Could the Iowa Democratic Party Caucus Hoopla, Candidates, and Cash Return?

Chris Cillizza on The Iowa Caucus, Trump, Biden, the Media—and What Politics Is Doing to Our KidsA Potluck Podcast Recap | Hosted by Julie Gammack | Featuring the Iowa Writers’ CollaborativeIn a conversation that spanned the possibility of renewing Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus status, the crisis in masculinity, media trust, and the impact of performance politics, journalist Chris Cillizza joined the Potluck podcast for an hour-long conversation. With his signature mix of sharp insight and smart-alecky humor, Chris seems tailor-made for Substack—arguably more so than the buttoned-up world of corporate media. These days, he’s clearly relishing the freedom, flexibility, and irreverent tone that the platform encourages.When he and Chuck Todd hold their regular podcast conversations, it’s a bit of locker room talk, and pizza night politics chat. Chris has memories of visiting Iowa, from the frigid cold of the closing days before the caucus, or the brutal, sweat-dripping heat during the August Iowa State Fair. Maybe he’ll return? We’ll put on a do, if he does. Our Monday guest spent years at The Washington Post, CNN, and now writes independently his So What column on the Substack platform. He was my Monday Zoom Lunch guest, along with several members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Douglas Burns broached the question about the Iowa Caucuses: Could Iowa Democrats reclaim their place as the first-in-the-nation presidential contest? Cillizza didn’t rule it out. He said the decision to elevate South Carolina was a strategic gift to Congressman Jim Clyburn, who was instrumental in rescuing Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. But with Biden’s grip on the party loosening and no clear successor on deck, Cillizza noted that the value of retail politics may reassert itself. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Iowa goes first again,” he said. “The calendar change was about one guy—Joe Biden—and that era may be ending.” We opened the conversation with a few getting-to-know-you topics, then jumped into dialogue with the members of our collaborative who focus on political analysis. Dave Busiek Senator Joni Ernst’s comment at a town hall in which she brushed off a constituent’s concerns about cuts to Medicaid by saying, “We’re all going to die.” Dave Busiek asked whether the remark—and Ernst’s subsequent Instagram video quoting scripture—might hurt her politically. Cillizza said the real problem wasn’t the comment, but what came next. “She made a mistake. But instead of owning it, she doubled down with sarcasm and Jesus,” he said. “It was cynical, calculated, and not who she really is.”Robert Leonard added another layer to the analysis, noting that Ernst’s follow-up video wasn’t just tone-deaf but strategic, using coded evangelical language to appeal to the Christian nationalist base. “That video was a sermon,” Leonard said. “She was aligning herself with the ideological framework that underpins Trumpism—militarism, religion, masculinity, and power.” Cillizza agreed, saying it was part of the broader Trumpification of American politics. “We’ve lost the ability to feel shame,” he said. “That’s not just a problem for one party—it’s a problem for democracy.”He speculated Ernst may not even be planning to run for another Senate term. Instead, she could be aiming for a cabinet role in a second Trump administration—perhaps Secretary of Defense.The conversation then turned to Trump himself, and the paradox of his political persona. “Trump lies constantly, but people still see him as authentic,” Cillizza said. “Why? Because he doesn’t sound like a politician. That, ironically, makes him seem more real.” It’s a superpower in today’s environment, he argued, where traditional candidates are perceived as overly managed and focus-grouped to death.Art Cullen wondered about the loss of any kind of sense of shame that should accompany the lies, and disinformation spreading of modern day politicking. Laura Belin pushed back on media coverage of Joe Biden, asking why the press obsesses over his age while giving relatively little attention to Trump’s more overtly authoritarian rhetoric. Cillizza said it’s not about ideology—it’s about trust. “The press feels burned,” he said. “We were told Biden was fine. He clearly isn’t.” He added that it’s possible—and essential—to tell both stories. “Biden’s age and cognitive health matter. So do Trump’s attacks on the rule of law. We can—and must—hold both truths.”After all, media is a business, Chris underscored. I asked about the role of parenting in this political era, particularly the challenge of raising sons in a culture steeped in toxic masculinity. Cillizza, a father of two boys, spoke movingly about the rise of figures like Andrew Tate, the influence of machismo, and the epidemic of loneliness among young men. “There’s a soft-power culture war happening,” he said. “And the Right is winning it—not because their answers are good, but because at least they’re offering answers. The Left hasn’t figured out how to even ask the question.”Cillizza also discussed the personal consequences of his career. He confirmed he’d been doxxed while working at CNN—people had shown up at his house, and his family had to take security precautions. “That’s when you realize just how broken the system has become,” he said. One