I am in Iowa City, Iowa working for the Edwards campaign for the caucus coming up on Thursday. As you can imagine, it's getting pretty intense out here (not to mention freaking cold), and I've heard some pretty ludacris stories of dirty politicking.
Today, an Edwards precinct captain in a rural part of Iowa called the office to say that she had switched over to the Clinton campaign. "Sorry!" she said. Apparently, two Clinton campaign workers had trekked through the cold snow and offered this woman not just one, but two, TWO, beautiful, Hillary t-shirts (undoubtedly crafted by some poor exploited worker in a developing country), if she would switch over from Edwards to support Hillary. Of course, the woman had to accept! Those Clinton campaigners just looked so cold and miserable, that she felt obligated. Oh, but don't worry, the woman still hopes that John Edwards will win the caucus, and will vote for him in the general election.
Did I mention that this precint only selects one delegate, and that only 17 people are expected to show up at this caucus? Soo..it is kind of a big deal.
This event is disturbing on several fronts:
1) Outright bribery. I hate to see politics sink to this level, where's the integrity in convincing people to vote for you by offering them t-shirts?
2) The precinct captain fell for the outright bribery! How can you switch who you are supporting for the president of the United States by merely accepting two t-shirts? Clearly, the woman does not realize how disproportionatily important her vote is for the entire presidential election.
3) The Edwards campaign really does need this woman's support. No action has been taken yet, but will we have to stoop to the Clinton campaigns level and "bribe" the former precinct captain back? Is this really what we've come to?
Unfortunately, I've noticed that most (but not all!) Iowans seem not to realize the importance, and privilege, of the role of the Iowa caucus. Only 6% of registered voters in Iowa usually participate in the caucus. Since Iowa plays such a pivotal role in the entire presidential election, what does that say about democracy in the US?
As with the 1968 Democratic convention, "the whole world is watching" Iowa, and is anxiously waiting to see what will happen come Thursday evening.
Now, who has some Edwards t-shirts they'd be willing to give up?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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6 comments:
Wow...that's good canvassing. It is certainly sad to be reminded of how fickle American voters can be. Like the woman who switched her vote said though, she was mostly impressed with the canvassers, not the shirts. That's just stupid, not really corrupt.
I'm a registered Republican, and I consider it obvious that Edwards gives the Democrats the lowest chance of winning the general election. Out of the three Democrats who still have a shot.
I thank you, Chrissy, for your hard work in Iowa, to help the Republican party win big in 2008.
Now, while you're there, can you put in a good word for Mike Huckabee? If he wins Iowa, that hurts Romney, and therefore helps McCain.
I think a McCain vs. Edwards match-up is the scenario that gives my Republican party the highest chance of winning the general election.
And thank you again Chrissy for working to make this happen.
Dream on anonymous...dream on.
You dream on amanda -- and lose the attitude problem while you're at it.
Edwards makes an impression on a lot of people that is like a cross between a televangelist and a used car salesman. And most Americans wouldn't even buy a brand new car from him, let alone a used car.
I am entirely in favor of the Democrats nominating Edwards, as I think both Clinton and Obama would be more difficult to beat.
methinks anonymous doth protest too much...
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