Iowa Weather Frigid, Politics Not

By David Crabtree

Posted: January 1, 2008
Updated: January 2, 2008

We're here. Photojournalist Keith Baker and I are back for the caucuses.

We were here in 2004 and we're sure we would never be that cold again. Wrong! Wind chill today was hovering somewhere around minus 15. As we checked into the hotel I asked about the weather and was told, "oh yes, we'll be in the negative tonight."

While the weather is frigid the politics is anything but. John Edwards campaign staff is working around the clock as are the staffs for the other major players.

This is huge. At least 2,500 journalists have been credentialed for Thursday night, twice as many as when we were here in 2004. 250 media outlets from other countries are a here. Iowa has become a frozen melting pot as the BBC and Japanese TV are leading the foreign contingent.

Wednesday we head to Ames to spend time with folks from Raleigh who are here to knock on doors and talk with undecided voters. New Year's Day those voters preferred pigskin over politics.

In less than 48 hours we'll know if there is a major winner and loser in Iowa. So far, the races appear "too close to call."

3 Comments

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This was basically an article that says, "We are here" - nothing more...

tmedlin
January 2, 2008 8:52 a.m.

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I second the comments of "colliedave." As ever, David Crabtree "distinguishes" himself as the Master of Fluff and cutting edge analysis. He makes Oprah look like Edward R. Murrow. Thanks, David, for your brilliant insights on the weather in Iowa. It's cold in January??? Now THAT's a shock! Can WRAL send a serious journalist (or hire a contractor if the station can't find one on its payroll) to provide some meaningful insight on ALL candidates and this important political event?

Churchill
January 1, 2008 11:10 p.m.

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I guess this proves that WRAL and the N&O have their collective noses up Edwards' rear. Why hasn't either news organization done any investigative reporting and asked Jonhnny Boy hard questions?

Has either organization pulled his income tax returns to reveal how much of his fortune he gives to charity? Did they ask for his time sheets at the hedge fund he worked for to see if he really showed up for work? Did they reveal the owner of the company is a major donor to Edwards campaign? Did they ask to list what at he has **accomplished** in his battle against poverty? Why hasn't anyone in the main stream media done their jobs in exposing this fraud? I guess they are, as Lenin described, as useful idiots.