Iowa 2008 - The Blake School

I was going to write a list of highlights, but I don’t think I could narrow it down. Meeting Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton? Seeing General Wes Clark and one of my all-time heroes - Madeleine Albright? Obama’s caucus night victory party? Hearing about Kennedy’s inaugural address from Mr. Anderson? I think I’m addicted to democracy. I loved making phone calls and explaining the caucus process to the elderly women on my call sheet. I feel like I’m so much more in-touch with the whole election process, and luckily for me, I’m 16 and haven’t missed much yet. It’s a tragedy that we all aren’t as tuned in into our own government and election processes. I saw a t-shirt that read “If you aren’t appalled, you aren’t paying attention” and I think that’s true. I came into this trip knowing some, but now I’m not putting down the Des Moines Register for my magazine and I’m already planning to stay home Saturday night to watch the debates. I would happily trade in Project Week for a chance to go the New Hampshire Primaries. I don’t think I’ll be able to block out political ads anymore, and I’m happy about that. I’m writing this from the bus on the way home, and it’s bittersweet, I don’t want to leave the fast pace and excitement I got here, but sleep and bragging about meeting the Clintons will be fun, too.

In Iowa, a few other students and I worked on the Mitt Romney campaign. The work that we did was anything from going door to door or to calling people asking them questions about whether they are going to the caucus and if they were willing to support Mitt Romney. The reactions that the people had were interesting. People were more often aggravated at us when we were on the phone, although we did have quite a few people that got mad at us for coming to the door. I think as a whole group working for Mitt Romney, we really enjoyed the going door to door because we were outside and not inside just calling people. I also think that when you are face to face it is easier to change a person’s mind instead of over the phone. For some of the students they got to meet the candidate who they supported and that was a high point. Overall, this was a once in a lifetime experience and I will remember it for my lifetime.

Some students came to Iowa with support for one candidate over the others already clearly defined. I was on the fence between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for most of the trip. I volunteered one day for Obama and the next for Clinton, and I heard them both speak. I needed all the information, I felt, about their campaigns, their positions, their leadership abilities. I wanted to make a thoughtful, informed decision, to assess both candidates based on not only who appealed to my imagination but who would be able to affect the change that I desperately believe the US needs. A few of my findings, for your perusal:

Hillary Clinton is an extraordinary woman. She is a brilliant intellect, passionate about public service, humble, grateful, resilient, determined, and pragmatic. At her pre-caucus rally, I found her an excellent public speaker, clear and honest. She spoke about many aspects of her campaign that make me personally identify with her, such as the great responsibility that comes with receiving opportunities and privileges that one had no part in creating, and the value of hard, grueling work over political flash. She has all the substance, all the policies about domestic reform (education, health care) and regaining international respect that would make her a wonderful president. Personally, as a woman of similar cloth, I believe in the value of this substance over the elusive charisma. My beef with the Clinton campaign thus has nothing to do with the Senator herself.

Her audience was all old people. I know it’s her core audience, but that’s not good enough. My group, high school students, was specifically asked to sit in the very back of the hall, to clear room for the elderly closer to the stage. A considerate position, and I gladly give my seats to those older than I, but it’s interesting that youth were proactively marginalized. When three of us went to the Clinton office to volunteer the next day, we were passed through the hands of four or five different people before someone would give us a job. We felt like we were inconveniencing them, even though we were volunteering to help. There were also Hillary supporters guarding the doors to her offices, as if they suspected sabotage. It felt exclusive, like a club to which you had to gain entrance by officially declaring total allegiance to Clinton. Once we were “in” we met some really neat, dedicated people, but it wasn’t easy to come on in. We also phone banked with calls to only her declared supporters, making sure they came out to caucus. A logical strategy, but it make her campaign feel entrenched, already set in its ways, relying on an old guard versus a new coalition. If we are running up against bureaucracy and the backing of only past supporters (of a certain age) in her campaign, what will her White House look like? Senator Clinton is a wonderful candidate. Her campaign bodes poorly for her administration.

Obama’s campaign, on the other side, was phoning independents up until the last moment before the caucus, still trying to put talk into action and build a unified coalition, from many different walks of life. This type of phone banking, to people who frequently hang up or curse you out, feels more futile. In retrospect, it’s very idealistic, reaching out to a wide cross section of the population. The volunteers at the Obama office couldn’t have been friendlier, asking our individual opinions and welcoming us without question. I saw an Obama volunteer, a college guy, stay on line with a constituent for 45 minutes, trying to answer a very difficult, specific question about Obama’s health care policy. They are as educated about the candidate as Clinton volunteers, and as passionate. The difference is that they are trying to spread the enthusiasm, not keep it close. And, looking over the audience at the Obama victory speech, it occurred to me that the diversity of ages, races, creeds, and backgrounds represented at that event represented the US that I love and in which I live drastically more accurately than the mostly elderly, white, professional audience for Clinton. As much as I respect Clinton (and feel like I’m campaigning for myself), Obama’s ability to unite and to inspire a large, much more heterogeneous segment of the population is what I believe that the US needs in the president now. Obama’s programs are strong. He also has strong positions on education, health care, and, though with less experience, foreign policy. I’ve read his policy outline thoroughly. With his eloquence and fresh eyes, he will be better able to accomplish these goals while in office. I think idealism can work. The natural progression from ideals to practical policies and legislation has worked before; it’s not crazy. I am a young person. Some might say naïve, but I prefer hopeful.

At the Obama rally on the night before the caucus Blake participants took advantage of all of the opportunities. First, we were all offered the chance to meet Scarlett Johansson. She is an Obama supporter and famous actress, and we had a short question and answer session with her. Next, at the rally many students were front row for Obama’s speech. Most of us got to shake Barack’s hand — he made me feel like a superstar.

Madison O

…our hard work in Fort Dodge began to prepare us for the ultimate challenge: staying composed while meeting Senator Obama in person. We tried to contain our excitement by relaxing during our down time. When we finally arrived at the local high school we got word that Scarlett Johansson was there and we could meet her and capture the picture of a lifetime. We were both torn between hearing words of the man we admire and one who inspires us to become better people or meet the girl who was in “The Island” with Ewan McGregor. Well, Obama won that personal dilemma, and we got second row about 5 feet in front of him. We were so close to him but it wasn’t just seeing him that made last night our favorite night thus far; it was how his speech brought complete strangers together in a small Iowa high school gym. His message of change, straight talk, and hope gave us ideals to rally around. That is what draws us to Obama, the fact that when he speaks he has the ability to motivate people to support a cause and turn that support into action. Obama ’08!

Kyle B and Kip D

Two days ago we set out to change the world through experiencing the Iowa caucus. This has given us a unique experience to both help the campaigns through phone calls and traveling amongst the sea of Iowans and experiencing different candidates by listening to their speeches and allowing their words to sink into our minds. The first night we paid visit to the Val Air Ballroom and listened to Governor Huckabee and Chuck Norris speak, which was very interesting/amazing. Chuck Norris was very inspirational. Also, we were interviewed by a German newscast and a leading Finnish newspaper.

Benton G., Tanner C., Jack S., Thomas E.

The following day we went door knocking for the Obama campaign in Fort Dodge, which was not very successful, but still a fun time. Later that night as Thomas went off to see the Clintons speak, Jack, Tanner, and Benton went to the Obama speech. First, we listened to an inspirational Scarlett Johansson. Then we went and stood in the mosh pit of the gym floor and listened to Barack and Michelle Obama deliver speeches about the Obama campaign’s main goals.

Benton G., Tanner C., Jack S.

At the Clinton rally we were put in the back but our quick wit allowed us to be standing about four rows back. Bill Clinton introduced his wife who gave a very strong speech that changed some people’s views about who was their favorite. She talked about her health care plan for universal coverage. After her speech I was able to shake Bill’s hand.

Thomas E.

We are eager to view the caucus tonight, which should promise to be as completive as the Superbowl.

Benton G., Tanner C., Jack S., Thomas E.

Today was a very long but great day. Canvassing (door-knocking & lit-drops), driving a total of 4 hours going to and coming home from Fort Dodge, and seeing Hillary Clinton speak were all amazing experiences.

Even though it was only 10 degrees out, Angelina and I toughed it out and knocked on 32 doors, talked to 11 people, and got 4 people to sign our cards.

Steph and I snagged seats behind Hillary as she spoke tonight. We were able to shake hands with Wesley Clark, Madeline Albright, Ted Danson, and the entire Clinton crew. We took pictures with both Chelsea and Hillary, which made us feel like we were in a dream.

