I'm getting set to leave for Iowa as one of 3,500 Dean volunteers taking part in this weekend's pre-caucus Perfect Storm. I'm going because, as an Idaho Democrat, I don't get much input into whom we elect president. I'll be working in the Council Bluffs area -- a region I know pretty well from researching several editions of my Lewis and Clark travel guidebook. I'm viewing it as a grand adventure in participatory small-d democracy, and yet ...
Last night, I saw a C-SPAN segment showing one of the nine winterized summer sleepover camps where Dean volunteers are crashing around Idaho. From the fresh faces on the video, I wonder whether I'll be the only person there over 40. I wonder whether Iowans, tired from all the politicking of the past few months, will want to talk to yet another campaign volunteer. Still, I think we'll be canvasing neighborhoods in small groups, and I have to believe many Iowans will be impressed that someone -- especially a somewhat mature person with a professional and family life -- would travel all the way from Idaho to work for Dean.
I want to thank my brother Jeff for transferring me the 5,000 United miles I needed to get my next frequent-flier ticket. I want to thank my family for letting me do stuff like this. And I want to thank Howard Dean for lighting a fire under all our butts. Everyone ought to have a stake in this country. This year, many people who've never claimed that stake -- or who have been denied it -- are going to take the first step toward reclaiming the country our founders envisioned.
Just a few more thoughts before I go pack:
*Thanks to Carol Moseley Braun for running a classy, thoughtful campaign. Her efforts helped pave the way toward a day when a woman (and/or a person of color) will win the presidency.
* New polls show John Kerry is gaining ground in Iowa. I think Kerry has been a reasonably able public servant (discounting his support for the war in Iraq), but I don't like the guy. Maybe my antipathy toward him stems from the fact he's a rich aristocratic type who thinks he can buy the American people's support, or maybe it was this Dave Barry column. In any case, I think the new Iowa numbers are a blip that'll be obliterated by Dean's under-the-radar Iowans who've never before felt called to caucus. I'd vote for Kerry (or Gephardt or Lieberman) over Bush, but I sure as hell wouldn't be excited about it.
I am not sure whether I will have computer access in Iowa. If not, I'll post a full report when I return. Until next time, keep rebelling!
sic transit, Julie. May the seeds you cast find fertile soil and blossom in November.
Posted by: Brad | January 15, 2004 at 01:14 PM
Good luck, Julie! I'll be rooting for you and Governor Dean, and glued to my TV on Monday.
Give 'em hope, Howard (and Julie)!!
Posted by: Serephin | January 15, 2004 at 01:17 PM
Julie, if Iowa is anything like New Mexico, I was 43 and right in the middle -- there were lots of people my age, and a bunch older than I.
Hope you get to post! and say hi to Chris for me!
Posted by: slfisher | January 16, 2004 at 06:02 AM
Greetings from Council Bluffs. I seem to hjave forgotten my Typepad password (which I never need at home), so I'll just write here.
Sharon, you're right -- 40 is about the average age here, too. I decided to splurge on a night at the Best Western where we have our Storm welcome center, but tomorrow night I will probably head out the the Girl Scout camp where most of the Southwest Iowa stormers are staying.
I got here about 7 p.m. Chris arrived a few hours earlier. There are about 20 people working the phones, walking precincts, etc. Sunday and Monday, we'll distribute where-to-caucus door hangers.
The big task tonight, though, was to call people and remind them about the rally here tomorrow -- that's right, Dr. Dean and Sen. Harkin will be live at Council Bluffs' Wilson Jr High at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. (Maybe THIS time, I won't have to be in the overflow room like I was at the Ada County Dems dinner in October!)
I hear the race has tightened, but I have a good feeling that we'll prevail Monday.
Posted by: Julie -- in IOWA | January 16, 2004 at 09:26 PM
Julie --
If you find the time and extra energy, It would be great if you and Chris could write up your excellent adventures and send 'em to www.idahofordean.com. I'd love some posts from Idahoans in Iowa about what's happening there.
It's gonna be a wild ride for the next few days. I'll be chewing my nails, my wife's and my son's before Monday evening rolls around.
Posted by: Serephin | January 16, 2004 at 11:56 PM
I am in WOODBINE, Iowa, population 1400, the smallest town with a Dean office in Iowa. It's dinner time and I've been pounding the streets all afternoon for Dean. A guy from Dutch radio followed me around awhile.
The office is here because a supporter donated the space. It's a former German bakery, and the door handle is a big pretzel!
Earlier today, I went to a rally with Dr. Dean and Tom Harkin in Council Bluffs. It rocked! ABC News was there, and the place was packed for Dean. I got my Storm pass signed by the doc, and I told him "Think winning thoughts!"
It's really hard to tell where the winds are blowing here, but I remain optimistic. I am going up to Onawa now (about an hour away) to stay at a supporter's B&B, then I'll come back here tomorrow to canvass some more.
Think winning thoughts for Dean!
Posted by: Julie in Iowa | January 17, 2004 at 05:17 PM
Thanks for the comments from Iowa. I've kind of tuned out of all the mass media hype surrounding the Iowa caucus, so it's nice to get an on-the-ground perspective.
Posted by: Sagebrush Deanie | January 17, 2004 at 10:20 PM
Serephin, I posted a report that Chris dictated over the phone to me.
Posted by: Sharon in Idaho | January 19, 2004 at 08:21 PM
More soon...
Posted by: Julie in the Denver Airport | January 20, 2004 at 03:11 PM