Media
Hi all,
I went to Iowa last week as a volunteer for the Dean
campaign. Now that I'm back and have seen all the press this week, I want to
share with you what I saw. Please feel free to forward this to folks on your
e-mail lists.
First, about canvassing and Iowans. The Iowans were
warm, friendly, and courteous. Here are a few highlights of my canvassing
experiences. One woman I canvassed gave me a pair of gloves warm right out of
the dryer. Then when I came back down the other side of her block, she was
waiting for me with a homemade hand warmer straight out of the microwave.
I knocked on probably 500 doors, and only 3 people closed the door on me.
Even then they apologized when they did this. I met a great-grandmother in her
80s, whose great grandson was just returning from Iraq. She was pounding her
fist on the table complaining about President Bush and the lies he told to get
us into this war.
I met a really funny 87 year old man who said he would not participate in the
caucus, but would vote for ABB. I asked him what candidate that was and he said
"anybody but Bush." Then he made the sign of the cross.
Why we
didn't win Iowa. You ever fail a test? Not get a job or promotion? Losing Iowa
gave me the same kind of feelings but worse. After meeting these folks and then
seeing the way they voted was really disheartening. I didn't get it. So many I
talked to really supported Dean. So many said he was the only real alternative
to Bush. Three reasons in my opinion we didn't win Iowa. The relentless negative
attacks, lies told by other campaigns and caucus tricks.
About the
speech. After a heart felt speech given by Harkin, Dean came out. Full of
energy. It was contagious. He gave a great speech. He really wanted to make us
feel better and more than anything that came through. I remember standing there
thinking how could he get this energy after all those days of campaigning and
then these results? How could I stay so bummed out if he can pull this off?
He started laying out the strategy for the next primaries. Volunteers in the
crowd started shouting back the names of the states they came from or were
heading towards. He was responding back to us. Have you ever had a conversation
with 3500 people? That's what it was like. In no way was he "out of control," as
so many in the media keep repeating over and over.
I was there and
now I am more behind Dean than ever. I will never be the same after seeing and
feeling the dishonesty and power of the American media. But it has not
frightened me, only strengthened my resolve. Howard Dean is GENUINE! I agree
with his position on many issues such as social security, social spending,
education and especially media reform.
Out of this whole field, who will work harder to deliver true health care
reform than a medical doctor with genuine empathy for the uninsured? Who else
can match his fundraising and organizational abilities and his ability to
connect with voters as a down to earth person on a personal level? Besides, I
don't understand how the other senators in this race can beat Bush criticizing
him for his agenda and record when they voted for most of it. Does that make any
sense?
It's going to be hard - as Dean said last night in Keene,
"maybe one of the reasons Washington is giving us such a hard time is that we're
not beholden to them. The only thing I'm beholden to is the American
people."
Dean is it. His time is now. We can make history this
year. You and I and everyone else reading this have the power to take our
country back. Don't let the media spin you outside of the circle. Join hands
with your neighboring Dean supporters and let's make this
happen!
Cheers!
Ginny Phillips
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