Essential Estrogen

It's difficult to know the exact number of personal contacts that translate into vested interest and, eventually, into caucus goers. At least one Presidential campaign, however, is betting more is always better.

Presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd will address a group at Drake University in Des Moines tomorrow on ending the War in Iraq. Throughout the state, however, individuals at satellite stations will use technology to interact with him in real time.

"What we are doing tomorrow is special, but that doesn't mean it will be unique," said Matthew Browner-Hamlin, recently hired as the campaign's official blogger and key member of the online communications staff. "We plan on putting together this type of interactive event as often as possible as the campaign moves forward."

The campaign has set up five community satellite locations. Conference calls will connect participants located in Sioux City, Charles City, Decatur and Burlington with the Drake event. Participants in Iowa City will be connected via a live internet feed. The internet connection, made possible through the beta Internet application UStream, has roughly a one second delay.

"It is such an unfiltered way of allowing a candidate to communicate with - not just at - potential voters and caucus goers," said Browner-Hamlin.

With so many eyes and ears directed toward a single event and the potential of instant digital recording, there is little doubt of the possible risk involved and, historically speaking, that's a change for candidates in Iowa. The Hawkeye state has been the place politicians have come to shake hands, meet people in small groups and "test run" policy positions and even a few jokes.

"This really isn't about Iowa," said Browner-Hamlin when asked about the historical shift. "This is about the campaign having an open door policy and a true belief that the more people who have an opportunity to meet our candidate and hear our candidate, the more people will want to see and hear more from our candidate. This is Sen. Chris Dodd putting himself out there for public inspection."

State Director Marc Beltrame agrees.

"Chris Dodd's campaign is about bringing people together to get this country back on the right track," Beltrame said in a phone interview Thursday evening. "Just like the family kitchen table, the internet has become a place where folks can come together to share their concerns and ideas."

The event begins at noon. For those who cannot make it to either Drake or to one of the satellite stations, the live stream will be broadcast here as well (although there will be no opportunity for our viewers to interact with the Senator).