Iowa Visits--2004 Caucuses

Generating Good Will in Iowa

The Iowa precinct caucuses are the first contest in which real voters, rather than pundits and pollsters, weigh in on the presidential candidates. Potential presidential candidates spend a fair amount of time and resources in Iowa in hopes that they will do well in the Iowa caucuses and get a early boost. Perhaps the most basic indicator of activity is the number of visits and days spent in the state.
Beyond summary numbers, however, it is useful to consider the various types of activity, the depth of that activity, and its effectiveness. The end objective is to build an organization that will turn out supporters in precincts across Iowa on caucus night in January 2004.
Flying in and doing a few events likely will not accomplish that objective, although if the candidate is a very strong frontrunner he probably will not need to spend as much time in state. For the rest of the field, what is required is spending time on the ground, meeting and currying favor with local officials, union leaders, and other party activists. Of course money is always appreciated. Trips by prospective candidates, at least in the lead up to the mid-term elections, typically include one or more fundraisers with or for local candidates or party committees. A presidential hopeful's leadership PAC can also make direct contributions.
Through 2002 Gov. Howard Dean, who has very limited finances, has put the most time in Iowa of any of the likely Democratic candidates, including considerable time spent personally campaigning with local candidates. Sen. John Edwards' New American Optimists has attracted attention with its much-heralded in-kind contribution of 123 computers; it has also put 45 different literature pieces for 56 different candidates in local Democratic coordinated campaign offices around the state.
As 2003 unfolds and the caucuses approach, the results of all this work will become apparent as various officials endorse one or another of the candidates. Particularly important will be the endorsements of the two Toms: Gov. Tom Vilsack and Sen. Tom Harkin.

Other Activity
A Presence at the State Convention. Most of the presidential prospects had representatives on hand for the IDP state convention June 15, 2002 in Des Moines: Sen. Edwards appeared in person; also present were Joe Eyer (ROCPAC), Mona Mohib (Leadership '02), Jonathan Parker (DASHPAC), Matt Rodriguez (Effective Government Committee), and Harry Bookey (a Kerry supporter-is managing partner of BH Equities, Inc. in Des Moines).

People in Place. In an election season, hundreds of young political operatives take leave from Washington and head out to work on local campaigns around the country, including in Iowa. Some of these young individuals have worked for one of the presidential prospects, been trained by organizations affiliated with presidential prospects, or are otherwise linked to a presidential prospect. If a White House race develops, these operatives will be well positioned to help out on the Iowa caucus campaign; they have learned the people and the terrain and gotten in the good graces of local Democrats. For example:
--Kristian Denny, who went to work in late May/early June 2002 as deputy communications director for Victory 2002/the IDP, is described in news accounts as an Edwards loyalist from Washington, DC (she was recommended to the IDP by Edwards' PAC director Steve Jarding; they met in 1998 when he was at DSCC and she was working on a SC race).
Around Memorial Day 2002 a couple of staffers left Gephardt's office for Iowa.
--Jama Adams, a staff assistant, went to work for the IDP as one of five Polk County field organizers.
--Vijay Uppal, assistant to chief of staff Steve Elmendorf, went to run several local campaigns out of an office in Fairfield (State Senator Mark Shearer (Dist. 49) and two state rep. candidates.
--Patrick Dillon left the New American Optimists and started work as Rep. Leonard Boswell's communications director in early August 2002.

Computers Available. In April 2002, Sen. Edwards' New American Optimists sent 123 computers to Iowa, on loan, for Democrats to use on their 2002 campaign efforts. "He saw that we had a real need for computer equipment," said Iowa Democratic Party communications director Sarah Leonard. "We certainly appreciate assistance on this level."

