CSPAN Stars

We've blogged some in the past about how presidential politics kind of take over Iowa every four years. No different this year, except that we haven't gotten as involved as we have in the past. We used to try to get out to meet as many of the candidates as we could, but this year we just haven't gotten into it as much and hadn't gone to meet any candidates.

With the caucus coming on Tuesday, it has gotten especially crazy. We're getting several phone calls per day (we came back from a trip earlier this week and found 14 voice mails from the different candidates and people endorsing them - all of them wishing us a Merry Christmas. Most are just recorded messages, but we actually got a personal message from one of the candidates - that's a first for us). If you turn on the TV almost every single commercial is a campaign commercial. Not to mention the several emails and paper mails we get every day. It's a little tiring.

On Thursday we heard that Mitt Romney was going to be speaking at our local grocery store (why the grocery store, I'm not sure!) and the kids wanted to go and try to meet him, so we decided to venture out for our first campaign event this year. Adam and Anna had eye doctor appointments so they couldn't make it, but I went with Lizzy, Ben, and Jake. It was a chilly, rainy, windy morning so when we got there most people were huddled inside the store, but we decided to try to get a good spot outside. We ended up finding a place right along the rope line on the side of the stage - turned out to be a great spot (keep reading)!

We've been to a lot of campaign events in the past, but never one so near the time of the caucus, so there were way more media people there than I expected, like hundreds of media people. Probably 25 TV cameras, 30 photographers, and who knows how many reporters. I saw a few reporters that looked familiar from national news networks.

Shortly after we got there, some staging people came by and passed out signs and flags. Ben and Liz each got a little flag and since they were all bundled up looking cold and waving flags, they were too cute for the photographers to pass up. A whole bunch of them came over and started snapping pictures. One even laid down on the ground in front of them and snapped a few shots. After they finished taking their pictures, the photographers would come over and asked Lizzy and Ben for their names and ages. I asked a few where they were from - New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, Getty Images, etc. Liz and Ben were feeling somewhat famous with their own paparrazi - Jake was just feeling cold and tired.

As of right now (while I'm writing this), they're included in the main picture on this NBC political website (Jake is hiding behind Lizzy). I'm sure it will change frequently, so it probably won't be the main picture when you get there:

http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/

Here's a more permanent link to the same picture if it's not at that homepage:

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/30/9831372-iowans-brave-cold-wet-weather-to-meet-the-candidates

And here's the picture itself:

Another from the Washington Times (not the best shot of any of us!):

http://www.washingtontimes.com/multimedia/image/perry2jpg/

Unfortunately, none of the closeups they took of Ben and Lizzy were published (that I can find).

Mitt and Ann Romney finally arrived with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. I won't say much about their speeches (you can watch online if you want), except to say that I was really really impressed with Chris Christie. I know next to nothing about him or his politics or anything else, but I really enjoyed the few minutes he was talking. Don't be surprised if he turns out to be Mitt's running mate if we wins the primaries.

After the speeches, he came around and greeted a lot of people. Since we were along the rope line, the kids had a chance to talk to him for a few seconds. I later found out that CSPAN was broadcasting the event live, so if any of you happened to be DVR'ing CSPAN Friday morning, we'd love to have a copy (since I know that's like the most popular channel to record)!

Here's a low quality replay from the CSPAN website. Fast forward to 17:15 or so to see him talking to the kids:

Here's a screen capture of Mitt talking to Liz and Ben (he's bending down with a hand on each of their shoulders):

I, of course, had the opportunity to get a great picture standing right behind the kids, but since I am (now officially) the world's worst photographer, this is what I got (I'm kicking myself for not asking him to pose with them!):

Anyway, all-in-all, it was a memorable experience for the kids. They were pretty excited when we left. If, by chance, he goes on to become President, it may be something they'll always remember. If not, it was still fun for the day at least!