Blame Florida for the GOP's holiday craziness

All across Iowa, Republican candidates are trying to cram as much campaigning as possible into the days remaining before the Jan. 3 caucuses, all the while taking care not to get in the way of the voters’ real lives during the Christmas-New Year’s rush.

It’s not easy. Newt Gingrich is planning a tour of more than 40 cities and towns. Rick Perry is in the middle of his own marathon. Michele Bachmann is trying to hit all 99 of Iowa’s counties in just 10 days. It’s an insane last-minute rush, at a moment when most voters’ time is filled with holiday gatherings and shopping and preparation.