WEBVTT 00:23.033 --> 00:25.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Good evening. I'm Judy Woodruff. 00:25.433 --> 00:30.333 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% And welcome to this "PBS NewsHour" Vote 2020 election special. 00:30.333 --> 00:35.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The Iowa caucuses are under way, the first contest to decide who will be the nominees 00:36.466 --> 00:38.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% for president. 00:38.833 --> 00:42.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% In the Republican presidential caucus, unsurprisingly, President Donald Trump is projected to win 00:44.800 --> 00:48.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% the Hawkeye State. As you can see, with more than 83, almost 84 percent of the precincts 00:50.666 --> 00:55.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% reporting, President Trump has better than 97 percent of the vote on the Republican side. 00:58.066 --> 01:03.033 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% And for the Democrats, however, we still do not have any results. 01:04.566 --> 01:07.000 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% We have a team in Iowa led by "NewsHour" correspondent John Yang. 01:07.000 --> 01:12.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% With him on the campus of Drake University, in Des Moines, where the caucuses continue, 01:13.933 --> 01:17.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% are Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report, also the host of "Politics With Amy Walter" 01:19.366 --> 01:22.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% on WNYC Radio, and longtime Iowa political reporter David Yepsen. He's the host of a 01:23.300 --> 01:26.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% program "Iowa Press" on Iowa TV. 01:26.366 --> 01:30.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, John Yang, I'm going to come quickly to you first. What is going on? The caucuses 01:30.900 --> 01:35.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% began three hours ago. We expected to get early reports, at least preliminary numbers. 01:37.866 --> 01:40.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And, so far, we don't have anything. 01:40.000 --> 01:43.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JOHN YANG: We don't have anything. 01:43.333 --> 01:48.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The Democratic Party just released a statement saying that they are being very careful. They 01:48.066 --> 01:53.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% say quality control is delaying the reporting. They say they have about 25 percent of the 01:53.666 --> 01:55.633 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% results in. 01:55.633 --> 01:59.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And they also say that turnout, which some had predicted could top the record turnout 02:01.666 --> 02:05.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% in 2008, when Barack Obama got a big boost here, they say that turnout is only on pace 02:07.266 --> 02:12.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to match 2016's turnout, so significantly lower than what had been forecast. 02:14.000 --> 02:18.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The party also says that one reason for the delay is that, for the first time, they're 02:18.200 --> 02:23.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% releasing three numbers, rather than just one. Previously, they would just tell us the 02:24.833 --> 02:29.100 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% number of delegates who had been allocated to the various candidates. 02:29.100 --> 02:34.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Tonight, they're also reporting the raw vote at the beginning of the night, when people 02:36.100 --> 02:40.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% arrived at the caucuses, and then after people rearranged themselves, once the candidate 02:41.733 --> 02:45.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - - some candidates who didn't have enough for viability. 02:45.733 --> 02:49.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% There is also some suspicions that perhaps they won't -- I shouldn't say that. We do 02:49.566 --> 02:54.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% know that the party wants to release everything at once, all three of those data points at 02:56.566 --> 03:00.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% once, that perhaps it could be that they want to avoid the piecemeal dribs and drabs of 03:03.200 --> 03:08.033 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% numbers that some of the campaigns could use to declare victory. 03:08.033 --> 03:13.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: I think some of the terms we're using, John, may be unfamiliar to folks who 03:13.900 --> 03:16.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% don't follow these caucuses. 03:16.000 --> 03:21.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% You mentioned raw vote. The Iowa Democratic Party had referred to alignment and then what 03:21.866 --> 03:23.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% they were calling realignment. 03:23.933 --> 03:27.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I will bring in David Yepsen at this point, because he has been covering Iowa politics 03:27.766 --> 03:29.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% for a long time. 03:29.833 --> 03:34.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% David, it's our -- what we know is that the Democratic National Committee reached in and 03:36.266 --> 03:40.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% had the Iowa Democrats change their process this year. Can you tell us in a nutshell what 03:41.300 --> 03:43.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% happened? What did they do? 03:43.366 --> 03:47.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID YEPSEN, Iowa PBS: Well, in the -- in prior years, they never released an initial 03:50.233 --> 03:55.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% preference. They never released a body count, if you will, because they didn't want to look 03:56.700 --> 04:00.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% too much like a primary. That would offend New Hampshire. 04:00.266 --> 04:05.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% In 2016, what happened was, Bernie Sanders' supporters feel like they won the vote of 04:07.200 --> 04:11.