Fueling at the Kum & Go

ROAD food that can KILL.

Take a good look people. This is what brunch on the road looks like when you have 90 minutes to get to an event nearly 100 miles away.

On July 4, 2007 at the Clear Lake Kum & Go, I ate a "tornado." For those not in the Kum & Go know, a tornado is a rubbery, chili and cheese hot dog wrapped in a crisp and greasy tortilla shell. It was crunchy, chewy, melty, salty, tangy, revolting and delicious. I enjoyed it so much, I ran back inside and ordered another one.

I think this may be the culinary equivalent of watching tabloid television for some. It's repulsive and disgusting and yet it calls us to consume more. My apologies to my cameraman.

(Photos courtesy of M.E. Sprengelmeyer)

10 Myths of Presidential Politics

Mizzou Communications Professor Bill Benoit has compiled a list of ten presidential campaign myths. I stumbled upon this a few months ago and found it illuminating: http://presidentialcampaign2004.coas.missouri.edu/CampMyth.htm

Wanna know what Rudy's doing tomorrow? How about Joe Biden Today?

Candidates - Republicans and Democrats - are doing a heck of a lot of travelling these days.

Their campaigns, for the most part, don't give much of an advance time on releasing schedules.

The Washington Post does a pretty good job, however, at keeping everyone up to date. Here's a link to the campaign schedules of all the major candidates:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/tracker/

Want something a little more Iowa-centric? No problem. We've got you covered.

Here are candidates' Iowa schedules along with caucus coverage as composed by the Des Moines Register:

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=caucus

One quick bit of advice to the Register, please conduct another poll soon!! The May numbers are getting pretty stank!

Back roads to the White House - Best Iowa Caucus Blog

One of the great things about travelling for me is the opportunity to meet other journalists whose day to day work is so different from my own.

When we were recently in Iowa, we met M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Des Moines bureau chief for the Rocky Mountain News.

Unlike many who dip in and out of caucus coverage, this guy clocks hundreds of miles per week driving throughout the Hawkeye state covering candidates.

His blog consistently has fresh "on the ground" content which I have yet to see anywhere else.

http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/denver/sprengelmeyer/

CNN/YouTube debate, the morning after.

Hillary wins debate despite coat.

For those of you who did not see last night's debate, you can view highlights at

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/23/debate.main/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

I was too tired and sick (not because of the candidates - just a sinus infection) to watch it but apparently John Edwards dissed Clinton's apparel selection:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/07/24/at_least_there_wasnt_cleavage.html

According to some analysts, however, Clinton didn't need a perfect wardrobe to win:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/debates/scorecard/youtube.debate/

During the debate, which featured questions from people at home recording questions and uploading them to youtube, the candidates also addressed the issue of race and gender:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/07/23/VI2007072301481.html?hpid=topnews

I WOULDN'T WALK TWO MILES IN HIS SHOES!!!

Even though I sometimes loathe the people who work for them, I occasionally find myself feeling sorry for the individuals I cover.

Former president Bill Clinton was the object of my sympathy on July 4th at a parade in Clear Lake, Iowa.

I was seated, chatting with some locals, when the motorcade came speeding to the parade staging area. Out came Clinton wearing jeans and Cowboy boots. I felt terrible and uncomfortable looking at him. He was not wearing the type of jeans that one wears around the house. He was wearing the type that one wears when they go out. The ones that hurt a little bit under the best conditions. He smiled, he shook, he walked, he signed, he posed and he was dripping. He could not hide in a corner, take of his shoes, or just stop. Quitting wasn't an option so he persevered and I painfully watched. The last few blocks he hastened his step, posed a little faster and practically dove into the air-conditioned black SUV for some relief minutes after finishing the parade.

Beware icons of the 21st century: cowboy boots, tight jeans and 4th of July parades don't mix well.

IOWA : Clinton, Corn, Pigs and the Media Pen


I just returned from the great state of Iowa which, according to my limited observations, seemed to live up to many of its stereotypes. Yes, the people are REALLY NICE there. Yes, there are lots and LOTS OF CORNFIELDS and the pig refineries really do SMELL AWFUL.

As many of you know, candidate Hillary Clinton brought out the big gun last week and campaigned alongside her husband in the Hawkeye state.

The former president helped draw large crowds and the new presidential candidate did a pretty impressive job at keeping their attention - delivering strong speeches and appearing natural as she took center stage. No easy task.

Her local young press team, unfortunately, lived up to several stereotypes as well - bossy, impulsive, chatty, arbitrary and downright INEXPERIENCED... not ready for prime-time, not even in Des Moines.

Throughout the tour of Iowa, members of the press found themselves penned up and far away from candidate Clinton.

I overheard one press aide tell photographers that the media riser, 2oo feet from the front of the stage, would be be an excellent place to take close up photographss of Senator Clinton and the former president.
When one photographer politely explained that it's best to shoot close ups close up, the aide responded "I encourage you to check out our second position, it's a great shot of the stage." The "great shot" position is perfect if you like a back view of a candidate's head from 100 feet.

Last time I checked, those don't make the front page.

View from rolling media truck of Bill and Hillary Clinton marching in July 4th parade. Clear Lake, Iowa. (Photo by JK)

Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton at University of Iowa Rally on July 3rd. Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by JK)