"That allows states to decide whether to grant in-state tuition to children whose parents brought them here illegally," Cannon said. "I believe the states ought to have the choice to do that or not. It also allows us to capture the smartest of those who are not here of their own volition but because their parents brought them."

Delegates like Eddie Cox from Sanpete County endorsed Cannon, as did Boehner, who emphasized the benefit of having an incumbent in Washington.

"I thought I'd be here 10 years and go back to my business," Boehner said. "But then I realized there is no end to this fight. It requires vigilance, and as someone who works with him every day, I can tell you Chris Cannon displays that vigilance."

Cook and Minson, Jacob's campaign manager, expressed confidence that their daily dialogues with delegates will pay off on Saturday. Both are hosting two to four events a day, generally starting with a breakfast and usually including a lunch. When they aren't fielding questions over food, they are calling the delegates on the phone.

"By Thursday," Cook said, "we'll have met with a little over 700 of the 1,100 delegates."

He also sent a final mailer Monday that closes a campaign of postcards.

"All of our events are substantive on the issues," he said. "We're talking about how we can end illegal immigration and why we need to reverse this No Child Left Behind bill in Congress. Then we're trying to discuss the problem of a twin deficit, the federal budget deficit and the huge trade deficit."

Cook, who spent a total of just more than $21,000 through the third week of April, said the delegate process is relatively inexpensive, and he's right. Other House races run into the millions, though Cannon has retained his seat in recent years with half to three-quarters that amount.

"We've enjoyed nice breakfast visits, and we always pick up the tab," he said. "That's been the main method of contact. It's a very useful process."

All three campaigns indicated that a fairly large number of delegates, as much as 20 percent perhaps, will be undecided up until they vote on Saturday. Cook and Jacob will work hard all week to talk to them. Cannon is flying back to Washington today but will return in time for a Friday night question-and-answer session in the Salt Lake area.

Access is the key. Cannon again gave delegates his cell phone number on Monday night. Cook answered the number listed on the main page of his Web site. Jacob has emphasized accessibility to the delegates.

"We have spent every bit of time on phone as possible," Minson said of Jacob. "I think it'll pay off for us. John has tried to set the bar higher. He tries to give them plenty of opportunity, and he is willing to spend quality time with each delegate."

And he's willing to pass the syrup, too.

"It's pancakes and politics," Minson said.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com