Take Advantage of Being First in the Nation

Though I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life, I’ve had little to do with the events surrounding the caucuses. Until this morning, I had never attended any of the many town meetings and rallies that bring us worldwide attention and allow us to get close to and even meet presidential hopefuls.

When I read that Mitt Romney would be appearing at a West Des Moines Hy-Vee this morning, I felt it was my duty as an Iowan and an American to attend and be part of our great political process.

My first impression was that it was cold.  Romney’s bus ended up being about ten minutes late which I thought was insensitive because it appeared that a great number of media types and a lot of Romney’s own volunteers had been preparing in the chilly weather for quite a while in the case that the candidate should show up on time. 

Although I couldn’t pick any out for certain, I’m sure there were some very good Iowa citizens who waited in the drizzling rain to see him and have a chance at meeting what could be our nation’s next president; the least he could have done was oblige us by being on time.  It wouldn’t have bothered me at all if he had arrived early.

While I waited in the cold, I noticed there were television lights and cameras, lots of signs that said, “Romney, Believe in America,” and American and Iowa flags everywhere.  The crowd was announced as between 1,000 and 1,500 people. Excluding media and Romney volunteers, I suppose there was at least close to six or eight hundred people there minus just a few hecklers who were discreetly shooed away by the West Des Moines police.

In all honesty, despite my misery at being chilled and wet, it was an energized environment, and I couldn’t wait for the candidate to arrive. 

When the bus pulled up, Governor Romney and his entourage stepped off to great fanfare of music, shouted greetings, welcomes, and applause.  He and his wife and a large fellow (later introduced as Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey) made their way to the stage.

Gov. Romney spoke first.  He looked and acted quite distinguished when he introduced his wife and spoke to our group.  In my opinion, he seemed to say all the right things to help him garner support and move closer to the nomination.

Since this would likely be the only chance for me to hear him, and his only opportunity to gain my vote, I would encourage the governor to concentrate more on the things he does well and leave our current president out of it.  Except for that bit of political backbiting, Mitt came across as a very capable and charismatic contender.

I didn’t see the point of turning the microphone over to the governor from New Jersey.  That guy worried me when he threatened to return to Iowa to find us if we didn’t ensure that Romney emerged from the caucuses as the leader on Jan. 3.

I assumed that he knew most of the people in the crowd so I was afraid that he might have been talking directly to me.  He didn’t go on to say exactly what he would do to us, but I’ve seen enough of the Sopranos that I knew I didn’t want to mess with a well-dressed fellow with an East Coast accent.

I really wanted to hear who he was rooting for in today’s Pinstripe Bowl showdown between Iowa State and Rutgers, but he looked cold, and he got back on the bus before I had the chance to ask.

In all earnestness, the rally was a great adventure for me, and I can’t wait to go to another. 

I’ve decided, though, that in order for me to support a candidate for President, that person should meet the Urbandale test.  I continue to see resident faces associated with many of the Presidential hopefuls.  In the end, I’ve decided to side with the candidate who takes the stage with someone I know and trust locally, as opposed to one who brings a chum from the East who, in a weak stab at being witty, warned us that if we don’t get it right this time, he’s coming back.

Like he could really find me.