A Hot Coffee And Some Politics
2nd Congressional Candidate John Archer talks with a couple of voters Saturday at Smokey Row Coffee House in Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Time is running out for candidates to reach the voters, and two candidates made afternoon stops to Smokey Row on Saturday.
John Archer, the Republican nominee for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, made the time to stop and visit with Oskaloosa’s residents on a whirlwind tour of the district that will continue until election day on November 6th.
“We feel great,” is the positive feeling Archer is sharing about his campaign.
Archer believes that the momentum in the race is on his side, and says that his pro-growth message “is resonating with people, as opposed to what my opponent continues to do. That’s just the personal attacks.”
Archer says, “People are tired of those attacks and they want this country to get back on the right path.”
Recently, the Des Moines Register had endorsed Archers Democrat opponent, Dave Loebsack, but The Gazette endorsed Archer saying,
” Second District congressional candidate John Archer may not have a lot of political experience. But he does have ideas.
And the 40-year-old Bettendorf businessman and attorney makes a compelling case that voters should send him to Washington, D.C.”
“I would love to get all the endorsements,” Archer says with his ever present smile. He also shared his endorsements from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Archer believes that his message of pro-growth and pro-business helped him garner the support of those organizations.
Win or lose, Archer says that meeting all of the people he has during his campaign will be one of the most important things he will take away from this experience.
He also says that having the opportunity to further explore all of the business, “both small and large alike,” in the 2nd Congressional District and understanding the uncertainty these business are facing.
Voter fatigue has struck many voters in Iowa. I asked Archer how he would encourage voters to get out and participate in this year’s election.
Archer would encourage people because of the sacrifices of those who died “to give us the right to vote.” He further explained it would be a disservice to those who sacrificed, “when we don’t use our voice to vote. So, if you’re a Democrat, if you’re an Independent, if you’re a Republican, do your duty and get out and vote.”
I posed the question to Archer of how he, as a single vote among many, would be able to make a difference.
“It starts with a single vote,”, Archer says, but believes that by being an example to others and building relationships with his new colleagues, “so we can develop those relationships.”
“We need to be willing to reach across the aisle and innovate. Some individuals say that compromise is a bad word, but I’m willing to innovate, I’m willing to compromise to come up with some creative solutions to what ails this country.”
Earlier in the month, Congressman Dave Loebsack was in Oskaloosa at the Mahaska County Democrat Soup Supper fundraiser.
Loebsack expressed his optimism about the election, saying he felt good about it. “I think I’m going to do well here in this county,” but realizes that Mahaska County is difficult for Democrat candidates.
“I think I know Iowa pretty darn well,” Loebsack said as he shared some history with me. Loebsack said, “Iowans are getting to know me better all the time.”
Loebsack expressed that he’s for the middle class, “that’s what people want to talk about; that’s what they’re talking about.”
“He really is out of touch with folks,” Loebsack said of Archer. “He actually thinks that 50% of the American people are a weakness. He thinks that 50% of the American people feel that they are entitled to a government handout.”
Iowa Senate District 40 candidate Tim Tripp was also visiting Smokey Row Saturday morning. He, as most candidates, is positive about his campaign heading into the final stretch.
Tripp introduced Archer and they got to share a handshake and some coffee while they conversed with Dr. Ron Rietvold, professor of history at California State University-Fullerton and a foremost Lincoln historian. Tripp believes these types of introductions help further networking and develop working relationships that prove beneficial.
Tripp says that it’s almost depressing that the election is nearing the end. “It’s just been so enjoyable meeting people.”
“Just seeing people do their daily lives, that’s part of the campaign I’m really really enjoying,” Tripp said.
Tripp will say that technically he’s only been on the ballot since the end of July when he was nominated by special convention, but he will tell you he’s been out knocking on doors and introducing himself to the people of District 40 before then. “I’ve had to compress a lot of energy into a shorter period of time.”
Tripp has, so far, refused special interest money and, other than private donors, local Democrat parties have been the only others to contribute, according to state ethics reports.
Tripp says this is important because he wants to look people in the eye and say, “I represent you,” and believes that taking special interest money wouldn’t be in the voters best interest.
“Maybe the journey is the destination,” is something one of Tripp’s friends told him. “Taking each day and trying to do what is good and what is right. Changing the culture just a little bit, more of a positive culture in the way we look at politics, the way we look at the issues.”