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% the initial people walking in the room and that Hillary Clinton won the delegates, and 04:11.866 --> 04:14.000 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% so she claimed victory. 04:14.000 --> 04:18.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So, to be transparent, this year, they're going to release everything, the initial preferences 04:18.433 --> 04:23.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% of people when they walked in the door, then where those people went who were not in a 04:25.400 --> 04:29.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% group of 15 percent to qualify for delegates, and then the delegate count. 04:31.200 --> 04:35.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And what is happening tonight is -- goes contrary to what the state Democratic chairman, Troy 04:37.600 --> 04:41.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Price, told us in an interview, which was, these numbers would be reported by precinct 04:42.833 --> 04:44.900 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% as they came in. 04:44.900 --> 04:49.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So it leads to the question, is there some kind of problem? Because to have this happen 04:51.633 --> 04:56.533 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% really detracts from the importance of the caucus. To release them in the middle of the 04:58.500 --> 05:01.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% night is giving the winner no bounce. And that's why come here to campaign, to get a 05:02.400 --> 05:04.366 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% win. 05:04.366 --> 05:07.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% In fairness to the state party, though, they have had problems in the past with counts. 05:07.366 --> 05:12.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And more than one state chairman has lost his job because he messed up the count. 05:14.300 --> 05:18.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So I imagine Mr. Price this year is being extra careful, even though all the media people 05:18.033 --> 05:20.633 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% are mad. 05:20.633 --> 05:24.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, it has -- takes on particular importance because of all the focus this year 05:24.033 --> 05:29.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and in the last few years over election security and election accuracy and hacking and whether 05:30.333 --> 05:32.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% elections have been interfered with. 05:32.400 --> 05:37.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so even a simple mishap is going to be - - frankly, has the potential to be misinterpreted 05:41.833 --> 05:44.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% until something is released. 05:44.100 --> 05:49.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I just want to come back and ask you again, David Yepsen -- and, Amy and John Yang, please 05:51.166 --> 05:56.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% feel free to jump in -- just to understand what is different about Iowa, as you said, 05:58.100 --> 06:00.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% is, it's not just the number of people who show up at these caucuses. 06:00.533 --> 06:05.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% It is that the candidates, in order to get - - to be counted at all, to have any chance 06:07.833 --> 06:12.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% of getting delegates to the national convention, they have to have more than 15 percent in 06:14.200 --> 06:17.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% each one of these, what, over 1,600-some-odd caucuses. 06:17.400 --> 06:21.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And if you don't have the 15 percent, that is where the so called realignment or rearranging 06:21.466 --> 06:23.100 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% happens. 06:23.100 --> 06:26.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% DAVID YEPSEN: That's correct, Judy. 06:26.966 --> 06:31.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The process is about electing delegates. The nominee is picked by delegates. And so this 06:34.166 --> 06:39.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% is not a primary. This is picked by people at caucuses who elect delegates. And you -- if 06:41.133 --> 06:45.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% they don't have 15 percent of the whole, as a candidate, your people have to realign with 06:46.400 --> 06:48.433 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% a group that does. 06:48.433 --> 06:52.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Amy Walter, you are there in the middle between David and John. 06:54.466 --> 06:57.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, like David, you have covered a lot of these elections, and like John. 06:57.000 --> 07:02.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% How are you reading what is going on? We don't have results yet. There are rules changes 07:04.033 --> 07:08.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% that were imposed by the Democratic National Committee. What do we make of it at this hour? 07:10.933 --> 07:15.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% AMY WALTER, The Cook Political Report: You know, Judy, it is a really important point, 07:17.366 --> 07:19.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% this changes in rules. And, remember, it's not just the Iowa caucus rules that have been 07:19.700 --> 07:21.800 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% changed. 07:21.800 --> 07:25.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Another big rule change was the fact that superdelegates are no longer able to cast 07:27.566 --> 07:31.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% their ballot until, at the convention, if there is a second ballot. If the person who 07:34.300 --> 07:37.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% has the most pledged delicate delegates has the ability to win, they don't need superdelegates. 07:37.800 --> 07:42.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The point is, all these changes were made in response to Bernie Sanders' campaign in 07:44.833 --> 07:49.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% 2016 and the frustration that many of his supporters felt that the DNC was putting their 07:50.200 --> 07:51.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% thumb on the scale for Hillary Clinton. 07:51.000 --> 07:53.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 07:53.066 --> 07:54.