This is stuff I've typed about my trip to Iowa. I'm putting it in extended version so that people don't get bogged down in it. I don't have time to write a lot of fresh stuff since I'm sitting in Perfect Storm HQ, bumming off their internet connection (I just saw Joe Trippi outside talking to Gallup people).
January 16th, 2004 - 9:38 PM
We just stopped at a gas station in West Liberty, Iowa after fixing the windshield wiper. It was flying off so we fixed it. I'm in a van with Rod, one of the people from Meetup, and some other folks - Kelly, Barb, and Scott. We've been having some heated discussion (more of a rant than anything) about the Bush administration and how excited we are for a Dean presidency. We also talked about college quite a bit. There's a lot of junk food roaming around the car. This is good, since I don't have any money to buy food. I bought some bars at the Huddle before I left, so hopefully those will take the place of some meals.
I learned from Chuck about how the Administration is purposefully crowding out funds from mandates such as NCLB because they want to starve the government. He says that if they starve all these other programs, then eventually they can garner enough support to privatize Social Security and Medicare - their ultimate goal. I found it pretty disgusting that they're willing to starve the government for their own end. It was an enlightening conversation to be sure.
This is Kelly. My back hurts but Howard is worth the trials of a 6 (or 7 or 8) hour drive (we're not quite sure how long yet!). I'm learning so much from talking to such passionate, like minded individuals. I'm catching up on a lot of politics I've missed while focusing so hard on school and my future as my generation is so apt to do. I just crossed the Mississippi for the first time on land. I can't wait to go out and meet some Iowans and share Howard Dean's energy for giving America back to Americans. It's going to be a fabulous weekend.
The windshield wiper is coming loose again, so we're going to have to pull off. This could be a long trip. It's raining really hard so it's important to fix. At least the rain isn't freezing and icy.
I talked with Kathy when we stopped at a Wendy's (in Frankfort, actually). Her son was in Iraq and he's getting ready to be re-deployed. His tour is supposed to be 7 months but he thinks it'll most likely be doubled to be 14 months. The stories she had were crazy - he was there for a year and he didn't have a vest with bulletproof plates in it. His rifle is a Vietnam-era M-16 that doesn't have a sight in it, so he can't even be accurate. The radios are Korea-era. The equipment shortages are ridiculous. The Pentagon is spending all their money on mini-nukes and expanding our arsenal. They're not spending it on things that matter. Kathy's worried sick about him going back. She said, "People say Howard's angry - there isn't anyone angrier than I am." I'm so glad that there's people like her who are angry and passionate and working for change. She wears a pin of her son in uniform everywhere, and tells people about him. She said that people ask her why she "doesn't support her son" or "doesn't support the troops" and she finds that ridiculous. "If my son was here, he'd be the first in line in that peace march. He thinks this is shit," she said. I really admire her tenacity and hope we can talk more this trip. She's driving the other van.
We passed Iowa City and it looked really cool. I want to come back to see it for real, instead of passing by it in the rain at night. Barb's husband is actually the chair of the English department and she said she'd ask him about it and tell me what he says.
My battery is on the fritz so I'm going to power down for now. Once we get to the motel I'll write more about these experiences.
11:53 PM
We're here in room 2** of the Quality Inn & Suites in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm feeling so excited and jittery that I know I won't be able to fall asleep for a while. Hopefully Plato will ease me into that, since we're getting up fairly early (7:30).
In the car we all reiterated how much we want a president we can admire and look up to. I, for one, want a president that the world can look up to and see as an example. I want my relatives to feel proud that we live here instead of questioning us and our country. I want to feel proud that I live here instead of constantly feeling ashamed. This trip is about rediscovering America for me, what it means to me. This trip is about experiencing democracy and the power that comes when politicians empower you.
I'm tired and going to bed. So I'll write more tomorrow.
Saturday, January 17th, 2004 - 8:11 AM
We're up and ready to go! Barbara, Kelly, and I are about to head down for breakfast. Then around 9 we're going to check in at Des Moines Headquarters and get our assignments for the day. I'm bringing my laptop in case there's a chance to upload this or write more later in the day. Hopefully there will be thousands of people and a great, buzzing excitement and work ethic! I can't wait!
1:59 PM
Headquarters was buzzing. There were so many people from all over the country. Our group has been out all morning canvassing. We've had several positive responses and a couple negative ones. About 50% of people were home. There was one lady who was 72, and she had the cutest house. It was all warm inside and they were playing old 50s music and had a fire going. She said she was undecided between Dean and Kerry but was definitely going - in fact, she'd gone to every caucus and voted in every election since she was "politically conscious and could think for myself!" She was very upset with Bush, and Scott and I had about a ten minute conversation with her. She had a sticker in her front window that said "Proud to be an American, Proudly Voting Democrat." She was a really cool lady. Iowans are just cool, period.
We're in Long John Silver's right now having some lunch. I think we're heading back to HQ to pick up more literature to give to people. They seem to be very willing to read up on candidates, so we want to give them as much as possible.
I'm really tired and my back hurts. I don't like going to random people's doors but I'll do it for Howard. That's what's keeping me going - I wouldn't do it for anyone else, but I'll do it for Howard. This is going to be a long day. I just want to get on the internet so I can upload this thing.
5:17 PM
We're done canvassing for the day. It was a long haul and we're all exhausted. Some people were really rude, most weren't home, and a few were really great. I had a really heated discussion who caucused for Dukakis in '88 and now is more conservative (thinks Howard is crazy) but by the time I finished with him was leaning Clark, at least. There was another lady who was yelling at the top of her lungs, "I HATE Bush. There's no WAY I'm voting for that silly old fool." She was a hoot. Her husband was pretty impressed that I came all the way from Notre Dame. Actually, most people were impressed that I came that far. I wish it had translated into more caucus-goers!
Right now we're headed back to HQ to turn in our sheets from the day. I'm going to beg them for an internet connection! I'm starving without Daily Kos!
Overall impressions:
A lot of support for Kerry. Way more than I expected. I'm just glad people are participating, and I tell them so, even if they're supporting someone else. Kerry might take this - it's not out of the question, from what I can tell.
There is a lot of blanket dislike for Dean. Our group got a couple slammed doors today, or otherwise nasty responses. Someone in our group postulated that this overall nastiness is due to an inundation with nastiness from the right-wing hate media like Rush and Hannity.
If I get another chance to post, I will - otherwise, this is Alli, signing out until I get back to good ol' South Bend Indiana!