[bigMatt]

12/31/2007

DES MOINES - After several months of campaigning, the candidates have completed their swing of the state. Iowa sits poised to begin the process of selecting the next President of the United States.

National polls have been conducted throughout the fall, with varying degrees of accuracy. None have been more in tune with the nation's voters than this, the final poll before the Iowa caucus.

On the Republican side, the field is set. Polls indicate the following voter preferences on a National scale, if the GOP nomination were to be conducted today:

Giuliani - 18.1%
Paul - 16.4%
Thompson - 15.7%
Keyes - 14.9%
McCain - 14.8%
Huckabee - 10.4 %
Romney - 9.7 %

As in all polls +/- is on average about 4 percent, which indicates that this is a very close race indeed for the top 5 candidates.

While the polls represent national voter preference, Iowa may have a whole different take. 40 delegates hang in the balance for GOP candidates.

The Iowa caucuses are January 3rd. Stay tuned for results.