entourages and the media, the contest has drawn political tourists - including a family who drove 2,000

Jeb's campaign claims it was a 'prank' organized by rivals - although who that could be was unclear

At event man shouted from the floor that he hadn't been paid - and was told by Jeb to 'get out'. Then Bush claimed offer is dirty tricks from rivals

event - and reporter was told: 'You don't have to listen, just applaud'

With the clock ticking down in Iowa desperation has started to kick in with candidates attempting to squeeze every last vote.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the extraordinary offer made to Daily Mail Online outside Rand Paul's first event of the day – a roundtable in the unprepossessing Hyvee Supermarket just off Route 6, Hickman Road, Waukee.

Before the man of the moment arrived two young men approached asking people asking if they wanted to make a bit of extra money.

'$$ Earn Fast Cash Today!' read the fliers they carried in hand. 'Seat fillers needed TODAY at 12pm for campaign event.'

The offer was simple: $25 an hour to turn up to Jeb Bush's rally in the Embassy Suites by Hilton – Central Atrium on Locust Street, Des Moines - a maximum of $50.

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Make me an offer: The flyer offering up to $50 to attend a campaign event. The man handing it out said the campaign needed 'high energy' people to fill seats. But Bush said it was dirty tricks which he had participated in himself in his younger days

Last chance: Jeb Bush addresses people who had turned up for his last Iowa even today - before it was marred by an interruption which he blamed on dirty tricks

Furious: Jeb Bush at the moment he was interrupted by shouts about being paid $25 an hour to watch him. He turned on them, shouting: 'Get out.'

Paid actors? The two men involved in the $50 claims. They stood up when one shouted that they had not been paid yet, prompting Jeb to order them out

Removed: Police took both men away and questioned them. The Bush campaign claimed that they had admitted to being paid actors

'Bring a cushion' I was advised by the young man who told me he worked for 'Dale Herbert Events', not for Bush. 'You don't have to listen, just applaud every now and then. They need young people. It's all about high energy.'

As a notoriously low-energy candidate - at least according to Donald Trump - it seemed that Bush has resorted to buying at least the illusion of a voter high as the candidates lurch towards the finishing line of tonight's caucuses.

But it could also be dirty tricks - that was Jeb Bush's claim and his campaign was sticking to it.

Daily Mail Online declined the offer of fast cash for simply turning up.

But the offer is either an eye-opening indicator of just how desperate things have got here in Iowa because campaigns will pay for people to turn up at their events; or it is an eye-opening indicator of just how desperate things have got here in Iowa because campaigns will pay people to turn up at rival events to malign them.

When we went to the Jeb event, the first words from the floor the Bush rally came for a disgruntled 'seat-filler'.

'We've been here for two hours and we haven't been paid,' he piped up.

'Get out of here man,' came Bush's response as the room erupted into boos and jeers before breaking into a round of 'Jeb, Jeb, Jeb' chants - the first sign of 'high energy'.

He was in fact one of the same men who had been handing out the fliers.

Earlier Bush had cited the importance of virtues - choosing honesty as his first. 'Somebody should try telling that to Hillary Clinton,' he joked.

Bush was relentless mocked as 'low-energy' by Donald Trump and went from being the clear Republican frontrunner when he launched his campaign, to standing at 4 per cent in the latest Iowa poll , released this morning by the Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Real supporters: Regardless of the two who were asked to leave, Jeb did have some real support, including Jolyn Lorenzetti, 28 - who is a campaign worker

Real supporters: Regardless of the two who were asked to leave, Jeb did have some real support

Energy: Jeb Bush's real supporters at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Des Moines

Wrapping up before taking questions, Bush addressed the earlier outburst.

'Have the YR (Young Republican) guys gone yet?' he asked - suggesting the man who asked about money had not in fact been offered it, but was himself involved in dirty tricks from a rival - because Jeb had done the same himself.

'That's what we used to do back in the day, we would come to other campaigns and do what they did,' he said. 'Those are the tactics.'

His campaign spokesman later claimed that it was a 'prank' and that the two men had been questioned by police and identified themselves as paid actors John Nelson and Davron Stelier, and provided purported dates of birth.

