Polls Show Senators Kerry And Edwards Are In The Top Two Spots In The Iowa Caucuses; Analysis With Senator Grassley

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HEADLINE: Polls Show Senators Kerry And Edwards Are In The Top Two Spots In The Iowa Caucuses; Analysis With Senator Grassley

GUESTS: Charles Grassley

BYLINE: Rita Cosby, Carl Cameron, Major Garrett, Molly Henneberg; Charles Grassley

BODY:
Well, more now on this amazingly, tight race as four candidates campaign hard down to the wire. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa joins me now from Des Moines.

Senator, good to see you.

SEN. CHARLES GRASSLEY ®, IOWA: Good to be with you Rita.

COSBY: Are you just amazed. I mean political junkies like myself, it is amazing how tight this race is.

GRASSLEY: Well, we haven't seen one like this for a long, long time. And I don't know whether we've ever seen one this tight in my party in the years since we've had these caucuses.

COSBY: What do you think is going to get those undecided votes out there in Iowa? I mean there's 2.9 million people in Iowa, but we're talking-we heard from Carl Cameron, we're just getting about 30,000 people or so out. What is going to get those folks who's still are on the fence?

GRASSLEY: Well, it's the same way over the years, and probably more so in a caucus than in a primary election: organization, organization, organization. And I suppose that's why Gephardt and Dean probably have an edge over other people that may even be leading in the polls.

COSBY: How important do you believe Iowa is to sort of set the tone? I mean in years past, it's always been important. But it seems to sort of even escalated how critical it is now.

GRASSLEY: Well, I think the national media has shown very well how serious Iowans of both political parties take their civic activities and responsibilities. In addition, you know, we've always ranked very, very high in the ACT and the SAT test scores, so consequentially, our people are well educated about the processes of government. And I think it's a very, very good place, particularly for those candidates that just don't have wads of money to spend, to give them a boost.

COSBY: What do you think are going to be the key issues? I know some things that you've been very interested: the tax cut issues, uninsured. Are theses things, do you think are going to turn the voters' yes or no to come out for a particular guy?

GRASSLEY: Yes. Well, you're right. I've watched this from the standpoint of my being chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and working in a bipartisan way over the last couple years to get some responsible, tax cuts to get the economy turned around. And I'm very, very worried about every one of these candidates wanting to have great, big tax increases, without exception. And what that will do to our fragile economy, I think, it's very risky business.

And I suppose for the Democrats, who believe in big government, you know, that helps them to get the nomination. But I don't see how it's going to help them be elected in November if they're for the biggest tax cuts in the history of the country.

COSBY: Let's talk about getting out the vote tomorrow night in terms of everyone showing up. What kind of a turnout, knowing the whether, knowing the conditions, the mood of that state, you've been there a long time. What do you we'll expect tomorrow night?

GRASSLEY: I think a 100 to 120,000 Democrats will show up. And I believe that it will be cold, but it's not going to bad weather. And I think that they'll have very good turnouts. And I think that loyalty to candidate is one of the biggest reasons for people to turn out. So those Democratic candidates that have the most loyal support and unwavering support and over long period of time, those are the candidates on a cold night that's going to have the best chance of coming out on top.

COSBY: Well, we'll all be watching. Senator Chuck Grassley, it was good to have you on, sir.

GRASSLEY: Thank you. Glad to be with you.

COSBY: Thank so much.

And coming up, he is skipping the race in Iowa to focus on winning the hearts and minds of the people of New Hampshire. We're on General Wesley Clark's presidential campaign trail. That is ahead.

But first, President Bush putting the finishing touches on his State of the Union Address. What can we expect to hear Tuesday night? We'll have a preview.

And he's accused of killing his limo driver at his estate two years ago. Now, former NBA star Jayson Williams is speaking out only on Fox, Williams and his wife. That's coming up.