Interesting side note to the odd landscape that is shaping up in Iowa – continued internal Romney talk that their candidate continues to flail in the polls, Thompson internally talking up the possibility of surpassing lowered expectations, McCain feeling rejuvenated and possibly jumping into the fray.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is refusing to let his staff put his name forward as a guest with Tim Russert on “Meet the Press.” “There is no way he’ll do it without at least two weeks of prep time and we can’t do that now,” says a new arrival to Team Huckabee in Iowa. “He’s focused on winning Iowa, note playing ‘gotcha’ and being embarrassed on ‘Meet’.”

Russert is believed to have wanted Huckabee for the 23rd or 30th, but has been put off.