CCC Phi Theta Kappa participates in Iowa straw poll

Officers of the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter at Coffeyville Community College had the opportunity to participate in a uniquely American political process, the Iowa Straw Poll held at the Iowa State University campus in Ames on August 11. The CCC students served as volunteers for the presidential campaign of Kansas Senator Sam Brownback.

For the past two decades, the Ames Straw Poll has been the first major test of the organization and persuasive strength of Republican presidential campaigns. During the Straw Poll, tens of thousands of Iowans from across the state come and vote for the candidate they want to receive the Republican nomination. The last three Straw Polls accurately predicted the winner of the nomination and at the last Straw Poll in 1999, over 40,000 people attended and more than 20,000 people cast votes. The winner of the Straw Poll, George W. Bush, went on to win the Iowa caucus, the nomination, and then the Presidency. The Iowa Straw Poll has been held before every contested presidential primary since 1979.

The Coffeyville students learned that a strong showing in the Poll was essential to the Brownback campaign as it would provide millions of dollars worth of free national media and demonstrate Brownback’s appeal to the conservative base, providing a massive boost to his candidacy across the nation. It would also encourage hesitant, potential supporters to donate to the campaign, which would provide necessary funds for a strong grassroots campaign around the country.

The CCC Phi Theta Kappa members joined the other 31 Brownback volunteers aboard a bus which left Topeka at 5:00 a.m. from the old Albertson’s parking lot at 29th and Fairlawn. An additional 10 volunteers joined the group in Kansas City.

While traveling to Ames, the students had the opportunity to study information about their candidate. From a booklet prepared exclusively for the Iowa Straw Poll, the Eta Gamma Officers learned that Sam Brownback was born in Parker, Kansas, and raised on a farm where his parents still live. Senator Brownback has always been known as a leader and served as State President of the Future Farmers of America, student body president at Kansas State University, and was president of his class at the University of Kansas Law School. At age 30, Brownback became the youngest Secretary of Agriculture in Kansas history where he saw firsthand issues faced by today’s farmers such as the rising cost of fuel and fertilizer and increased global competition. Brownback was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and U.S. Senator after the retirement of Bob Dole.

To effectively campaign for Senator Brownback, the CCC students also became familiar with his platform which includes: supporter of pro-life; defender of traditional marriage; commitment to fighting and defeating the terrorist threat facing our nation; champion of less government, a Flat Tax, and America’s Free Enterprise System; unwavering advocacy for judicial restraint, an understanding that border security is national security and a support of the second amendment.

The Brownback bus arrived in Ames at approximately10:00 a.m. where it was met by Brownback staffers. After receiving their official passes and Brownback t-shirts, the CCC students received their assignments. Eta Gamma Vice-President Michael Steen was assigned to the Persuasion Group; his responsibility was to talk with undecided voters and try to convince them to vote for Brownback. Later he helped with children’s games in the Brownback tent as hundreds of children com with their parents to the event. Fellow chapter officer, Chris Forquer from Chetopa was assigned to the security division where volunteers watched a particular area. Pam Howe, alumni chapter member, was selected to escort voters to the polls to ensure everyone who received a Brownback ticket voted. The Eta Gamma officers worked with Thomas Ternan, Volunteer Coordinator of the Brownback for President Campaign.

The CCC students were amazed by the number of tents and the thousands of people that attended. There were large tents for presidential candidates Ron Paul, Tommy Thompson, John Cox Tancredo, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Mitt Romney, and Sam Brownback. There were also tents for the Fair Tax Association, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, ONE Vote 08, Fox News Channel, National Rifle Association, America Solutions and C-Span. Voting was conducted in the Hilton Coliseum. Each tent hosted a day-long schedule of events. Speakers in the Brownback tent included former Future Farmers of America officers, P.J. Sesker of Operation First Rescue, Bobby Schindler (brother of the late Terri Schiavo), Norma McCorvey (The “Roe” of Roe v. Wade) Leeana Stoltenberg (Iowa pro-life activist), and Francis Bok, a former Sudanese slave. Senator Brownback also spoke five times throughout the day.

Michael Steen had the opportunity to have his picture made with Senator Brownback while Chris Forquer was interviewed by a television network. Both Phi Theta Kappa members proclaimed the experience as “incredible.” Steen stated, “This experience was highly educational; it was great to see “up close” what the candidates go through even before the primary election. To me, the most impressive thing about Senator Brownback is that he seems to have a solid stance in every aspect of concern. His plans are solid and reasonable. If given the opportunity, I will definitely vote for him.”

Mitt Romney won the Iowa Straw Poll with 4,416 votes to outpace former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee with 2,587 and Senator Brownback with 2,192.