He was reported in the CR Gazette as saying it's vital now that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal be secure so that it doesn't fall under the control of radical extremists. Several people there commented that McCain's command of national security issues is precisely why they plan to support McCain in the Republican caucus. The Des Moines Register quoted McCain as questioning Guilian 's credentials on foreign policy. "I think he did a great job post-9/11 handling a post-crisis situation. I don't know how that provides one the credentials to address national security issues," said McCain. "As far as I know, Mayor Guiliani has never been to Iraq."

On the Democratic side, Biden and Clinton have both impressed Iowans with their experience in foreign policy. The Des Moines Register today says Clinton has proposed sending a special U.S. envoy to Pakistan to help stabilize the nation. Biden has urged the U.S. to make financial aid to Pakistan conditional on Musharraf making democratic reforms.

Chris Dodd weighed in, in a CR Gazette story, saying he'd spoken with Bhutto over the past few weeks, that she was a remarkable woman, and that the assassination "is a major setback for our country, Pakistan, and the region." He faults the Bush administration for focusing on Iraq and Iran when they should have been paying attention to Pakistan. He does not believe Musharraf is reponsible for the assassination, however, since it is not in his interest to have that kind of instability. Bill Richardson issued a statement saying that Musharraf should step aside.

Obama does not come across as having as much strength in this area, although supporters point to his good judgment in being the only candidate who voted against going to war with Iraq. He said, after the assassination, simply, that the United States must be "steadfast in our desire to end the kinds of terrorist attacks that have blighted not just Pakistan." But with the caucuses only six days away, Obama's rise in the polls might be halted as people decide that foreign policy experience trumps an unjaded, fresh approach to the nation's--and the world's--problems.

That's the way things look today, as another five inches of snow fall on top of the 15 inches we've already chaulked up in Cedar Rapids so far.

B 3 postscript: Carolyn reported that Cedar Rapids had over Christmas eight inches of snow on the ground and fairly nice temperatures, in the 20s and 30s. "Thankfully, no one had to canvas over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The calls asking us to 'participate in a survey' began yesterday, though. The Sioux City, Ottumwa, and Iowa City papers have come out for Obama--along with the Woodbine Twiner, don't you love it?

" EL LATINO, the first Spanish language paper to ever endorse a candidate, has also picked up Obama. A couple of widely respected Iowa Republicans--former Congressman Berkley Bedell and former Congressman Jim Leach--have also endorsed Obama. His support seems to be rising." Which she reported before the Pakistan assassination.