On The Verge

A reader writes:

In case you were looking for the mood of any actual Iowans today...

I am a 31 year old single, professional female, and Iowa native living in Iowa City. I will be a first-time caucus goer tonight. I switched my affiliation from Republican to Democrat only a couple months ago. After many months of being drowned in candidates here in Iowa (I think we ceased having real commercials on TV about a week ago, its been nothing but back-to-back political ads for days), I fully expected to feel relief that this day was finally here. More because I knew tomorrow all the incessant phone calls would stop (Mitt Romney's campaign called once while I was listening to Obama speak) and life could get back to normal.

I was really surprised to find that when I woke up this morning and saw "Caucus" written on my calendar for today, I was actually excited. Excited to get to participate tonight. Excited when I came to work and found a decorated "O" cookie on my desk from a co-worker. Very excited to be among the very first in the nation to cast a vote for Barack Obama. The only other time I've ever been excited or optimistic about a candidate was for John McCain back in 1996, during his plaid shirt days, but even then I wasn't motivated enough to caucus.

She's what Richelieu is talking about.

(Photo: a Friendly House gymnasium January 2, 2008 in Davenport, Iowa. Scott Olson/Getty.)