As part of their Iowa caucus coverage, CNN descended on Iowa State Tuesday and used the background of the Campanile as a makeshift set.

The CNN Election Express bus transported the hosts of “Crossfire” and “Inside Politics,” who broadcasted their shows with the periodic interruption of the Campanile’s quarter-hour bells.

Judy Woodruff, host of “Inside Politics,” analyzed the final week before the Iowa caucuses. During her one-hour show, Woodruff interviewed current presidential candidates Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn. and former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. Woodruff also discussed the importance of this year’s election and caucuses.

“This year’s election is extremely important, considering the country has become divided after the war on terror,” she said. “Next week’s Iowa caucuses are an absolutely important experiment in democracy and will send a message to the entire country.”

During the broadcast, different student political groups jockeyed for position in order to grab camera time. Members of Students for Kerry amassed directly off-camera and were soon joined by Cyclones for Dean and a few Bush supporters.

Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala, co-hosts of the half-hour political show “Crossfire,” talked with the crowd of students before and after their show. Carlson said he appreciated the student turnout.

“I think this is great,” Carlson said. “I love doing this.”

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, was a guest on the show.

“I found out [Monday], but firmed it up today that I was going to be on,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt has appeared on various national media and plans to continue his contributions throughout this year’s election process. However, he said appearing on “Crossfire” was a special privilege.

“It was great to be on the show,” he said.

“It is like the Super Bowl of talk show spin politics.”

Hannah Schoenthal-Muse, president of the ISU Democrats and senior in liberal studies, attended both “Inside Politics” and “Crossfire.” She stood among the Kerry supporters holding a sign and chanting Kerry’s name at each commercial break.

The 200 attendees weren’t all there for political reasons. David Miles, sophomore in aerospace engineering, said he came to see the CNN personalities. Miles, a Minnesota native, will be participating in the Iowa caucuses for the first time next week.

“I am excited about the process,” he said. “I support Wesley Clark but will probably vote for Dick Gephardt to counteract the Dean vote.”

Miles said he hasn’t registered yet but was told he could register at the door of the caucus location Monday night.

“I can’t wait,” he said.