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% AMY WALTER: But it goes to a bigger question. And I think we have been seeing it for the 07:54.833 --> 07:58.600 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% last 10 or so years, which is, what is the point of the parties? 07:58.600 --> 08:02.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The point of the parties not so long ago was, they make the rules, and if you want to be 08:02.700 --> 08:07.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% a part of that party, you follow the rules. Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, both candidates 08:09.666 --> 08:13.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% who came from outside the system, outside of the party, have really transformed the 08:13.200 --> 08:16.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% way the parties are actually conducting themselves. 08:16.033 --> 08:20.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So it is pretty radical, actually, what is happening tonight. The party is worrying so 08:20.500 --> 08:25.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% much about things here in Iowa, about transparency, when, not that long ago, the party could say, 08:27.466 --> 08:31.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% well, if you don't want to be part of our process, then just don't come. 08:32.233 --> 08:33.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% You can't say that anymore. 08:33.033 --> 08:35.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 08:35.600 --> 08:38.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% AMY WALTER: But, look, I do think that, every four years, Judy, we come to Iowa, these caucuses 08:40.900 --> 08:45.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% happen, and there is something -- at least since 2012, something has gone somewhat awry. 08:49.566 --> 08:54.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so I do think it is going to raise once more the question of, can Iowa still keep 08:57.100 --> 09:00.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% itself the first in the nation with the current system that they have, given how much importance 09:03.533 --> 09:06.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% these caucuses have in picking the ultimate nominee? 09:06.333 --> 09:09.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Sure. And it is important, just quickly, that you mentioned the superdelegates. 09:09.266 --> 09:14.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% These, of course, are elected officials, people who have a prominent role to play. They may 09:16.266 --> 09:19.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% be governors. They may be members of Congress. But they are -- but they not a part of the 09:19.700 --> 09:24.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% process at this point. Their role was supposed to be diminished under these new rules. 09:27.000 --> 09:31.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Now I want to go to "NewsHour" political reporter Dan Bush, who is on the Drake University campus 09:33.700 --> 09:35.700 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% in Des Moines. 09:35.700 --> 09:38.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Dan, I understand you have got a little bit of information about what is going on. 09:38.333 --> 09:42.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% DANIEL BUSH: That's right, Judy. 09:42.233 --> 09:47.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, I have been texting with an official who was involved in and helped lead the count 09:49.133 --> 09:52.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% at the largest precinct site in the state. And this official tells me that there is an 09:52.966 --> 09:57.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% app that can be downloaded to a phone, tablet or computer that the precincts are -- were 09:59.366 --> 10:03.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% supposed to use to submit the results digitally. 10:03.300 --> 10:08.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% That app appears not to be working for some precincts around the state. That is slowing 10:08.166 --> 10:13.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% the process down. This source said that it might take a while to sort it out, but that, 10:14.600 --> 10:17.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% generally speaking, otherwise, the caucus went fairly smoothly. 10:17.100 --> 10:22.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I spoke with one campaign that said they expect it to be a long night. We might not hear results 10:23.233 --> 10:25.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% for at least another hour, maybe even longer. 10:25.300 --> 10:28.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: But I guess -- I guess, Dan, I don't understand, because we had heard earlier 10:28.566 --> 10:33.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% in the day that this app on -- supposedly available on a smartphone or a tablet wasn't 10:36.033 --> 10:38.066 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% working, and that they were going to be calling in the results. 10:38.066 --> 10:40.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So, we don't know what happened. 10:40.600 --> 10:44.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% DANIEL BUSH: That's right. 10:44.400 --> 10:48.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And some precincts have been able to call in the results. Apparently, others have not. 10:48.200 --> 10:52.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And that has what caused some of the confusion. And, apparently, there still are precincts 10:52.166 --> 10:57.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that are having trouble sticking with those guidelines and getting those results in with 10:57.766 --> 10:59.000 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% that app. 10:59.000 --> 11:01.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Dan, let me ask you. 11:01.133 --> 11:04.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% You have been there in the caucus at -- I guess there are several caucuses taking place 11:04.233 --> 11:09.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% at Drake University. What are the voters themselves saying about this? Are they asking questions? 11:11.100 --> 11:16.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DANIEL BUSH: So, the voters here are waiting for the results to come in. 11:17.966 --> 11:22.