By: Emma Greenberg

Today marked our last day of #EloninIowa. I am leaving here with memories, campaign experience, as a much more informed voter, and of course- with lots of paper cuts. Today we also went to the #WeThePeople2020 forum that featured Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Pete, Amy Klobochar, Deval Patrick, Andrew Yang, and John Delaney. While it was an incredibly long event, I knew it would probably be my last chance to hear the candidates speak for a while. 

At the event, there were some highs, some lows, and some weird moments per usual. One thing in particular that has stood out to me was the way each candidate handled the question on voting reform, specifically in regards to former incarcerated individuals. I personally believe that all Americans should be able to vote regardless if they have committed a crime. My exception to that opinion is in instances of murder and sexual assault. However, for other crimes I believe that you should be able to vote even while you are in prison, which is already legal in Maine and Vermont. Out of the candidates there, Andrew Yang surprisingly shared this thought the most. He did not make exceptions for cases of sexual assault, just murder. 

Overall, I definitely believe that, after this trip, I am a more educated voter. Not only that, but I believe that I have become a better and more well rounded global citizen. While many of the issues discussed were domestic issues, I think our class did a good job of discussing the issues with an international lense. So while impeachment is going on in America, it began with a call to Ukraine and the outcomes of it will affect people globally. To me, this directly relates to one of our global learning goals: to examine your responsibilities as an active global citizen informed by multiple perspectives. 

While I am definitely ready to go home, (my bed is calling my name) I could not be more thankful for this experience. I was able to do some of the coolest things – meet my political heros as well as attend a CNN debate (Best. Night. Ever.) I have definitely re-evaluated some of my views and opinions; and while I don’t believe that many of them changed, I am able to take a step back and understand my biases more. With the 2020 elections so close, a lot is at stake. I am both ready and anxious to graduate, and to jump in the campaign gain. I want to make a difference, to make the world a better place for someone other than myself. While this might be my last blog post, it is no where close to the end of my political engagement. 

By: Jack Norcross

From meeting with Wolf Blitzer in the lobby to running into Joe Biden on the streets of Des Moines, our access to members of the media and politicians has been incredible while here in Iowa. During the process, my recognition skills have come in handy. 

A few years ago I, being the news junkie I am, was watching a story on 60 Minutes from Lesley Stahl about face recognition. While some have find difficulty in identifying faces, after watching the report my dad concluded my mom and I were super recognizers. This means we have the ability of only meeting or seeing someone a few times and can remember their face. My mom and I may not have the ability to remember every single face we have ever encountered, but we certainly have stronger than average recognition abilities. 

While in Iowa, this skill has come in handy. Several times I have parked myself in the lobby and played “spotting.” One thing I’ve debated a large part of my life is when it is ok to know someone and when it is creepy. I often struggle with this line drawn in the sand for both people I’ve met in person and people I’ve seen on television. 

An example of this is seeing Jonathan Allen in the lobby of our hotel. To most of you I assume that name means nothing, but I’ve seen him on TV a few times and I know he wrote the book “Shattered” about Hillary Clinton’s failed bid for the presidency in 2016. This isn’t some big time anchor or famous correspondent, instead Allen is a digital reporter for NBC News.  

However, my “skill” has also come in handy. I was able to meet numerous on-air personalities while here in Iowa including Rachel Scott from ABC, Gloria Borger and David Axelrod from CNN and countless embeds who are here covering the presidential candidates.

I often struggle to balance the helpfulness and creepiness of my recognition skills. Nevertheless, I am fortunate to have this skill and hope it stays with me for years to come.

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.

By: Mackenzie Ferguson

One of the greatest challenges to America today is the polarization that is plaguing our politics. Today in Indianola, Iowa at a Joe Biden rally, he spoke about the divisiveness that keeps political parties from understanding one another and working together for the greater benefit of America. Biden talked about the difference between the way Republicans and Democrats have grown apart since when he was first in the Senate. When he started out in the Senate, Biden would argue with the opposing political party, but they would always put those differences aside after leaving Congress.

