I had blogged for Drake University in the run-up and covering ABC's debates on Campus last August. Somehow it has been a year since those great events passed.
I was able to see every candidate running for president and many more who considered (Some more than a dozen times). There were many amazing experiences along the way.
So what has happened to me in the meantime? I continued my candidate following up to the last days, but also became the precinct captain for Senator Barack Obama in Des Moines 45 precinct, which covers most of Drake University. One of my proudest moments was that five of the six candidate groups were led by Drake students. Obama's victory in the state was large and historic and launched him on his journey. I was fortunate enough to follow the process on to New Hampshire for a few days and continued my candidate adventures.
In April I was elected as a national delegate for Obama from the 3rd District convention. I will have more on this experience in another post.
I am glad to be back and share my stories for the next few months as a delegate and helping the Drake Democrats working on campus.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Clinton too polarizing?
The second question of the debate was if Senator Clinton would be too polarizing as the Democratic Party nominee. Obama was given the first shot to answer, as Clinton was on the subject of him. Obama said that the problems in Washington "predate the Bush Administration." The Senator contended that someone is needed to break out of the patterns of the last 20 years. This is a theme Obama has been expressing recently and positioning himself as a candidate that can bring change.
Senator Edwards used his time to bring up the role of lobbyists in government, calling on his Democratic collegues not to accept money from Federal lobbyists in the their campaign, Edwards pointed out Obama as someone who has done this and said lobbyists had too much influence over policy and candidates.
Clinton said that "We know how to win" and said that she could face the "Republican attack machine" since she has so many times in the past.
Edwards again pressed the lobbyist issue, saying that there was no universal health care because insurance companies, drug companies and their lobbyists. He said "You have to take these people on and beat them" and they can't be negotiated with.
Congressman Kucinich got in his first word at around 25 minutes, talking about his health care proposals in Congress.
Senator Edwards used his time to bring up the role of lobbyists in government, calling on his Democratic collegues not to accept money from Federal lobbyists in the their campaign, Edwards pointed out Obama as someone who has done this and said lobbyists had too much influence over policy and candidates.
Clinton said that "We know how to win" and said that she could face the "Republican attack machine" since she has so many times in the past.
Edwards again pressed the lobbyist issue, saying that there was no universal health care because insurance companies, drug companies and their lobbyists. He said "You have to take these people on and beat them" and they can't be negotiated with.
Congressman Kucinich got in his first word at around 25 minutes, talking about his health care proposals in Congress.
Bumper Cars
After reading the poll results the first question was posed if Senator Obama was experienced enough to be president.
Senator Clinton said, "I'm running on my own qualifications and experiences" and "It's up to the voters." Clinton also used her time to once again bring up her disagreement with Obama on the issue of meeting with enemies of "rouge nations."
Senator Dodd picked on Obama's comment about strikes in Pakistan targeting terrorist targets if there is actionable intelligence, even without the blessing of Pakistan. Dodd said it was irresponsible to engage in that kind of language and said that he would be ready to lead from day one.
Biden called Obama "a wonderful guy" and used his time to criticized there being no Pakistan policy, but a Musharraf policy. Biden also pulled out the line on no time for on the job training.
Richardson had a crafty response, saying that he is the candidate of "change and experience."
The pressure of the first few minutes was on Senator Obama and his capabilities, before he got his chance to respond with one of the best recieved lines of the day, "Well, you know, to prepare for this debate I rode the bumper cars at the State Fair." Obama used the moment not only to look like a frontrunner, by having so much attention given to him, but also did not back down on his positions.
"I think strong conutries and strong presidents meet with their adversaries."
"We shouldn't have strategic ambiguity with the American people."
Senator Edwards said that is was shocking that the people who have been in Washington so long were attacking Obama.
Senator Clinton said, "I'm running on my own qualifications and experiences" and "It's up to the voters." Clinton also used her time to once again bring up her disagreement with Obama on the issue of meeting with enemies of "rouge nations."
