Introducing Ryan Binkley
Ryan Binkley made several stops in Northwest Iowa today, including our small town. "Ryan who?" you may ask. And no one can fault you for asking that question as he doesn't get much media attention. But unlike several of the other candidates (especially those that have dropped out), he has been visiting a lot of Iowa both in the big cities and the farmland.
Unlike many of the more well-known candidates, his stop was not heralded by local businessmen or politicians. In fact, when he walked into the local diner, virtually no one blinked an eye. Beyond two or three of us that are deep into politics and were aware he was coming today, no one else (not even the diner employees) were aware of his stop today. This gave each of us a chance to truly get a good feel for who Ryan Binkley is.
He spent time giving his talking points on many of the main political topics of the day. Some of the topics he spent a little extra time on were government debt and budgets, healthcare, and education. He also spent a little bit of time with the diner owner talking about the restaurant business in general and the minimum wage for tipped employees.
His campaign paid for everyone's meals (I had already eaten and paid so my meal was not included) and then he took some time for a private media call before spending some time in the business next door.
He was very personable and was willing to listen and answer any questions. A couple of his local campaign volunteers who were new to the team had been working for Perry Johnson's campaign the week before.
This is why small-town Iowa politics is so refreshing as compared to the big world we see on the news every day. The candidates, whether famous or not, make their way to all parts of Iowa in everything from planes and trucks to busses and cars. Finding small town diners, Pizza Ranches, or community centers to shake hands and give their pitch.
I am sure it can be a lot of hard work and tiresome for a candidate to do all the road time and make 5 stops a day. By the time one spends a couple hours at each stop and make the 20-45 minute drive between each stop, your day is gone and you hope to get a little sleep before the next day.
I don't take that for granted and try to meet as many candidates as possible. In some cases, you may be one of thousands at an event. While at other events, like today's, you might be one of just a handful. Each candidate will have their big stops and smaller stops and I am sure this can play on their own minds as they see the numbers or lack thereof when they pull up to an event.
But it is worth it. As American's we need to take this more seriously. You can't always trust what you see on television. Getting the chance to meet another human being in person can really shine a light on things that you just can't see any other way.
If you ever get a chance to meet a candidate, no matter how famous they may or may not be, take it! Even if they don't have all the same stances on issues you may have, it is an opportunity that you should not let pass you by.
And if you are lucky enough to actually talk to them, treat them with the respect you would any other person.
Meanwhile we did receive two more candidate mailings this week. One from the Ramaswamy campaign and one from the MAGA, Inc. Super PAC trying to convey how rotten they they think DeSantis is. Instead of the Social Security and Medicare scare tactic, they are going after him on ethanol and agriculture.
Snail Mail Totals So Far in 2024
18 - Never Back Down, Inc. (Pro-DeSantis)
15 - Stand For America Fund, Inc. (Pro-Haley)
11 - Best of America PAC (Pro-Burgum)
10 - AFP Action (Anti-Trump)
8 - Make America Great Again, Inc. (Anti-DeSantis / Pro-Trump)
7 - Opportunity Matters Fund, Inc. (Pro-Scott)
5 - Perry Johnson for President Inc.
4 - Make America Great Again Action, Inc. (Pro-Trump)
3 - Finish the Fight (Anti-Trump)
2 - American Exceptionalism PAC (Pro-Ramaswamy)
2 - Vivek 2024
1 - Doug Burgum for America
1 - Donald J Trump for President 2024, Inc
Unlike many of the more well-known candidates, his stop was not heralded by local businessmen or politicians. In fact, when he walked into the local diner, virtually no one blinked an eye. Beyond two or three of us that are deep into politics and were aware he was coming today, no one else (not even the diner employees) were aware of his stop today. This gave each of us a chance to truly get a good feel for who Ryan Binkley is.
He spent time giving his talking points on many of the main political topics of the day. Some of the topics he spent a little extra time on were government debt and budgets, healthcare, and education. He also spent a little bit of time with the diner owner talking about the restaurant business in general and the minimum wage for tipped employees.
His campaign paid for everyone's meals (I had already eaten and paid so my meal was not included) and then he took some time for a private media call before spending some time in the business next door.
He was very personable and was willing to listen and answer any questions. A couple of his local campaign volunteers who were new to the team had been working for Perry Johnson's campaign the week before.
This is why small-town Iowa politics is so refreshing as compared to the big world we see on the news every day. The candidates, whether famous or not, make their way to all parts of Iowa in everything from planes and trucks to busses and cars. Finding small town diners, Pizza Ranches, or community centers to shake hands and give their pitch.
I am sure it can be a lot of hard work and tiresome for a candidate to do all the road time and make 5 stops a day. By the time one spends a couple hours at each stop and make the 20-45 minute drive between each stop, your day is gone and you hope to get a little sleep before the next day.
I don't take that for granted and try to meet as many candidates as possible. In some cases, you may be one of thousands at an event. While at other events, like today's, you might be one of just a handful. Each candidate will have their big stops and smaller stops and I am sure this can play on their own minds as they see the numbers or lack thereof when they pull up to an event.
But it is worth it. As American's we need to take this more seriously. You can't always trust what you see on television. Getting the chance to meet another human being in person can really shine a light on things that you just can't see any other way.
If you ever get a chance to meet a candidate, no matter how famous they may or may not be, take it! Even if they don't have all the same stances on issues you may have, it is an opportunity that you should not let pass you by.
And if you are lucky enough to actually talk to them, treat them with the respect you would any other person.
Meanwhile we did receive two more candidate mailings this week. One from the Ramaswamy campaign and one from the MAGA, Inc. Super PAC trying to convey how rotten they they think DeSantis is. Instead of the Social Security and Medicare scare tactic, they are going after him on ethanol and agriculture.
Snail Mail Totals So Far in 2024
18 - Never Back Down, Inc. (Pro-DeSantis)
15 - Stand For America Fund, Inc. (Pro-Haley)
11 - Best of America PAC (Pro-Burgum)
10 - AFP Action (Anti-Trump)
8 - Make America Great Again, Inc. (Anti-DeSantis / Pro-Trump)
7 - Opportunity Matters Fund, Inc. (Pro-Scott)
5 - Perry Johnson for President Inc.
4 - Make America Great Again Action, Inc. (Pro-Trump)
3 - Finish the Fight (Anti-Trump)
2 - American Exceptionalism PAC (Pro-Ramaswamy)
2 - Vivek 2024
1 - Doug Burgum for America
1 - Donald J Trump for President 2024, Inc