Being able to attend several rallies throughout our time in Iowa, I have been able to engage with several of Elon University’s Global Engagement Learning Goals. One specific goal that I have engaged with is being able to “examine your responsibilities as an active global citizen informed by multiple perspectives”. Critically analyzing every candidate based on their rallies has helped to inform me of the right candidate for myself because I was able to see multiple perspectives of the candidates. This trip has also helped me to examine my responsibilities as an active global citizen, as I have seen the importance and the impact of political advocacy and engagement. Candidates cannot gain the reputation, money, and importance that they do without volunteers. Every act of political engagement from donating a couple dollars, knocking on doors, or phone banking for a certain candidate makes a difference and helps one to become an active global citizen. Without attending several rallies in order to compare candidates and gain several perspectives of the candidates besides their image on television, I would not have been as informed a citizen or voter that I could be.

A part of being an active global citizen is also being nationally informed. Without understanding what is happening in your own country, there is no way for you to be an active global citizen. That is why Study USA is so important. While one can go abroad and have a life changing experience by examining their own culture and bias, learning within one’s own country helps citizens to be a better global citizen by seeing several perspectives they might have not seen before. This trip specifically has helped me to become more politically engaged and informed, and therefore made me both a better American citizen and global citizen.

This entire experience in Iowa has me contemplating how and when American politics have become divided to the point where we cannot respect other’s opinions even if we don’t necessarily agree with them. While everyone has a different opinion on policy and the way the government should influence the lives of Americans, at the end of the day we are all Americans. Without disagreement America would be static and would never progress forward. Without disagreement there would be no compromise, and without compromise there would be no way to progress forward together as a nation.

By: Baylor Rodman

The Elizabeth Warren who had lied about the extent of her Native American heritage and decided to use social media to ‘have a beer’ with the American public to desperately try and prove she is relatable, has since seen the light of successful campaigning. When covering her rally just last week, she showed she’s here to truly, “win the fight.”

I talked to many in the crowd before the Town Hall kicked off, and only about half said they would, “probably,” caucus for Warren, the others said she was their second choice after Senator Bernie Sanders or former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg. The strangest thing was everyone said they liked her, but they felt that they didn’t quite know her, as many had yet to be at one of her rallies, thus Iowa’s retail politics plain and simple. Some were also skeptical of Warren and were only at the event since former HUD Secretary, Julián Castro had endorsed her.

As Iowans waited for Warren to take the stage in Marshalltown, music was blasting and it was clear people were starting to feel a part of something before the event even started. Castro then took the stage speaking about his past presidential campaign, his life journey, and support for Warren, saying, “She has a vision for this country, where I think all of us can succeed.”

Next thing you know Dolly Parton’s, “9 to 5,” starts blasting and Warren dances her way to the stage. Whether you like her or not, you found yourself sucked into the energy of the room, and that was just the beginning. Warren thanked Castro for his service and for jumping on board to her campaign to continue to lead the fight to the White House. She moved into talking a little bit of her life story, brushed on some of her signature policies of education, healthcare, and big money in politics, and then asked the question, “what’s happening to the working class of this country.”

After only 15 or 20 minutes, Warren wanted to hear from those around her, and answered questions from the crowd. Surrounded by over 400 people in an elementary school gym, the access these voters got to a candidate for president was something I have never seen before, they got to see a person. Warren turned into Lizzy as voters got a clear sense of her personality. Lizzy comes across as sweet, authentic, and caring, and that’s coming from someone who couldn’t agree with her policies less. If the GOP were smart, they wouldn’t dismiss her campaign as nonsense, rather I would start to take a hard look at not only her movement, but the vision she has set for what her administration would look like in the future.

By: Maria Ramirez Uribe

As is the case with most people, before coming to Iowa, I had never met a presidential candidate. Because of this, the idea that Iowans had candidates in and out of their living rooms regularly was fascinating. I don’t think I truly understood the level of access and the normalcy many Iowans feel. 

As our days have moved on, I have realized how common it really is to run into candidates on the streets and see candidates speak on any given day. 

A few days ago a group of us were sitting in the hotel lobby when Andrew Yang walked up to us and had a conversation. The normalcy around having a presidential candidate converse with regular people is truly unique to Iowa. We had just covered him the day before at one of his rallies and got the chance to ask him a couple of questions. 

