AP: Iowa voters take their time to decide in presidential race

[Omaha Steve]

Iowa voters take their time to decide in presidential race

PELLA, Iowa (AP) — Just off the quaint town square, a pizza shop owner and an employee took a break to banter about politics one recent late-summer day. They did not always agree, but like many others they found common ground on their preference for president — no one yet.

"I am turned off," said Chad Ver Steeg, a 42-year-old Republican who runs the Pizza Ranch restaurant. He lamented the mudslinging by both parties and said, "I don't look forward to this election."

Added fellow conservative Joel Ruisch, 36: "I haven't followed it enough to even come close to picking who to support."

For all the time and money that the candidates have invested, a large number of voters in each party remain uncommitted or willing to change their minds four months before voting begins.

More Republicans fall into that category than Democrats.

The difference reflects the wide-open GOP race. There are several strong contenders — Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and John McCain — but none has emerged as the consensus of a dispirited Republican establishment.

FULL story at link.