nbc's chris palone reports. >> reporter: with the iowa caucuses just three months away, democrats hoping to take on president trump next year are chris-crossing that state and trying to connect with voters. >> we want to believe that, everybody, everybody deserves a shot. >> former vice president joe biden sharpening his message, that his experience is what sets him apart. >> whomever we nominate has to be ready on day one. to look at the rest of the world and the rest of the world look at that person and say i know him, i know he knows who he is, and i've met with him, i've been with him, i understand. >> but in the latest "new york times" siena college iowa poll, senator elizabeth warren sits atop a tight cluster of candidates which includes senator bernie sanders, indiana mayor pete buttigieg and the former vice president. warren telling eye wants that ideas not opposition to trump will win the white house. >> i'm not running some consultant-driven campaign, with some vague ideas that are designed not to offend anyone. >> the democratic campaign continues on, without former texas repr