Graham Shines at Iowa Cattle Call

“Nine GOP White House contenders did their best to sound more compelling and better-versed on farm-related matters than their competitors Saturday as they were quizzed during an unusual showcase of agriculture policy on the presidential campaign trail,” the Des Moines Register reports.

A “witty performance” by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) “captured the most applause during the 6½-hour examination of some wonkish policy matters at the Iowa Ag Summit… But it remains to be seen whether Graham, who barely registers in polling, will get the kind of lift that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) did after his buzzy speech to a similar-sized audience of Iowans and national press six weeks ago at the Iowa Freedom Summit, the first “cattle call” presidential audition of the year in Iowa.”

Washington Post: “Saturday’s forum was one of a series of events on Iowa’s political calendar this spring and summer designed to draw the candidates to the state and take positions on its pet issues.”