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In Iowa and everywhere, this is going to be an exciting election season and nearly every event will be packed. 7,500 folks attended an Obama rally in the East Village neighborhood of Des Moines on Tuesday, May 20. The lighted Iowa state capitol provided a night-time backdrop for Obama’s first return visit to the scene since the Iowa caucus in January. Senator McCain was in Des Moines on May 1st. Security was tight at both events. Visits by the presidential nominees, while scheduled hurriedly, provided an excellent opportunity to see the candidates.
Senator McCain’s event at the Polk County Convention Center in downtown Des Moines was a town meeting format and, while no questions were posed on children, it provided a visibility opportunity for kids' issues. Obama’s event was an evening rally, and some Every Child Matters' robins-egg-blue shirts were spotted in the crowd. We couldn't get any face time with the candidate, given the size of the crowd at the lateness of the hour.
The intensity of these events was about even, notwithstanding the differences in size and formats. John McCain’s was smaller and had a microphone to ask questions, but we didn't get the chance. The Obama event was a larger event in a venue where no outside signs were allowed, but we wore our “I’m Voting for Kids” shirts.
Tips for advocates working rallies: Get there early and get a good seat. If you are "stickering" people, work the line from outside before folks go through the security posts, since they channel people through one set of gates and metal detectors.
For a 20,000 plus event--yikes!--get plenty of stickers and bring a gaggle of volunteers.
-Tom LaPointe, veteran advocate working the Hawkeye State.
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