Posted on 06/29/2007 11:45:33 AM PDT by pissant
If you are an avid reader of this web log, you'll know that I sometimes put some of the upcoming political events in a header of "Path of the Cyclone: Calendar". Well, let me tell you, after driving the 3 plus hours to Ames on Thursday afternoon, I pulled into my favorite convenient store to get some Diet Pepsi and the sirens started going crazy. What was approaching? A Cyclone (tornado/twister).
I headed over to Main Street to the old depot area and checked out the Brownback office that was being opened that night. It is a nice location with plenty of parking but the actual office is pretty quaint. I think it should be a nice satellite office for them. The winds and torrential rain literally put a 'damper' on their headquarters opener and I left before the Senator arrived. Lots of good, ambitious staffers with Team Brownback though.
As I was headed toward Hilton Coliseum, I drove by Sigler Publishing and noticed that the old Story County GOP/Tom Latham headquarters is now the Ames office of the Mitt Romney campaign. I felt as though I gave a lot of my fall semester to that building (helping out the Story Co./Latham/Nussle/V.P.) and it is an extraordinarily spacious building. I'm not sure what sorts of operations will be run out of there, but their Urbandale office is absolutely incredible in size and scope.
Congressman Tom Tancredo also has a very beautiful office in Ames (in the very lovely Welch Crowne Center) and they are planning to 'officially' open it next Sunday afternoon with some gool 'ol fashioned BBQ. I will be attending that and I've been in that office and am very impressed by their operations there. There are a couple of Democratic offices in Ames also (Hillary and Obama, I think).
After learning that a cyclone HAD touched down at the airport and that the weather system was passing, they let all the people at Hilton Coliseum out of the locker rooms. The event was supposed to start at about 5:30 but it was closer to 6. There were a few hundred people in attendance and it was all extraordinarily well planned and set up. Very professional and very classy.
They had some of the student organizers speak and then they turned the floor over to Dan DiMicco, Chairman and CEO of Nucor, the world's largest Steel producer and recycler. DiMicco's remarks lasted about an hour so I thought they got a little long-winded, but he did bring up some good points and was critical of both Republicans and Democrats. The entire event centered around America's trade policies and the future of manufacturing in the country. I found the topic to be pretty interesting and DiMicco was pretty interesting, just a little long-winded.
Sam Brownback and Duncan Hunter were also in attendance. Both spoke for about 5 to 10 minutes each. Brownback looked visibly exhausted and his voice was even straining a little but that is obviously because he just finished an incredibly aggressive statewide bus tour. He gave some nice remarks and talked about trade and about energy and said that the United States needs to become much more forceful with China because they refuse to float their currency. His remarks were timely and he received a nice reception from the very politically diverse crowd. I've seen Senator Sam several times and while he never wows you with any sort of oratorical brilliance, he does have a common sense midwestern flavor to his style.
This was also the second time I'd seen Duncan Hunter in Iowa. The first time was at the Hamilton Co. GOP fundraiser in March. Hunter is a powerful speaker. I was sitting at a table of almost all Republicans (minus one) and they were all saying 'wow' afterwards. Hunter has a very commanding voice and talked in great depth about his 'arsenal of democracy'. He also talks about his father and his son and their military service and what that has meant to him. Duncan received very fervent applause.
Afterwards, Brownback didn't really hang out too much as I'm not sure he had other stops or people to meet, but Hunter was probably one of the last persons to leave the room. He was literally talking to everyone. I didn't see any staffers there with him and Hunter was busy trying to pass out his information to anybody and everybody. I was very refreshed by this. To anybody who believes retail politics is over, seeing Duncan Hunter on Thursday night puts that to rest. He was working the room, by himself, for literally an hour. It was refreshing in an era where a lot of candidates have too many handlers and yes, possibly even puppet masters.
Overall, a nice event. Just another reason why Ames is home to the Iowa State Cyclones and the Ames Community Schools "Little Cyclones".
Hey crip! I think I love your uncle! :)
It’s a jpg file. Do you know how to post pictures? If not, I can teach you.
He was a very sucessful businessman till the ethics were sucked out of the business world. He saw trouble coming whith the increase in H1-B visas, saved a few million and got out about a year ago. Today he’s looking at starting a small business outside the IT field.
I saw that when it came out. He does well when he’s out with the voters.
DH gives no indication that he is going to stop, despite what some are suggesting and perhaps hoping...
True. But his contrasts have been highlighted here on FR. And only a handful of freepers have met him. 6 months ago here it was Duncan Who? Today, his ping list is about 250 people, and he’s got a gaggle of volunteers and contributors from FR, AND he is a very strong 2nd in support from freepers behind only Fred. (60/40 as of now)
Most politcally aware conservatives like to dig deep on these things.
Hunter is in to win.
“Well, I see we do have our differences.”
Everyone does. My suggestions are merely, suggestions. If I wanted to I could pick a couple of points from both Hunter or Thompson and shred them to pieces with them, and nearly convince a great number that they aren’t conservative enough, but having the ability and skills to do this vs. the need or desire to is what separates some.
the amount of research I’ve done has been immense. I don’t lack archival material to post. Just want to space it out a bit.
LOL--you are in rare form today, pissant 8 - )
What was your old screen name?
“Most politcally aware conservatives like to dig deep on these things.”
Well I don’t know if you put me in that catagory or not. Don’t sweat it if you don’t, as I hate labels anyway. I’m aware enough to have watched something (no real way to explain what I witnessed) happen with Hunter’s support on FR many months back. I’ve watched since he entered the race, and I’ve seen what the Hunter supporters have dealt with in general. I’m also glad to see Hunter where he is here on FR. He deserves it. Though I admittedly don’t participate in the polls very often, I’m well aware of Hunter’s #2 position on the FR poll.
Jed seems like a solid citizen, despite his newbie status. LOL
Does rhyme with Fred though.....hmmm.
lol...just ask anyone that calls me “jed”. The one who first labeled me that has spread the word pretty good :)) Nothing like a good conspiracy though...some of the best conspiracy theories I’ve read (lol)
“Does rhyme with Fred though.....hmmm”
lol...ruh-roh...another conspiracy angle ;)
Well, since you been here, and presumably while lurking, you’ve read tons of stuff, so yes, I would put you in the deep digger category.
the real problem that us Duncanistas have is that the msm does not cover him with 5 or 10 articles a day to post. He’s lucky to get one, and its usually along the lines of “hunter supported plane that does not fly” crap.
So even on FR, Hunter supporters are at a distinct disadvantage. I have plans to change that, but for now, it’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
LOL. There are a few folks on there 3rd or 4th name round here.
“I have plans to change that, but for now, its just the way the cookie crumbles.”
Let me know if I can help. I’ve written a few articles here and elsewhere.
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