Senator Dodd picked on Obama's comment about strikes in Pakistan targeting terrorist targets if there is actionable intelligence, even without the blessing of Pakistan. Dodd said it was irresponsible to engage in that kind of language and said that he would be ready to lead from day one.
Biden called Obama "a wonderful guy" and used his time to criticized there being no Pakistan policy, but a Musharraf policy. Biden also pulled out the line on no time for on the job training.
Richardson had a crafty response, saying that he is the candidate of "change and experience."
The pressure of the first few minutes was on Senator Obama and his capabilities, before he got his chance to respond with one of the best recieved lines of the day, "Well, you know, to prepare for this debate I rode the bumper cars at the State Fair." Obama used the moment not only to look like a frontrunner, by having so much attention given to him, but also did not back down on his positions.
"I think strong conutries and strong presidents meet with their adversaries."
"We shouldn't have strategic ambiguity with the American people."
Senator Edwards said that is was shocking that the people who have been in Washington so long were attacking Obama.
Candidates take the stage, where was Clinton?
The candidates were brought to the stage before the debate to test the microphones and get video shots, but absent from the parade of candidates was Senator Hillary Clinton who did not enter Sheslow Auditorium for several minutes this morning for the Iowa Debates hosted by ABC, the Iowa Democratic Party, and Drake University.
Still no word on why she was delayed, but it was certainly a large question amongst those in the crowd.
The order of the candidates on stage left to right was Congressman Kucinich (OH), Senator Obama (IL), Senator Biden (DE), Governor Richardson (NM), frm. Senator Gravel (AK), frm. Senator Edwards (NC), Senator Dodd (CT), and Senator Clinton (NY).
The debate started as the GOP debate did with the reading of a poll results from ABC and the Washington Post. The polling was conducted between July 26-31, so its not exactly the most current data. Below are the numbers:
Barack Obama 27
Hillary Clinton 26
John Edwards 26
Bill Richardson 11
Joe Biden 2
Dennis Kucinich 2
Chris Dodd 1
None of these (vol.) 2
No opinion 4
The poll shows and Obama lead, but this poll does not seem too similar to much of the polling of the Iowa race which has shown him in 3rd place and around 15-18 in the polls.
Senator Gravel did not register in the poll...
Still no word on why she was delayed, but it was certainly a large question amongst those in the crowd.
The order of the candidates on stage left to right was Congressman Kucinich (OH), Senator Obama (IL), Senator Biden (DE), Governor Richardson (NM), frm. Senator Gravel (AK), frm. Senator Edwards (NC), Senator Dodd (CT), and Senator Clinton (NY).
The debate started as the GOP debate did with the reading of a poll results from ABC and the Washington Post. The polling was conducted between July 26-31, so its not exactly the most current data. Below are the numbers:
Barack Obama 27
Hillary Clinton 26
John Edwards 26
Bill Richardson 11
Joe Biden 2
Dennis Kucinich 2
Chris Dodd 1
None of these (vol.) 2
No opinion 4
The poll shows and Obama lead, but this poll does not seem too similar to much of the polling of the Iowa race which has shown him in 3rd place and around 15-18 in the polls.
Senator Gravel did not register in the poll...
Back from the debate, spin room, and receptions
Hey all!
I just got back home from the debate and other related activities. I will give you a write up soon, but right now I am off to an event with frm. Senator Mike Gravel and students on campus.
Right now I'll leave you with the ABC coverage of the debate in the link.
Check back later this afternoon or evening for more posts.
I just got back home from the debate and other related activities. I will give you a write up soon, but right now I am off to an event with frm. Senator Mike Gravel and students on campus.
Right now I'll leave you with the ABC coverage of the debate in the link.
