While often amusing, it’s unclear what AJ Schnack’s new documentary Caucus does except reaffirm the silliness of American politics. As the documentary begins, we’re informed that “Since 1972, Iowa voters are the first to take part in the voting process.” From the media blitz that accompanies the Iowa Caucus each election season, it might seem that fate is written in this central state, but as we hear Iowans declare that they’ll start paying attention after the contingent of politicians has whittled itself down to two candidates and learn that only about 16,000 people vote in the straw poll, we realize that it’s only meaningful in the celebritization of potential government officials, and the media are the ones who decide who’s popular and who’s not.
This should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched politics on television over the last twenty or so years – we could stretch this influence all the way back to the Nixon-Kennedy debates as well – but with the wealth of media outlets today, it’s easier to see just how inconsequential yet influential the Iowa Caucus really is.
What I mean to suggest is this: Michelle Bachmann “emerged as something like a rockstar on the right,” but this didn’t carry her very far in the race for the nomination. While she beat out Santorum in Iowa, a candidate who finished dead last in the state after the straw poll vote, she bowed out of the race well before he did in his head to head battle with eventual candidate Mitt Romney. However, Bachmann’s popularity soared on the basis of her initial win – as did Herman Cain’s before the handful of sexual harassment claims came to light.
The common denominator between these two candidates is the spectacle that they provide. As Bachmann promises air conditioning, food, and Randy Travis, Cain releases his baritone signing voice on the audience to a round of cheers. All of this only suggests that issues are secondary or tertiary to pandering to the crowd. Therefore, at play in Caucus, is a look at how little is actually said about politics aside from convenient sound bytes about defeating Barack Obama and being a real American. This is certainly apparent in the depictions of Bachmann and Cain, but is also apparent in the scenes dedicated to Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. While anyone who watched the Obama-Romney debates knows that not much was said on either side – and when it was, it was generally off topic – it’s frightening that people who say so little progress so far in a political race.
The most fascinating part of Caucus is the look at Rick Santorum. Politics aside, it’s clear that Santorum had the most relevant talking points, but the least crowd appeal leading up to the straw poll. While Bachmann has a luxury bus and speaks to auditoriums and tents filled with people – as do Cain, Romney, Gingrich, and Perry – Santorum is relegated to speaking – ironically – in chain restaurants like Godfather’s Pizza.
The lead up to the straw poll sets the stage for Santorum’s unlikely underdog victory in the actual Iowa caucuses. This victory at the same time shows that diligent campaigning through every Iowan county can draw attention to issues that matter. However, there is still a political disconnect between the results of the most famed caucus and the eventual winner of a party’s nomination or a presidential bid.
Caucus also, for a moment or two, pulls back the political curtain to show the candidates – at one point or another – acting as humans, not performers. Everything they say throughout Caucus is not fodder and bits for headlines, just what they say to mass crowds of voters.
