Michele's magnetism in a reddish-blue state

By Mary Bess Bolling

Michele Bachmann fascinates me.

I know she’s old news, but maybe it’s because some part of me wants a woman president sooner rather than later. Or perhaps it’s because I secretly admire that hair cape she dons at every political event or because I see no potential for her to win the Republican bid.

Nonetheless, I wonder about her performance at every debate and what stint will top her visit to the meat-packing plant in Des Moines. So I’ll click on her stories first on the sites I like: CNN,  Real Clear Politics and The Huffington Post.

This is a prime example of a media generator/consumer partnership that can skew voter, viewer and reader perceptions. This year, the skewing is toward the classic Mid-western stereotype—conservative.

A few years ago, Iowa proved exceptionally liberal for a flyover state. From the momentum Obama built during the 2008 caucus season to the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in 2009, Iowa flaunted its blue side.

The 2011 Iowa Caucus season has highlighted the red in the state. Republican events, debates and coverage dominate the media, including our site. Leading up to the caucuses, the state voted to remove three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were part of the decision to legalize gay marriage.

It’d be easy for Iowa democrats to get down, but there’s hope yet. (Hope, get it?)

President Obama participated in an “Open for Questions” roundtable at the White House Wednesday. He’s sent out teams to start canvassing. (Check back for the down-low on a coffee date between a Des Moines campaign organizer and a Drake student I’m sitting in on later this week.) And the opinion columns aren’t all bad: Ken Walsh’s Washington.

This race is picking up, but it’s still early. Keep watching for more Iowa coverage.