All Republican candidates for president should unfold their Iowa road maps and reacquaint themselves with the state from which the road to the 2012 general election begins because the contest here is wide open.

To this point, we have witnessed a marked — and perplexing — decline from past campaigns for president in the number of visits by candidates to our state, particularly to this decidedly Republican side of the state, but we should see the pace quicken over the next six weeks.

Not only do we anticipate more visits from the poll front-runners as they jockey for position down the stretch, but we expect to see plenty more of Michele Bachmann, who won the Republican Party straw poll in August, and Rick Santorum because each needs a strong finish in Iowa to remain viable moving forward.

Particularly in a caucus system like ours, mobilizing your supporters to turn out in strong numbers is crucial. For those candidates who don’t enjoy a strong organization in the state, it’s too late to establish one, but it isn’t too late for a candidate to motivate the faithful on his or her own.

Another reason why the campaign for president should ignite in Iowa is the fact three debates are planned here between Dec. 10 and 19.

For many reasons, Iowa should be the place to be for the presidential campaigns between today and Jan. 3. We look forward to a spirited final push to the caucuses.

— Sioux City (Iowa) Journal, Nov. 20