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% You can see behind me supporters are filling up the room here at Vice President Biden's 11:25.233 --> 11:28.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% rally, waiting for him to come on stage. Some Biden supporters said, listen, this is a marathon, 11:30.233 --> 11:34.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% this is not a sprint. These are voters who came from the caucus today where Biden finished 11:34.366 --> 11:36.500 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% in fourth place. 11:36.500 --> 11:40.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They said they are not that concerned about the results. Pete Buttigieg's campaign is 11:42.766 --> 11:46.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% very happy with where things stand right now. They are doing their own internal polling 11:46.333 --> 11:51.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and collection of data from what is happening. And -- and they're very happy with Buttigieg's 11:52.766 --> 11:55.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% performance in rural areas, Judy, and also in suburbs. 11:55.600 --> 12:00.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They point to that as proof of him being able to win swing voters in a general election. 12:02.600 --> 12:05.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Obviously, at this precinct, anyway, which Warren won, her supporters are happy. 12:05.066 --> 12:09.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But, overall, people are expecting and hoping to get results soon, so they can see how things 12:09.900 --> 12:11.966 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% shake out. 12:11.966 --> 12:14.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: So we do know some results. You were there, so you heard the call there 12:14.400 --> 12:18.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% at that caucus that you were attending. 12:18.133 --> 12:21.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, we're all waiting to hear -- to hear all those results. 12:21.500 --> 12:23.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Dan Bush, thank you. 12:23.233 --> 12:27.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Amy Walter, David Yepsen, and John Yang, thank you all. 12:27.233 --> 12:32.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% With me here in the studio watching it all, New York Times columnist David Brooks and 12:32.133 --> 12:35.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart. 12:35.500 --> 12:40.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We're all sitting here scratching our heads, figuratively, David, trying to figure out 12:40.000 --> 12:41.500 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% what has happened. 12:41.500 --> 12:42.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: It was faster when they did it by courier pigeon. 12:42.833 --> 12:44.066 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 12:44.066 --> 12:46.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% DAVID BROOKS: I am for going back to that. 12:46.166 --> 12:48.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And this is why government should run the entire health care system, because we are 12:48.766 --> 12:50.800 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% so good at planning. 12:50.800 --> 12:53.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I guess a couple things leap out to me. One, first, some candidate should just get up and 12:53.900 --> 12:56.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% give a speech. And every network would cover that person. 12:56.700 --> 12:58.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right now. 12:58.833 --> 13:00.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: And the second point, which David Yepsen alluded to, victory speeches 13:00.433 --> 13:03.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in Iowa have been important historically. 13:03.666 --> 13:07.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Barack Obama gave a very important one in 2008. And now we're not going to have a victory 13:07.200 --> 13:09.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% speech that anybody is going to watch because it is going to be in the middle of the morning 13:09.233 --> 13:11.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% or maybe -- or late at night. 13:11.800 --> 13:16.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The second thing -- the third thing that interests me is the turnout, that it apparently is at 13:16.066 --> 13:21.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% 2016 and not 2008. And that was a huge difference. 2016 was 172,000. 2008 was 240,000, big difference. 13:25.233 --> 13:30.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so that tells me that none of the candidates are really exciting a lot of people here. 13:32.200 --> 13:34.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so, it's -- that strikes me as -- I don't know what it says about the Democratic Party, 13:34.933 --> 13:39.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% but it's -- so much attention, so much anti-Trump fervor, and yet a lot of people didn't come 13:40.400 --> 13:42.400 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% out. 13:42.400 --> 13:44.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: And we are waiting to see what that means and which candidate benefited or 13:44.066 --> 13:46.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% was hurt by that, Jonathan Capehart. 13:46.766 --> 13:51.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But in terms of how the rules changed and the fact that we are still waiting more than 13:51.166 --> 13:56.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% three hours after these caucuses got under way, does it say something about the Democratic 13:56.800 --> 13:58.466 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Party this year? 13:58.466 --> 14:00.566 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% JONATHAN CAPEHART, The Washington Post: Well, certainly. 14:00.566 --> 14:04.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I mean, in a way, it sort of reminds me of healthcare.gov, to your point -- your joke 14:06.400 --> 14:08.433 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% about putting the government in charge of the health care system. 14:08.433 --> 14:12.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But, look, these rules were put into effect, Judy, after the 2016 race because of concerns 14:14.733 --> 14:16.066 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% of what happened the last time... 14:16.066 --> 14:18.100 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 14:18.100 --> 14:20.