UI Democrats United, Uncommitted

UI Democrats United, Uncommitted

Representatives from the top-six Democratic presidential campaigns addressed about 100 University of Iowa students Wednesday night at a University Democrats event billed as a "convention."  From student reactions, many young voters are still making up their minds.

"A lot of people are still very much in the shopping stage," said Ben Young, regional field coordinator for the Chris Dodd campaign.

When Young asked for a show of hands from people who are completely committed to a candidate, only about 20 of 100 hands went up, and many of the raised hands were full-time campaign staffers.

"I know all these candidates.  I've worked with all of these candidates," said Dick Myers, former Iowa House minority leader, who was speaking for the Barack Obama campaign.  "All of them are electable."

Myers said his choice was based in part on Obama’s opposition to the Iraq war before it started. “The tragic thing is a lot of us, a lot of our people, supported that idea” of war with Iraq, he said, without naming the four current or former Democratic senators in the race who voted for the war resolution in October 2002. “Barack Obama stood up that day in Chicago and said no."

“The issue in this election is about leadership,” said Myers. It’s being able to make decisions that require judgment. You don’t get do-overs in war.”

Iowa first lady Mari Culver urged students to “pick a candidate who resonates with what’s in your heart and what’s in your mind.”

“Where else but in Iowa can a college student meet potentially the next president of the United States?” she said. “We are so fortunate in the state of Iowa.”

Dylan Lampe, a former University Democrat now working for the Hillary Clinton campaign, said attendance was higher than he’d ever seen in four years with the organization. “It ultimately came down to experience,” he said of his candidate, while emphasizing her lead in polls and endorsements. He also noted that while gender was not a deciding factor, it was a plus. “She’ll serve as a very positive role model for many in our country.”

Missy Owens represented her uncle Joe Biden’s campaign. She managed the successful campaign of Beau Biden, the Delaware senator’s son, for attorney general of that state. Owens said her uncle “has more passion now, at age 64, than he did first running for senator when he was 29.”

Jessica Jones, regional field director for the John Edwards campaign, emphasized the details of how, when and where to volunteer. She also touted One Corps, the former North Carolina senator's community volunteer program. “I want to change the way things are done, change the way the world works,” she said. “And to do that we need to change the leaders.”

“Can these candidates win the West, the South?” asked a representative of the Bill Richardson campaign who identified himself only as “Jake.” “If John Kerry had won New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada, he’d be president.” Richardson is the governor of New Mexico.

The candidates offered colorful criticism of President George W. Bush. “The current administration is leaving us, well, a big pile of shit to be frank about it,” said Ben Young of the Dodd campaign.

“I’ve been on the ballot 31 times,” said Dick Myers, who held several offices and ran for Congress in a lengthy career. “I’ve never seen the country as bad shape as it is now.”

“Folks if George W. Bush said the sun rises in the east,” he said, “the next morning I’d be up looking out the window toward Davenport.” Myers said Bush has damaged American relations with the rest of the world. “They say we’re the only superpower. You know what a superpower needs? Friends. And we don’t have a lot of friends right now.”

University Democrats chair Atul Nakhasi said more than 1,000 students are on the group's email list, with 300 new members signing up in the two weeks since classes began. The group has hosted three presidential candidates – Clinton, Richardson and Biden – in the last three months. The University Democrats are also planning a candidate forum on Nov. 11 in Iowa City. All of the candidates will be in the state for another event the previous night, and Nakhasi is confident candidates will attend the forum. “This is a student event for, of and by students.”

Speakers urged students to get involved locally. “How many of you are registered to vote in Iowa City?” asked Iowa City Council candidate Mike Wright. About half the hands went up. “That’s good, but not good enough,” he said. Matt Hayek, also a city council candidate, reminisced about using ironing boards as portable desks to register voters. People would come over because an ironing board in an outdoor campus setting looks strange, he said, and that's how he would get people registered.

“There’s a lot of folks here,” said political veteran Myers, who seemed genuinely impressed by the turnout. “I hope you support my candidate – but I hope you work for somebody. We need you; the country needs you.”