#iowagop

Dear Ms. Polly Granzow,

I would like to thank you for participating in this critical step of our democratic process and for taking the time to read this letter. I would also like to congratulate you on a distinguished career serving the people of Iowa as a State Representative. I’m sure I’m not the first to reach out to you this election season, but I felt the need to express my concerns regarding the future of our great nation.

In order to protect the purity of our democracy, the authority of the constitution, and the freedom of all Americans, I must ask you not to vote for President-elect Donald Trump: a candidate who not only threatens to destroy the ideals of the Republican Party, but the sanctity of our Bill of Rights.

Throughout his campaign, President-elect Trump threatened to open up “libel laws” in order to prevent the press from running stories he disagrees with or feels put his presidency in a bad light, in clear violation of the First Amendment. In the weeks following the election, he has continued to attack the press on social media. He has harassed those who have expressed concern with his proposed policies by threatening to arrest them, or worse, take away their citizenship, depriving them of the freedom all Americans deserve. He supports reinstating “stop and frisk” on a national scale, which the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional as it violated the Fourth Amendment. Additionally, President- Elect Trump has proposed legislation that will violate international laws and destroy America’s reputation as a global power.

There is a reason that Mr. Trump lost the popular vote by an unprecedented two million votes. Mr. Trump has proven to have no sense of humility or work ethic, blaming others for his mistakes and refusing to listen to advice from hard-working, common-sense Republicans. The members of his proposed cabinet consist of known racists, misogynists, and anti-Semites. This does not represent the party of Ronald Reagan or Lincoln, and what shame would they feel if they could see the direction their party is taking.

Alexander Hamilton wrote that the electoral college was needed to ensure that “the office of the President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.” I, along with many other Americans, believe that if you were to choose to vote against Trump, you would be justified for the above reasons; and I, along with many others, would support your decision.

I know that this is a difficult decision for you to make, but I hope you will do your best to protect the freedoms of all Americans. If you would be interested, I would love to discuss this further with you.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our country.

Sincerely,

Attending all the candidates’ events has been a frenzy of enthusiastic supporters and journalists hungry for coverage, but it left me wondering how the caucuses would actually be executed.

On the eve of the Caucus Day, we stopped by the headquarters of the Republican Party of Iowa in Des Moines, expecting to hear from the chair, Mike Strawn. Because of schedule conflicts, he was unable to meet with us; but hearing from two staffers was just as insightful.

Data Director Patrick Stewart and Caucus Coordinator Ryan Gough took our questions and talked a little bit about what their jobs have demanded of them in the wake of such a fateful day.

It was extremely enlightening as it gave us a “behind the scenes” look at the actual execution of the caucuses and the months of planning that are invested to ensure a smooth caucusing period.

Stewart explained that during the campaigning process, the party “remains neutral” and acts as “a concierge for the candidates” if they need anything while traveling the Hawkeye State.

Both Stewart and Gough went on to explain the caucusing process in depth, stressing that voting is not the only thing that goes on; Iowans also begin the selection process for the many conventions that occur after Caucus Day.

“But no one pays attention to that,” criticized Gough.

In addition, Gough gave some suggestions as to which caucus sites we should attend tomorrow night.

“Eight caucuses will take place in residences this year,” explained Gough. He also said the party was encouraging bigger meetings to break into numerous caucuses “to bring them back to what they really are—neighborhood meetings.”

I can only hope we attend the one with an accompanying chili supper.