Is authenticity key?

By Isabella Seman

A group of us were walking down the street on Friday night talking about how there was no one on the streets of Des Moines. The next thing we knew the Former Vice President Joe Biden was next to us. We spoke with him and explained that we were students from Elon University, and he replied, “Yeah I’ve spoken there a few times.” As we left we said, “See you tomorrow,” as we were going to hear him speak the next day. Only in Iowa would you casually run into a presidential candidate, let alone the former vice president.

We drove about 40 minutes to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa to hear Biden speak. He was introduced by Rep. Abby Finkenauer, who told the story of Biden’s wife and daughter’s death. She commended his character during this time, however it brought tears to Biden’s eyes before he spoke.

Biden seemed to be upset through the speech. I don’t know if the introduction threw him off, but either way he was very authentic. It was great to see a candidate show emotion because sometimes we forget that they’re real people. In his speech he spoke directly to the student voter because we make up a majority of the vote. If you want to read more about his event click here.

After the event was over, I went to ask Biden the question we have been asking every candidate, “Why should college students vote for you?” As I was in line Biden’s Press Secretary said I was not allowed to ask a question. I explained that it was one question and it wouldn’t take long. He came through the line, Biden shook my hand and I looked him in the eyes and said Elon University student media (in hopes of him remembering me from the night before). I ended up getting to ask my question and he replied, “Because I’m the most qualified.”

Overall, the Biden event was a packed hall filled with college students and it was very hot. Even though it was negative degrees outside, we were very happy to go outside to get on the bus.

Authenticity is something our class talked about looking in a candidate before we came to Iowa. Our class thinks you have to be authentic to be able to win the caucus, and I think we saw Biden in his raw element at his town hall.