ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

This morning Iowa is returning to her old quiet self. Huckabee and Obama exited with big wins – but there is little time to celebrate – they are now headed to the Northeast for the next major contest due to take place next Tuesday.

After massive late night parties – the reporters, pundits, campaign staff, academics, etc. are all part of a mass exodus to New Hampshire (if they didn’t already head there with the candidates last night). This morning, Divided We Fail volunteers and staff were camped out at the Des Moines International Airport to bid the throngs who came to Iowa to experience the caucus farewell. We handed out healthy trail mix, Divided We Fail key-chains and little red piggy-banks to remind them of their time in Iowa (and the importance of saving for your financial future – of course). Happy Trails! We’ll see you in four years.

Los Angeles Times: Caring for aging parents from a distance: a growing problem

Packets of prescriptions lie unopened on the counter. A once-immaculate house is unkempt. A cool-headed individual is suddenly given to erratic swings in mood. Sometimes such details might flag a decline, perhaps the result of Alzheimer's disease or other chronic woes.

"What's it like in the refrigerator?" asked Elinor Ginzler, a specialist in long-term care at AARP. "Is there food in that refrigerator, and is it fresh? . . . It's that kind of recognition while you're visiting that all may not be as well as it was in the past."

New York Times: U.S. Curtailing Bids to Expand Medicaid Rolls

The Bush administration is imposing restrictions on the ability of states to expand eligibility for Medicaid, in an effort to prevent them from offering coverage to families of modest incomes who, the administration argues, may have access to private health insurance.

Wall Street Journal: Treasury Plans Social Security Debit Card

The Treasury Department plans to introduce a prepaid debit card for Social Security recipients in an effort to provide safer and cheaper benefits payments.

New York Times: Many Clients of Astor Lawyer Left Him Bequests in Their Wills

Mr. Morrissey, 65, has been charged in an 18-count indictment with helping Mrs. Astor’s son, Anthony D. Marshall, exploit her during the last years of her life so that the two men could gain financially. Mr. Morrissey is also charged with forging Mrs. Astor’s signature on a final amendment to her 2002 will. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Four years ago, the Val Air Ballroom became famous for a scream – yes, this West Des Moines landmark was where Howard Dean let out a shrill, shriek that many say was the beginning of the end of his presidential bid. This year the Val Air will sit empty on caucus night. Despite the Val Air being a prime location for a big party, the candidates will be celebrating at other locations this time around. Were the candidates afraid of the Dean jinx? I doubt any would admit it – but we can assume.

Despite the caucus-night (possible) jinx, the Val Air has been a flurry of activity leading up to the caucus. Last night, the stage was set for former North Carolina Senator John Edwards who brought a flurry of stars including John Mellencamp, who played five of his most politically-charged songs. “Champions for Change” were in attendance to hear the former Senator address the crowd and call for universal health care, citing examples of Iowans he hasmet who are uninsured or underinsured.

Two nights ago the Val Air stage was set for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who took the stage with his own superstar – Chuck Norris. “Champions for Change” also had a presence at this event. They reported hearing Huckabee touch on health care and financial security issues. He stressed the importance of preventative health care and also need to eliminate the IRS by enacting the “Fair Tax” – so that Americans can have more control of their savings and their overall long-term financial future.

Other than Huckabee and Edwards, over the past couple of months other candidates have graced the Val Air – but the stage will remain dark tonight, alleviating any analogies that could be drawn to the Dean debacle.

Today, the universe is focused on Iowa, but the next stop on the way to November 2008 is New Hampshire. And what’s happening in New Hampshire besides watching Iowa? They are being besieged by lots of campaigns and not just the candidate kind. And Boston Globe’s online political guru James Pindell tells the Hippo Press, “There’s such a [glut] of them now. I don’t think they’ve had much effect or any effect on the race, with the exception of AARP’s ‘Divided We Fail,’ They were able to bring the candidates to them instead of going to the campaigns,” he said. “A smart organization is one that figures out the new model.”

Not bad, not bad at all.

Wall Street Journal: Adviser Alert

Many of the more than 50 titles that imply expertise in advising seniors or retirees reflect training that shows advisers "how to sell to this market" rather than how to help clients, says Jean Setzfand, director of financial security for AARP, the Washington-based advocacy group for people 50 years old and older.

New York Times: No Insurance, Poor Health

The case for providing health coverage for all Americans got even more compelling in the past week when two new studies presented the most comprehensive evidence yet that the lack of health insurance is seriously harmful to a patient’s health. The studies found that uninsured people suffer significantly worse outcomes from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer than those who have coverage.

