Iowa Caucus Guy’s Presidential Election Blog

Cory Booker was here earlier this month and was the first "real" campaign event of the season (or at least more accurately, the first one covered by the media as such). The Booker stop was very much in line with what one expects in the current climate. He is undoubtedly charismatic and a great speaker. As the New Republic eloquently put it, he does have a lot in common in Obama, lazy comparisons notwithstanding. Still, Iowa is getting blitzed in October with potential candidates.  Iowans will be visited by Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Julian Castro, Jay Inslee, Jeff Merkley, Tulsi Gabbard, Eric Slawell and Andrew Yang.  Plus since nothing in life is guaranteed, it is also probably worth mentioning Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, maverick Ben Sasse, Paul Ryan, and former Independent for President Evan McMullin are also here this month. Nothing too earth shattering here (mainly because most of the above have been here before), but the po...

The news this weekend is Cory Booker headlining the Democrat Fall Gala. The Gala was formerly known as the Jefferson-Jackson dinner and last year, Alec Baldwin headlined for 3000 people. For sure, at this time of the election cycle, it's a dress rehearsal for a campaign run. The last event of this magnitude in Iowa was May's Hall of Fame dinner which featured Washington's governor Jay Inslee, a name that otherwise hasn't popped up much yet. The lede on this is that Booker is the first 'serious' candidate to visit the state, which is an unflattering kick to John Delaney and a bunch of others who could end up being the nominee. A big shout out to Iowa Starting Line for a definitive list of possible candidates and their visits to Iowa. Iowa Starting Line gives you some seriousness when you put numbers to things (given Jason Kander's recent PTSD story, he's unlikely to run, but on top of this list are Delaney, Eric Swalwell, Martin O'Malley, T...

The Presidential campaign of 2020 is still a year too early to be taken in earnest, but there are touchpoints along the way, and a major one is the Iowa State Fair.  In the run-up during the caucus, it can be a scene of major moments, not just Rick Perry eating corn dogs (although there is that, but Mitt saying corporations are people, Barack playing bumper cars with his daughters and the Donald telling kids he's Batman and taking them on helicopter rides. The soapbox is an exciting spot which puts candidates to the people, and gives you things like Romney's gaffe, and occasional a longshot speaking to a crowd of two dozen indifferent spectators. This year actually had a crowd of presidential contenders (or hopefuls) along with those in the State Races. John Delaney - John is the only major announced candidate and probably one of the highlights so far was him giving his soapbox speech and seeing John Boehner in his audience.  "I appreciate you coming out and support...