The Room Where It Happens

By Aileen Bell

I promise I was trying to listen to Andrew Yang at his town hall yesterday. I really was. While his ideas don’t seem complete, and I don’t think he’d be a good president, I’m still staying open-minded and willing to hear anyone out. However, that promise flew out the window the moment I received the email that I was invited to the Democratic Presidential Debate. Until 4:15 today when we arrived to Drake University’s campus, it was almost impossible for me to focus on anything else.

We arrived to the campus an hour before doors even opened. After a few rounds of American History Trivia, we were let in and the exciting observations of the evening began. To start the night, we had a conversation with a man who was a firm Joe Biden supporter but was hoping to still have an open mind this evening. I continued to think about that conversation through the night as I listened to the candidates but continued to think the best answers were from my top choice Senator Elizabeth Warren. These conversations continue to remind me that we all have our biases and will probably revert back to them even when we’re trying to give another candidate a fair chance.

The most interesting thing, though, about being in the room as the debates happened was watching the nuances of each candidates’ body language that you might not see on camera. Elizabeth Warren spent almost every moment she wasn’t talking writing. Whether it was her thoughts or the words of her opponents, it seemed to reaffirm that she’s the woman with plans who is always thinking and growing. Tom Steyer spent the whole time smiling forward and raising his hand when the urge to talk came over him. This felt like how I feel about his campaign. Not even he really knows what he’s doing here. Biden seemed passive and unassertive, a demeanor many are worried won’t hold up against Donald Trump in the general election. Bernie did what he does best, disrupted to make the points he needed to. I had more trouble seeing Buttigieg and Klobuchar, so I cannot speak to their body language, but I felt as though Pete spent his time staying stoic and calm, reminding us he is the voice of reason. These are not observations I’ve ever been able to make just watching the debates on the TV.

I am so thankful for the opportunity Elon has granted me with this trip. Tonight was without a doubt one of the best nights of my life, and I had chills the entire time. I don’t know that a debate will ever be as fun to watch. It’s a phrase I always say about my favorite bands. There is no experience like the live show.