DES MOINES (AP) - Look for a lot of holiday-time
campaigning in Iowa around Christmas and New Year's.

That's the prediction from University of Iowa political
scientist David Redlawsk after the Iowa Republican Party set its
sites on January 3rd for its presidential caucuses.

The GOP says it will preserve the state's leadoff status and
won't push the contest into December, even if another state tries
to jump ahead.

Redlawsk says an early January caucus means instead of a taking
a break during the holidays, candidates could have no choice but to
be in Iowa on December 26th -- and staying.

Iowa Democrats have yet to choose a date, but are believed to be
considering January 3rd and January 5th.

Caucuses for both parties were tentatively set for January 14th.