Defending her reputation

And choosing the number 2

To be honest, I didn’t know if Ann Selzer would respond to my message. I have known her for a number of years. But this wasn’t a typical interview request.

Would she agree to an interview for my “Inside Iowa Politics” show? Talk about what went wrong in her now infamous final Des Moines Register Iowa Poll? I had to wonder if she would say no.

The Response — Selzer said that she would do it.

November has not been kind to the woman nicknamed “the gold standard” in election polling. Three decades of polling earned her those accolades. One poll released three days before Election Day 2024 poked at that reputation.

Poll Prediction in Iowa: Kamala Harris 47%, Donald Trump 44%

Election Day Reality: Donald Trump 56%, Kamala Harris 43%

16-point miss — The trolls have been coming after her hard. She tried to make Donald Trump lose, they claimed. She wanted to help Democrats, they alleged. Democrats paid her off, accused others.

Trump suggested that she should be investigated for “election fraud.”

None of that is true, she told me. Also not true, she said, was that she was retiring from election polling because of her miss in 2024. Her exit had been planned with the Des Moines Register in 2023, she said.

Some of her critics remain unconvinced. I have heard from them.

Selzer told me something during our conversation that I had not heard: West Des Moines police came to see her and discussed her safety.

Watch the interview here.

Cell Phone Ban — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds plans to propose restrictions for cell phones in the classroom when she delivers her Condition of the State Address in January. When I talked with her this week, it sounds like she plans to propose minimum restrictions. Local districts could do more if they choose.

I don’t know more specifics yet. But it feels like there is a movement — not just in Iowa — that it is time to limit how much screen time our kids are getting at school.

As a parent I know that I’m thinking more about that for home, too. Although, I need to police myself first.

Number 2 — It has been a slow process for the governor to choose a new lieutenant governor. Adam Gregg announced his resignation on September 3rd.

Reynolds’ gave us this update on the search and when we can expect an announcement. Watch my story here.

Conversation — We had two families from our neighborhood over for dinner Sunday night. One family I already knew; the other one I did not.

It is striking to me how these days we have so many ways to share information and communication. Yet nothing compares to sharing a meal with our cell phones put away to learn more about each other, share a meal (my daughter, Lyla, made some awesome pumpkin muffins smothered in cream cheese icing. She even added some chocolate chips!) and enjoy some laughs.

Awesome.

I want to close with my deep thanks for your support for this new endeavor which we began last year. Regardless of whether you subscribe, financially sustain us as a paid supporter, or just check in from time to time, I really appreciate it.

I value your feedback. Please keep it coming as we build this conversation together.

May you enjoy a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Please check out the other columnists in our Iowa Writers Collaborative who bring various perspectives on numerous different topics.

And don’t forget out the annual holiday party for paid subscribers. It takes place Friday, December 13th, from 5-8 p.m. at the Harkin Institute on the Drake University campus in Des Moines. Hope to see you there!

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