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: ... and Senator Sanders not feeling that, you know, his delegates 14:20.800 --> 14:23.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% got their due and that his voters got their due. 14:23.500 --> 14:28.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so these rules were put in place to be - - to make the whole thing more transparent, 14:28.200 --> 14:33.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to make it more small-D democratic. And, instead, what we are seeing is the complication, the 14:34.866 --> 14:39.866 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% complexity of these new rules have been -- has upended the process. 14:41.833 --> 14:46.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: And, I mean, I keep think -- I'm thinking also back to the criticism of the 14:48.766 --> 14:52.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% party over the debates, the fact that the results were tightened this year and wondering 14:52.966 --> 14:57.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% if there is going to be an examination somewhere along the line in this process of how -- of 14:59.600 --> 15:02.400 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% how changes were made as we went along and as we got closer to this... 15:02.400 --> 15:06.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Well, one thing that this might -- there are conversations happening 15:06.300 --> 15:09.266 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% on social media about this, particularly among the political class. 15:09.266 --> 15:14.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that is the conversation within the Democratic Party about, why does Iowa go first will now 15:16.233 --> 15:21.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% accelerate. Why should this state that doesn't look demographically like the country and 15:22.500 --> 15:25.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% like the party, why should that state go first? 15:25.300 --> 15:30.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, before, the tradition of Iowa going first would sort of hold them safe. I don't think 15:31.766 --> 15:32.766 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% they are safe anymore. 15:32.766 --> 15:33.766 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% DAVID BROOKS: Yes. 15:33.766 --> 15:34.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Fascinating. 15:34.866 --> 15:36.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% DAVID BROOKS: Simplicity is important. 15:36.933 --> 15:39.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Like, who thought it was a good idea to say, we're going to report your first decision 15:39.833 --> 15:41.100 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and then your second? 15:41.100 --> 15:42.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: And then your second. 15:42.300 --> 15:43.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% DAVID BROOKS: And maybe your random musings. 15:43.900 --> 15:44.900 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% Like, who thought having three different results was a good idea? 15:44.900 --> 15:46.966 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 15:46.966 --> 15:50.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: Simplicity is just very important in any regulatory or any governmental system. 15:50.166 --> 15:55.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And then -- and they did it because of transparency. This happens to be a pet peeve of mine, that 15:56.033 --> 15:56.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% a friend repeated this... 15:56.700 --> 15:58.200 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 15:58.200 --> 15:59.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: You are for more behind the curtain. 15:59.133 --> 15:59.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: Well, Bill... 15:59.800 --> 16:01.866 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 16:01.866 --> 16:03.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: ... from the Brookings Institute once said, government shouldn't be totally 16:03.833 --> 16:04.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% transparent for the same reason that middle-age people should wear clothing. 16:04.966 --> 16:06.433 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 16:06.433 --> 16:08.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: That you don't need to see everything. 16:08.033 --> 16:09.333 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: I don't think I want to go there right now, David. 16:09.333 --> 16:11.333 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 16:11.333 --> 16:13.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: When you try to make things transparent as your ultimate goal, you're 16:13.366 --> 16:16.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% just going to get everything too complex, and you will cause distrust in everything. 16:16.800 --> 16:18.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: All right, meanwhile -- I'm going to come back to the two of you, but 16:18.833 --> 16:23.833 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% I want to go back to Des Moines and to David Yepsen with Iowa PBS. 16:25.766 --> 16:28.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% David, you have got a little information to shed light on what is happening. 16:28.966 --> 16:33.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DAVID YEPSEN: Well, it is more of an insight into the fact that the Democratic Party announced 16:36.733 --> 16:41.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that they were going to have people from the Department of Homeland Security looking at, 16:43.600 --> 16:47.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% monitoring the app that reporting was used, so which raises questions about hacking. 16:49.766 --> 16:53.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You know, in the absence of information, information creates itself. And I think David's -- the 16:55.233 --> 16:59.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% comments made just now are absolutely right. This hurts Iowa. It is an embarrassment. 17:01.966 --> 17:05.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there, no sound is made. And if a caucus 17:07.400 --> 17:11.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% is given, and no results are reported, then there is no point to having a caucus. 17:11.733 --> 17:15.