journalist
A former Director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University and former chief political writer, political editor and political columnist for the Des Moines Register (1965-2009), in 2017 David Yepsen will become host of Iowa Public Televisions’ Iowa Press Program
Truth, lies, the media and Donald Trump One lesson from Donald Trump's "upset" victory is that the mainstream media's "conventional wisdom" has lost its credibility. Trump was covered more as a celebrity than a real candidate — and he's still getting massive attention for tweets, even when they're not based on reality. But the media are now so diverse that it's hard to find any consensus on what's real and what's not. So, what's next for traditional journalism? We talk with reporters from inside and outside the bi-coastal "mainstream" bubble. How do you cover a President who has direct access to the American public?
With Iowa Over, It's On to New Hampshire Hillary Clinton officially won in Iowa, but it was so close that the real truth may never be known. Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz are both claiming victories over the media and the Washington establishment — for very different reasons. Donald Trump is still being called the favorite next week in New Hampshire, even though he's now a "loser" and Marco Rubio is hard on his heels. For three sitting Republican Governors — Bush, Kasich and Christie — it's nail-biting time.
The 2016 Presidential Campaign Is Finally about to Get Real After months of political hype based on meaningless national polls, the actual state-by-state process of choosing candidates is about to get underway. In less than a month, it's Iowa, and a week later, New Hampshire. By that time, the political battlefield could be littered with bodies. In the meantime, every Republican and Democratic candidate — from Trump to O'Malley — is already fighting to stay alive. We talk to veteran observers about last-minute changes in strategy, substance — and personnel -- that could turn out to be crucial.
The Battle for the Senate Suddenly Looks Quite Different Forty-seven of the 100 seats in the US Senate are controlled by Republicans. Forecasts had the GOP rated as likely to take the Senate in November, but that's changed recently. In Massachusetts a celebrity economics professor takes on the incumbent Republican who sits in Ted Kennedy's old seat. In Indiana a Republican brags about his disdain for bipartisanship. In Virginia two former governors who at times have been mentioned as possible presidents square off. In Wisconsin a former governor and cabinet secretary faces a woman, who if elected, would be the first openly gay senator. We take on some of the more notable, hard-fought and surprising Senate races.
Romney, Paul and...Santorum? The Des Moines Register Poll , out today, shows yet another also-ran picking up steam as Iowa Republicans prepare to caucus tomorrow night. Pennsylvania's former US Senator Rick Santorum has 15 percent to Ron Paul 's 22, and Mitt Romney 's still leading with 24 percent. But 41 percent of those polled said they'd be willing to change their minds. We take a last look at a nomination race unique in American history. Why does Iowa matter so much? What is the caucus process all about? How many Republican candidates have the resources to go on from here? Websites of other Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Rick Perry Jon Huntsman, Jr
How Is America Reacting to the Debt Ceiling Drama? Nobody knows what the first default in US government history might look like, and it might take until midnight Tuesday before the world knows whether it's going to happen. The House and the Senate are still going in different directions. They look like they're working hard, but it doesn't appear they can resolve the debt-ceiling issue before the weekend. Informal surveys of ordinary Americans are getting responses like "shameful," lunacy," "clowns" and "embarrassment." How does it look in various parts of the country?
How Does Gridlock Look from Outside the Beltway? As the debt-ceiling deadline looms, House Speaker John Boehner has been challenged by his own Republican majority. After re-working his plan for spending cuts and reducing the deficit, he held a news conference early this afternoon, telling reporters, "When the House takes action today, the US Senate will have no more excuse for inaction." A few hours before that, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said of the Boehner plan, "There is no question that this bill is a political act that has no life beyond its current existence in the House." Have Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill and at the White House lost touch with the American people? Does the President look like a weak leader? Do Republicans look like they’re out to get him? Do voters worried about their 401(k)’s wish a plague on both houses? We talk with reporters and other observers in different parts of the country.
