Ted_Perry's Blog

I was in Iowa covering the caucuses when I learned about the passing of former Governor Lee Dreyfus.  Our family had just moved to Wisconsin in 1979 the same year Dreyfus became Governor.  I've always been a news junkie and when I moved here I watched a lot of news trying to get used to my new home state.

I honestly didn't know a lot about politics then--I was just in middle school--but there was something very avuncular about my new governor. Maybe it was the mustache, maybe it was the red vest but he just seemed ..well, likable.

How little did I know how much I would like this guy.

Several years back when former President Nixon died, I was assigned to go to Dreyfus' home and do a quick interview. Fat  chance.  I can't tell you if Governor Dreyfus and I hit it off or if he was always this much fun to talk to and I didn't care. All I knew is that I was hearing story after wonderful story with a man who was bigger than life but still amazingly down to earth. I've often told people that is one of my favorite days in my 20 years of tv news.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family--I know what it's like to lose a dad---but what a wonderful life.

 What an interesting man.

 

 

 

I am a half-hour east of DM. Oh, i'm sorry - that's Des Moines. The locals call it DM, but before I ever came here, I would have called it BM, because I never thought a city in Iowa could be so nice. Shame on me. There's a front-page story in today's Des Moines Register newspaper about how many look forward to covering the caucuses because DM has become a cool spot. I'd have to agree - it's a much nicer city than I expected.

You may object to Iowa getting such a say early on, but I can tell you the people who will actually go to caucus tonight have done their homework. There's an old joke about a guy running for office in Iowa and one farmer says to the other, "What do you think of him?" and the other guy says, "I don't know, I've only met him 3 or 4 times."

Some notes from the past 24-hours:

* I seem to be the only reporter without a laptop. We have an assigned workspace in the Iowa events center, but I went there and pulled out my legal pad and notebook and felt like I was working for the Amish News Network. Campaigns have gone high-tech, but I'm still old-school. (So, how am I blogging? I'm dictating to the lovely Amy Kant as we drive).

* A reporter from Miami turned to me and said, "How do you wear a scarf?" I said, "What do you mean, how do you wear a scarf? A winter scarf? Anyway you can... as long as you cover the Adam's Apple and the throat, that's the important thing." He showed me how he was wearing his... it looked dapper I'm sure, but was doing nothing to keep him warm.

* Big scuttlebutt last evening was that actress Scarlett Johansson was showing up at a Barack Obama appearance at a high school at 10 o'clock. Both the outside and inside had the feel of a surprise rock concert. Inside, crews from Russia, Italy, Inside Edition and all the major networks were there with cameras ready. The big surprise was that Johansson never appeared, although she was spotted behind the stage by some reporters.

* While shooting some interviews with Iowa voters in a health club, we noticed former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton and a friend on a couple stairmasters nearby. Her friend seemed very concerned that we were there and talked to a manager. I assured her that our story was about Iowa voters and we had no interest in shooting or interviewing Chelsea. Her friend seemed grateful but surprised. Let's not forget here... at the end of the day, the stars are the voters.

* As we write this, photojournalist Andy Konkle and I are heading to Mike Huckabee's final appearance of the day. We'll have all the latest news on FOX 6 news at 5 & 6... and we'll be LIVE with results after the bowl game.

I know we don't get the attention Iowa does... but remember, the circus will be here when we have our primary February 19, short of a few acts that will be cut after tonight's caucus.

Looking for transplanted Iowans here.

Ever taken part in a caucus in Iowa? Would love to talk with you as I'm heading there Jan 2. Don't worry, it's not a tv interview, just backround stuff.

If you have, ted.perry@foxtv.com.

Peace and Merry Christmas.