Wall Street Journal: The Seinfeld Campaign

Finally, there's Social Security and Medicare. Mr. Bush's failed effort to reform Social Security in 2005 appears to have cooled not only interest in coping with rising entitlement costs, but also any interest in seriously discussing the issue in the campaign.

New York Times: Iraq War Taking Back Seat to Domestic Issues

The shift suggests that economic anxiety may be at least matching national security as a factor driving the 2008 presidential contest as the voting begins.

Expect candidates to be holding rallies, events and even concerts up to final minute (6:30 p.m. - tomorrow to be exact) before caucus goers are due to report to their correct precinct location.

Today, most candidates are fitting in five or more events all around the state - predominately in Eastern Iowa. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and John McCain all end their day of campaigning here in Des Moines - where they will work to capitalize on last-minute media attention. Republican Mike Huckabee will not be in the state tonight - instead he will be in sunny Southern California to make an appearance on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Tomorrow night, after caucus parties/return-watch parties will be taking place around Des Moines.

Here are the party locations we know about so far:

Joe Biden - Science Center of Iowa
Hillary Clinton - Hotel Fort Des Moines
Chris Dodd - Temple for the Performing Arts
John Edwards - Savory Hotel
Barack Obama - Hy-Vee Hall
Bill Richardson - Quality Inn and Suites

Mike Huckabee - Embassy Suites
Alan Keyes - Ramada Inn
John McCain - InPlay
Ron Paul - Downtown Marriott
Mitt Romney - Sheraton, West Des Moines
Fred Thompson - Marriott, West Des Moines

An interesting story today from WCBS on just how far companies are prepared to go to get their employees to drop a couple of pounds and save them some dough on health premiums- pay ‘em a couple of hundred bucks to do it. It’s an interesting idea and a great example of how everyone can do their part to lower health care costs. And besides, someone paying you to stay on your diet isn’t a bad incentive.

Washington Post: A Look Back at the Year's Winners and Losers

The year witnessed a new and fairly effective alliance between two of Washington's most potent pressure groups: AARP, the senior citizens lobby, and the American Medical Association, the physicians' leading representative in the capital.

Together they eked out a victory that was barely noticed by the general public at the end of the year but was pivotal to doctors. Through a large, concerted campaign, the two groups persuaded lawmakers to delay for six months a scheduled 10 percent cut in physician reimbursements under Medicare.

Chicago Tribune: TOP 5 Quotes from the week's newsmakers

4. 'This policy is a civil rights and economic fiasco.' -- David Certner, AARP's legislative policy director, on a federal rule that means employers may be less likely to drop or cut health-care coverage for younger retirees, while at the same time allowing them to reduce or eliminate benefits for retirees who turn 65 and qualify for Medicare

Capital Times: Bill Novelli: Bush bullied, Congress caved and Americans lost on Medicare

Dear Editor: Our elected officials in Washington ended the health care debate this year not with a bang, but a whimper.

Chicago Tribune: A new year provides fresh start on planning

Overall, fees will continue to receive scrutiny because of the disclosure regulations and a debate in Congress over new legislation, said Nancy LeaMond, group executive officer for AARP.

"More of our members are concerned about economic security today, and I expect that will be an important issue in the '08 elections," she said.

Happy New Year!

In case you missed it - the results of the final Des Moines Register poll before Thursday's caucus was released today - click here to see the breakdown.

Before a busy day of campaigning, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was slotted to take a jog around Gray's Lake today. While campaigning, Huckabee has continuously emphasized the importance of incentives for preventative measures to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. The former Arkansas Governor recently lost over 100 lbs. and has competed in several marathons.

Huckabee also held a press conference, got a haircut and was scheduled to meet with volunteers in the Des Moines area today. For New Year's the Governor will celebrate with supporters and Chuck Norris in West Des Moines.

Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mitt Romney, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson are also expected to be celebrating New Year's in Iowa.

Before a crown of 200+ in Mason City on Sunday, Senator Joe Biden tried to drive home the message that he is most the prepared candidate to be the next President.

Biden, who is typically known for drawing on his foreign relations experience, also spoke extensively about the need to act on health care reform. "Champions for Change" heard the Senator indirectly reference Divided We Fail - stating - "This is the first time in history that business and labor agree that we need some kind of national health plan." He argued that, if elected, he would be able to capitalize on this unique political climate by bringing together Democrats and Republicans to enact meaningful reforms to the health care system.

Biden made three other campaign stops on Sunday in Northwest Iowa.