HALPERIN'S TAKE ON WHAT'S UP IN IOWA

Don't hold your breath pre-caucus for:

-- Al Gore's endorsement.

-- Ted Kennedy's endorsement.

-- John Kerry's endorsement.

-- Chuck Grassley's endorsement.

-- Any Democratic candidates running negative TV ads.

-- Clarity on who will finish 3rd for the GOP or 1st for the Democrats.

-- Any efforts to mend fences and limit hostilities.

-- David Yepsen to pick up a check (not that he doesn't try).

-- The downtown Des Moines Marriott to produce a valet parked car in less than 20 minutes.

-- Under-reaction to the final Des Moines Register poll.

-- Huckabee to lose that new 12 pounds.

-- A Clinton press availability.

-- An Obama press availiability.

-- A Romney son to say, “Losing isn't so bad.”

-- Mike Huckabee to lose his cool.

-- “Morning Joe” to have a boring episode.

-- John Edwards to sleep in.

-- An available four-wheel-drive vehicle at the Des Moines Airport.

-- Mark Penn to blurt out the word “cocaine” (again).

-- An editor to say, “Don't bother filing for the web – take the time to make your print story that much better."