WPTZ's Stewart Ledbetter is on the campaign trail with Sen. Bernie Sanders as the campaign encourages supporters to caucus.

Advertisement Thousands rally for Bernie Sanders night before caucus In final pitch, Sen. Bernie Sanders urges voters to realize their power Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Several thousand Iowans packed into a gymnasium Sunday night, eager to see Sen. Bernie Sanders, almost hanging on his every word.WPTZ NewsChannel 5's Stewart Ledbetter is in Des Moines, Iowa, covering Sanders' campaign and his final push before Monday's caucus.Watch this storyThe rally, Sanders' last before Iowa voters head to their presidential caucuses Monday, drew a raucous crowd, a mix of young and old, families with kids and 20-somethings.The warm-up acts included members of the band "Foster the People" and a trio of Hollywood actors. Outside, a customized van from California outfitted with thousands of LED lights spelling "Bernie" reminded voters who they were really coming to see.Download the WPTZ appWhen Sanders and his wife, Jane, and their two daughters, finally arrived about 45 minutes late, it sounded like the return of the Beatles.The 74-year-old senator thanked Iowans for their hospitality over the last few months and told them they live "in a very beautiful state." But he meant business, urging them to seize the power they have to upset conventional Democratic politics."When we started this campaign here in Iowa, we were 50 or 60 points behind Secretary Clinton," Sanders told CNN's Jake Tapper in one of several Sunday morning network appearances. "We have come a long, long way."In fact, the last polling suggests Iowa is too close to call, for Democrats and maybe for Republicans, too.At Smokey Row Coffee House in Des Moines, breakfast conversations often drift toward politics. Veteran political analyst Dennis Goldford, of Drake University, noted only a segment of Iowans participate in the caucus, which is why turnout is so critical to victory.Campaigns leave little to chance. At Sanders headquarters in a suburban strip mall, volunteers came from many states to help. They fanned out into neighborhoods with voter lists and knocked on doors.One volunteer, Neal Sales-Griffin runs a software company in Chicago."I've never been this charged to stand up and do something about our political system," he said.But it was soon apparent that many Democratic voters were still wavering, even after months of candidate appearances and non-stop television advertising.Emir Malovic, 24, changing the oil in his driveway, explained he likes Sanders, but will probably end up supporting Hillary Clinton at Monday's caucus."I'm just questioning whether Bernie can do all the things he says," Malovic explained.Others told Sales-Griffin they can't go to the caucus because they have to work, or for some other reason can't afford to make the two hour time commitment to go.Still, it was clear Sanders has struck a nerve in Iowa, and at his closing rally, the senator implored supporters to send an unmistakable message to Wall Street and to the "establishment in Washington."His voice hoarse, Sanders said the country was at a "pivotal moment," and it was time to "tell the billionaires they can't have it all."Sanders planned a light schedule Monday, before appearing at a caucus celebration party near the Des Moines airport in the evening.Campaign staff believe they have momentum, but, win or lose, Sanders will be on a plane headed for New Hampshire, at midnight.