To people from most states, the break even price of soybeans probably means very little. But if you live in Iowa, it's an ever-fluctuating number with a lot of impact on your daily life.
During a Senatorial Debate between Democrat Theresa Greenfield and incumbent Republican Joni Ernst, both candidates were asked about the break even price of some Iowa exports.
Greenfield—asked about the break even price of corn—knew the answer down to the cent and elaborated with how she planned on making prices even better for Iowans.
Here’s the other part of that #IASen exchange, where Theresa Greenfield nails the price of corn https://t.co/BMoTDJAKX7— Iowa Starting Line (@Iowa Starting Line) 1602811738.0
Ernst, meanwhile, earned the ire of her fellow Iowans by failing to answer her own question about soybeans.
She instead contradicted the person who posed the question and insisted she was also asked about corn. Then Ernst missed the price of corn by almost $5 before accusing Greenfield (who had already answered correctly) of getting her question wrong too.
The moderator corrected Ernst, but she argued with him as well.
A Senator from Iowa should know the price of soybeans, @joniernst. #IASen https://t.co/QrbNIdWgdk— Theresa Greenfield (@Theresa Greenfield) 1602811124.0
On Twitter, South Bend Mayor and former Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg savored what he called the "most Midwestern moment in the history of televised Senate debates."
If you only followed the town halls tonight then you missed possibly the most Midwestern moment in the history of t… https://t.co/gy11k99ocL— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1602814672.0
@AllThingsT1 @PeteButtigieg @GreenfieldIowa I also loved the moderators subtle, polite, but sarcastic professorial… https://t.co/MgnPkfub5r— dnegrete (@dnegrete) 1602816777.0
The clip was a very embarrassing one for Ernst.
The Senator is facing a tough race for reelection against Greenfield, who has a slight lead on Ernst in the polls.
@PeteButtigieg @Buddhist68 @GreenfieldIowa It’s funny, they’ve all been trained to praise Trump and are given Trump… https://t.co/JL3AAPCzT1— MΞGAN KΞLLΞY HALL (@MΞGAN KΞLLΞY HALL) 1602851084.0
Greenfield's supporters seized upon the opportunity to make their case for change in the Hawkeye State.
@GreenfieldIowa @HettiVonG @joniernst Joni doesn’t know the price of soybeans, but she’ll soon learn the price for… https://t.co/TU0M4HbzVg— jeffwhallin (@jeffwhallin) 1602813597.0
@jwhallin @GreenfieldIowa @HettiVonG @joniernst I’m over in Indiana and I even felt the heat coming off that tweet. https://t.co/ky79wFn6Bg— Sarah Hughes (@Sarah Hughes) 1602816828.0
@GreenfieldIowa @joniernst Soybeans haven't been below $8 a bushel the entire time Ernst has been a Senator. https://t.co/NH2qcU28AZ— ⚖️Powerful Mel Ankoly 🦈 #ForThePeople (@⚖️Powerful Mel Ankoly 🦈 #ForThePeople) 1602811657.0
Though farming questions are rare in debates, you'd better know the answer if you're planning to represent Iowa.
@Mel_Ankoly @GreenfieldIowa @joniernst I DONT farm but would have said soy was around 9 something... meaning I woul… https://t.co/1ccXbIPQKQ— Kate Zimmerman, DVM (@Kate Zimmerman, DVM) 1602853613.0
@GreenfieldIowa @joniernst I will never understand how anyone can vote for anyone, who clearly proves over and over… https://t.co/1HirNaFG8K— Brooke (@Brooke) 1602815781.0
For those of us who were a little lost, farming Twitter provided some context.
@GreenfieldIowa @joniernst Moderator asked what is the break even price. Not the price on the board, bad question.… https://t.co/nHfOF8NGXR— Luke O. (@Luke O.) 1602821827.0
Many on Twitter felt that Ernst's devotion to Donald Trump left her a bit out of step with Iowa.
@GreenfieldIowa @joniernst Yet even more evidence Joni Ernst forgot where she came from when hitching her rig to th… https://t.co/xykxXFns9u— andy🎙🌵🔮 (@andy🎙🌵🔮) 1602861483.0
@GreenfieldIowa One time I went to a meeting pretending I looked out for people I managed, when I really only cared… https://t.co/zBhkTtfPWM— Zinc (@Zinc) 1602846461.0
The race for control of the Senate has been just as tight as the Presidential election, and could come down to one or two seats which are currently considered toss-ups.
Americans are already voting to determine who will control Congress in 2021.