Published: November 13, 2007 09:28 am      

German program takes look at Clinton

Iowans have great pull when it comes to electing the nation’s next President, and citizens around the world are taking notice.

A well-known German producer and a German correspondent with the New York Bureau of one of Europe’s largest television networks are in Iowa making a documentary and were recently filming in Clinton.

Producer Karin Davison, and correspondent Annette Dittert, of ARD Television, were in Clinton on Friday to film local people and politicians, and accompanied Mayor LaMetta Wynn on a tour of the city as part of their upcoming documentary on Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.

“We’ve focused on Iowa, because that’s where everything seems to happen,” Davison said.

“In the midst of all these corn fields, Iowans are the ones who get to decide first, so that’s why we’re curious about Iowa.”

Since 1972, the Iowa caucus has been the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States. It has traditionally served as an early indication of which candidate for President might win the their party’s nomination.

As this year’s Jan. 3 caucus date quickly approaches, the candidates, and the rest of the world, are paying much attention to the Hawkeye state.

The German crew has followed Sen. Clinton since she announced her candidacy in New York in Jan., but the majority of their focus has been on Iowa, and its political process.

“Iowa is so exciting for us,” Davison said. “The race is quite hot still, and the candidates are all doing well.”

Davison noted that Sen. Clinton’s team is very well organized and extremely focused, but wondered if the former First Lady’s gender would harm her chances.

“I’m very happy that you have the only African American mayor in Iowa, but we wonder if Iowa is ready for a woman nominee (for President,)” Davison said.

While in town, the film crew interviewed local Democrats and Republicans at the Corner Deli, including Mayor Wynn, and Ward 2 Councilman Mike Kearney, and a group of Democratic women at the Clinton Women’s Club on Fifth Ave South. The crew was also in town for Clinton’s other recent visits to the city, and were impressed with the people they met along the way.

“People in Iowa are extremely down to earth,” Davison said. “It hasn’t become as plastic as some other areas. Iowa is genuine.”

Davison also noted that Iowans take great pride in their state, as “they should.”

The filmmakers next stop was Saturday’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Des Moines, which Davison called a “huge thing,” with scheduled appearances by all the major Democratic candidates.

“We’re trying to figure out what a small farm state did to acquire such political power,” Davison laughed.

The one-hour documentary, which will air in January after the caucus in all German-speaking countries and on European cable, will be seen by more than 10 million viewers.