Check back later this afternoon or evening for more posts.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Candidates at the Fair
This week I was able to meet three candidates at the State Fair after they spoke to crowds at The Des Moines Register's Soap Box. On Tuesday I arrived to hear the Q&A of Senator McCain's time. He addressed a question on reducing the size of the U.S.'s nuclear force, he did not give a definate answer either way, but did say that he would not do what Senator Obama has said, to take nuclear weapons off the table in fighting terrorists.
The Last question on was on immigration. An interesting question always following the failure of the bi-partisan immigration compromise pushed so hard by McCain failed in the Congress. McCain did not go too deep in his answer, but did conclude that the border must protected and the current laws enforced.
While McCain was leaving (pretty quickly) I was able to get in one quick and goofy photo with him. He thought the camera was somewhere else and I was very worried about someone passing through the frame. Can't win them all.
I didn't see Governor Richardson speak, but caught him at the Iowa Democratic Party booth for a quick autograph one of his awesome baseball cards.
Yesterday I went to the Fair to see frm. Senator Fred Thompson speak. Thompson has been in a "testing the waters" phase for a few months now and is finally expected to announce his official candidacy for the GOP nomination on September 5th. Thompson arrived early to the Soap Box, just around 1:00 for his 1:20 scheduled time. The amount of cameras around him was amazing. There were around 8 or 9 video cameras next to me, one as far away as Germany (I found out when the cameraman got a little pushy for space next to me). Still photographers were in no means limited. Thompson used the first half of his time to talk about his background as the son of former farmers and making his way through college and law school, serving as a prosecuter, his way into acting, and running for the Senate to fill the seat of Al Gore.
Thompson positioned himself as a "citizen" politician, placing term limits on himself (only serving one full Senate term). He spoke of a few main themes; the cost and effort needed to fight radical terrorism, making government more efficient, and not apologizing America which has spilled more blood for freedom then any other nation.
Thompson took no questions opposed to some of the other candidates. It was good to get to see him in Iowa since his possibly candidacy has been spoken of since early this year. I am now one candidate away from seeing every candidate in the field on both sides and that will be completed with seeing frm. Senator Gravel this Sunday. Below is another photo of me with the candidates, catching Thompson after seeing the big boar.
The Last question on was on immigration. An interesting question always following the failure of the bi-partisan immigration compromise pushed so hard by McCain failed in the Congress. McCain did not go too deep in his answer, but did conclude that the border must protected and the current laws enforced.
While McCain was leaving (pretty quickly) I was able to get in one quick and goofy photo with him. He thought the camera was somewhere else and I was very worried about someone passing through the frame. Can't win them all.
I didn't see Governor Richardson speak, but caught him at the Iowa Democratic Party booth for a quick autograph one of his awesome baseball cards.
Yesterday I went to the Fair to see frm. Senator Fred Thompson speak. Thompson has been in a "testing the waters" phase for a few months now and is finally expected to announce his official candidacy for the GOP nomination on September 5th. Thompson arrived early to the Soap Box, just around 1:00 for his 1:20 scheduled time. The amount of cameras around him was amazing. There were around 8 or 9 video cameras next to me, one as far away as Germany (I found out when the cameraman got a little pushy for space next to me). Still photographers were in no means limited. Thompson used the first half of his time to talk about his background as the son of former farmers and making his way through college and law school, serving as a prosecuter, his way into acting, and running for the Senate to fill the seat of Al Gore.
Thompson positioned himself as a "citizen" politician, placing term limits on himself (only serving one full Senate term). He spoke of a few main themes; the cost and effort needed to fight radical terrorism, making government more efficient, and not apologizing America which has spilled more blood for freedom then any other nation.
Thompson took no questions opposed to some of the other candidates. It was good to get to see him in Iowa since his possibly candidacy has been spoken of since early this year. I am now one candidate away from seeing every candidate in the field on both sides and that will be completed with seeing frm. Senator Gravel this Sunday. Below is another photo of me with the candidates, catching Thompson after seeing the big boar.
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