What’s the role of the news media when it comes to covering politics? Is that role different in the eyes of the politicians? Should print reporters be on TV? Are cable news outlets trying to change the government or just report on changes? The tables are turned as a panel of esteemed journalists takes questions from state party leaders and the audience. It’s good stuff! With Michael Gartner, Carol Hunter, Dave Busiek, Erin Murphy, Troy Price and Matt Strawn. Moderators/Hosts Dennis Goldford & Kevin Cooney. Recorded before an audience January 15th at Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines, Iowa.
Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - Des Moines Register Political Columnist Kathie Obradovich
Here’s a chance to get inside the mind of the most powerful political columnist in the state. Kathie Obradovich talks about a career that didn’t start with political reporting. She and Kevin Cooney talk on-on-one about life as The Des Moines Register’s primary political voice.
Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - The Reluctant Leader: Sue Dvorsky
Sue Dvorsky spent most of her adult life as a teacher and heading up the Iowa Democratic Party was not in her plans. Yet, here she was - put in charge of a party in transition. Listen in as Kevin Cooney and Dvorsky talk one-on-one about the job she never planned to have, but loved once she had it.
Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - Panelist Dave Kochel Profile
Dave Kochel has been a republican strategist for decades, helping GOP candidates from Branstad to Bush - Jeb Bush. He’s fought plenty of battles, but none like the one he faced in the midst of the Iowa Caucus campaign in 2015 when he got the news he had cancer. Here’s a one-on-one interview as Kochel talks about the big fight.
Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - Big Money! Really BIG!
We've heard there's big money in politics. Here's a brief tale about some really big money being passed around. Republican Dave Kochel and Democrat Jeff Link discuss the mega-thousand dollar checks and who wrote them!
Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - What About the Lobbyists?
At our most recent WONKS! where the topic was Money & Politics, a local lobbyist talks of expectations that they (the lobbyists) donate to legislators’ campaigns. Our panel of Republican and Democrat insiders looks at whether whether there’s a better way to fund campaigns.
WONKS! Episode 2 - Money & Politics
Former party chiefs and campaign managers who spearheaded efforts for Barack Obama, Jeb Bush, Al Gore, Mitt Romney and more talk money! Who has it, who spends it and how they get it! As usual, Republicans, Democrats and journalists get together for fun and secrets... and everyone is still talking to each other when it’s over! Sue Dvorsky, Dave Kochel, Jeff Link, David Oman and Kathie Obradovich join co-hosts Dennis Goldford and Kevin Cooney and 100 of their closest friends at Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines.
WONKS! Episode 1 - Tales From the Trail
In our first live episode, Democrat and Republican campaign and party executives sit down (together!) with journalists to tell humorous and revealing "war stories." Panelists Emily Parcell, Anne Roth, Matt Paul, Matt Strawn, David Yepsen and O. Kay Henderson join hosts Dennis Goldford and Kevin Cooney live at the Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines. Laughs!
WONKS! Preview Episode
In this “sample” episode, the theme is food and drink on the road. Dennis Goldford and Kevin Cooney talk to Matt Paul, Iowa State Director for the 2016 Hillary Clinton Campaign; Matt Strawn, former Iowa GOP Chairman; Anne Roth former finance director for the Charles Grassley Campaign and Radio Iowa’s Kay Henderson.