Iowa Caucus Guy’s Presidential Election Blog

  We are 48 hours past the first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Much will be written though I can’t imagine anyone will have changed their opinion. It takes me back to a year ago when I was scrutinizing the Democrats candidates as possible debate opponents for Donald Trump. While I don’t think anyone was able to dominate the debate stage- at various moments there were Pete Buttigieg always level- headed and unshaken, Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor and Marianne Williamson, a public speaker who focused on lifestyle not policy. Even more unlikely than Williamson, at various times, it seemed like some unorthodox candidates might emerge. In the early days of the campaign, Michael Avenatti seemed an alternative elixir for the “they go low, we go high”. Later, it was comedian Ben Glieb who surely had handled a heckler or two in his career. I can only propose what I would do in a debate with 45, but the point is moot, the nominee chosen. This isn’t the dirtiest campaign...

Is Iowa still a battleground state? I don’t know. It surely has been for 20 years, but Trump drubbed Clinton here 51-41. (Surely someone close to HRC should have advised her ‘it’s the economy, stupid’). The Des Moines Register poll released today shows a dead heat with Trump and Biden at 47% each. Four percent for “someone else”. Biden popular with women and independents. Scoring high on COVID response. Trump popular with men and scoring high on the economy. I can’t say I have a definite feel for Iowa. My yard sign poll puts Trump up 2 to 1 but is that a sign of fanatical devotion or numbers. The divide here is heated. I have heard of stories of stolen signs and egged houses. Perhaps it’s fall hijinx, the wind or a few bad apples. Still, it’s notable. The Annual Democratic Steak Fry was largely virtual with an actual event in Des Moines that resembled a drive in movie. Cars parked and honked their applause. Steaks were picked up. Organizers said 1200 tickets were sold- 450 cars came, 9...

  Recently, a headline read that Trump was temporarily halting his campaign spending in Michigan. But like Coke or Pepsi buying ads during the Super Bowl, is there anyone unfamiliar with Donald Trump and beyond that, have an opinion on him.  We are very familiar with President Trump, as we are his Democratic challenger Joe Biden. I enjoy writing about the Presidential primaries as we are often learning about the candidates. But this general election, there’s not much to excite me.  Those who have read my blog know I do like the unusual and the musical, and we recently saw two stories get headlines  One was about the music used at Donald Trump’s campaign rally.  Now, until recent years, I doubt anyone but me wrote a word about campaign music. But Trump has had several high profile news stories about musicians not liking the fact they are using his music, most famously The Rolling Stones and the estate of Prince.  Not surprisingly, The Stones (and music publ...

This blog has features music related election stories, so writing about the conventions is a no-brainer. But what to expect from the usual pomp and circumstance, when the pomp is virtual and the circumstances are so unusual.  Besides, music has always been an important part of rallying the base from Truman’s Missouri Waltz to Lee Atwater bringing the best blues men on stage.    There’s Sax-playing Rumours-loving Bill Clinton and a Obama extolling the virtues of Al Green, Etta James and Beyoncé, and lest we forget Frank Sinatra palling around with Reagan and JFK.  So what are we to do with the two least Musically inclined candidates of recent years.  It is likely little surprise that many of music’s biggest stars are backing Biden. The 2016 Democratic convention attracting some of the biggest names in pop music- Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz.    Perry had been a big part of Hillary’s campaign so got a prominent role. The list in...