Hopefuls Pause for St. Nick

Is the spirit of St. Nick in sync with political stumping? Presidential hopefuls are wondering that in Iowa, where the January 3 caucus date is adding pressure to campaign during Christmas week—an act that some voters may find offensive. "We are in uncharted territory here," says the Iowa chair of John McCain's campaign.

No hopefuls reached by the Des Moines Register are planning public events during Christmas week, although four will run ads with a Des Moines TV station. Experts say they will likely sell ornaments and host parties to nudge voters in holiday style. No one's saying when campaigns will rev back up, but some Iowans say they accept the political deluge as part of their first-caucus status. (More Election 2008 stories.)