Democrats face a bigger question in their Monday caucuses than which candidate to support: How much change does America want?

DES MOINES Democrats face a bigger question in their Monday caucuses here than which candidate to support: How much change does America want?
The field is cleaved between those who seek sweeping reform to the nation, led by Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersTlaib boos Clinton at Sanders event, says ‘haters will shut up on Monday when we win’ IowaClinton: Sanders and supporters did not do enough to unify party in 2016Final impeachment vote postponed to Wednesday amid internal  GOP spatMORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenAlexander supports Trump’s reelection despite ‘inappropriate’ Ukraine callFinal impeachment vote postponed to Wednesday amid internal  GOP spatOvernight Energy: Top EPA political staffer leaves for coal lobby | House committee gears up for vote to subpoena Interior | EPA re-approves key Roundup chemicalMORE (D-Mass.), and those who favor a much more incremental approach, including former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenPelosi calls senators who voted against trial witnesses ‘accomplices to the President’s cover-up’Senate rejects impeachment witnesses, setting up Trump acquittalPoll: 44 percent say Trump should be removed from officeMORE, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegOvernight Energy: Top EPA political staffer leaves for coal lobby | House committee gears up for vote to subpoena Interior | EPA re-approves key Roundup chemicalBloomberg spent more than 8 million in fourth quarter Davis: My take … as I leave for the Iowa CaucusesMORE (D) and Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharFinal impeachment vote postponed to Wednesday amid internal  GOP spatDavis: My take … as I leave for the Iowa CaucusesDNC drops donor requirement for debates, opening door for BloombergMORE (D-Minn.).
The divide is getting starker by the day in the final sprint to the caucuses, where several candidate have a realistic chance of prevailing.
The contrast could be seen clearly in two events on Friday, as Biden campaigned in the rural eastern Iowa town of Fort Madison and three congresswomen Reps. Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyWarren co-chair Pressley says primary order should ‘absolutely’ changeSanders endorses 9 progressive House candidatesThe DCCC’s ‘blacklist’ protects a white male political status quoMORE (D-Mass.), Katie Porter (D-Calf.) and Deb HaalandDebra HaalandImpeachment throws curveball in Iowa to sidelined senatorsHaaland, Davids included in ‘Jeopardy’ clue for historic first as Native American congresswomenPelosi announces Porter, Haaland will sit on Oversight panelMORE (D-N.M.) rallied Warren supporters in Des Moines.
Biden and his backers sought to soothe rather than incite.
We are going to heal this nation, Biden promised.
His central argument is that electing him would mark a return to business as usual after President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate Democrats outraise Republicans, but GOP has cash edgeComey op-ed: US democracy won’t ‘come apart’ if Trump isn’t removed from officeProtesters flock to the Capitol after Senate impeachment votesMORE.
For Team Warren, as with Sanderss supporters, business as usual is the problem and a more fundamental shift is required.
We have a president who is a tyrant, said Haaland, setting the fiery tone for much of what followed.
Former Iowa Gov. Tom VilsackThomas James VilsackUSDA: Farm-to-school programs help schools serve healthier mealsOVERNIGHT MONEY: House poised to pass debt-ceiling billMORE (D), campaigning with Biden, told The Hill after the Fort Madison event that people who view the former vice president as too mild in his outlook and rhetoric are missing the point.
People say, Well, he needs more energy. No, actually he needs to provide a contrast to President Trump, said Vilsack. President Trump has plenty of energy but people are saying, Too much, too much. We want someone who is a statesman, who is calming.
Hours later, in Des Moines, Pressley took the mic to wild cheers and praised change-makers and disruptorsactivists and agitators.
The difference was apparent, too, in the tenor and make-up of each crowd. 
In Bidens case, the audience was largely old, the numbers modest a generous estimate would be around 150 people and the atmosphere sedate.
For Warren, the crowd was noticeably younger, bigger and louder.
Passion and intensity are crucial in caucuses as then-Sen. Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaClinton: Sanders and supporters did not do enough to unify party in 2016Houston rodeo to hold carnival day with fewer lights and sounds for guests with sensitivitiesRepublicans: Want to reelect Trump? Vote for Bernie MORE (D-Ill.) proved 12 years ago when he won convincingly over more centrist figures including Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonTlaib boos Clinton at Sanders event, says ‘haters will shut up on Monday when we win’ IowaClinton: Sanders and supporters did not do enough to unify party in 2016Hillicon Valley: Senate report on Russian interference expected next week | Facebook targets coronavirus misinformation | FCC says wireless carriers broke law by selling location dataMORE and Biden himself. 
But older people are among the most reliable caucus-goers, and previous candidates who relied heavily on young support such as former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) in 2004 have come up short in the end.
There is also measurable polling evidence to suggest that Democrats prize the ousting of Trump above all else in selecting a nominee. 
For example, a Gallup poll late last year indicated that 60 percent of Democratic voters would prefer a nominee with the best chance of defeating the president, over 38 percent who would prefer a nominee who agrees with them on most of the issues they care about.
Vilsack said Friday that Biden is the most electable because he speaks to the broadest spectrum of voters.
But progressive activists have long argued that the choice between idealism and electability is a false one, insisting that Democrats win when they offer inspiration rather than compromise.
On Friday in Des Moines, Haaland made a version of the same point. She did not name Biden when she criticized those who favor small ideas and short-sighted solutions but she hardly needed to do so.
Warren supporters like Rebecca Cohen, a graphic designer who came to Iowa from Portland to canvass for the senator, take a similarly ambitious view.
Warren, in Cohens view, has made it her lifes work to fight the corruption and imbalance that keeps working families down and disadvantages us to the benefit of the richest peopleIts about more than defeating Trump though thats the first step.
Biden, preemptively defending himself from such criticism, said in Fort Madison that his opponents were wrong to call him naive, insisting that he had been able to work constructively with Republicans as recently as the end of the Obama administration. 
The old days three years ago!, the former vice president told the crowd wryly.
The return to normalcy promised by Biden is clearly just what some Democrats are seeking.
Jeraine Hofer, an 81-year-old from Fort Madison, said of the former vice president I hope he gets itHes cool and calm. He doesnt holler out too much.
But whether Iowas in general want more to feel the balm or in Sanders famous slogan to feel the Bern remains to be seen. 
The Memo  is a reported column by Niall Stanage, primarily forced on Donald Trumps presidency.