Political Equinox

My good friend and fellow political junkie Tyler Platt has been instrumental in getting our coverage of politics for The Caucus. Thanks to him, Chris and I have a place to stay and someone who knows Iowa to show us where to go. Here are a few thoughts on our whirlwind experience.

And it is over. Being originally from Iowa, and now a student at Iowa State University, I have really left this experience with a tremendous sense of pride in what is quite possibly the most authentic and most fascinating democratic forum in the world. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share this great experience with my great friends Chris Wright and Pat McAlister. I don’t think they ever quite believed me, thinking perhaps my ramblings about how great the political access one has in this state was more hype than honest opportunity. Well, over the past few days, I think it’s safe to say, they finally believe me. As the Vice President of the ISUDems, I’m used to having a front seat to the events in Iowa, however even I have felt like a kid in the candy shop this past week. Seeing these candidates is one thing, but directly communicating with them, asking questions and even sending them on personal errands a time or two (no joke) is something few the world over can say. To think that Chelsea Clinton recognized Pat, and remembered their previous day’s discussion is just one example of a significance I believe the three of us have yet to fully realize. But aside from the direct communication with the candidates, and we met a lot of them, the most promising and most rewarding thing we all saw, was the people who did the actual caucusing. The dedication and hospitality of these people to this process is something we can all learn from. I’ve seen Democrats and Republicans share stories, carpool to events, and even welcome each other into their homes for dinner and discussion. Wouldn’t it be great to have such cooperation in our government? With that said, don’t let that friendliness fool you, these people are not stupid, and they take caucusing very seriously. It isn’t every day that a leader of the free world speaks in a barn, with farmers still dressed in overalls asking about the various tribal factions in Iraq, or the political instability of Burma only to get a picture with Mother F%&@*! Chuck Norris… There is little fear of these powerful people, these candidates may be in history books for hundreds of years, but don’t expect to these Iowans to be happy merely “reading up” on them, caucus goers ask questions, expect answers not to mention a firm handshake and to be looked straight in the eyes. Anyways, I hope these accounts have shed some light for those without the opportunity to attend the Iowa Caucuses. It’s going to be an interesting race, and it’s long from over, but as far as I’m concerned I’ve really just got one thing to say: GO OBAMA!

Tyler Platt
Iowa State University

Tags: candidate, Democrats, iraq, obama, president, republican, The Caucus