CableNewser Questioner: Iowa Caucus Preview

Rob Bignell is the Editorial Page editor of the Iowa City Press-Citizen. His analysis of the Democratic candidates recently received an award for commentary writing from Gannett.

The cable networks are promising more extensive coverage of the caucus this year than ever before. Is that a good thing?

Some would criticize such coverage, saying Iowa doesn't represent a good cross-section of the nation; they'd also criticize the style of coverage, saying it turns the presidential campaign into a horse race. Those are valid points, but on balance I'd say that Americans who pay attention can discover a lot about the candidates via a caucus in a small state. A caucus forces candidates to play retail politics, to meet one-on-one with everyday people. We've had candidates here who've washed dishes at a school board member's house, who've sat down over coffee with two farmers in a small town diner and who've spent 10 minutes talking to a 17-year-old high school student who can't yet vote. Virtually all of this gets covered, and thanks to the Internet and cable news, you can discover what every candidate says on any issue.

Some media critics argue that the media's treatment of the caucus is akin to sport, reading off statistics and saddling candidates with expectations and labels. Is it true, and if so, is that fair to all involved?

There's some truth to that. But most reporters go beyond the who's-in-first and talk about what message is resonating with Democrats/caucus-goers. If cynics look beyond the headlines, they'll get what they're looking for: coverage of issues. Of course, in some cases, news reports focus on campaign strategies, but that's important, too, in understanding the process and the candidate.

What is it like with the national media temporarily setting up camp in Iowa - and when they dissapear the morning after the caucus?

There's a lot of energy when the national -- and even international -- media arrive. It's sort of like a county fair - a lot of oohing and ahhing ("Tom Brokaw is broadcasting from my brother's restuarant!") and a great sense of pride over our seemingly folksy ways (We think candidates ought to spend a little more time sipping coffee in the show barn as we talk politics).

The caucuses received little media attention when they began in 1972. Do you think the participants then could have imagined what we see now?

There may have been a few visionaries who sensed what might happen, but even as late as 1972 the national convention still was the single most important event in the nominating process. Ironically, the Iowa Caucuses came about as a fluke, but Jimmy Carter's success with it in 1976 encouraged state party leaders to ensure the state remained first. The other aspect is the increase in news coverage due to cable news stations. Few saw that coming in 1972.
 

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