Democrats targeting undecided Iowa voters

CARROLL, Iowa, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Most candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination have begun focusing their efforts on gaining the support of undecided voters in Iowa.

Political observers and campaign officials alike have said voter support remains unpredictable heading into the inaugural electoral contest, prompting most Democratic candidates to intensify their marketing tactics across the state, The Washington Post said Sunday.

"Iowans are very volatile," New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is trailing top Democrats in most U.S. polls, said recently. "They can switch back and forth to you, so you have to have a strong finish."

Currently, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., are virtually tied for the lead in the Midwestern state.

To earn the support of those undecided voters in the upcoming caucuses, Democratic campaigns have taken to the streets and phone lines to influence Iowans.

The Post said to help in these efforts, the campaigns have enlisted notable candidate surrogates such as singers Bonnie Raitt and Paul Simon, and retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark.