A night at the #DemDebate
Saturday night I stood in a long line outside of Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium as I waited to enter the doors to the 2nd Democratic Presidential Debate of the 2016 Election.
I’ve written before about the great political opportunities I’ve had as a student at Drake. Through work and school I’ve had the chance to attend a handful of meet-and-greets, fundraising dinners and campaign events. But, Saturday night felt different.
There’s something awe-inspiring about sitting yards away from three candidates for President as they stand and debate the issues. It’s a first-hand look at an event I grew up reading about in history textbooks and watching in my living room.
I’ll admit, there were several minutes when my mind jumped from the serious nature of the debate in front of me to memories of watching the debates on The West Wing and general geeking-out as I took pictures of the set and spotted Senators from the audience. I couldn’t help it, I’m a political campaign nerd at heart!
Even if my excitement of being there got the best of me at times; The debate itself focused on the important decisions the next President will be faced with. Friday’s brutal terrorist attacks in Paris were a tragic reminder that foreign policy and national security are going to be top issues when the next president takes office. The debate dialogue presented a picture at how these candidates would handle it. They, particularly Secretary Clinton and Governor O’Malley, provided national security answers and insights we needed to hear and I hope our next president makes foreign policy a top priority when they take office.
Being able to sit in on this debate for the Democratic Presidential Nomination, offered an incredible vantage point. I think everyone has a different perspective when they see something in person instead of watching on TV, whether it’s a baseball game, a concert or a political debate. With any debate (especially one this close — both geographically and time-wise to the Iowa Caucuses) you’re going to see candidates trying to draw contrast as they make the case that they’re best for the job. That’s what I heard on Saturday night, but I heard it in the context of a respectful, spirited discussion of the issues facing this country.
Thank you to the candidates, Drake University, CBS News, the Democratic National Committee, Iowa Democratic Party and Twitter for participating in and planning this debate on campus. If you would have told the 16-year-old me watching West Wing re-runs on my laptop as I tried to tackle my Algebra homework that I’d be sitting in a nationally-televised Presidential debate a mere 4-years later, I wouldn’t have believed you. But now I have my debate ticket to prove it!
