Grassley's event was widely covered by national media outlets. The attention, in part, stems from the power of his Full Grassley. In 2009, tea party activists at Grassley's events played significant roles in killing bipartisan support for Obamacare. Grassley had been working with the Obama administration until right-wing Iowans turned the screw at home. Now it's Democrats and liberals rallying support on Facebook resulting in big turn-outs. That's hardly the same as Trump's "paid protesters."

To Grassley's credit, he's one of only a handful of senior members of Congress willing to attend a town hall event these days. Of course, he has little choice. The Full Grassley is an integral part of his public persona. Coverage by The New York Times and Politico of Grassley's Iowa Falls town hall spread across the web like wildfire. Make no mistake, it was Iowans Trump was labeling conspirators. And, when asked, he at least said there's no "evidence" that those attending his forums are paid protesters.

Ernst wants it both ways. Her event in Maquoketa was billed as a "veterans roundtable," a failed attempt to direct the discussion away from the hatred and disdain for dissent pouring from a White House that she wholeheartedly championed during the election cycle.