The Man Who Helped Start Huckabee's Roll

Moore, who gained national prominence during the 1990s as a lead player in the lawsuit against tobacco companies, put out a statement last week that left plenty of wiggle room. That thrilled national Democrats who have bombarded him with pleading phone calls since Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) announced on Monday that he will resign.

Former governor Ronnie Musgrove (D) is clearly interested in a return to public life. Musgrove, who served from 1999 until 2003, told The Fix that he is "seriously considering running" and has been receiving considerable encouragement from around the state to do so .

Republicans don't have an obvious candidate. Rep. Roger Wicker leads the way currently, and state Treasurer Tate Reeves is also mentioned. Gov. Haley Barbour (R) has already taken himself out of the race but could have a big impact anyway; it is up to him to not only choose an interim replacement for Lott but also to set the date of the special election to fill the Senate seat.

Iowa Women to Offer Tasty Incentives

Eighty percent of Iowa Democratic women stayed home for the 2004 caucus. Will taco casserole get them to turn out in 2008?

Emily's List, the Democratic fundraising powerhouse, unveiled an ambitious turnout program in Iowa aimed at 60,000 to 70,000 female Democrats who support Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, or are undecided, and who voted in 2006 but didn't participate in the 2004 Democratic caucus. In other words, they are politically active but not active enough. That's where the casserole comes in.

Through the Web site YouGoGirl.com and mass mailings, Emily's List will bombard these target voters with information about how the caucuses work, as well as tools to make it easier for them to engage. Hence the dinner recipes, provided on the Web site, for taco and chicken noodle casseroles that women can prepare in advance.

As a group committed to electing pro-choice women to public office, Emily's List has a unique stake in Clinton's candidacy, potentially the pinnacle of its 22-year crusade. To lock down voters, it will use traditional means, such as mail, as well as more innovative Web-based methods.

For instance, if you live in Iowa and you search for "recipe," "stocking stuffer" or "post-Thanksgiving sale" on Yahoo or Google, up pops a listing for YouGoGirl.com. The group also purchased banner ads on Web sites such as Cooks.com and BabyNames.com.

Emily's List officials are optimistic that the program can deliver a meaningful bloc for Clinton in a razor-thin race. "We don't need to build her support in Iowa," said Emily's List spokeswoman Ramona Oliver. "We just need to turn out the support that she has."

10 days: Des Moines Register Republican debate

11 days: Des Moines Register Democratic debate