It was a fun evening and here are my observations. Keep in mind it was hard for me to fully concentrate and I wish I would have talked to my dad prior to the event. On the way home I talked to him and he had some good points that I should have listened to.
OK so moving on. Each candidate got a 10 min stump speach and here is my observation.
First candidate was Rod Roberts.
Nice looking chap if I must say so myself:) I also have to say I didn't start taking notes till after he spoke. I will say I liked how he used his 10 min to get down to business. Very pro marriage b/w a man and women, pro-life, he is a Christian and b/c I didn't take notes i'm having a hard time remembering what else he talked about. BAD ME!! I thought he had the best speaking ability.
Bob Vander Plaats was next up, again still hadn't gotten around to grabbing pen and paper (what a dork I am). He ran up the steps, and generally had a great excitement level. Like Roberts very strong marriage b/c a man and a women. He is pro-business and doing what Iowa can to keep business here in Iowa as well as keeping our college grads in the state, or at least to come back after college. To me he seemed to talk more about what he's done in his own professional life then what he would do as Governor for our state. This is when I wish I would have talked to my dad prior. He said that this sounded much like the stump speech he's been giving and feels he needs to changed it up from a rah rah speech to a what I will do as Governor. I'd have to agree.
Christopher Rants was next.
I now was taking notes. I must say he looked like he either wasn't feeling well (entirely possible we all know) or he just wasn't comfortable during the meet and greeting. But when he got on stage he was great. I loved his sense of humor. You see there was a democrat there taping all the speeches. Rants spoke directly to him a couple times saying 'take note Culver, dems, etc. ' and that got quite a reaction out of the audience. Rather then go in to detail please take a moment and read what he has to say about a grant that his city he is from is receiving. I was going to recap just parts of it but man that blog entry hits the nail right on the head. Please read it!! So I liked that he discussed a real thing that has happend with Culver and why it was such a bad idea. He used this example of taking money out of one pocket and putting in to another, as something we all could relate to. All this being said, again I know Rants from when I was working outside the home. I don't like how he ran 'business'. Or should I say who's payroll he was on to make things happen in Des Moines to his 'employer'. Does that make sense??
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Then last was Christian Fong
Doesn't he look like a teenager?? First thought was did you have a driver take you? He looks 16! Very professional and by far the best dressed. Very well educated and very very smart! He discussed illegal immigration which none of the other candidates did. Iowa is like a hot spot for them and something has GOT TO BE DONE!! I appreciated that and feel he would stand firm on addressing it. But aside from that, not much else. Let's face it you have a 10 min. stump speech and the first 3-5 min were about him growing up in Iowa. His dad is an immigrant, LEGAL immigrant, and he gave his child the 'Iowa dream'. I got lost about 3 minutes in to his long drawn out story. He may have the books smart but needs to work more on being a public speaker. Oh and I didn't catch all of work up, but I got the impression he's not a huge Ethanol supporter but would be b/c that's what/where we're at today. Not good to say amongst a room full of farmers while you're talking ON A FARM! But I may not have caught all of that as I was distracted at that moment.
My nutshell:
Roberts-liked him, good speaker, maybe a little to passive??
Vander Plaats-liked the excitement. But wondering how many times a person runs for office, looses, and runs again. Great name recognition on this side of the state and I feel, a good chance of winning over here. But once to the middle and eastern side of the state, I'm not to sure he has what it takes. He needs to work on his stump speech and discuss more what he would do and not what he has personally done.
Rants-Great sense of humor but it takes more then that to get you in the office. Has name recognition all across the state. HOWEVER, my dad asked me if he talked about marriage b/c a man and a women ONLY and I said, not to my knowledge. My Dad feels he's a little wishy washy on that! I need to research that!
Fong-Story to long and he's to young. He needs to get more political experience. Start off as a rep at the least. rather then shooting for the moon right out the shoot. He loves Iowa but just to young. He needed to tell me what he will do as Governor. Maybe in 10-15 years he'd have a chance.
They all seem to get along with one another however I did observe that Fong did not shake Rant's hand before taking the stage like all the others did when getting off and the next candidate getting on. A nice change to see no bashing of one another b/c that will be coming soon enough. It has to. How else does one find out the real truth. For instance i'm sure that Rants' stand on marriage will be brought to our attention in the months to come. Fong's inexperience I'm sure will be another one.
There you have. Sorry so long. Any guesses on who I voted for in the straw poll???
I went ahead with Vander Plaats. But Roberts was a contendor as was Rants after him.
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