SaintPetersBlog correspondent Matt Lettelier is in Iowa for that state’s caucuses on January 3, 2012. He has agreed to share with us his notes from the campaign trail.
Happy New Year from Iowa. What an incredible 36+ hours since my last post. I spent New Years Eve attending the media only “Raucus before the Caucus” at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. This was a free event for all media members in Des Moines. (Photo)
After ringing in the New Year, I travelled to the Downtown Marriott with hopes of meeting campaign staffers and talking with them. Boy am I glad I did. After informing a senior advisor for Mitt Romney that I was from Florida he told me that a “big” endorsement was coming from the Sunshine State next week. I will leave it to the readers to prognosticate on who that might be. Frank Luntz and I spoke briefly about his polling and how interesting this campaign cycle has been. Also in the lobby bar at the Marriott was Calista Gingrich with about 10 people. I approached her adage headed to her room at 1:30 AM. She was incredibly genial and granted me a photo. Sunday was spent at HQ as well a touring Des Moines. The state capital is one of the most beautiful I have seen. Temperatures have dropped even more the last 24 hours and remain in the low 20s. Check back tonight for a more in-depth analysis of the upcoming caucus and as always, follow me on Twitter @MLETTELLEIR