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Thursday, December 13, 2007
Iowa Debates
So this debate was a snoozer -- I am all but certain that no one on this list saw it. For those who did, you know what I am talking about. Since I arrived in Iowa about six hours ago, the word I keep hearing is civility -- and that's a nice word, that apparently inhibits a good debate. I think civility and debate are not incompatible -- as my fellow-guest-blogger and Widener colleague can attest.
The civility of the event seemed to have as much to do with the moderator as the candidates -- no questions that called on candidates to explain real differences between themselves and other candidates. Overall, with the clear exception of Brian Williams, few moderators have been able to ask questions that call for candidates to contrast themselves with others in meaningful ways.
The Iowa press, though, seems to have liked my candidate in this debate. This piece appeared in the Des Moines Register.
Not sure what people on the street thought -- or if they even watched. I plan to eat in Waffle House every morning until the caucus -- a place where you can get this information. So I'll occasionally provide the Waffle House updates.
Posted by Wes Oliver on December 13, 2007 at 05:37 PM in Law and Politics | Permalink
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Comments
First rule of politics -- don't tell everyone you are campaigning for a candidate while visiting a "Waffle House." Karl Rove would have a field day with the imagery.
Posted by: Johnny | Dec 14, 2007 11:54:31 AM
Thoughts from a veteran of a Democratic caucus many years ago:
Iowa debates may be signals for the national media more than information for locals. Democratic causus goers in Iowa, like primary voters in New Hampshire, often want to meet the candidates in person before making up their minds.
David Yepsen, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, isn't just "Iowa press." For all intents and purposes, he *is* the Iowa political press. Yepsen is the best public barometer there is of what insiders think.
If you want to talk to the insiders themselves (at least the top-level Dem insiders), you used to go to the bar at the Savery hotel in Des Moines. I don't know if that's still the hangout, but these people drink, so drink with them. The Dem campaign staffs used to hang out at Carl's Bar (Woodland Ave.) in Des Moines. Even if that's not a staff hangout any longer, the bar is worth a stop, around 11:30 on a cold Iowa night.
If you want to talk to real Iowans, is the Waffle House the place to go today? How Des Moines has gone upscale! Bishop's used to be the place to go (the same Bishop's that featured in that Contracts chestnut, Syester v. Banta), but it's gone. For a taste of the Iowa middle class, try Spaghetti's for lunch. For the flavor of working Iowa, get out of Des Moines. Find a good breakfast in Boone, or Atlantic, or Marshalltown, or Knoxville, each of which is an hour or so out of the big city (give or take). And stay out of the ditch.
Posted by: Mike Madison | Dec 14, 2007 9:47:44 AM
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