Takeaways From The Iowa Caucuses
By: David Domke
Before the caucus results meltdown, before the sliver’s-difference in first and second place between Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders, a group of Common Purpose volunteers and supporters traveled to Iowa for six days to see the Democratic Party presidential candidates. From Jan 28 through caucus morning of Feb 3, we traveled around the very-flat state of Iowa, seeing and listening to and meeting candidates, interacting with Iowans, and talking to journalists from all over the world. It was an incredible experience.
Here are three main takeaways:
All of the Democratic candidates are terrific patriots. They are all smart, are working their butts off, and have a vision for an America that is light years better than Donald Trump. Anyone of the Democrats will be a huge improvement.
It’s an incredible privilege to see the candidates campaigning in person, to see them interact with voters, answer questions, joke and get serious, and make their pitches. To see the candidates in person is far more robust of an experience than anything we ever experience in Seattle or get through media coverage. It’s something all Americans should have a chance to experience.
Our Common Purpose community is amazing. We had so much fun and learned so much from one another. We all want a progressive world, but we nonetheless have differing perspectives on the candidates and issues and how best to move forward from the current national nightmare. Going as a team is great.
Here are five Iowa-focused episodes from our podcast, “With Common Purpose,” that capture some of our experiences and thoughts about Iowa, the Democratic candidates, our democracy, and the work of Common Purpose.
