Iowa Idol or
ABC Debate?

Who needs the Democratic debate in Iowa next Sunday? The real contest is "Iowa Idol." The local version of the national "American Idol" will be happenning on the Iowa State Fairgrounds -- and will be competing with the ABC debate next Sunday for attention.

The finals of the singing competition fall on the same day Democrats are holding their debate on ABC with George Stephanopolous. And later that night, which is also the last day of the state fair, the real American Idol winners are scheduled to perform at the fairgrounds.

No word yet whether the presidential candidates are going to try to sneak onstage at Iowa Idol to sing. (Though this reporter plans to).

--Anne E. Kornblut