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PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DAV E -DREA M I NG Iowans Rock Island native’s plans to work for size up Letterman come true for 22 years GOP David Burke [email protected] Inspired by reruns of “The fi eld Dick Van Dyke Show,” Matt Roberts knew early on that he Rod Boshart wanted to be a real-life ver- Times Bureau sion of Rob Petrie — a com- edy writer for a TV show. DES MOINES — As early- The rest of the picture season political scouts, the role came into place in 1982, when of Iowa Republicans likely to an 11-year-old Matt saw his attend the state’s first-in-the- first episode of “Late Night nation 2016 precinct caucuses with David Letterman” on next February is more about NBC in the bedroom of his cutting the field of new recruits Rock Island home. to the starting five than it “Everything sort of clicked is picking the party’s even- into place when Dave came tual MVP. along,” Roberts, now 44, Another step in that process recalled. “I thought ... ‘This is CONTRIBUTED PHOTO took place Saturday night when the guy I want to work for.’ Rock Island native Matt Roberts, top center, poses for a selfie with other staff members of “Late more than “I just remember the Show with David Letterman” — from left, co-executive producer Nancy Agostini, executive producer 1,300 GOP MORE ON THE silliness of that, watching Barbara Gaines, host David Letterman, executive producer Jude Brennan and writer Bill Scheft. activists SPEECHES at night in my bedroom, turned out Read more of what thinking, ‘This is the most for the par- the candidates bizarre thing I’ve ever seen in A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ... ty’s annual said. A3 my life.’” Lincoln Day When David Letterman Dinner to has his final TV show on audition 11 presidential pros- Wednesday night, Roberts pects seeking to earn one of the will sign off as head writer It may look like a freewheeling life, coveted tickets out of Iowa in and co-executive producer. but Matt Roberts says there’s a their quest to land the Republi- A young Matt roared certain order in what goes on in can nomination at the national at Letterman’s TV antics, his day as head writer and execu- convention in Cleveland in including putting his guests tive producer for “Late Show with July 2016. David Letterman. A typical day, CBS in dental chairs for a night, New York time: “It’s a challenge but it’s a racing office chairs fueled First lady Michelle Obama surprises David Letterman good challenge,” noted State 9:15 a.m.: by fire extinguishers and  Roberts convenes a with an appearance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band on an Auditor Mary Mosiman. “Every writers’ meeting with 13 of them episode of “Late Show with David Letterman” last month. appearances by clueless gathered around a table. The writ- single candidate I’ve heard “Late Night” regular Larry ers pitch ideas for scripts for that from has different strengths “Bud” Melman. day (aside from the monologue), at scripts that come from the assembled in that last hour before and similar priorities. “Not only did all the pieces and bring along newspapers, blog writers, having conversations with Dave walks on stage,” Roberts “Right now getting to know them about editing and rewriting. said. “He’s looking at a number of fit, the sensibility came into printouts and notes about what our field of candidates is they saw on TV that morning.  Noon: A meeting with the writers different videotaped pieces we’ve line with mine,” Roberts put together, offers changes.” important,” she said. “I have no recalled in a phone interview “It’s another really thrilling way to to discuss the show’s iconic Top intention of having a candidate from his New York City start the day,” he said. “They have 10 list for the night. Roberts takes Roberts generally keeps his hands prior to the straw poll because to be funny every day. Fortunately the ideas and forms them into the off Letterman’s monologue, which office. “I enjoyed how he was it all comes naturally to them.” list on “Late Show” that night. is written by the host and two vet- it’s just too big of a field.” having fun with celebrity and eran writers who go back to Johnny Making 10-minute appeals That meeting lasts for just under  1 p.m.: Roberts’ usual hour off sort of mocking all the pre- Carson’s “Tonight Show” days. for Iowans’ support at the an hour, which ends with Roberts for the day — “my study hall,” he ciousness of show business party spring fundraiser were assigning scripts to be written says. “They are the quintessential joke and mocking the preciousness based on the pitches. experts. They give Dave lots of past and present business  2 p.m.: Rehearsal in the Ed of network TV airtime and options,” said Roberts, who does executives Carly Fiorina of  10:30 a.m.: A production meet- Sullivan Theatre. turning it all upside down.” ing, including Roberts and the consult on the order of the jokes California and Donald Trump Every step in Roberts’ life other three executive producers,  3:15 p.m.: He and the other and what his writers can contrib- of New York, Michigan pediat- moved the Rock Island native as well as the director, crew producers meet with Letterman in ute to the monologue in the taped ric neurosurgeon Ben Carson, closer to working for chiefs, researchers and segment his dressing room. pieces. Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana producers. “The show’s already obvi-  4:30 p.m.: The show begins tap- and Scott Walker of Wiscon- — DAVE | A4  11 a.m.: Roberts begins looking ously been built, but it’s finally ing at the Ed Sullivan Theatre. sin, former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida, George Pataki of New York and Rick Perry of Texas, Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Trade pact an issue for Hillary Clinton “It’s easier to say who you’ve ruled out at this point Ed Tibbetts state says Democratic presi- pact in Iowa, and he thinks she So are large employers, than who you’ve ruled in,” [email protected] dential hopeful Hillary Clinton needs to take a stand. such as Deere & Co. and Alcoa, said David Johnson, a GOP needs to weigh in on the debate “I think the longer she stays which are part of the Business state senator from Ocheye- The fight over a broad new — and soon. on the sidelines, it will con- Roundtable that estimates dan who backs Perry but has trade deal that roiled Congress “I think she needs to decide tinue to hurt her,” he said. one in five jobs in the state are several other governors on his last week is rippling into the whose side she’s on,” said Trade can be a hard issue to dependent on trade. radar screen. Iowa caucuses, too. Steve Abbott, president of the figure politically in Iowa. But labor unions, a core The unified message from Labor unions are raising Communications Workers of Agriculture is a big part constituency of the Democratic the podium Saturday was their voices against the Trans- America, Iowa State Council. of the economy, and many Party in Iowa, say past deals, opposition to radical Islamic Pacific Partnership, and at least Abbott has been a lead- farm groups are pushing for one of its biggest critics in the ing voice in opposition to the more markets. — CLINTON | A5 — GOP | A3

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