We've been here for two hours and we haven't been paid The $25-an-hour offer backfires at Jeb's midday campaign rally

Public records suggest that both names were false. The spokesman offered no clue as to who might have been the guilty rival behind the 'prank'.

According to the Dale Herbert Events representative they have also supplied seat-fillers for Cruz. Daily Mail Online is asking the Cruz camp for comment.

There is no public record of a company of that name, and nobody called Dale Herbert registered in public records as living in Iowa. There are records of dozens of other Dale Herberts in other states.

But later in the day, a 'Dale Herbert' emailed Daily Mail Online to claim that their clients were 'confidential'.

The email read: 'Dear current and prospective Dale Herbert Events clients,

'Thank you for your inquiry. First of all, we would like to make clear that what happened earlier today is not indicative of the high standards we hold at Dale Herbert Events. Rest assured, this incident was just a result of poor communication.

'These two gentlemen will be paid for their time in full, but will not be rehired by DHE.

'We would also like to make it clear that our 6:30pm event in Manchester is still a “go” and that all those who’ve registered should plan to attend.

'***In response to any media inquiries, as per our policy at Dale Herbert Events we have chosen to respect the confidentiality of our clients***

'Cheers,

'Dale Herbert

'Dale Herbert Events'

Both Bush and John Kasich are scheduled to speak in Manchester, New Hampshire tonight.

There was speculation that a pro-Rubio super PAC - a body which organizes support for a candidate but is not their official campaign - called Conservative Solutions was behind it but one official from it, Jeff Sadosky, used Twitter to deny the claim.

But there was definitely no paying for 'supporters' at Rand Paul's morning round table, his first event of the day, in the somewhat humble surroundings of Hyvee's Market Grill.

This approach was not, according to Paul's Iowa campaign organizer Steve Grubbs either welcome at Paul's event or part of their strategy.

Had he had a broom he'd have used it to sweep the hawkers from his stoop. As it was he told them in no uncertain terms to clear off.

He claimed to have never heard of the practice or Dale Herbert Events though its young proponents seemed convinced that what they were doing was just part and parcel of the to and fro of caucusing.

According to his campaign manager all 250 or so of the people who pitched up there this morning were genuine campaigners, supporters and a few interested but undecided voters still open to being persuaded pre- their morning shop.

We would like to make clear that what happened earlier today is not indicative of the high standards we hold at Dale Herbert Events. Rest assured, this incident was just a result of poor communication. An email from 'Dale Herbert' at Dale Herbert Events. No public records exist of a company of that name.

Mr Grubbs said it was chosen because this is the edge of rural Iowa and agriculture matters in this state – everything matters in this state right now as far as the Democratic and Republican hopefuls are concerned.

By 8.20 this morning the parking lot was filled with telltale signs that Rand was on his way, and his supporters were already there.

Cars with Rand stickers and flags peppered the lot. Die-hard Paul supporter Cody Ogden, 31, had driven his truck bearing the American flag and emblazoned with Rand's name the 274 miles from Missouri for this moment. 'It was worth it,' he said. 'Rand's the man!'

Outside the Market Grille Paul's campaign Corvette, parked at the door, served as an indicator to campaigners that this coffee shop was indeed the right place.

Part Dukes of Hazzard, part Knight Rider, Rand's political promises are emblazoned on the bonnet – a 'When I am President' wish list.

And right now he's maintaining the line that, though he's trailing in fifth place in the Republican polls, Iowa and the rest of America are going to be 'surprised' come the caucuses tonight.

Last Iowa stand with Rand: Republican candidate Rand Paul at a campaign stop on his final day in Iowa - and he said people would be 'surprised' by the results later

On the trail: Rand Paul and Daily Mail Online reporter Laura Collins at his event in Des Moines. He was confident of an upset tonight

Come a long way: Die-hard Paul supporter Cody Ogden, 31, had driven his truck bearing the American flag and emblazoned with Rand's name the 274 miles from Missouri for this moment

Last chance for voters: Like all the candidates, Rand Paul made a final push today, shaking hands at Hyvee's Market Grille

Little red Corvette: Rand Paul's campaign car has been making his case in Iowa and was at his event in Des Moines today

For the past several days candidates have been ricocheting round Iowa like ball bearings in a pinball machine. No coffee shop or pizza parlor has been immune from the roundtables and town halls of Rubio, Cruz, Santorum, Paul and co.

