. He has a bit of money too.
These types of volunteers are not free, normally they are given room, board and transportation. In some cases their travel is covered.
Looks like the dems are going to get a little help from Vanderbilt:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/NEWS0206/712260437/1001