As someone who lives in Washington, D.C., even I’m not used to this level of access to politicians.

Later in the week, a group of students in our course who have been working for the Elizabeth Warren campaign ran into her while she was out for lunch with her husband. Yet again, regular people had the opportunity of running into a top presidential hopeful without any barriers. There was no event, no security. Just a regular person, who happens to be running for president, taking the time to speak to her potential constituents. 

After that, as a group of students and I walked back from dinner, we happened to run into Joe Biden as he arrived in Des Moines, Iowa and checked into his hotel. Once again, the normalcy in walking down the street and seeing a former vice president is still outstanding to me. 

I think these experiences, and our last few days in Iowa, just prove the fact that the citizens of the state have immense privilege in their accessibility to the candidates. As we have said in the past, Iowans truly get to experience retail politics. 

Seeing the ability Iowans have to make decisions based on seeing candidates in person, has made me think a lot more about the lack of access for other people in the country. I myself have seen the difference seeing someone in person and attending an actual event makes on your impression of a candidate.

By: Katie Zimmermann

I have heard politicians speak about death: the deaths of American troops, sick children, victims of violence. However, I have never witnessed a politician discuss the loss of the people closest to them.

United States Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer introduced former Vice President Joe Biden at his town hall today and vividly described the deaths of Biden’s wife and daughter. I was sitting across from the former vice president and could clearly see the emotions he felt when Finkenauer spoke of his wife and daughter. He closed his eyes, held his head low, and visibly wiped tears from his eyes.

Biden began his speech by stating that he did not know Finkenauer was going to recount the passing of his wife and daughter. He further explained how he felt when he learned that they had died. The former vice president lost his wife and daughter when he was only 29, and mere weeks before he was supposed to be sworn into his freshman year of Congress. Biden was unsure if he was going to still take the oath and become a congressman. However, six congressmen, four Democrats and two Republicans, approached him in his time of grief to support and uplift him. They told Biden that his wife worked hard to ensure he was elected and that he must continue his path to Congress.

For the past year and a half, I have struggled with grief from losing my father. Hearing Biden speak of his own story of grief and resilience was powerful. It was impactful to see a politician who has held positions of power, and is running for the most powerful position in our nation, to openly discuss his story of personal loss. Discussions of the deaths of family members, particularly those who died young and suddenly, are taboo and often veered away from. On the contrary, Biden was vulnerable, relatable, and spoke openly about this topic. His mannerisms and words made it evident that dealing with grief is a lifelong journey, but that does not mean it will prevent you from achieving your goals.

By Maeve Ashbrook

Today was one of our more low key days in Iowa. Right now, it’s 27 degrees, and earlier today the wind was blowing the falling snow every which way before that snow hit the ground. Needless to say, candidates cancelled their events and us journalism students stayed near the hotel working on evergreen stories about the caucuses and candidates, and then, once most of the work was done, we went out and worked some more while also having a little bit of fun.

My story today was on presidential candidates stances on vaping. In December, the legal age to buy e-cigarettes and tobacco products was raised from 18 to 21. Seeing that I was at home in Wichita for winter break at this time, I followed the story on my local ABC-affiliate station to see how this would affect local vape shops. Yesterday, I had the privilege to visit one here in Des Moines and hear its manager speak on the issue. I felt so affirmed in my craft when I was visiting the shop. I watched some of the people I look up to the most in December report on this story, and now it was my turn to do the same thing for my audience back in North Carolina. It was one of those moments where I believed I was real, legitimate a journalist.

I was the photographer for this story. That means I took the video, edited the video, and did whatever was needed from the reporters while they wrote the story. While my long-term goal is to be a reporter, it was fun to play photog for the day and see what that job is like. Unlike usual, I didn’t do my hair or makeup or where a fancy dress. I wore leggings and a t-shirt and sifted through hours of video to make the package as visually pleasing as possible. It was nice to switch things up.

If you’re interested in reading our story, click here. Our interviewees had extremely unique stances on vaping, but I won’t spoil the story as you can read it for yourself.

