CQ Politics Today reports that U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and Iowa Democrats are enjoying a “lean” as the fall election approaches and that John McCain’s decision to focus more on New Hampshire than Iowa could cost him the crucial Hawkeye State.

Barack Obama and John McCain were a study in contrasts in this state during this year’s nomination battles, with Obama winning Iowa’s caucuses thanks to a strong, well-organized campaign while McCain, who took politically unpopular positions on key farm-state issues, chose to make his big effort in New Hampshire which he had won in 2000 and would go on to win again.

But given that Iowa is considered a competitive state, McCain may pay a price in November for that decision. He goes into the general election campaign without the kind of established base here that Obama enjoys. And at best, Republicans would have been an even bet here – a place Democrats’ recent victories have included Chet Culver ’s 2006 win for governor and pickups in two House districts that gave their party a 3-2 advantage in the state delegation.