MSNBC: Obama's Iowa Field Game is the REAL DEAL

Much has been said about the similarities between Barack Obama and Howard Dean's presidential campaigns:

-Both ran as Washington outsiders

-Both ran as agents of Change

-Both rightly, smartly and justly opposed the war from the start

Both also developed a VERY loyal following, and many in the media tried to frame the narrative as "Barack's support can't/won't translate into votes."

Well, it seems they're eating their words (but at least admitting it!).

Via Carrie Dunn at FirstRead:

Obama's new slot at the top has a host of possible causes and factors. But here's one: As someone originally inclined to believe that Obama's massive productions at the Harkin Steak Fry and the Jefferson-Jackson dinner were mostly smoke and mirrors, I am officially (and somewhat begrudgingly) admitting that, here in Iowa, there's some real backbone to his organization.

What is it that is so impressive about the organization?

How about...

Last week, I went to an Obama campaign event that featured brief remarks by Michelle Obama and the official opening of a new field office in West Des Moines. There wasn't anything particularly remarkable about the event, which attracted 60 or 70 people who waited outside in the frigid afternoon for the senator's wife to speak. But what I did notice was this: the young staffers running the event knew most of the attendees personally (and vice versa). When the lead staffer thanked each of her colleagues by name at the beginning of the program, supporters cheered and shouted out things like "We love you, Luke!"

And here is where the writer notices the difference between this campaign and Dean's campaign:

This probably doesn't seem all that noteworthy, but it might be a hint of an important distinction between the Obama campaign and the failed presidential bid of Howard Dean in 2004. Pundits compare the two campaigns frequently, and with reason: Obama, like Dean, is a change candidate with a foundation of support in youth and netroots communities. Dean's campaign fell apart because -- among other things -- it was "made of sand," as one longtime Iowa statesman here put it. Its manpower was entirely disconnected from grassroots activists, and supporters had little allegiance to keep them in the fold when the going got tough.  But Obama supporters appear to have a genuine personal fondness for the young campaign workers who have clearly laid down roots in this community. (This is also evidenced, by the way, when Obama thanks his field organizers at the beginning of every town hall, as he always does. Crowds almost always appear to know the young person with the clipboard who Obama points out by name.)

This should not be taken as a knock against Dean's amazing staffers (many of whom I have come to know over the last 3 years).  What it does show is the Obama people have learned from that campaign's mistakes.

So those of you out there actually from Iowa...what's your take?