A Debate in Name Only At St. Anselm's College in New Hampshire last night — and on cable TV -- seven Republicans spent two hours denouncing Barack Obama . There was no question that the target for six other Republican candidates was Democratic President rather than front-runner Mitt Romney . How did the candidates distinguish themselves from each other? Did they narrow the field or will other candidates see a chance to jump in? Other candidates in last night's debate or mentioned in this discussion include: Herman Cain John Huntsman Michele Bachmann Newt Gingrich Rick Santorum Ron Paul Tim Pawlenty
A Debate in Name Only When the GOP stages its first presidential primary next year in New Hampshire, the candidates will be running against each other. But in last night's debate at St. Anselm's College in New Hampshire, they made President Obama their only real target, and passed up opportunities to speak ill of fellow Republicans. What did they do to distinguish themselves? Did Tim Pawlenty challenge Mitt Romney 's establishment front-runner status? Did Michele Bachmann make a difference? Did Newt Gingrich show he can still run, even without a campaign staff? We hear excerpts from the candidates and get some expert opinions. Other candidates appearing in last night's debate or discussed in this segment include: Herman Cain John Huntsman Ron Paul Rick Santorum
What Are the Republicans Waiting For? Haley Barbour has dropped out and, except for Mitt Romney , most other GOP heavyweights are looking for money, while potential donors are sizing them up. One GOP strategist said Thursday's debate in South Carolina "looked like the bar scene from Star Wars," and House Speaker Boehner didn't bother to watch. Republicans, even those with double-digit support in the polls, have been slow to get into the race for the presidential nomination. Today, Newt Gingrich said he'll be the first to announce on Wednesday. Is he big enough to make others worry about being left behind? Is President Obama stronger than they suspected or weak enough that a late start won't matter for the eventual GOP nominee? Other GOP candidates discussed include: Tim Pawlenty Rick Santorum Herman Cain Mitch Daniels
As the Conventions End, a State-by-State Battle Begins The Obama-Biden ticket got a bounce in the polls after the Democratic convention and the McCain-Palin ticket got a bigger bounce after the Republican convention. But the latest national polls indicate a virtual tie in the presidential race. Today's Washington Post poll shows Barack Obama holding 47% of the vote to John McCain’s 46%. What do the polls tell us about how the race has changed since the conventions? Why do all the polls come up with different results? How do the poll results influence voters? What polls do the candidates use in deciding how to deploy their resources and chart the course to victory in the Electoral College?
As the Conventions End, a State-by-State Battle Begins The Obama-Biden ticket got a bounce in the polls after the Democratic convention and the McCain-Palin ticket got a bigger bounce after the Republican convention . But the latest national polls indicate a virtual tie in the presidential race. Today's Washington Post poll shows Barack Obama holding 47% of the vote to John McCain’s 46%. What do the polls tell us about how the race has changed since the conventions? Why do all the polls come up with different results? How do the poll results influence voters? What polls do the candidates use in deciding how to deploy their resources and chart the course to victory in the Electoral College ?
Reading the Tea Leaves in Iowa All eyes are cast on the State of Iowa and the January 3 caucuses , which could be decisive in nominating either or both parties' presidential candidates . All of a sudden things there are moving very fast. In the latest polls, Senator Barack Obama has been edging out Hillary Clinton and tarnishing her aura of inevitability. On the GOP side, Mike Huckabee , who only a few months ago might have been referred to as "Mike Who?" is closing in on front-runner Mitt Romney. With only five weeks to go before the voting begins in the Hawkeye State, we get an update on the 2008 presidential race.
Reading the Tea Leaves in Iowa All eyes are cast on the State of Iowa and the January 3 caucuses , which could be decisive in nominating either or both parties' presidential candidates . All of a sudden things there are moving very fast. In the latest polls, Senator Barack Obama has been edging out Hillary Clinton and tarnishing her aura of inevitability. On the GOP side, Mike Huckabee , who only a few months ago might have been referred to as "Mike Who?" is closing in on front-runner Mitt Romney. With only five weeks to go before the voting begins in the Hawkeye State, we get an update on the 2008 presidential race.
Presidential Race Livens Up on Both Sides Enshrined as the Democratic front-runner by the media and by Republicans Hillary Clinton was on the defensive in last night's debate . John Edwards accused her of double-talk and representing the status quo. Barack Obama called her secretive—like George Bush. Will the predicted confrontations make a difference? Is Clinton's lead really all that solid? On the Republican side, can born-again conservative Mike Huckabee make a run at Rudy Giuliani ? In a little over eight weeks, voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will finally be heard from. Is either party speaking to the anger of voters two months before they start going to the polls?
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.