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, this is a -- this is an embarrassment by the Democratic Party in the state. And 17:15.566 --> 17:19.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I fully expect that it could well cost them these events in the future. 17:19.566 --> 17:24.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: I want to ask you, John Yang, as somebody who has covered American politics 17:24.100 --> 17:27.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% for a long time, it seems to me the -- and I have been covering quite a few presidential 17:27.800 --> 17:32.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% elections as well -- after every primary season, we hear the criticism, well, Iowa is not representative. 17:34.766 --> 17:39.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Neither is New Hampshire. It is a perennial criticism. But maybe the calls for change 17:41.066 --> 17:44.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are going to be even more serious and urgent this time. 17:44.833 --> 17:48.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JOHN YANG: Oh, I think so. 17:48.833 --> 17:53.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, also, I think there has always been some talk this year -- I have been hearing talk 17:53.666 --> 17:58.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% this year about how big this has gotten in terms of sort of political tourism, people 18:01.333 --> 18:06.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% coming from outside to see candidates, the large number of us, of reporters, who come 18:08.033 --> 18:10.033 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% in into this state. 18:10.033 --> 18:14.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, also, when they were talking about the huge number of the projected turnout, which 18:16.666 --> 18:21.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% actually doesn't seem to have panned out, there was some talk of, has this, the Iowa 18:23.200 --> 18:27.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% caucus system, become a victim of its own success? Has it gotten too big? 18:27.266 --> 18:32.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And I think that will also play into the talk about whether or not or not this should continue 18:32.233 --> 18:37.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to be the first stop in this primary process and the stop that sort of launches some candidates 18:40.900 --> 18:42.933 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and winnows out others. 18:42.933 --> 18:47.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Amy Walter, on this question of turnout, is what we're hearing at this 18:49.133 --> 18:53.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% point in the evening the final answer there? Do we know that the turnout wasn't as high 18:54.333 --> 18:56.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% as it was in 2008? Is that for certain? 18:56.233 --> 18:58.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% AMY WALTER: I can't hear anything. 18:58.166 --> 19:00.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: She can't hear. I'm sorry. 19:00.533 --> 19:01.966 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% I don't know whether... 19:01.966 --> 19:03.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JOHN YANG: Judy, I'm afraid she can't hear you. 19:03.000 --> 19:04.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Yes, OK. 19:04.233 --> 19:05.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Well, I can certainly come back to the table. 19:05.800 --> 19:07.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JOHN YANG: She was asking about turnout, whether... 19:07.600 --> 19:09.666 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% AMY WALTER: Yes. 19:09.666 --> 19:13.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Oh, it is a good question. And when I was out here about a week-and-a-half ago, nobody 19:15.500 --> 19:19.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% was talking about turnout breaking records. And most folks were thinking maybe it would 19:21.033 --> 19:24.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% hit 2008 levels, but thought it would be somewhere between 2016 and 2008. 19:24.933 --> 19:29.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And I would have to say one piece of the puzzle here, why is it not at 2008 levels, the first 19:31.900 --> 19:35.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% is, there are just so many candidates. In 2008, you had a choice between Barack Obama 19:37.233 --> 19:40.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and Hillary Clinton. Obviously, John Edwards was in the mix there, but, really, it was 19:40.166 --> 19:44.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% about two those candidates and the intensity around those two candidates. 19:44.433 --> 19:49.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Now you have four or five candidates that are up here in the top tier. The secretary 19:49.033 --> 19:53.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% thing goes to this question that Democrats in Iowa are struggling with and Democrats 19:53.833 --> 19:57.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% across the country are struggling with, that there is a clear choice if you are voting 19:57.666 --> 20:01.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% for Bernie Sanders. You know what you are getting with Bernie Sanders and his revolutionary 20:01.866 --> 20:06.866 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% zeal about reimagining the American political, social, economic system. 20:08.833 --> 20:13.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But the majority of Iowans and the majority of Democratic voters say: We want to find 20:14.133 --> 20:16.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% a candidate who can win. 20:16.233 --> 20:20.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, right now, that candidate has not emerged. There is not the strongest candidate that 20:22.266 --> 20:24.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% voters see to take on Donald Trump. 20:24.300 --> 20:28.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so what you are finding with a lot of voters is a sense of, I don't know, a lot 20:28.000 --> 20:33.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% of shrugging of the shoulders. And I think there are a lot of voters around the country 20:34.433 --> 20:36.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% hoping that Iowa is going to give them the answer to that. 20:36.166 --> 20:40.600 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% And, as we have just been discussing, that's - - that may not happen. 