20 Comments

Looking forward to the end of the caucus circus.

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Please, please do a tribute to Perry HS Principal who sacrificed his life for his students. He is a role model for all us who have ever worked in education. He is a caretaker for all kids, and a savior for many. I worked in schools and often thought about what I would be willing to do when it happened in my school.

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Thank you for your contribution to our kids and the community. I wish I knew the man. If I did, I would do a tribute.

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Bob, the new managing editor of the Kansas City Star is former Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier colleague of mine, Andale Gross. He's a native of Moberly, Mo. just south of St. Louis. University of Missouri grad. We worked together at the Courier in the middle to late 1990s. Before going to the Star he was with the Associated Press in Chicago, where he headed up a national race and ethnicity reporting team. He and his son Aja (also a Mizzou guy) covered the disturbance in Ferguson, Mo. following Michael Brown's death -- and they were tear gassed by police. I was scared s--tless for them but they came out okay. He's a hell of a journalist and a super nice guy.

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Great story, and great paper. I've been a subscriber for years. thanks for sharing.

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I agree that the exchange between Chuck Offenburger, Richard Gilbert and Jullie Gammack was good writing. I was only wishing Mary Riche would weigh in! :-)

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Maybe she will!

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Sorry but I find it all very depressing. I really enjoyed your columns and Julie's, though. Thanks.

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I keep getting calls and texts from Republican candidates - ARGH! How did I get on their lists? I look forward to the end of this! I'm just glad there are folks out there like you Bob keeping an eye on it.

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Thanks, Suzan. Just think how many texts I get!

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Belated birthday wishes. Will have to read the other’s perspectives. In my opinion we may be in a situation again were we choose the lesser of two evils which , again in my humble opinion, is how Trump won in the first place.

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Does anyone else consider it "bad form"" that Trump is skipping all the debates? These are party sactioned events and he shows his distain for the GOP by not participating. What is he afraid of?

I also think it is unprofessional (can't think of a nicer word) for FOX to give Trump a free one man show at the same time as a debate, trying to steal the lime light? If Trump wants to take on the other candidates he should man up and participate in the party sanctioned debates.

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Here in Iowa, several winning candidates have skipped debates. Even more have done terrible in debates and still won. I wonder if they are relevant here.

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Interesting point. But Trump has skipped every debate in every state, not just Iowa.

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I think most of what Trump does is unprofessional. I think it was a tactical decision because he felt he had nothing to gain from debates. Dave Busiek agrees with you Julie. https://davebusiek.substack.com/p/competing-political-telecasts

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A couple Iowa men endorsing a women who will put women (and their doctors) in their place medically is not much of a surprise. But do you know why the caucuses are so early this year? In 2020, they were in February.

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I believe that they wait until New Hampshire sets their date and try to be a couple of weeks prior to New Hampshire.

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Bob, Thanks for sharing your Star column, it is very much appreciated.. Nice to read an analysis backed by so many hours 'in the trenches' with the candidates.

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Thanks, Jon. I like to see the candidates multiple times. It's hard for me to write about something when I'm not there. So many commentators say Trump really didn't campaign here when he did. It also gives me a chance to write about things that put the readers there, e.g., Trump standing while Greenwood's song plays, catching the eye of everyone he can.

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Love your Kansas City Star article. And this one. At least this time, the national media talking heads ought to leave the state after caucus night knowing who the “winners” are, unlike four years ago when the Democrats couldn’t give them final numbers, and they whined about that for days.

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