The trade journal Editor and Publisher has manged to finally bring some good news to Iowa journalists with its annual “10 That Do It Right” awards highlighting papers from around the country that “are doing one particular thing very well (sometimes more than one thing), and merit recognition for that effort and achievement.”

The Sioux City Journal’s efforts to provide news that gives readers “something to talk about” in the paper and online  won it a spot on the 2009 list, compiled by staff of E&P.

Sioux City (Iowa) Journal
Latin American and European newspapers have proven so much more interested in applying the findings of The Readership Institute than U.S. publishers that the research center suspended domestic operations. But in the American heartland, the 40,000-circulation Sioux City (Iowa) Journal proves every day that one “readership driver” identified by the Institute works.

When Editor Mitch Pugh arrived at the Lee Enterprises-owned Journal in 2007, he focused the 32-person newsroom on giving readers “something to talk about” in the paper and online. The Journal already had a couple of very popular local columnists with a knack for finding the engaging, sometimes irreverent, stories that get readers talking. “It just was not part of the everyday DNA of the newsroom,” Pugh says. It is now.

In the past 12 months, according to researchers Tom Wilkerson & Associates, Journal readership is up about 5% on weekdays and 6% on Sundays. Total market reach increased 5.3%, and the number of readers accessing its Web site “yesterday” jumped 86%.

It has been a particularly tough few years for the Journal’s owner, Davenport-based Lee Enterprises. In June, the company reported a $24.5 million quarterly loss and a drop in ad sales of 24 percent. The company owns numerous papers in Iowa, including the Quad-City Times, Waterloo Courier and the Mason City Globe Gazette.

With that in mind, the Sioux City Journal asked 11 Republican county chairs in the conservative stronghold of northwest Iowa whom they hoped would be victorious, proving that in Iowa it is always a presidential election year.

1. Mitt Romney

Why: The former Massachusetts Governor and CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City was essentially the runner-up in 2008.

What they said: “(Romney) is just a genius when it comes to finances, and our country desperately needs that experience.” — Clay County GOP Chairman George Moriarity of Spencer

2. Sarah Palin

Why: The young Alaska governor was a popular force among base conservatives as John McCain’s running mate.

What they said: “I believe that (Palin) is a woman of integrity and great talent. … She has a gift, a brightness to her, a freshness that we haven’t seen in a long time.” — Emmet County GOP Chairwoman Debra Satern of Estherville

3. Bobby Jindal

Why: The Louisiana governor, at 36 the youngest governor in the United States, offers a fresh face and conservative credentials.

What they said: “(Jindal) has got a good (life) story. He’s an up-and-coming, energetic guy, and he’s a good communicator.” — Woodbury County GOP Chairman Kevin Alons of Salix

4. Mike Huckabee

Why: Huckabee rode a wave of support in Iowa, especially in Sioux County, to a caucus win and appeals to evangelical Christian conservatives.

What they said: “I think we need some new, young, energetic leadership — conservative, but new.” — Lyon County GOP Chairman John Fluit Jr. of Inwood

County chairs were asked to select three, and rankings were tabulated by assigning three points for a top pick, two points for a second and one point for third.

The country faces many problems, The Journal wrote, “from a financial meltown, to the war on terror, to health care, to Social Security, to energy, to immigration, to the deficit.”

In such a time of complexity, uncertainty and fear, the nation needs in the White House not an untested novice, but rather the steady hand of a veteran, proven leader.

The paper’s editorial board said it wasn’t sure who Obama is or exactly what he means when he speaks of change. The Journal called Obama powerful, inspirational speaker, but said the Democrat has a “largely undistinguished record of Senate service, a liberal philosophy and some questionable associations.”

The paper also ticked off several areas where McCain differs from President George W. Bush, including torture, energy policy and global warming.

On the topic of McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the 40,000-circulation western Iowa paper “would have preferred former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney,” who garnered its endorsement before the caucues. But despite not being totally sold on Palin, McCain still gets the nod.

Whatever reservations we have concerning her are not enough to trump our opinion about the candidate at the top of the ticket.

In a survey of 600 likely voters who vote regularly in state elections, 53 percent said they would support Obama, and 39 percent said they would support Republican John McCain.

A total of 3 percent in the poll said they would support someone else, and another 5 percent were undecided.

Obama led among both male and female voters and all age groups as well as with independent voters. Of the independents polled, 55 percent support Obama and 37 percent support McCain.

The poll was conducted between Sept. 15-17 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Here is Hayworth:

The Democratic Party often touts the slew of young people flocking to the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama. There’s proof of that movement in the group of Northwest Iowans going to Denver today as delegates to the Democratic Party national convention.