Heading into the final days of the campaign for Iowa's January 3rd caucuses, Barack Obama is in a tight race with John Edwards and Hillary Rodham Clinton. He's focusing on the relatively large number of voters yet to make up their minds... many of whom live in rural areas. KSFY caught up with him Monday in LeMars.

This race is nip and tuck. In fact Obama appeared at the same venue where Clinton spoke Sunday night.

If Iowans are starstruck, they don't show it. Questions for Obama ranged from, how to improve America's standing in the world, to funding for basic infrastructure. The candidate pointed out what a unique opportunity people in the Hawkeye State have. "Iowans you have this extraordinary privilege of participating in the democracy at a level that almost no other American has."

It's a privilege many here, including Adam Feiges are keenly aware of. "And I think a lot of Iowans take that very seriously. I think we, I know I looked at this as I engaged personally."

So what should those of us in South Dakota with little chance of seeing a candidate within our own borders think? Obama admits we shouldn't expect many visitors. "Hopefully people in South Dakota get a sense of what the candidates are like by the retail campaign that's taking place in these early states."

As for these Iowa caucus-goers, the ones who will have such a huge impact on the rest of the nation, what issues are most important? The war in Iraq was mentioned, so were healthcare and education and many issues you might not think of. Claire Packard is an undecided voter. "The biggest issue I think is the voting machines and the progress that government has to make to get them up and going next year."

The latest ABC News poll shows Clinton, Obama and John Edwards all within 8 points of each other. On the republican side, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee are running neck and neck.

Once again the Iowa caucuses are January 3rd.