DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans and Democrats in state capitals across the country are talking ambitiously about what they'll do next year with the unchecked power they amassed in the fall elections. In more states than not, one party now has full control of government.

But you won't hear much brash talk in Des Moines. Here, party leaders are warning supporters about what they shouldn't look forward to next year and speaking mildly about compromises.

Iowa inhabits an unusual parallel universe in this politically polarized time. It is one of only three states where control of the legislature is split between the parties. Instead of laying out bold initiatives for overhauling taxes or education, Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and legislative leaders are trying to figure out a few things they can agree on so that when the session is over, they won't wind up with nothing.