The Iowa Caucuses are almost here. In two nights, it’ll all be over. I bet you’re counting the hours. At the same time, we Iowans should be counting our blessings.

No other state in the Union gets this kind of attention from our next President. No other American citizens get this much access to the candidates. And no other voters get this kind of chance to change the future for us and for generations to come.

Yes, I know you’re probably sick of the campaign commercials on television, the recorded phone messages asking you to caucus for a particular candidate and the political junk mail filling your mailbox. But it’s all part of the process. So is listening to what the candidates say during their many, many public appearances. Sorting fact from fiction and real value from rhetoric isn’t easy. Still, it’s an obligation and an opportunity for you and for Iowa journalists.

During the next couple of days, the campaigns will pump up the activity, the commercials, and the push to get you to your local caucus site. I would take them up on it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat, an independent or belong to some other party. You can declare your party affiliation at the caucus door, get involved in the process, and change back to being an independent or whatever you desire. With both races as close as they are, I doubt many party loyalists will be switching parties for the night to become spoilers in the other camp. Instead, I think people will support their favorite candidate, as they should.

Like the candidates, we’re gearing up to make history on Thursday night. We encourage you to visit KWWL.com often and to watch our special coverage of the Iowa Caucuses. The action starts just after dinner, but we expect the big news to come out of Des Moines sometime between 9 p.m. and 10:30 pm. That’s why we’re doing a live caucus night special report at 9, leading straight into the KWWL News at Ten. We will have crews covering local caucus sites and covering the candidates in Des Moines. We’re also devoting special attention to providing unique content on KWWL.com, including streaming video and a new Caucus Night blog with some behind-the-scenes reports and observations. You know what, we’re glad it’s almost over too. Because whatever happens, it will be a huge story. And we’ll be doing our part to tell it.

Jon Okerstrom
News Director

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