Billed as “a grassroots film about a grassroots campaign,” a two person crew from Australia flew into Des Moines in 2007 to make, what producer John Barron called, “a film for Australians about Iowans,” and the Democratic Party’s caucus process which he likened to “a noodle market in Singapore.”
This was my first visit to the Varsity Theater in Des Moines. It has a very old school feel. There were no ads for reality shows or food, but instead some “trad” jazz with very calming green and blue spot lights on the screen. I was one of maybe ten people under thirty but nonetheless loved the atmosphere.
The movie featured interviews with with consultants, candidates, and those caucus connoisseurs in the Des Moines media. It was fun seeing some of the people I now interact with up on the big screen. George McGovern, the great former Senator and 1972 nominee from South Dakota, was featured prominently. This was appropriate as he was the one who, after the disaster of the 1968 convention, proposed the changes that moved the Democratic Party’s nominating process out of the smoke filled room and into the hands of the voters.
After describing the 1972 campaign the movie immediately jumps to the 2008 contest. I would have liked to have seen more of the Republican side, but:
- Their caucus process is a lot more boring,
- The bigger story out of Iowa was Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton than Mike Huckabee over Mitt Romney.
So, the filmmakers decided to leave the Republican contests on the editing room floor, though John said with the 2012 Republican caucuses heating up, there may be an opportunity for a sequel.
I also would have liked to see some more history.
- 1980 with Ted Kennedy’s primary challenge of President Carter. Especially because Bob Shrum was one of the interviewees.
- Tom Harkin’s run in 1992 rendering the Iowa contest results moot.
- John Kerry’s huge upset in 2004 over Howard Dean and John Edwards.
I had a great time. I greatly enjoy watching other people’s perspective of the 2008 election as my eyes were stuck behind a camera most of the time. The election was, despite Josh Lyman’s philosophy, a place where I found my confidence and changed my life.
3.5/5
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