Psyched in Iowa - witness report on Clark's visit

[robbedvoter]

> 9.19.03 In Iowa City with Our man!
>
> Dear Susan,
>
> I am almost in tears as a result of what I have just witnessed.
>
> Clark came to a local diner in downtown Iowa City. The place was
> packed, overflowing onto the street. The General shook hands on the
> street outside before entering. Once inside, he climbed on a chair
and
> started speaking without notes. He spoke beautifully and I must
say, he
> looked more handsome than his pictures.
>
> he spoke eloquently and took more questions than his handlers
wanted,
> including health care issues, AIDS, the economy (which stinks
here). He
> slowly worked the entire diner, speaking at length with people about
> issues.
>
> We then walked from the diner to the Iowa University Union, about 15
> minutes. Clark went up to a car stopped at an intersection and
told the
> fellow to roll down his window, spoke to him for a moment and we
moved
> on. He had numerous media outlets trailing him, stopping
periodically
> to get into a detailed discussion about the subject of the moment.
He
> saw two construction workers in hard hats, went over to them,asked
what
> they were doing. When they said tearing down an old building, he
> cautioned them (with detail) about the dangers of asbestos. he saw
a
> black yound man, went to him, asked what he was doing. When the guy
> told the General he was working on his dissertation, Clark started
to
> discuss the subject matter!
>
> A veteran (late 40s) said hello. Clark asked him where he served
and
> talked to him about his unit!
>
> At the student union hall, the president of the University greeted
the
> General. The distinguished looking president of the University of
Iowa
> and the net Presidnet of the United states looked splendid together.
>
> I told Clark to duplicate what I had just observed and not let his
> handlers make him into something he isn't. He promised me he
wouldn't
> let that happen.
>
> Susan, his campaign appearance on the street and in the diner was
> perfect.
>
> I'll send a report tonight after the speech.
>
> Psyched in Iowa.
>
> Gordon
>
> --
>

[kang]

1. It's good to see signs that he won't have too much trouble

with retail politics. I was worried that he'd be uncomfortable with such things.

[GainesT1958]

2. Doesn't look--or sound--"indecisive" there to me!

Pay no attention to what supporters of other candidates--ESPECIALLY supporters of Dub!--have to say about him. I think we may have the "real deal" right there! :D

B-)

[kang]

3. Let's have cautious optimism, but not get overly confident

One thing I've learned is to never, never underestimate the GOP's ability to manipulate language, information, rules of the game, etc. to their advantage. Clark and all of the other candidates will need all of us to stay on alert and be ready to react to what they throw at us next.