I finally get back to covering the campaign this Friday. Gov. Rick Perry and the rest of the GOP presidential field have two debates coming up in Iowa.
All of the major candidates, except John Huntsman who has a "New Hampshire or Bust" campaign, will be living in the Hawkeye state until caucus day January 3.
Which means I'll be living there too, minus three days back in Austin for Christmas. So I've started packing for the trip.
- Packing Tip #1: Pack for a few days and plan to visit a local laundromat. You don't want to check bags because they could get lost in Chicago. With just a carry on, packing for more than five or six days is about all you can do.
- Packing Tip #2: Find warm clothes. This week's cold snap in Austin actually helped there. I've already had to unearth all my sweaters and turtle-necks with below freezing mornings here. The high in Des Moines when I land Friday...23!
- Packing Tip #3: Dress to survive, not to impress. When covering the Texas Legislative session, it's shirt and tie with blazer or suit 24-7. Barnstorming through Iowa means it's time to break out the blue jeans.
And I can't end this post without a quick thank-you to my wife and two daughters for getting me a new suit case for my birthday in November. Nothing like traveling with new luggage.
