First of all, this trip so far has been an amazing experience!! I came to New Hampshire with a very open mind. I really did not have a definate candidate in mind to vote for so I was very excited to meet each potentical president. Ill be honest, I was leading toward Rudy Giulliani when I first came but nothing was certain. Since seeing each candidate speak, I can honestly say that my vote is now up in the air. When I saw McCain speak at a townhall event, I was really impressed with his responses to his questions. I was especially impressed with the way he listen to one man who was not a supporter of him yet encouraged him to keep asking questions about his platform, views, and policies. This to me was a sign of strength. It showed that he was not afraid to speak with members of the local community who did not share his views. This to me meant that he was a strong candidate worthy of consideration.
Hillary Clintons rally was an experience in itself. She was a very powerful speaker who was not afraid to voice her opinions and elaborate on her political platform. She, like McCain, took questions from the audience. She was very quick to answer the questions (which Im not convinced were truely answered) but as a political candidate that is not too much of a suprise. Many candidates tend to avoid answering a questions with definate responses because they do not was to offend potential voters. I will say that meeting Bill Clinton, a former president, was definately an exciting experience.
Obamas Rallies were very uneventful ( I know many disagree with this view of mine). Listening to him made me feel like I was listening to a motivational speaker. He is a great public speaker and I was definately impressed with the way he spoke to the audience. It seemed that he said everything that people want to hear but never explained how he was going to accomplish his goals. Having high hopes and setting goals is a great thing but as president, it is important to elaborate and spell out how he is going to reach his goals and not just say 'change' as if it has a definate meaning. I also feel that Obama was the most impersonable candidate I have heard throughout this entire trip. Getting a picture with him was like winning the lottery...nearly impossible. He did not take any questions from the audience ( but as Lisa said, that may be due to the fact that he is the front runner). I will say that he was definately the most popular democratic candidate in New Hampshire ( considering that each of his rallies were overflowing with supporters and many were unable to enter the rallies.)
Continueing on the topic of uneventful...another name- Rudy Giulliani. I sadly was not impressed with him at all. I was definately expecting more from a man who was elected in a Democratic state as a Republican. He stated that he wanted to cut taxes yet increase the military by 10 Army brigades, 300 Naval Ships, etc. but I dont see how this is possible considering the United States in severly in debt by trillions...How can we spend more money without bringing more in?? Please dont get me wrong... I love the military and it will be very hard for anyone to find someone who supports our troops more than I do (as many of my classmates have seen, I am brought to tears when I hear stories of our soldiers and what they are doing for their country) but I am not able to put my faith into a candidate who may only push our country into even more debt.
Edwards...If I was to vote for a democratic candidate, he would have my vote. But this is only because of what I have learned about him before this trip and it is not because of what I have learned about him on this trip. We were only able to see Edwards once so far and unfortunately it was not a question and answer event. We only were able to hear a few motivational words from him. I will say tho that when he says his campaign is grassroots...it really is (Both at Hillary's and Romney's events..."home-made" signs were passed out to the audience...totally staged and fake). I was really impressed with how we were able to view first hand how grassroots his campaign really was....by having supporters at the event calling New Hampshire residents on their cell phone...overall I was really impressed with his campaign...but was not given the opportunity to fully understand his platform first hand.
Romney...wow Romney!!! I would find it truely hard to find someone who was not impressed by Romneys rally. He brought his family to the event which really made him feel like family was very important to him. I just want to throw this fact in...at the rally an 8yr old boy tugged on Romneys jacket and asked "Sir, what can I do to help your campaign" and Romney knelt down to his level responded "son, the best thing you can do for me is do well in school" *how personable is that?!?! After his rally I called my dad and said "I know who I am going to vote for..its Romney!" this is until I was waiting outside the Huckabee rally and I was speaking with a lady who was a resident of Massachusetts (and was a republican) and said that basically the only part of Romney's record that was true was the part about the Olympics....Now Im back to square one..who do I vote for!?!?!
Last night, we saw Huckabee. I know what you are thinking..."Who is Huckabee?" until last night... I didnt know either! But I will say that the name Chuck Norris is a household name so when I found out he would he at Huckabee's rally....all I could say was "IM THERE". Although I was denied early entrance into his rally to goto the bathroom (in the words of his staffer "its not my problem") all was forgiven in my book after attending the event. Of all the candidates, Huckabee was the most personable candidate I have ever met (and I have met just about all of them). Although I was the only one in my van it seemed that enjoyed the event, I stand by my opinion that his rally was the best one I went to. Even though his band 'Mama Kicks' seemed a little out of place at the event...it really made it (for me at least) a homey event. I was dancing in my seat ( ask Patrick and Homa...they were laughing at me) and I was really enjoying myself.
Overall, this trip has been such an experience for me...one that I will never forget!!