Political involvement timeline
Other photos: Kristen Smith
When: Aug. 24, 2011
Who: Republican Presidential Candidate Thaddeus McCotter
Where: Medbury Honors Lounge, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
What: Question and answer session sponsored by Drake College Republicans. McCotter discussed the economy and global warming. He answered students’ questions about social issues, such as gay marriage, and said, “We need to take care of those who cannot help themselves take care of our own lives.”
When: Aug. 27, 2011
Who: Republican presidential candidates Thaddeus McCotter, Ron Paul and Rick Perry
Where: Jalapeno Pete’s Restaurant, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, Iowa
What: Polk County GOP Picnic. Paul talked about needing clearer declarations of war and America’s relationship with the U.N. Perry addressed the issues of job creation and keeping taxes low. McCotter focused on America’s relations with China and the call for smaller government during his speech.
Photo from iowacaucuses.drake.edu
When: September 2011
Who: Drake professor Rachel Paine Caufield, Drake students Mary Bess Bolling, Matt Nelson, Ann Schnoebelen, Matthew Sowden and Kylie Rush
Where: Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
What: Iowa Caucus Resource Center website (revival, initially started in 2008)
File photo
When: Oct. 9, 2011
Who: Occupy Des Moines movement advocates
Where: Des Moines, Iowa
What: Occupy Des Moines protests. Iowans gathered in downtown Des Moines to protest issues on local and national levels, such as social and economic equality and the influence that corporations have on government. The group protested at the Iowa State Capitol, pitched tents in Stewart Square Park and marched to the First Federated Church with signs that had sayings such as “Make Wall Street Pay!”
When: Nov. 4, 2011
Who: Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum
Where: Hy-Vee Hall, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, Iowa
What: Ronald Reagan Dinner. All of the presidential candidates had a chance to give speeches to members of the Des Moines community at the dinner. The candidates talked about topics such as their campaign strategies, the federal budget and how they plan to cut down government spending.
File photo
When: Nov. 17, 2011
Who: Michele Bachmann
Where: Olmsted Center, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
What: Speech and question and answer session by Michele Bachmann. Drake students listened to Bachmann’s speech and then asked questions about her views on government programs that affect the homeless on nuclear disarmament and on state regulation of medical marijuana.
AP photoWhen: Dec. 10, 2011
Who: Republican presidential candidates
Where: Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
What: ABC GOP Presidential Debates. The most-watched GOP presidential debate of the 2012 election season took place in a decked-out Sheslow Auditorium. Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos were on Drake’s campus to moderate the debate.
