Herman Cain generated significant early buzz in the state last winter and spring but has not made a concerted effort to build off of it. Despite his impressive rise in national and state polls, he has a long way to go in doing the necessary groundwork to win in Iowa — which he has not set foot in since August.

“Herman Cain is squelching his opportunity by not campaigning here,” said Tim Albrecht, the communications director for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. “Iowa would be a friendly state to him, and his silence is deafening.”…

The GOP candidate who has been in Iowa most frequently is Rick Santorum, having held 151 public events there, nearly double the number posted by his closest competitor in that regard, Michele Bachmann, according to The Des Moines Register.

“Keep your eye on Rick Santorum,” one well-connected Iowa GOP operative told RCP. “He’s working really hard and has been to almost all of the counties. When you meet with people in groups of 20, you really bond with them, and that’s a big deal.”