But in Sanders's eyes, the dead heat left him the big winner of the night. "Tonight we accomplished what the corporate media and political establishment once believed was impossible: after trailing Hillary Clinton in Iowa throughout this entire campaign, it looks as if we will leave the state with roughly the same number of delegates," he wrote to supporters.It was clear what events in Iowa signified, he said. "Tonight's result is a victory for our political revolution."The results now stand at 49.9 percent to Clinton and 49.5 percent to Sanders.1:45am: Democrats Still in Virtual Dead HeatHillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders remained in a virtual dead heat in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with less than one percent of precincts yet to report their figures to the state party.Unbelievable coin toss decides a dead heat in west Davenport! @HillaryClinton wins! @chucktodd @CNBC @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/CtsvYJllBf
— Andrew Tadlock (@andytadlock) February 2, 2016
Osborne, Carson's senior communications strategist, seemed to like the line, tweeting the same "fresh clothes" reasoning just moments later. But this time, Osborne added that Carson needed to leave Iowa before a winter storm strikes later this evening in addition to getting some clean duds..@RealBenCarson leaving Des Moines later tonight to avoid storm. Not suspending -- getting fresh clothes then back out Wednesday— Jason Osborne (@Jmrhosborne) February 2, 2016Luckily, Osborne later tweeted at CNN reporters Chris Moody and Jake Tapper, who initially reported that Carson was heading to Florida, a freshly-clothed Carson will return to the trail on Wednesday..@RealBenCarson will be going to Florida to get fresh clothes b4 heading back out on the campaign trail. Not standing down.
— Jason Osborne (@Jmrhosborne) February 2, 2016
8pm: From Malaysia to Iowa, "Just here to observe" Atikah Aziz, 21, is an international student from Malaysia observing the Democratic caucus at Drake University. What draws her to watch Iowans caucus for their candidates? "I heard people will discuss the candidates and attempt to persuade others." Back home, she said, campaigns are based less on the personality of actual candidates: "In Malaysia, it's between parties. I think this is better because you get to really have confidence in who you choose to be the president.".@jaketapper @RealBenCarson @moody Dr Carson has been on the road for 17 days needs fresh clothes. Back on the trail by Wednesday
— Jason Osborne (@Jmrhosborne) February 2, 2016
Lloyd James, 80, from Des Moines, is a former truck driver who is voting Republican for the first time. "I used to vote Democrat," he says, "but it's time for change." When asked if he voted for Obama, Lloyd said: "Twice, unfortunately." Tonight he is caucusing for Trump. "Trump's my man!" Why? "We need to close the borders. I don't have a problem with them, they're hard workers, but they gotta come legally."
1pm: "We will win tonight if turnout is high": Sanders makes his final pushBernie Sanders made his last pitch in front of a group of volunteers during a surprise visit to his Iowa campaign headquarters in Des Moines on Monday morning.The brief appearance came just a few short hours before the caucuses will start around 7pm in the Hawkeye State. Joined by his wife Jane and a gaggle of supporters, the senator thanked his campaign volunteers who "made it all possible."Just walked out of @JebBush event and almost physically ran into @RickSantorum @vicenews #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/AnaARU5qh5
— Olivia Becker (@obecker928) February 1, 2016
9am: Berning Shirt Sales for Savvy SalesmanLots of empty seats at the Jeb! event on caucus day. @vicenews #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/HRyAjDtS1Y
— Olivia Becker (@obecker928) February 1, 2016
The Adele song "Rolling in the Deep" blared over the speakers while the crowd, which was almost uniformly white, waited for Trump, who was late, to show up. Once he arrived, several vocal supporters made sure Trump felt welcome in the Hawkeye State.Outside the trump rally — Olivia Becker (@obecker928)January 31, 2016
Despite the latest polls indicating that just 1 percent of Iowans think Christie would be the strongest candidate in the November general election, Soules said he believes that the governor could probably do a better job than the rest of the GOP field. He just doesn't think Christie will get the chance.12:20pm, Sunday, January 31: Feeling the BernBernie Sanders campaign headquarters is located in a strip mall in downtown Des Moines, but the atmosphere could not have been more different compared to the offices of the Republican candidates. About 50 volunteers and staffers were spilling out of the doorway, music was playing, and homemade "Feel the Bern" posters were plastered on the windows.Inside, a large room full of volunteers — spanning from teenagers to 60-something hippies — was busy making calls, eating pizza, and giggling on their laptops. A wave of volunteers had just come back from canvassing and another crowd was about to leave.One volunteer, Yosef, age 31, described his attraction to Sanders as similar to using the online dating app OkCupid. "I was swiping, swiping, swiping and I came across Bernie and it was like a 98 percent match," he said laughing. "I totally swiped right on Bernie."Grt 2 have IA's — Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie)January 29, 2016
We just stopped by all the campaign HQs in — Olivia Becker (@obecker928)January 31, 2016
4:30pm, Saturday, January 30: Canvassing From Tokyo to Des MoinesMotoo Unno has canvassed in three states, knocked on more than 4,400 doors, and been chased by two dogs for the Democrats — and he can't even vote in the US. Unno, a professor of cross-cultural communication at Tokyo's Meiji University, has flown to Des Moines, Iowa four times in the last year to study the American electoral process, and especially door-to-door canvassing, which is prohibited in Japan under election law.Hanging out with some more Bernie Bros at Sanders HQ— Olivia Becker (@obecker928)January 31, 2016
The former secretary of state has now enlisted Giffords and Kelly in the fight. Together, the couple co-founded the non-profit group Americans for Responsible Solutions, which encourages elected officials to take action on violence and enact gun control measures.9:40am, Saturday, January 30: Sanders Hits Milestone for Campaign ContributionsBernie Sanders' meteoric rise reached a milestone three days out from the caucuses, when his campaign hit more than 3 million unique contributions before midnight on Friday."Every contribution made to our campaign sends a message that we can defeat the billionaire class in this election," said Jeff Weaver, the campaign manager in Iowa for Sanders, in an email to supporters.The Vermont senator has proudly trumpeted his large grassroots support and the fact he has continued to meet and surpass fundraising goals, largely without the help of super PACs. The campaign bought in $75 million in 2015, including $33 million that was raised in the last three months of the year.By comparison, President Barack Obama, who ran a remarkable 2008 grassroots fundraising effort, only managed to reach the 1 million mark in individual donations by the time of the Iowa caucuses. His re-election campaign garnered 2.2 million donations by the end of 2011.Thursday, January 28: How They Watch the Republican Debate in WaukeeGabby Giffords, who survived gun attack massacre canvassing for Hillary Clinton in Iowa with husband Mark Kelly — Liz Fields (@lianzifields)January 30, 2016
Here's an excerpt from our recap of the event:Thursday was Cruz's last chance in a major public forum make his pitch to Iowa voters before they caucus on Monday. … The Fox moderators pummeled Cruz over his stance opposing ethanol subsidies in Iowa, flip-flopping in the Senate, and even directly questioned him whether he would hurt the Republican Party in later elections if he became the nominee.… Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is currently trailing behind Trump and Cruz in third place in the polls, joined the anti-Cruz pile-on … Rubio did not emerge from the night unscathed, especially when he was asked about his position favoring a pathway to citizenship program for undocumented immigrants.… Rand Paul, on the other hand, emerged as the crowd favorite of the night. The Kentucky senator had been relegated to the kiddie-table debate last time, which he boycotted, but was back on the main stage tonight.Read more here.Confused about the caucuses? We put together to guide you through the complicated process. Read more here.Great Twitter poll- and I wasn't even there. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)January 29, 2016