Little Women

JANUARY 23, 2020 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 116, ISSUE 29 University to host mock caucus

ELIZABETH KELSEY

News Editor

As residents of the first state in the nation to host presidential caucuses, Iowa college students play an important role in the political process, according to the UNI political science faculty. “It is important to recognize caucuses are more than just signaling support for a candidate; they are a key element in grassroots party governance. It is a civic responsibility we encourage our students to take seriously,” said Justin Holmes, associate professor of political

BUTTIGIEG

continued from page 2 Buttigieg started his speech by engaging in conversation about his long-standing professional relationship with Hart. He focused on the importance of small rural and industrial communities in the Midwest, comparing Waterloo to his hometown of South Bend, Ind. “Every mayor winds up living and breathing everything that goes on in their city. We feel the pain of everything that isn’t going right and the triumph of every positive thing that happens,” Buttigieg said.

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science, in a university press release. The political science department recognizes not only the importance of the upcoming Feb. 3 caucus, but also its potentially confusing nature. In light of this, the department has teamed up with the American Democracy Project and Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG) to host a mock caucus event at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27. The event, which will be held in Maucker Union Ballrooms, will be a nonpartisan event designed to introduce students to the caucusing pro

“We would be better served if we could get Washington to run a little more like our bestrun cities and towns.” A central point of the town hall was the role that the Iowa caucus will have in determining the future. Buttigieg described how this part of the country can lead in a time of deep change. “Here we are, less than 20 days from the Iowa caucuses that are going to set the trajectory of the nomination, and therefore the presidency, the country, the history of the world. A lot rests in your hands. No pressure,” Buttigieg said. The town hall also focused on several specific issues that, according to Buttigieg, caused Trump to win the presidency in 2016 and still need to be resolved today. Buttigieg discussed his position on gun violence, climate change and democracy, developing his speech around a series of values that he considers to be inherently American. “The purpose of the presidency is to empower and unify the country, focusing on the values we share as Americans and letting them lead us in a progressive way,” Buttigieg said. “Patriotism is not the cheap nationalism of hugging the flag or throwing military parades for the President. I am talking about honoring the cess for both political parties. “The idea is to get students — both Democrats and Republicans — the knowledge and comfort and tools to be able to walk into the caucus and participate and know what’s going to happen,” said Scott Peters, head of the political science department, in an article from the Gazette. Participants will be led through the processes that both parties use to conduct their caucuses and to tabulate and report results, since the process differs at Democratic and Republican caucuses. Students will also learn how

flag by honoring the values of the Republic for which it stands and the lives of our troops making sure they are never sent away to a conflict that could have been avoided.” The topic of the troops and Buttigieg’s time in the military returned when it was time for the audience to ask questions. Thomas Anderson, a veteran from Waterloo, talked about his difficulties in receiving dental care and fair treatment as a black businessman in the area. Anderson asked Buttigieg to speak up for the problems of veterans if elected. “I want to point out how unacceptable this kind of discrimination is, and as President I am ready to enforce regulations about this kind of behavior towards small minority business owners,” Buttigieg said. “Talking about healthcare in the military, we will make sure that if we can do such a great job at providing it to somebody in order to make them go to war, we should be able to do just as good of a job taking care of soldiers after they come back.” Kody Mullen, a 21-yearold political science major, was positively impressed by Buttigieg’s approach at the town hall. “The event had a lot of good energy,” he said. “Pete did a very good job at relatto find their caucus site and how they can same-day register (or change their party registration). The mock event will also demonstrate the lesser-known functions of the caucuses, including choosing delegates to the county convention and developing party platforms. The event is open to students and the Cedar Valley community, and food and drinks will be provided. To encourage UNI students to participate in both the mock caucus and the “real thing” on Feb. 3, UNI will be promoting a

ing to Iowans. I particularly enjoyed how he made national security a priority because of his experience in the military. I actually decided to caucus for him last night during the Democratic debate, and he definitely convinced me today.” Buttigieg concluded by emphasizing the importance of getting organized and being politically involved in view of the caucus.

#PanthersCaucus social media awareness campaign similar to the #PanthersVote initiative used in the 2018 midterm elections. That initiative contributed to UNI’s 46.2 percent voter turnout rate in the 2018 midterm elections, the highest among Iowa’s public universities. As quoted in the Gazette, Peters said his departmen’s goal is that the mock event bolsters student political political participation even futher. “We have an engaged campus and students, who take their civic responsibility seriously,” he told the Gazette.

“Watching the national news can create a temptation to turn it all off. This is our chance to do the very [opposite], and I’m hoping you will reach out and connect with people in your life to encourage them to remain involved and remind them that the power is in their hands,” Buttigieg said. “I’m asking you to help ensure that Iowa makes history once again.”

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