upside of leaving CNN, he noted, is that the volume of online harassment has decreased. “I used to want to be bigger, more famous. Now I just want to make enough to keep doing what I love.”As the conversation turned to the future of journalism, Cillizza didn’t mince words. “Legacy media is dying. Journalism isn’t,” he said. “The most honest commentary today comes from people who work for themselves—not billionaires, not networks.” But he also noted that the business model of independent media, particularly local journalism, is fragile. “If we don’t find a way to fund this work—through philanthropy, bundling, or something creative—it’s going to disappear.”In a way, it was a political pundit reunion of sorts as Chris spotted familiar faces on the Zoom call, including Kathie Obradovich. Kathie is a veteran Iowa journalist who leads Iowa Capital Dispatch, one of the States Newsroom, digital projects. She posed a question concerning the challenges journalists face in maintaining access to political figures while upholding journalistic integrity. She inquired about how reporters can navigate the delicate balance between preserving relationships with sources and holding them accountable, especially in an era where political figures may retaliate against unfavorable coverage.In response, Chris acknowledged the complexities of this dynamic, noting that the rise of independent media platforms like Substack offers journalists greater freedom to report candidly without the constraints often imposed by traditional media outlets. He emphasized that while maintaining access is valuable, it should not come at the expense of truthful and rigorous reporting. This exchange underscored the evolving landscape of journalism, where the proliferation of independent platforms empowers reporters to prioritize accountability and transparency over access, thereby reinforcing the essential role of a free press in a democratic society.Jerry Crawford’s response to Chris Cillizza’s assessment of Joni Ernst’s remarks was measured but pointed. While Chris suggested that Ernst’s "We’re all going to die" comment—and especially the sarcastic video follow-up—might not hurt her politically, Crawford disagreed, arguing that it very well could, especially among moderate and independent Iowa voters.Here’s the essence of Jerry Crawford’s pushback:He emphasized that Ernst’s behavior wasn’t just politically risky—it was fundamentally out of step with Iowa’s civic culture. He said Iowans, particularly in swing districts and rural communities, still expect a basic level of sincerity and respect from their elected officials, even in a post-Trump political climate. Jerry Crawford suggested that while national media might write it off as another blip in the age of performative politics, Iowa voters remember moments like that, particularly when they involve mocking real people with real concerns. He also pointed out that Ernst’s tone in the video didn’t just mock her constituent—it mocked the gravity of the issue, which could backfire if Democrats are organized enough to use it effectively in messaging. He added: “That wasn’t toughness. That was condescension in boots and camouflage.”In closing, Chris praised the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative as a model for what’s possible when writers reclaim their own voices. “What you’re doing here—that’s the future,” he said. “Real people, local knowledge, no corporate filter. That’s the kind of journalism people still trust.”Subscribe to So What. We’ll have Chris Cillizza back, especially during Caucus season. While you’re at it, if you are a political junkie journo, here’s a tip: you will be in-the-know if you start following our members, too. You might still have to come to Iowa in January, but at least you’ll know where to go, where to eat, and who to talk to. The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative The Iowa Writers' Collaborative is a collective of independent journalists and commentators from around the state, who provide in-depth reporting and essays on Iowa's political, cultural, and civic life. Why It MattersIn an era marked by the decline of traditional local news outlets, the Iowa Writers' Collaborative serves as a vital platform for preserving and promoting independent journalism in the state. By focusing on Iowa-specific issues and providing nuanced analysis, the collaborative ensures that important stories and perspectives continue to reach the public. This initiative not only supports the careers of individual writers but also strengthens the democratic fabric by keeping citizens informed and engaged with their local communities.If you have an interest in starting something like this in your state, and would like more information about creating a collaborative effort, message me:Here is a Roundup of columns presented Sunday. It features many reactions to the Ernst ‘We are all going to die’ gaffe. Hey, do you like to write?Have you thought about starting your own Substack column but don’t know where to begin? Debra Engle and I will be holding a three-session workshop this month for those who want to launch a successful Substack column: Learn more.Attention Writers and SongwritersCheck out the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, September 28-October 1. It’s the best event of its kind, we’ve been told, and now entering the fifth year. Learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe