Multimedia: May 2007 Archives

It is alive!

Those who were around Iowa in 2004 may remember the First in the Nation web site put together by the Iowa Department of Economic Development: IowaCaucus.org

Yup, someone took the old girl into the back room, fluffed up her dress, applied some new war paint and sent her back out to the greeting line.

This morning Gov. Chet Culver's office announced the launch of the site, now dubbed "Iowa Caucus 2008: First in the Nation." It will once again serve as a statewide, non-partisan resource for news media, campaign staff and the public on the caucus, Iowa quality of life and something called "Iowa's new economy."

Iowa ranks 'first in the nation' in the production of ethanol, E-85 and biodiesel fuels, and is third in wind energy production. The state was also ranked first by Forbes Magazine in overall quality of life.

"The Iowa Caucuses give us an opportunity to showcase the state's strengths on a world stage," Culver said in a released statement. "Most Americans know that the state is 'first in the nation' in the presidential campaign, but may not be aware of Iowa's leadership role in renewable energy or our top ranking in quality of life. It's time for Americans to learn what 21st century Iowa has to offer."

The change to the informational site has taken place within the past two weeks. Google's cached version from May 18, while missing graphics, shows the 2004 text.

Content has been updated to reflect present-day information, but the types of content offered haven't changed much. Caucus facts, major employers, candidate information, links to caucus experts and state fact sheets remain a part of the offerings.

At noon today, Sen. Chris Dodd will be participating in a question and answer session about Iraq at Drake University. You do not, however, need to travel to Des Moines to hear and see it live.

Interested people will be gathering in five satellite locations - Iowa City, Burlington, Charles City, Sioux City and Decatur - to join in the conversation via either conference call or live internet feed.

While the feed below does not provide any interactivity, it will allow our readers to watch live. (Please note that this feed is not expected to become active until noon. We posted ahead of time so that readers could plan ahead.)

While you're waiting, the campaign has made available Sen. Dodd's speech from the Dubuque Hall of Fame dinner last night. This video includes question and answer from the parking lot. More information is available on the campaign site.

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).

The last of VoteVets.org's trilogy of ads has been released today.

This ad features retired Gen. Wes Clark and Army artillery officer Mike Breen and highlights the Bush administration's failed foreign policy.

"The helicopters, the equipment and the troops are stuck fighting George Bush's war in Iraq," said Gen. Clark in a prepared statement. "As I said before the invasion, military action against Iraq would distract us from fighting those who attacked us on 9/11: Al Qaeda. George Bush and Dick Cheney constantly trumpet their capture of Saddam Hussein, but where is Osama bin Laden?

"The President did not listen when I went before House Armed Services Committee in 2002, discouraging an invasion of Iraq. The President did not listen to General Batiste and General Eaton, as they called for a new strategy in Iraq. And the President is still not listening."

As referenced by Clark above, Maj. Gen. John Batiste and Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton were featured in the first and second VoteVets.org 'Generals' ads, respectively.

Here is the Eaton ad:

And here is the Batiste ad: