TalkLeft Gets Press Credentials for Iowa Caucuses

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 02:37:33 PM EST
Tags: Iowa 08 (all tags)

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I just received notification that TalkLeft has received press credentials to cover the Iowa Caucuses. Credentials are required for admission to the Polk County Convention Complex, which will be open 24/7 from December 30 to January 4.

On January 3, caucus night, the convention center will be the location of the “big board.” This is where real-time numbers from both parties will be reported.

An assigned workspace at the convention center, including an electrical outlet and internet connection, is $200.00. Since media with assigned workspace will have priority to be in the "big board" room on caucus night, I just faxed in my $200.

So, my New Year's Eve will be spent in Des Moines. I'll be in Iowa, along with Jane of Firedogake and other bloggers, from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4. I hope you'll log on to read us.

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TalkLeft Gets Press Credentials for Iowa Caucuses | 14 comments (14 topical)

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Can you sneak BTD in too? (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 03:08:05 PM EST

I would really enjoy your checkmate posts on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

I remember the days (none / 0) (#2)
by LonewackoDotCom on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 04:47:31 PM EST

Back in the good days, the "liberals" were real heck-raisers. They'd go out and "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted", ask politicians real questions, you know, fight the good fight.

However, TL's coverage is probably going to be similar to her convention coverage: a simple recounting of events with a picture or two.

In the case of Jane Hamsher, I predict a series of incomprehensible screeching noises.

In the case of the others, I predict they'll spend their days sucking up in one way or another.

Maybe TL would like to prove me wrong but, for instance, asking Hillary this question.

: Illegal immigration may be a worthy topic (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Molly Bloom on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 05:04:00 PM EST

once we get past the war in Iraq, restoring the constitution, national health care, solving our oil dependency problem.
Until then it is just a tactic for the conservatives to deflect from their complete and utter failure at governance.

Cool (none / 0) (#4)
by joejoejoe on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 05:06:20 PM EST

You do great work Jeralyn. I'm looking forward to your reporting from Iowa. GFR has a guide to Iowa spots for journalists that you can check out if you haven't been to Des Moines before.

http://thegarance.com/iowa-for-journalists/

From your link (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:33:46 PM EST

'"Jim Duncan of CityView said it best: "Des Moines was designed to service the obesity of Iowa agriculture. The state leads the nation in corn, soybeans and hogs, while the city maintains the world's largest water filtration system to cope with Big Ag's poisonous run-off. Restaurants here mostly cater abundance with garish décor, gargantuan portions and Styrofoam containers for leftovers."'

If that's the attitude of the press (or anyone else) going to DM, they will most likely:
a. not endear themselves to the locals; and
b. have a really sucky time (more than needed)

Jeralyn, think of Des Moines as a small scale Denver. Aside from the size, weather and scenery, they are fairly similar in many ways. Court Avenue is their LoDo, the East Village is their Highlands, our Lincoln/Broadway is their Ingersoll/Grand. Good seafood is as hard to find there as it is here, but you can definately get a good steak....

I recommend the tenderloin special at George the Chili King and the southside is the place for good Italian. There will be panel discussions and such political related things doing on at Drake. It ain't NYC or LA, but its not as bad as the above quote makes it sound.

Just so you know, the people on the street who look you in eye and greet you are the locals. They will gladly tell you were the good places to eat and/or drink are or just read the Datebook. They're good, decent people, even if they do like garish decor, large portions and styrofoam containers.


: Re people on the street: (none / 0) (#15)
by oculus on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 12:41:58 PM EST

big surprise to me when I hit Ann Arbor from SE Iowa. No one responded to my greetings! How rude.

Drake Diner (none / 0) (#5)
by JHFarr on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 05:57:22 PM EST

There, that's a good restaurant tip.

congrats, jeralyn! (none / 0) (#7)
by skippybkroo on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 08:41:48 PM EST

congratulations, jeralyn! i look forward to your reportage.

jeralyn, think of des moines as a small scale denver.

are you kidding? denver is a small scale denver.

Terrific (none / 0) (#8)
by Kewalo on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:09:22 PM EST

This is just terrific! I value your opinions so now I'm really have something to look forward to.

I haven't been in Des Moines since 1960. But it was a pretty little city back then. LOL

Be sure and have a good time.

oh.my.god! (none / 0) (#9)
by cpinva on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 11:11:31 PM EST

des moines! oh, the places you will go, the things that you will do!

somehow, i just don't think dr. seuss had des moines in mind. lol

so, let me see if i have this straight:

both the democratic and republican caucuses take place simultaneously, in iowa? i ask because, well, um, i don't know.

seemed like a good reason.

Glad to see you're getting involved (none / 0) (#11)
by Aaron on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 06:14:44 AM EST

It feels good, doesn't it? :-)

One more like this (none / 0) (#12)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 08:45:22 AM EST

And I'll recommend you be banned to Jeralyn.

If you do not like what TalkLeft does, please do not read it.

: I deleted it (none / 0) (#14)
by Jeralyn on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 09:07:53 AM EST

and banned the commenter. Thanks, BTD, much appreciated.

thank you for going (none / 0) (#13)
by msobel on Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 08:59:10 AM EST

Please dress warm, write well, do the great job you always do.

I wonder how you ever passed the bar. Your score on the ethics section must have been perilously high.