Ethanol Politics. In April 2002 the U.S. Senate considered the Energy Bill (Energy Policy Act of 2002, S.Amdt. 2917 to S.517). One provision of particular interest to Iowans was the ethanol mandate, or Renewable Fuels Standard, which would triple the use of ethanol over the next decade by requiring gasoline refiners to use ethanol in reformulating gas. Majority Leader Tom Daschle, from South Dakota, strongly backed the Renewable Fuels Standard, arguing it would not only boost his state's ethanol industry, but benefit rural America and lessen America's dependence on foreign oil. However, critics said the ethanol mandate would cause gas prices to rise by at least 4 cent per gallon and would benefit just a handful of companies. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced an amendment to strip the Renewable Fuels Standard out of the bill (S.Amdt. 3030). The Senate voted to table Schumer's amendment in 69 to 30 roll call vote. All Senators mentioned as presidential prospects--Biden, Daschle, Dodd, Edwards, Feingold, Kerry, and Lieberman--opposed Schumer's amendment. (Note that debate on the issue is not yet finished; the House version only calls for study of the Renewable Fuels Standard).Generating Good Will in Iowa

	Other Activity A Presence at the State Convention. Most of the presidential prospects had representatives on hand for the IDP state convention June 15, 2002 in Des Moines: Sen. Edwards appeared in person; also present were Joe Eyer (ROCPAC), Mona Mohib (Leadership '02), Jonathan Parker (DASHPAC), Matt Rodriguez (Effective Government Committee), and Harry Bookey (a Kerry supporter-is managing partner of BH Equities, Inc. in Des Moines). People in Place. In an election season, hundreds of young political operatives take leave from Washington and head out to work on local campaigns around the country, including in Iowa. Some of these young individuals have worked for one of the presidential prospects, been trained by organizations affiliated with presidential prospects, or are otherwise linked to a presidential prospect. If a White House race develops, these operatives will be well positioned to help out on the Iowa caucus campaign; they have learned the people and the terrain and gotten in the good graces of local Democrats. For example: --Kristian Denny, who went to work in late May/early June 2002 as deputy communications director for Victory 2002/the IDP, is described in news accounts as an Edwards loyalist from Washington, DC (she was recommended to the IDP by Edwards' PAC director Steve Jarding; they met in 1998 when he was at DSCC and she was working on a SC race). Around Memorial Day 2002 a couple of staffers left Gephardt's office for Iowa. --Jama Adams, a staff assistant, went to work for the IDP as one of five Polk County field organizers. --Vijay Uppal, assistant to chief of staff Steve Elmendorf, went to run several local campaigns out of an office in Fairfield (State Senator Mark Shearer (Dist. 49) and two state rep. candidates. --Patrick Dillon left the New American Optimists and started work as Rep. Leonard Boswell's communications director in early August 2002. Computers Available. In April 2002, Sen. Edwards' New American Optimists sent 123 computers to Iowa, on loan, for Democrats to use on their 2002 campaign efforts. "He saw that we had a real need for computer equipment," said Iowa Democratic Party communications director Sarah Leonard. "We certainly appreciate assistance on this level." Ethanol Politics. In April 2002 the U.S. Senate considered the Energy Bill (Energy Policy Act of 2002, S.Amdt. 2917 to S.517). One provision of particular interest to Iowans was the ethanol mandate, or Renewable Fuels Standard, which would triple the use of ethanol over the next decade by requiring gasoline refiners to use ethanol in reformulating gas. Majority Leader Tom Daschle, from South Dakota, strongly backed the Renewable Fuels Standard, arguing it would not only boost his state's ethanol industry, but benefit rural America and lessen America's dependence on foreign oil. However, critics said the ethanol mandate would cause gas prices to rise by at least 4 cent per gallon and would benefit just a handful of companies. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced an amendment to strip the Renewable Fuels Standard out of the bill (S.Amdt. 3030). The Senate voted to table Schumer's amendment in 69 to 30 roll call vote. All Senators mentioned as presidential prospects--Biden, Daschle, Dodd, Edwards, Feingold, Kerry, and Lieberman--opposed Schumer's amendment. (Note that debate on the issue is not yet finished; the House version only calls for study of the Renewable Fuels Standard).Generating Good Will in Iowa