Romney wins Iowa Straw Poll 2007!

Today we did something that you can only do in Iowa--we went to the Republican Straw Poll. Thanks to our friends, the McCords, who are huge Romney supporters we were given tickets to this mock primary.

Historically, this event has foreshadowed the candidate to win the Republican nomination for the Presidential Election. Bush won in 1999, Romney won in 2007.15,000 people attended this year's poll in Ames, Iowa (2 hours west of I.C.) and Niles & I made up 2 of that number. We left Saturday morning from the HyVee parking lot in Coralville on chartered coaches provided by the Romney campaign. We were served refreshments, given t-shirts, and watched a DVD to get us pumped up for Romney. After arriving we were taken to the polling area where neither Niles or I could vote since we still proudly hold Georgia driver licenses (technically we were charlatans since we did not make our support official by punching the chad). Romney paid top dollar for spot "center stage" with a huge tent, stage, live music, rock climbing wall, inflatable playgrounds, COLD water, COKE products (already a little gold star in my book), BBQ, misters to cool the patrons and plenty of seating. We chowed down on tangy Iowa-style BBQ sandwiches and then headed into the air conditioned coliseum to hear the candidates give their speeches. Prior to the candidates being introduced however, the Vice President of the NRA spoke as did Newt Gingrich--it was Republican to the core! Once the speeches were given we headed out, once again, to the Romney camp where we were able to meet him and his wife, Anne. With signatures and photos procured we wandered the aisles scoping out the other candidates' set ups while pouring buckets of sweat in the excruciating Iowa heat. As an aside, I am told that I will be wishing it was this hot come January! By 3:30 we were back to the buses to head home.Today, we were a part of history. We did something that we will more than likely never do again--something you can only do in Iowa. It was a great day with new friends and a chance to watch high-stakes politics in action.

Please notice the ironic tid bits from the slide show:

1. Notice the difference between Ron Paul's mode of transportation and the "Mitt Mobile"

2. Only in Iowa do you see a bicycle taxi

3. The back of the coliseum was filled with bloggers and reporters with computers and high speed connections, yet you had to give a thumb print in pink ink to ensure that you did not vote twice (No, we were not in Iraq!)

Its Not that Liberals are Ignorant, Its just that what they know is wrong. -R. Reagan

In preparation for the Iowa Straw Caucus on Saturday, Mitt Romney came to Iowa City. Julie, Addie & I went to Iowa River Power Restaurant for lunch and a question/answer session with the governor. This was my first "close encounter" with a presidential candidate. He gave a brief speech, highlighting the "3 legged stool" on which his campaign is based: strengthening the military, strengthening the economy, and strengthening family--all of which build to strengthening America. To me, his most impressive statement was when he addressed strengthening family. He was bold in saying that the first step to strengthening family was to teach children that marriage comes before babies.

Following his speech the floor was opened to "citizen's" questions. The media was not allowed to ask questions. Being in middle America (farm country) many of the questions that were asked centered around agriculture, one question was asked about education and one about medical care asked by a med student. Of course, there was also the token "green" question about alternative fuels--of which I know nothing but was impressed with the governor's knowledge of the "granola" jargon.

We have been in Iowa City for a little over a month now and I had no idea that there were other Republicans here! I have never seen so many Obama and Hilary bumper stickers--it was refreshing to spend time with like-minded, RIGHT individuals.

One of Romney's aides took the photo of us (which explains why MY head is cut off and Mitt's is perfectly centered) and the other photo is of Romney just after signing a bobble head doll of himself.

All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon, I love politics and am amped for the 2008 elections! Dad, get the speaker phone ready, I am sure there will be many hours of simultaneously watching the Fox analysts while on the phone but not saying a word.

www.mittromney.com

**On another note, you cannot see how cute my hair is, but trust me, Joel would be proud.

Shear Joy

I have found that one of the hardest things about moving to a new city is finding the perfect person to cut my hair. I have wandered the mall looking for girls with cute cuts just to ask them who cut their hair! My search is over; today I found someone to cut my hair! It may seem trite however, a great haircut can turn a somewhat crappy day into a great day. For me, if my hair is sufficiently coiffed then I feel better about myself. As of 2:00 today my unmanageable mane has been tamed and my hair is basking in its former glory.

All is right with in the world of hair.

My Australian Shepherd is Smarter Than Your Honor Student

Since there are no kids to brag about with spaghetti all over their faces, or taking their first steps, or dipping their toes in the ocean, I decided to take my camera to the dog park tonight. One of the greatest things about Iowa City is the awesome dog park!

I swear that after our first journey to the park Bailey memorized the route and now could lead me there if I wind up with memory loss. The closer we get the more excited he becomes. Tonight was no exception & he had a great time! He obviously loves to sniff the other dogs. As of tonight, he nominated himself as the official greeter. When he heard the gate open with "fresh meat" arriving he bolted over to the poor dog begging his ower to let him off the leash and gave him a good sniffing, then allowed him to join the rest of the dogs in play. When we finally left and got in the car he was so hot and panting that I just had to snap a photo of that tongue!

It is amazing to me that we can spend 45 minutes at the park with him in a full out sprint most of the time and when we come home he is still ready to play and begs us to put peanut butter in his Kong!

I wish I had half his energy...