This morning started off back at Drake
University with a presentation by Walker McKusick from votesmart.org. This is a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to be an authoritative database on all political candidates— their voting record, public statements, biographies, fact checking, etc. This speaker reinforced the importance of public access to verified information in our democracy, especially in this era of the internet and fake news.
After lunch we headed out to an Elizabeth Warren town hall in Newton, IA. At this small venue many students were able to speak with Iowa caucus goers, Warren staff members and volunteers, and members of the press to gather information for their research projects. After hearing her speak and answer questions from the audience, the group lined up in her signature “selfie line” to shake her hand and snap a quick photo before heading back.
Today concluded our time in Iowa, and looking back, we are so grateful for all that we did here. We have each been exposed to a part of the political process that very few ever experience- meeting presidential candidates face to face. Iowa is a place like no other. With Iowa’s “first in the nation” status bringing so much public attention to the Iowa pre-caucus polls and caucus results, campaigns concentrate here in a way that humanizes these often larger-than-life figures. Through personal experience and interaction with both campaign affiliates and Iowan citizens we’ve learned first hand how in-person exposure to candidates can influence voters.
We look forward to a harmonious day of travel tomorrow as we make our way to New Hampshire, where we will be able to compare and contrast the political culture with Iowa’s.