While Paul was due at Hyvee's Market Grille, across town Martin O'Malley (the only candidate who still has to wear a name badge to identify himself) was hosting his own event Outside Smokey Row Coffee Shop.

Later Rick Santorum was due in Des Moines Christian School, Urbandale pretty much at the same time as Donald Trump claimed the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center in Waterloo.

Meanwhile Chris Christie was preparing to speak at the Bull Moose Club luncheon at Des Moines Embassy Club.

Where Donald Trump has favored ballrooms and convention centers his co-runners have mixed it up as their loyal campaign staff ensure that no yard sign is left unplanted in the dying hours of this caucus campaign.

Family: Rand Paul's sister Joy Le Blanc had traveled from Texas to help the candidate

Hillary Clinton has parachuted in her family to boost her appeal and pip Bernie Sanders to the post.

And then of course there's Jeb Bush, shelling out for a full house this afternoon at the Embassy Suites.

When Paul himself arrived, pushing his way into the room packed with young loyalists and TV crews the chant went up immediately 'President Paul, President Paul.' After a brief lull another sturdy fellow started the call, 'Who do we want? President Paul. When do we want him? 2016.'

Paul was watched by his sister, Joy Le Blanc– a doctor from Texas who has travelled with her brother across the state these past few days 'It's been a lot of driving,' she said, 'Kind of exciting going from town to town. It's a cool process with a lot of energy and we're hoping for a great result.'

And in the midst of all the clamor Paul cut a diminutive figure. Dressed in navy blazer, jeans, open necked white shirt and tan brogues he navigated his way round the room through the road blocks of fans and media until he stood in front of the small screen bearing his name in front of which he finally stood to make his brief speech.

He was introduced by former Iowa Farm Bureau President, Craig Lane and Senator Charles Grassley.

Grassley summed him up in four words: his ideological approach, liberty, thoughtful, innovative and inclusive.

And if Donald Trump has been like a snowplow barreling his way across the political highway, Paul has more modestly scattered salt and shoveled his path of fiscal conservatism and small government.

Glamour squad: Donald Trump took his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner on stage in Waterloo to emphasize his campaign. He had spent months attacking jeb Bush as 'low energy'

Did he pay for seat fillers too? Cruz was named as a candidate who had used the practice. Daily Mail Online is asking his camp if that is the case

He spoke briefly about the inequity in the criminal justice system that sees three out of four prisoners, poor black men, he touched on gun control, the environment and told how President Obama has too much power – 'he thinks with his pen and his iPhone he can do anything he likes.'

Each statement was met with roars of approval. In truth Paul could have recited his grocery list and incited a chant for it to be taken to the White House.

This is caucus fever and it has broken out all over Iowa – a state that is, in reality, representative of nothing but has, over the next 12 hours, come to represent everything.

Iowa is 92 per cent white where the rest of America is 77 percent, it is conservative and it has only twice in history accurately predicted the Republican presidential candidate.

Gauging public opinion here is as scientific as asking people round a dinner table what they think. But none of that seems to matter right here right now.

The national media and campaigners have descended on this Midwestern state in force. Coffee shops have been commandeered by morning news shows – to attempt to get a coffee at Java Joes on Locust Street, Des Moines, this morning was an exercise in chaos as it played host to Joe Scarborough's Morning Joe.

By tomorrow it will all be over – rental car companies Alamo, Enterprise and National are expecting 500 car returns on Tuesday where the average daily tally is just 120. But until then every Iowan second counts for the candidates determined to push their figures over the edge.

Paul's team has been campaigning here since April – knocking every door, making 1.1million phone calls.

Within moments of leaving his Hyvee event Paul himself had tweeted the rather plaintive plea: 'Can you invite 2 friends or family members tonight to the caucus?'

But according to manager Steve Grubb, in spite of that air or desperation: 'We're anticipating good results – all of your work for the last year rides on one night at a time. Tonight it's Iowa.'