Last night I came to Iowa thinking Barack Obama would be the only candidate I could possibly vote for in November, but now having seen both John Edwards and Hillary Clinton speak, I’m not sure which candidate I support the most. They both were great speakers and, hopefully, tomorrow night I will be able to see Barack Obama speak. I’ve also been doing more research and looking more into their beliefs and stances on specific issues, which has also been changing my opinion about these candidates.

Hopefully, I will wake myself up to make my first debut on Good Morning America at 5:30am!!

Today, we went around Fort Dodge door knocking and it was FREEZING. We met some people who were very enthusiastic about caucusing for Obama, and others who asked if they could smoke at the caucus. The people in the Obama office were very nice, they even gave us hand warmers…after we had been door knocking for 3 hours. Right now we’re sitting on probably the most uncomfortable auditorium chairs in the world looking at Scarlett Johansson. NO BIG DEAL. Gotta go!

We woke up today sharing the same bed but more importantly sharing the same goal of falling in love with the political process. After a long day of bus riding, Scrubs/ The Office watching, and napping we were ready to begin our political journey. Yesterday, we arrived in the afternoon, and after re-charging the batteries in our slightly cramped hotel rooms, we set out into the tumultuous ocean known as the Iowa caucuses. We went with a group to a John Edwards campaign center run by a steel worker’s union. The maze of news cameras and journalists was somewhat overwhelming at first, but we eventually made our way to a small platform where we could wait in relative peace for Edwards to make his grand entrance. After a series of interesting introductions, chants and cheers the room went silent — this is it he’s about to speak. But his wife spoke first and she did a great job. Then we got to shake her hand. With personal attention like that she made me feel like I counted as an individual; and that is something that may lead the Edwards campaign through to the White House.

Then Mr. Edwards spoke for about 10 minutes and rallied everyone and made his statements specifically towards the Steel Workers Union Local 162 membership. However, he had a universal message: the American Dream is still very much alive and it starts with middle class citizens who make a better life for their children by through hard work. After all that excitement we were spent. But not tired enough to talk a little sports and have more political debate with our junior roommates - ’08 always beats ’09.

We awoke to an 18 degree day in Iowa and I knew that I would need to be fleecing it out for our chilly walks through Fort Dodge. Where’s Fort Dodge? I didn’t know either and still can only tell you its about 2 hours north of Des Moines. We wanted to support candidate Barack Obama. We received our door knocking assignments for his local office and were sent to the streets around 11am. We were told to knock doors and ask if people would be supporting Senator Obama and attending the caucuses in their precinct. If they said no to the first question we would ask them if Obama would be their second choice. If they didn’t plan on attending the caucus we would ask if they needed a ride. It was great to meet members of the Fort Dodge community.

See this link for a recent WCCO TV article on The Blake School students in Iowa. See video coverage on the same page.

We started off our trip with a five hour bus ride! We stopped about half way through the ride at a Burger King and than we continued on to the hotel. We settled in the hotel while some of the teachers went to get the cars. When they came back we split up into two groups. One of the groups went to the Huck and Chuck rally. Another went to the John Edwards phone bank. I went with the Edwards group and I know for sure that we had a great experience! We had to wait for a while but it was worth it. We heard both John and Elizabeth Edwards speak about how John will help create equality. Then we went back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep!!!

Five hours in a coach bus is where we started. WCCO sent us off with a series of interviews on the students’ political beliefs. They asked us why we spent the last potential sleep-filled days of break in Iowa. Good question. Politics were discussed in depth on the way down (surprisingly) and books were read including Colbert’s “I am America and so can you.” After a few relaxing hours in the hotel, we decided between attending a Huckabee/Chuck Norris rally or a John Edwards one. Half of us chose Edwards, and we ended up at a steel workers’ union headquarters. This consisted of people dedicated to calling to ask for support for Edwards, some of them driving from as far as Pennsylvania to help out. As the only kids in the room, we were put on a stage with some of the workers and given signs to hold saying “Iowa for Edwards” and “John Edwards 08.” After 45 minutes of standing and talking to the enthusiastic Edwards supporters, Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, entered amid many cameras. We believe/hope we made it in some of the footage taken by the national press, but more importantly we were able to hear inspirational speeches by them. Some of us got to shake hands with Elizabeth as John spoke. Edwards comes off as a down to earth man that fights for economic equality and worker’s rights as the candidate that is “Just like us.” He left with the crowd chanting “Go John Go!” to continue on his 36 hour tour of Iowa. All of us were impressed by his charisma and those who supported him. -Bryanne, Olivia, Julia M.