Absent live performances during the coronavirus pandemic, the comedy troupe The Capitol Steps, whose periodic radio shows were called “politics takes a holiday,” turned off the lights and folded. It turned out they could not survive without live performances, and as many believed, no one wanted to attend a live performance if one of the side effects was infection with the coronavirus. We learned politics never takes a holiday during a pandemic as Republicans dominated the elections in Iowa.
On Wednesday, I participated in a video conference with about 35 others with former Congressman Dave Loebsack asking First Congressional District Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan a series of softball questions. It was an okay hour, yet we’ve heard almost everything Bohannan said before. Democrats need new ideas, new approaches. Considering the alternative, I’ll support Bohannan with my time and financial resources.
Like with the now defunct Capitol Steps, live performance is everything in politics. A candidate cannot win elections without in person live events. What does that mean?
A county supervisor candidate sent an email this week, asking for help. Specifically, they asked for help doing things related to voters: door knocking, making phone calls, and placing yard signs. They also asked for a financial contribution. The primary election is four weeks away, so their needs are pressing. I’m supporting other candidates for supervisor, so the request fell on deaf ears.
Just before Bohannan’s event I received a text message from the Democratic National Committee asking me to participate in video conference training on how to be more active in the national campaign. If all politics is local, why would I work under direction from the national party? I wouldn’t.
Another contact that day was a telephone call from a local county party organizer. They have a short regimen of door knocking work to reach out to voters and see where they are. To me, door knocking is about one thing: identifying which voters will support a given candidate, then getting them to cast a ballot. I declined the opportunity to take a shift.
All of this is expected, and as you can see I rejected it out of hand. In the meanwhile, incumbent Republicans shape how the general election will proceed. Since they are in power, they have a strong platform to frame the debate. They are framing it. It will be difficult to avoid becoming enmeshed in their verbal construct.
I accepted an invitation to help our state house candidate organize for the election. About a dozen of us were invited. He has no primary competition so we can focus on the general election. He’s new to politics so we can begin with a fresh slate and build upon our core competencies. I’m looking forward to the possibilities of such a campaign.
Our state senate candidate is also new to politics. He is the chief financial officer of the Mount Pleasant school district, and hasn’t run a campaign before. As he organizes, there will be possibilities to get involved with what I hope is a unique and vibrant campaign full of new energy.
Saturday is the district convention, precursor to the state and national conventions. I’m a delegate and will use the time to explore possibilities for organizing with other attendees. Since there is only one statewide candidate this cycle, 2024 will be a cycle of local politics, focused on my state house representation. Hopefully those campaigns will roll out in an unexpected way.
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