The View Of GOP Candidate From Iowa, NH

19:52

October 14, 2011

Republican presidential candidates Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., Texas Gov. Rick Perry and businessman Herman Cain participate in a Republican presidential debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. (AP)

On the campaign trail today, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain is kicking off a two-day bus tour of Tennessee. Mitt Romney is hosting a fundraiser in Oregon. And Rick Perry is giving a policy speech on energy and jobs in Pennsylvania.

Tennessee, Oregon and Pennsylvania? Normally in the election cycle, early primary states like New Hampshire and Iowa are thick with candidates. But this year, presidential politics may be hitting a turning point, focusing on national debates and national media platforms like Fox News.

"They're running as if it's a national campaign already," Felice Belman, editor of the Concord Monitor told Here & Now's Deborah Becker.

Media Matters reports that candidates are also making their mark using the platform of Fox News. Herman Cain spent the most time of all the candidates on Fox News this week, appearing for 63 minutes.

Guests:

Felice Belman, editor of the Concord Monitor
OK Henderson, news director for Radio Iowa

This segment aired on October 14, 2011.