MOUNT VERNON - Presidential politics drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people to Cornell College in Mount Vernon Thursday night. The attraction wasn't the candidates themselves, but rather George Stephanopoulos, a former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton and a journalist who covers every aspect of the campaign trail. Many people at Stephanopoulos's speech say they came to get the inside scoop on the close contest between Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Is Obama going to come out on top? Will they two end up on the same ticket? Stephanopoulos didn't disappoint tonight's crowd.

George Stephanopoulos is ABC's expert resident when it comes to the race for the White House. Not this white house, it belongs to the president of Cornell College in Mount Vernon. But almost everywhere he travels, Stephanopoulos works. And Iowa is no exception.

"Iowa is going to be getting a lot of attention between now and November," says Stephanopoulos.

More attention, he predicts, from the democratic presidential candidate, rather than the republican, which Stephanopoulos seems certain will be Senator Barack Obama. The candidate he calls a competent campaigner with great success on the Internet and an amazing ability to appeal to young voters. But his campaign pitch needs work.

"Given the nature of the race, he has a bit of a woman problem," says Stephanopoulos.

Meaning Obama needs to pick up a few cues from Senator Hillary Clinton and sway her supporters his way. Democrats call it a key component to beating the Republicans.

"I think he needs to reach out to gather all voters, particularly females," says Arnold Lindaman, a voter.

Both men and women listening to Stephanopoulos's speech Thursday night wonder whether the two remaining democrats will join forces.

Whether they will be on the same ticket or not, I don't know, I think that would be powerful and wonderful," says Sharon Grice, a voter.

Stephanopoulos agrees, saying it's sure to be the stronger ticket, but he's not sure Obama will jump on board.

"I don't think that's what Senator Obama wants to do now, It's been a tough campaign and there are raw feelings on both sides," says Stephanopoulos.

Stephanopoulos believes one of the reasons Clinton has yet to drop out of the race is because she wants to go out with a victory. That could come as early as Tuesday, when West Virginia holds its primary. Or she might choose to hold on for a while. But one of her biggest problems is going to be money.