Vice-Presidential Candidate: Mike Pence

Monday, September 19th, we went to the Music Man Square in Mason City, Iowa to attend a Mike Pence rally.  Governor Mike Pence of Indiana is Donald Trump's running-mate.  We wanted a good seat, so we arrived just a few minutes after the doors opened at 1:00 pm.

The Secret Service was on duty, so we had to go through a metal detector and have our purses searched.  Inside, we ran into Chris Hupke, an awesome guy who works on the Trump campaign (and to whom I will always be thankful for rescuing our Trump photos from the Secret Service at another rally, so we could have them autographed).

Presidential Candidates - #16 John Kasich

We returned to the Waterloo Center for the Arts on December 17th to hear John Kasich speak.  Governor Kasich arrived on time, with no fanfare.  Basically someone walked into the room, and after a few moments everyone noticed, "Hey, that's the Governor!" and applauded.  While he was introduced he walked over to the water cooler for a drink.

Kasich's style was surprising.  He was more down-to-earth than most other candidates.  While most candidates create a boundary between themselves and the audience, sometimes even with an actual rope separating the stage, Kasich acted as if his job was to break those boundaries and actually talk with (rather than to) the audience.  

Presidential Candidates - #15 Hillary Clinton

December 4th, we traveled to Ft. Dodge, Iowa to listen to Hillary Clinton speak at Iowa Central Community College.  

Thirty-five minutes before the scheduled start, the local campaign manager took the stage to speak about why he plans to vote for Hillary Clinton.  After that we all waited till 5 minutes after the scheduled start when Labor Secretary Thomas Perez arrived with Clinton.  Perez spoke for 20 minutes, and then handed the meeting over to Secretary Clinton.

Presidential Candidates - #14 Martin O'Malley

My family and I had other engagements in Cedar Falls, Iowa on November 15th, so we were only able to make it over to see Martin O'Malley just as he finished his speech and started visiting with the audience.  

O'Malley was friendly.  I told him I'd watched him on the Democratic debate the night before.  "Was that fun?" he asked.  "Yes," I told him, "I'm a Republican, but I think if Democrats are smart they should vote for you because I think you'd do better in a general election than the other Democratic candidates."  O'Malley agreed.  (At the time, I thought he should have been doing much better, since Clinton has so much baggage and Sanders is polarizing.)

Presidential Candidates - #13 Ben Carson

The first time I met Dr. Ben Carson was at a book signing at Barnes & Nobles in Waterloo.  I bought a book for about $20, stood in a very long line, had the book autographed, got a picture with Dr. Carson, and left.  You can't tell very much about a person from that, so I was very happy when Dr. Carson returned to Waterloo for a townhall meeting.

The meeting was hosted by Concerned Veterans for America.  Iowa director Flora Schmidt opened the meeting at 1:30, and a retired chaplain led an invocation. Next was the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.  CEO Pete Hegseth spoke about the purpose of the townhall meetings and introduced notable people in attendance.  Carson's speech began at 1:45, and was followed by a question and answer session with questions from Mr. Hegseth and members of the audience.

Presidential Candidates - #12 John Cogswell

We arrived at the Iowa Grassroots Coalition's Candidate Honest Assessment Summit early.  First we listened to a lady speak, and then I took a seat and relaxed, lackadaisically listening as a gentleman talked about how we need to amend the Constitution.  I was rudely awakened when he announced, "that's why I'm running for President."

"What?  Running for President?!"  I thought, "Who is this man?"  John Cogswell is a Colorado attorney, running for the U.S. Presidency as a Republican, but only in Iowa.  He asks Iowans to vote for him to send a message across America.  Cogswell was very pleasant when my sister and I asked to take pictures with him afterward, and he gave me an autographed copy of his book, Fix the System: Reform the Constitution.  

Presidential Candidates - #11 Ted Cruz

In an earlier post, I mentioned hearing Ted Cruz' father, Rafael Cruz, speak.  We caught up with Senator Cruz himself at the Iowa Grassroots Coalition's Candidate Honest Assessment Summit in Waterloo, Iowa.

Ted Cruz arrived before his scheduled start time to allow for people to meet him.  My sister and I noticed as soon as he walked in the door, so we had just about the easiest time we've ever had getting photos with a candidate.  A line formed soon after.  (I was sure to take the Cruz sticker off when the next candidate arrived...oh the joys of being undecided!)

Presidential Candidates - #10 Carly Fiorina

Carly Fiorina is another candidate I was really looking forward to seeing.  I finally got to meet her at a townhall at the Waterloo Center for the Arts on October 17th.

The secretary of the Republican Women of Black Hawk County began the meeting on time, and introduced Carly Fiorina, who took the stage two minutes later. 

Presidential Candidates - #9 Rand Paul

Rand Paul's book Government Bullies is the only book I've read so far written by a candidate.  Last election I met and supported his father, Ron Paul.  So, I was really looking forward to meeting Senator Rand Paul.  I noted that volunteers would get front-row seats and a definite opportunity to get a photo with the senator, so...we volunteered again!  

The meeting, part of the Iowa 10,000 College Tour, was held at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. We ended up holding signs on campus to let people know about the event. 