20:40.600 --> 20:44.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: And back here at the table, I mean, David Brooks, we have heard from folks 20:44.533 --> 20:46.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% who have been interviewing voters in Iowa. 20:46.633 --> 20:51.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% They have been looking for an answer. I have heard terms along the lines of Iowa voters 20:51.233 --> 20:56.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% frozen in indecision because they were so - - they felt so much pressure to make the 20:57.400 --> 20:59.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% right call with who they support. 20:59.700 --> 21:01.800 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% DAVID BROOKS: Right. 21:01.800 --> 21:03.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And more than a quarter decided in the last couple of days, according to some of the more 21:03.866 --> 21:07.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% recent polls, which that suggests nobody really lit a fire that we saw -- you see fires get 21:09.600 --> 21:12.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% lit. Obama lit a fire. Even Rick Santorum on the Republican side in 2012. 21:12.333 --> 21:16.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% You get these surges. And maybe Sanders -- there are some polls suggesting Sanders lit a fire, 21:16.833 --> 21:18.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but there is really no sense of that. 21:18.866 --> 21:23.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And what Amy said is exactly right, that they're - - if you are voting tactically, it's not 21:23.133 --> 21:28.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% an exciting feeling. And if it is cold, maybe you don't go out to vote tactically. And so, 21:29.333 --> 21:31.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% you know, we will see what happened. 21:31.366 --> 21:34.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The latest polls, everyone all over the map. You have got -- now, on Twitter, you have 21:34.133 --> 21:39.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% got a million reports from individual precincts. And you don't want to draw any broad trends 21:39.100 --> 21:42.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% from those reports, but you would have to say, I haven't seen any of them where Joe 21:42.700 --> 21:44.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Biden did particularly well. 21:44.833 --> 21:49.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so I don't know what we can learn. That is just random precincts that people report. 21:50.566 --> 21:53.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And you now see dozens and dozens on Twitter. 21:53.066 --> 21:55.933 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, we're really -- from my perspective, I'm in speculation land, Jonathan 21:55.933 --> 22:00.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Capehart, because I really want to understand why there isn't more interest in the caucuses 22:02.866 --> 22:05.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% this year, because there's been so much focus on, what was it, 29 Democrats at one point 22:05.366 --> 22:06.366 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% were running. 22:06.366 --> 22:08.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Right. 22:08.033 --> 22:10.500 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: And we're now down to 12 or 11 or something like that. 22:10.500 --> 22:14.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But it's not for lack of candidates. You have had a lot going on in Washington with impeachment. 22:14.066 --> 22:16.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, we can only speculate at this point about what... 22:16.533 --> 22:17.533 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 22:17.533 --> 22:20.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Right. 22:20.100 --> 22:22.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that would be the great thing about actually having results, having the raw numbers, having 22:22.200 --> 22:26.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% the delegates, because then we would really know if there really wasn't any enthusiasm. 22:26.100 --> 22:31.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I'm looking at it from a different perspective. We're here on Iowa caucus night with probably 22:33.100 --> 22:36.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% more candidates than we have seen in a while, and also more candidates who have a lot of 22:37.266 --> 22:39.400 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% people who like them. 22:39.400 --> 22:43.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% I mean, if you talk to Democrats, they like Senator Sanders. They like Senator Warner 22:45.533 --> 22:48.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% - - Warren. They like Mayor Pete. They like Vice President Biden. They like these people, 22:50.666 --> 22:53.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% which is probably one of the reasons why Iowans, back to David Yepsen's point, the -- it has 22:55.900 --> 22:59.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% become such an event, and, to David's point, where Iowans now feel so much pressure to 23:01.400 --> 23:03.466 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% make the right decision. 23:03.466 --> 23:07.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And they have got all these candidates they could choose from. And they don't know what 23:07.666 --> 23:08.666 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% to do. 23:08.666 --> 23:10.700 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 23:10.700 --> 23:12.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And they're -- and we all know that is born out of a desire -- at least, we are led to 23:12.300 --> 23:15.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% believe that is born out of a desire to defeat the president. 23:15.133 --> 23:17.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Right. 23:17.200 --> 23:19.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: There were a lot of Democrat this year who wanted to jump in the race because 23:19.766 --> 23:21.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% they thought they were the one. 23:21.900 --> 23:24.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we have got one of them who is not even competing in Iowa who is spending a whole 23:24.933 --> 23:26.