Sturgis Falls Parade, Saturday June 24, 2005

[Debi]

In attendance:

Governor's race:

Jim Nussle - R (voted for flag burning amendment & against funding for Public Broadcasting....what does this guy have against the First Amendment?)

No Democrats - nope, not one *sigh*

First District primary:

Democrats:
Bruce Braley (Black Hawk County)
Rick Dickinson (Dubuque County)

republicans:
Mike Whalen (Scott County)
Brian Kennedy (Scott County)
Bill Dix (Butler County)

Braley had the best representation with his own entry in the parade (family in tow) and then staff/volunteers walking with the Black Hawk County Democrats. Dickinson walked with the BH Dems along with staff/volunteers and Gluba was a no-show but did have one person with a Gluba t-shirt walking in the parade.

for the republicans Nussle walked with his wife in the front of the parade as representative w/out any campaign paraphernalia. for the First District race Whalen had his own entry with staff/volunteers handing out American flags (so, I guess he is going to be using his own $$ in the race), Dix and Kennedy walked with the BH republican party float both had staff/volunteers with signs and t-shirts.

I didn't see any of the candidates after the parade milling around the crowd.

[patrice]

1. It would be nice if they'd mill around now and then. n/t

[Debi]

2. It's just that this is the time to have one-on-ones with the candidates

As soon as the campaigns get in to full swing there will be no time to speak directly with them (or they will have all their canned lines down pat and we won't know what they really think).

[patrice]

3. They should plan more unscripted time to speak extempore and listen MORE.

I wish they did a better job of using the raw email that they get. It seems such a great resource for text searching for things like: memes, voice, tenor, purpose etc. etc. etc.

[Debi]

4. Agreed

I'd like to KNOW my candidate...not the package their PEOPLE have created.