Well, after what seems to have been an interminable period of time, the appointed day is finally here, and at least some actual voters will begin to have a say about the 2008 presidential nominations. And according to most expectations, that say will be concluded within about a month (a month and two days, to be exact).

In Iowa today, the weather will be clear, windy, and reasonably mild by that state's winter standards, with high temperatures reaching 30 degrees this afternoon as the campaigns go through their final paces. The actual Caucuses begin at 7:00 p.m. CST, and results should begin pouring in by 8:00.

I'll have a later dispatch from Des Moines, but for now, suggest you read Chuck Todd's summary of what the MSM is going to say tonight based on the most likely scenarios in both parties. The most intriguing issue may turn out to be how a "victory" is defined on the Democratic side, as opposed to a "tie."