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% lot of money, in Michael Bloomberg... 23:26.566 --> 23:28.700 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Yes. 23:28.700 --> 23:30.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: ... not even competing, who is waiting to see whether anybody emerges 23:30.300 --> 23:32.333 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% from this. 23:32.333 --> 23:34.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: In some of the commentary that I have been watching commentary leading 23:34.300 --> 23:38.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% up to our being on tonight, the one thing I found very interesting, there is this fire 23:40.400 --> 23:43.266 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% within the Democratic Party, within Iowa, to defeat the president. 23:43.266 --> 23:48.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And a lot of the correspondents would ask Warren supporters or Biden supporters, or 23:50.266 --> 23:53.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% particularly Sanders supporters, if your candidate isn't the one, what are you going to do in 23:55.633 --> 23:58.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% November? And each person said they were going to vote for the nominee. That is something 23:59.466 --> 24:01.000 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% - - Democrats... 24:01.000 --> 24:03.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% DAVID BROOKS: Except for Sanders and Yang supporters. 24:03.100 --> 24:05.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Well, no, no, no, no. These were Sanders supporters who were talked to, 24:05.000 --> 24:07.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and they said they are going to vote in November for the nominee. 24:07.200 --> 24:08.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Whoever it is. 24:08.400 --> 24:10.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JONATHAN CAPEHART: Whoever it is. 24:10.466 --> 24:14.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And for a party that, they are never organized or happy, that is, I think, a significant 24:14.666 --> 24:16.700 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% thing. 24:16.700 --> 24:18.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, as we come to the end of our half-hour special with still no results, 24:18.800 --> 24:22.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I'm going to go back to you, John Yang, with maybe a little pull-it-together information. 24:24.800 --> 24:28.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN YANG: Well, Judy, in the absence of information some of the candidates aren't waiting. 24:30.733 --> 24:35.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Amy Klobuchar has come out. She has had, anecdotally, again, as David Brooks was talking about, 24:37.866 --> 24:42.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% anecdotal reports from scattered precincts around the state indicating she has had a 24:42.433 --> 24:46.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% fairly good night. And she is talking about punching above her weight. 24:46.966 --> 24:51.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So, in the absence of information, she's coming out and shaping how this is appearing. And 24:54.533 --> 24:59.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% with no hard information to contradict her, that may well stand for a while. 25:01.666 --> 25:04.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, we are, as you say, in the middle of -- in the middle of the night almost here in Iowa. 25:06.000 --> 25:10.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It is dark here, and that is what information we have. 25:10.400 --> 25:12.433 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 25:12.433 --> 25:16.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, normally, at the end of a program like this, we would giving you 25:16.033 --> 25:18.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - - we would be wrapping up the results again. 25:18.566 --> 25:22.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We don't have any results. But we have been telling you everything we know that is happening 25:22.266 --> 25:25.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% on the ground. We know people did vote. They did go to caucuses tonight. We just don't 25:25.966 --> 25:27.433 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% have the results. 25:27.433 --> 25:29.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, we will continue to follow this. 25:29.966 --> 25:34.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I want to thank all of you in Iowa, John Yang, Amy Walter, David Yepsen. Thank you very much. 25:37.400 --> 25:40.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And here in the studio with me in Washington, keeping me company, David Brooks and Jonathan 25:41.566 --> 25:43.600 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Capehart. 25:43.600 --> 25:47.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I guess I have never anchored an election night program like this, with no results. 25:48.133 --> 25:50.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% So, it's a first. 25:50.233 --> 25:54.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% That does conclude our "PBS NewsHour" Vote 2020 election special for tonight's Iowa caucuses. 25:56.766 --> 26:00.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We do have to sign off from our broadcast now, but you can follow -- and we hope you 26:00.200 --> 26:05.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% will follow -- the results of these caucuses online at PBS.org/NewsHour and our social 26:06.066 --> 26:08.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% pages for all the latest news. 26:08.300 --> 26:12.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% A huge thank you to all of our colleagues at Iowa PBS, who have provided our team with 26:12.933 --> 26:16.333 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% invaluable support and partnership tonight. We thank you. 26:16.333 --> 26:20.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We hope we will see you again tomorrow on the "PBS NewsHour," later tomorrow night for 26:20.066 --> 26:25.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% our special coverage of the State of the Union address starting at 9:00 Eastern, 8:00 Central. 26:27.000 --> 26:28.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I'm Judy Woodruff. For all of us here at the "NewsHour," thank you, and good night.