Iowans courted by 2012 unhopefuls

DENVER -- One indicator of the optimism Democrats hold about their prospects this year: the Iowa delegation's daily breakfasts -- typically a routine stop on the itineraries of those planning a future presidential candidacy -- are being addressed by national party figures unlikely to be rehearsing a stump speech for an upcoming Iowa State Fair.

In Monday, delegates had a visit from Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota freshman. Later in the week, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer are scheduled to speak. None are thought to be making an early mark on 2012 caucus-goers.

"I don’t think we'll see Amy there. I don't think we’ll see Durbin there," said Tom Miller, the state’s attorney general. "That's a real difference: we're thinking eight years ahead, not four years ahead."