Once the story was finished, some of the journalism students headed outside into at least six inches of snow to film standups for our reels. And while each person had the chance to film a unique standup, we also had a chance to laugh together in the freezing cold watching each other mess up or do the standup just right. We’ve been reflecting on how we spend all day together covering events yet are still more excited than ever to sit down for dinner together at the end of the day. Like I said in my last post, the coverage is life changing, but so are the friendships and memories.

Tomorrow, we’re back in action covering presidential candidate Joe Biden. The roads will be most likely be cleared, and some of the snow may melt overnight (but the high tomorrow is only 26 degrees). I’m so thankful for my time here in Iowa. From running around with a tripod for Elizabeth Warren’s gaggle to our mock Iowa caucus on the second floor of the hotel, every moment has been a learning experience and one that I will remember forever.

By Liam Collins

When I found out I was coming on this trip I was absolutely elated. As a total political nerd, I have always heard the hype around the Iowa caucuses and thought they were seriously the coolest thing in the world. Who wouldn’t want to meet with your friends and neighbors in 2-degree weather to talk about politics? Sounded like a dream (well, maybe besides the weather. I’ve joked too many times that the first-in-the-nation caucuses should be held in Miami).

But since coming here to Iowa for the first time, I’ve noticed that not all Iowans share those same views. It’s been a conversation we’ve asked nearly everyone we’ve spoken to on this trip: Should Iowa be first? Most voters have said yes, citing the state’s infrastructure and its people’s detailed concentration on the importance of their role in the political process that you simply wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. Some, however, have said no, saying the state is not representative of America (mainly racially) and that the caucus process is inherently disadvantageous of a number of groups (i.e. disabled Americans, the elderly, low-income individuals, etc.). It’s been a question I’ve gone back-and-forth on since I first heard the conversation be brought up. And, to be clear, I don’t have an answer as to what my thoughts are at this time. But I do think that it’s a fair question, and a question that we should dissect very carefully.

My goal for this trip was to talk to Iowans. So, I did just that. But, I wanted to do my best to talk to the average Iowan — not the Iowan that does his/her best to speak to every single candidate that shows up to their town. So, I made it a point to speak to every Uber driver that I met. And I found that most of them did not care at all. As I learned today, even our bus driver, Tim, who wears an American flag tie every day, does not understand the caucus process and asked one of us who the best candidates were. It caught me off-guard, but when I thought about it, only 15.7% of eligible Iowans caucused in 2016. It’s a high turnout for a caucus state, but a shockingly low turnout for a primary.

That conversation forced me to reconsider whether Iowa has earned its title as the first-in-the-nation contest. Sure, no state can be perfectly representative of the country. But, should we let such a small amount of people have such a large amount of power in the presidential selection process? No president has ever been elected without placing in the top three of the Iowa caucuses. That’s a lot of authority.

By Callista DeGraw

From where I’m sitting in the hotel lobby this morning, the snow outside is blowing so fast and so hard it looks like there are little white tornadoes travelling down the street. The campaign has given us a “snow day” and honestly, it’s a welcome break—we’re still going to make calls to potential caucus goers, but hey, at least I’ll be doing it from the warmth of my room. 

Today, emotional exhaustion has really hit me. We’re all doing real, hard work here in Iowa: some days those of us on campaigns spend seven consecutive hours on the phones or four hours outside in single-digit weather, while our journalist classmates have had 17-hour days to make sure their audience back on campus is well-informed. 

This trip has been absolutely incredible and filled with experiences, both big and small, that are unforgettable—from conversations about women in local office with Representatives Lindsay James and Jennifer Konfrst, to meeting the kindest Iowans while door knocking, to attending the debate. I have been overwhelmed with feelings of awe for what I’ve gotten to do here and gratitude for those in my life who made my trip possible. But for the first time since we’ve been here, these feelings were overpowered today by pure exhaustion and high emotions—perhaps I’m finally coming down from the major high of Tuesday night. 

However, for some self-awareness and perspective: I’m exhausted after eight days…but the candidates, their staff and every news outlet that is here in Iowa are still going– and have been for months. I’ve done enough campaign work to know it’s not easy and often exhaustion-inducing, but I truly have a new respect for those who have to multiply their work by 50 states.