Iowa caucus reporting center a triumph for both parties

Posted on January 3, 2008 in Iowa Caucuses, Politics by DM

Iowa Caucus Results: Republicans - Huckabee, Romney, McCain/Thompson; Democrats - Obama, Edwards/Clinton, Richardson. Boy did I get it wrong! Ah well, perhaps my punditry career is over before it gets started!

Did you watch any of the reporting of caucus results from downtown Des Moines? Man, it looked like Election Night - it looked absolutely fabulous, in fact.

I was able to take a tour of the reporting center today, and it was quite impressive. Facilities included the big open room with the “big board” (with the giant screens showing results) at one end and the risers with the major news live-reporting sets at the other end, strategic planning rooms for the Democratic and Republican Parties, a work area for bloggers, and a 24/7 lounge area (sponsored by Google) where comfortable furniture and snacks were available to tired reporters and crew members.

My hat’s tipped to the Iowa Democratic & Republican Parties, which jointly shared responsibility and cost for the reporting facility where the media gathered to watch the caucus results come in and to file their stories. The strategy allowed the two parties to share the cost of renting and outfitting the Convention Complex and provided a one-stop shop for the media to gather results. Mike Milligan of the Iowa Democratic Party told our tour group that they had credentialed over 3,000 members of the media, including 1,000 members of various foreign press outlets. It was a major opportunity to showcase this unique part of the American political process and the state that makes it happen.

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