Press Kept at Distance at Biden Event

Seems like the press are being kept far away from Joe Biden--and Iowans--at the vice president's rally today. Jennifer Jacobs of the Des Moines Register reports on Twitter:

Reporters sectioned off in back corner at Biden venue; Obama aides refusing to allow them to speak to audience without escort from campaign

— JenniferJacobsDMReg (@JenniferJJacobs) October 4, 2012

Still trying to figure out why press can't even go to bathroom here at Biden event in IA without an Obama campaign volunteer as an escort.

— JenniferJacobsDMReg (@JenniferJJacobs) October 4, 2012

Audience free to move around, go to bathroom w/out campaign escort at Biden event in Council Bluffs, just the press need one. Still a puzzle

— JenniferJacobsDMReg (@JenniferJJacobs) October 4, 2012

UPDATE: It doesn't appear that Biden attracted a large crowd:

About 300 in Council Bluffs, IA for VP Joe Biden's campaign rally today.

— JenniferJacobsDMReg (@JenniferJJacobs) October 4, 2012

UPDATE II: The campaign now seems to be loosening restrictions: 

After wave of tweets on the topic, Obama campaign aide says they've changed policy: Reporters can now go to restroom w/out campaign escort.

— JenniferJacobsDMReg (@JenniferJJacobs) October 4, 2012