Ignore Iowa

And for delegate stalkers, the big game is Feb. 5, where Illinois becomes a major player. Nineteen states --- including California and New York --- hold beauty contest or delegate primaries that day; another four hold delegate caucuses. About 40 percent of delegates for this summer's nominating conventions will be chosen on "Super-Duper Tuesday".

Yet, the media remains focused on the whitebread state of Iowa, which has little diversity, but cheap television advertising rates, compared to Illinois, whose diversity nearly mirrors the nation, New York and California.

In fact, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has all but ignored Iowa, focusing on Illinois and the other big states. There also are a handful of southern states holding primaries on Feb. 5 which will show if a candidate has support below the Mason-Dixon Line.

And, who is ahead in the delegate race in Feb. 5 primary states? According to polling data compiled by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, as of Dec. 14, on the Democratic side, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has twice the delegates as Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. As for Republicans, Giuliani has about twice as many delegates as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

A cautionary note as any pollster will tell you: Polls are but snapshots of the moment and Huckabee has been surging in various polls, although why anyone would vote for a guy named Huckabee is beyond The Hound's pecan-sized brain. Wasn't there a cartoon "Huckabee Hound"? Oops, that would be "Huckleberry Hound". Neither are related to The News Hound.

So, if you've been following the Iowa caucus campaigns, ignore them. Just like most of us ignored the Iowa football team this year.