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# IowaWatch Connection: Political Climate
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/iowawatch-connection-political-climate/
- Published: 2015-07-27T13:18:19.000Z
- Updated: 2015-07-27T13:18:19.000Z
- Description: Political rhetoric seems more heated, and the discussion nastier, than ever. We'll talk with analysts, journalists, and veterans of Iowa political campaigns about the situation, and how we might get back to more effective dialogue and governing.
- Author: Jeff Stein
- Tags: iowawatch, Uncategorized, Iowa State University, IowaWatch Connection, Jim Bohannon, Loras College, Political discourse, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

Political rhetoric seems more heated, and the discussion nastier, than ever.

“We’re very used to in this country having party polarization, where the two parties say very different things, where the candidates have a really nasty campaign and fight,” said David Andersen, an Iowa State University political science professor.

“The difference, I think, today, is that discourse has reached the people level. The common, everyday person now is polarized. And that is worrisome. Democracy cannot function when you have people who will not discuss politics with each other.”

Listen to the podcast, where we talk with analysts, journalists and veterans of Iowa political campaigns about how we might get back to more effective dialogue and governing.