Presidential Candidates - #8 Donald Trump

At the Santorum meeting and later at another Huckabee townhall, we met Andy Cable of the GOP State Central Committee.  We mentioned we were planning to see Trump at the Electric Park Ballroom in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and that we were wondering how early we'd have to get there (4 AM?) to get a front row seat.   Andy asked if we'd be interested in volunteering to increase our chances of meeting The Donald.  My sister, mother, and I said yes.

Mr. Cable asked Chris Hupke of the Donald Trump campaign if he needed a few volunteers, and sure enough, next thing we knew we were at the volunteer meeting.  

Presidential Candidates - #7 Rick Santorum

My family and I were about to leave for a bike ride/run when I received a Facebook message from a friend, former state representative Annette Sweeney.  Senator Rick Santorum would be speaking at the Hardin County GOP Central Committee meeting in Eldora, Iowa that evening!

So, after our ride/run at Pine Lake State Park, we drove over to the meeting.  The county leaders discussed the caucus process, and afterward, Rick Santorum arrived and spoke.

Presidential Candidates - #6 Marco Rubio

The next candidate we met was Marco Rubio, at a townhall meeting at Mudd Advertising in Cedar Falls, IA.  We were sure to arrive early, as that is a prerequisite to getting a seat at most candidate townhall meetings.

Soon every seat and space in the bleachers filled up with the youngest Republican audience I had seen up to this point.  Seven minutes after the scheduled start time, the state chair of the Rubio campaign walked on stage and explained that Rubio was greeting the people in the overflow room.  And then he introduced Senator Marco Rubio.

Presidential Candidates - #5 Chris Christie

The day after listening to Sanders, we drove to Summit Ag, out in the country near Alden, Iowa, to listen to Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey.  We were very impressed by how organized the event was.  Summit Ag workers waved each car through the driveway to a parking spot.  

Inside the building, chairs were organized in a circle, with bleachers set up behind.  There were beautiful John Deere tractors and a combine on display...ah, what could make a person feel more patriotic than to breathe fresh country air and be surrounded by green tractors?! 

Presidential Candidates - #4 Bernie Sanders

"What will it be like going to a Democratic political rally?" I wondered.  After our trip to the Bush meet-and-greet landed my sister and I in a photo on the front page a prominent local newspaper, I was worried it would be my fate to be caught on the nightly national news at the Bernie Sanders meeting!  What would people think?!  

I cast aside my fears and boldly marched into the building full of Democrats.  The lady at the registration desk asked if I wanted to sign in.  I told her, "Not really.  I'm a Republican; I'm not supposed to be here!"  She insisted, so I signed in, giving minimal information.  I picked up a Bernie Sanders sticker as a souvenir, and a kindly older man who was volunteering told me that one day I too might see the light and become a Democrat.

Presidential Candidates - #3 Jeb Bush

September 22nd we went to Gravy's Diner in Cedar Falls, Iowa for a Meet 'n Greet with Governor Jeb Bush.  We arrived just as the last booth was being filled, and soon the entire front room of the restaurant was crowded with chairs down the aisles.  After all the chairs were filled, more people stood.  

I had the opportunity of seeing President George W. Bush at a campaign rally in 2003 (from a distance--binoculars would have helped), so I was excited to meet his brother.  Governor Jeb Bush arrived exactly 10 minutes late, and was greeted with cheering and enthusiasm.  After he was introduced by a campaign worker, he began his speech.

Presidential Candidates - #2 Mike Huckabee

The next candidate we met was Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.  Governor Huckabee swept the Iowa Republican caucus in the 2008 election after jokingly telling supporters to come out and caucus for him no matter how deep the snow was...and to shovel snow into the driveways of any of their neighbors who wouldn't vote for him, let the air out of their tires, and disconnect their battery cables.

 Besides being governor of Arkansas, this colorful candidate is also a Baptist pastor, an author, former radio and television talk show host, and former member of the rock-band Capitol Offense.  

Presidential Candidates - #1 Bobby Jindal

The first Presidential candidate we met this year was Bobby Jindal.  His townhall meeting at the Fischer Community Center in Marshalltown, Iowa was packed.  We arrived only a few minutes before the scheduled start time, and ended up standing in the back as all the seats were taken. 

A campaign worker started the meeting on time (if I recall correctly), told us about Bobby Jindal and his book, and finally introduced him.  

Presidential Candidates - #0 Yours Truly

"Who will be the next President of the United States?" is a question the whole world is asking.  With the 2016 caucus approaching, and candidates canvassing Iowa for support, my youngest sister and I have made a goal of trying to see all the candidates, Republicans and Democrats, in person.  So far we've seen six.  We are planning to see our 7th candidate, "The Donald," later this week.

I have been taking notes and photos (as well as collecting autographs), so I'm now starting a series of posts on the candidates we've met.  Once I've seen and posted about as many candidates as possible, I'll make my final decision on whom to vote for.

It's only fair though, before I give my impartial, unbiased reports on each candidate, that I tell you a little about what my own agenda would be if I were running for President.  (Don't you wish every news reporter would do that?!)