Tales From the Farm House: Meet the Candidates

Last night (Sunday) was our 'Meet The Candidates' the Ida County Republicans put on. It really was a great night. DH ended up staying home with the kids b/c after a busy weekend with my sister and niece here, we decided it was best to let them nap and get to bed on time. But also DH would rather slam his hand in a door then attend a political event.

My 'new' dress that my mommy bought me:) Great farmers tan eh!?
My date was C'mans Godmother actually. I picked her up and off we went. I had to be there early to help decorate. After a couple odd minutes of not really knowing what to do we quickly jumped in doing our things. We hung my King Congress flag and I had notepads and fliers for Jason Schultz that I put out on the table.

The lady in the striped brown and tan shirt is C'mans Godmother.

Then the fun began.

I have pictures of all the candidates that were in attendance and I'll give a brief what I thought of them after each picture.

US Senate nominees. This would be who will run against Tom Harkin. That man NEEDS to go!!

First was Christopher Reed. Nice guy but a little 'young'. http://www.christperreed2008.com/

Believed in marriage b/w man and women, tough on illegal immigration and had a firm stance of our dependence on foreign oil and solutions to that. Lacked the confidence i was looking for.

Next was Steve Rathje. Sorry the picture is so dark (i really hate my camera and would love any advice/recommendations you'd have on a better one). Check out his website at http://www.steverathje.com/ Very nice looking man but he's as polished as my grandmothers silverware. He speaks like a true politician and I had a hard time connecting with him. Lots of good points much like the others with the gay marriage, abortion, border security, etc. All very good just no connection to me.

Then was George Eichhorn

He has the experience to back him up. He's been in the Iowa House of Representatives for 6 years and many other political committees that make him the man I will vote for tomorrow. I strongly feel he could challenge Harkin and that folks, is what matters.

Speaking of House of Representatives here is Jason Schultz, one of two guys running AND the one i have been helping as much as I can.

This is who he's competing against:

OK so they do have in common the hair style:)

They too were given an opportunity to talk. Don was first. I was really disappointed in Don. I have not wanted to say anything bad about the man b/c what good does that do. I don't really know anything bad about him. But last night he stood up there and took many shots at Jason. He said 'unlike my opponent I'm not supported by special interests groups.' Jason has been endorsed by groups like Right To Life. Ummm i think that's a pretty big deal Mr Freidrichson. That tells me that Right To Life and Jason share the same value to human life that I do. He made a couple other remarks like that as well. But the one that got me was 'unlike my opponent I won't have to call to the other side of the state to find out what's going on'. Hmmm...I'm not sure what he meant by that!? Does he think Jason doesn't know what's going on? Does he think he won't be able to do that job without being bought by special interest groups on the 'other side'. Mary and I sat in the van for awhile trying to figure that one out.

But really what resignantes in my mind the most is how uncomfortable Don was speaking. He stumbled over words, fidgeted and just seemed unsure of himself. Was it b/c someone may have written his speech and this was the first he read it? or was he uncomfortable b/c he was 'bashing' his competitor and NONE of the other candidates did that. OK one did but in a race with 2 other guys we don't know which one he's bashing. I'm not sure what it was but I didn't like it.

Jason has knocked on over 3,000 doors since he decided to run last October. He has meet with the voters and knows what's near and dear to our hearts. He has the same passions that most of us do. He's a harder worker no doubt. He's a full time husband, dad, insurance adjuster and helps with the family farm. He knows what work is. Not to say Don doesn't, but I believe God has Jason on this path for a reason and I think Don is on it for self gratification.

Don is very passionate about the roads and education. Don't get me wrong, I feel that is important but I don't think he has the fight in him till things trickle down to education. Take for instance gay marriage. I don't think he'd fight it till it got to education and by then it's to late. You HAVE TO get it at the beginning and not later on. Jason will fight from the get go.Quite honestly the rep going out did not have a good legacy left behind. He failed miserably and Don wants to carry his legacy on. Oh dear me!!

OK so the evening continued with Jan Mickelson from WHO AM radio station out of Des Moines. EXCELLENT speaker and motivator. Just great. Here he is getting ready to go thru the food line.

We had a representative there from John McCains office too and she did an EXCELLENT job. Sorry no picture b/c of my stupid camera making it to dark. I promise tho one of these days I'm going to have her or Doc do a guest appearance why JMC is the man to vote for this election!!

The evening ended with the auction of a flag flown over the US Capitol compliments of my brother. It brought $220 which was EXCELLENT. I was to hold it up but got a little tired holding it high before it would hit the ground and I was told 'don't let the flag this the ground'. At that point another member of the central committee helped me. Here we are: