TMN Blog

Pieces of the Pie - Jesslyn Tenhouse

Kyle Magee — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:07:50 +0000

When I arrived at the 2008 Legislative Forum on Disability Issues on Thursday, October 23 with other students from the Truman Media Network, I had no idea I would leave the event with so many thoughts about politicians, disability issues and pie.

Julia Hansen, one of the print reporters on the team, and I sat in the front row, tape recorders in hand, ready to capture the issues and opinions discussed. We sat conversing when a man clad in cowboy boots and a camel-colored corduroy sports coat strode over to shake our hands. He introduced himself as Wes Shoemyer, State Senator from Missouri’s 18^th District.

I almost didn’t catch his name because I was distracted by his mustache and slightly southern accent. We conversed about Truman, and he said it was most surely Missouri’s premier institution of higher-learning. (When we talked to him later he said that he incorrectly stated that Truman is the “Harvard of the Midwest.” He corrected himself and said instead that Harvard is the “Truman of the East.”)

Shoemyer was the first one to mention pie. I had not eaten dinner yet, and my ears and appetite naturally lifted when I heard the mention of something sweet. It didn’t take me long to discover that Shoemyer wasn’t talking about grandma’s fluffy coconut crème. Instead, he referred to past budget cuts and how they affected the amount of funding (piece of pie) that citizens receive. In particular, he referred to how past budget cuts decreased funding for those with disabilities.

“We have to go back and remember that pie—that when we’re cutting that up we’re not just getting the crumbs,” Shoemyer said.

Thom Van Vleck, the Republican Candidate for Missouri State Representative in the Second District, later referred to pie with some humor.

“Well, it seems like Wes and I like to talk about pie a lot. I think I’ve probably had more pie than he has,” Van Vleck said. He later went on and explained his views about increasing the tax base, which he said would increase funding for programs.

Van Vleck and Democrat Rebecca McClanahan, State Representative from the Second District, sat at opposite ends of the table, separated by five seats and four bodies. I wondered if it was coincidence or planned risk management, in regards to the candidates respective advertising campaigns. However, there seemed to be little animosity in their behavior toward each other.

In fact, the candidates and audience of over 50 members of the community, led by Senator Shoemyer, sang “Happy Birthday” to Representative McClanahan after learning that it was her birthday. One audience member even quipped, “Question 7a: ‘How old are you?’”

The candidates weren’t the only people who captured my attention. Throughout the crowd sat community members with disabilities and their loved ones, caregivers and advocates, ready to make their opinions known and have their questions answered.

Shoemyer encouraged members of the audience to go to Jefferson City, as many have done in the past, and express their opinions there as well.

“I tell folks—everyone—it’s always, always much better to show up in Jefferson City and have something done for you than to stay home and have it done to you,” Shoemyer said.

In a time tense with election anxiety, the forum reminded me that ordinary citizens, including those with disabilities, have the power to make their voices heard, whether it’s in Jefferson City or right here in Kirksville, Mo.

Pageant Perspective - Jesslyn Tenhouse

Kyle Magee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:13:50 +0000

Throughout the crowd, people hugged, kissed, high-fived, toasted and cheered. Tears dampened more than a few faces. Some raised their hands above their heads, palms out and fingers wide, expressing joy as their candidates triumphed victoriously.

With chants of “yes we did” and “O-ba-ma,” supporters at the Democratic watch party in St. Louis’s ritzy Pageant hailed their successes. None received a more dramatic response than the speech from president-elect Obama.

Hillary Price, a student in attendance from Washington University, admitted that she was still in shock that Obama won and said she started crying when she heard the news.

“It’s still like washing over me,” Price said. “I just can’t really absorb it.”

I asked DeAndress Green, a member of the crowd who volunteered for the Obama campaign, how she felt about the results.

“Look at my face,” Green said with her eyes wide and a smile stretched across her face.

“I wasn’t worried in my heart,” Green said when I asked about her enthusiastic response to Obama’s new status as president-elect. “I knew that there was a great possibility that we would win.”

Green wasn’t the only one smiling in the room of well over 500. People of all ages and races danced and sang, as speakers blared the songs “Celebration,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m yours” and “Let’s Get It Started.” My ears are still ringing.

Green asked if we had been outside yet, no likely referring to the honking cars and people shouting excitedly from the sidewalks outside the building.

“It’s like a smorgasbord of crazy outside,” Green said.

But as crazy as the environment was inside and out, the crowd took its volume to another level, erupting in cheers, high-fives, hugs and kisses as Obama’s face filled the screen, speaking for the first time as president-elect. As he spoke, the crowd subsided to a buzz and intently watched the big screens, entranced by the message, the speaker and the environment in which they gathered.

Blue Note Democratic Party - Sarah Scott

Kyle Magee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:54:18 +0000

The mood at the Blue Note in Columbia was upbeat and expectant.

The crowd was comprised of young and middle-aged voters and those not yet old enough to vote.

Richard King owns the Blue Note and said he hosted the party because the Democratic Party asked him.

King said he does vote democratic, and said he voted for Obama and Democratic Governor-elect Jay Nixon in this election.

Stephens graduate student Jeanetta Hartley said she went to the Blue Note on election night because she has been more involved in this election than any before.

She said she was more active in this election than past elections because she is very interested in health care and education.

Mizzou student Beth Korte said she attended the watch party at the Blue Note simply for the coverage. She said the main issues for her during this campaign were health care and education, although the economy was also very important.

Hulshof Concedes

Kyle Magee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:58:00 +0000

by Brent Foster

Nixon won the governorship, ending what was a somber night for Hulshof backers. Just a few minutes ago Hulshof spoke to a crowd of supporters gathered at the Holiday Inn Expo Center in Columbia.

Hulshof spoke to the crowd briefly about his hard fought campaign, from the Republican Primary through the defeat tonight.

He said he spoke to Nixon a few minutes ago and congratulated him on his victory.

“I told Jay I would do everything I could as a private citizen to help him heal the state,” Hulshof said.

As Hulshof’s speech finished, the mood in the room seemed to lighten up. It was the first time all night I had seen smiles on the faces of the faces of his supporters.

Earlier Republican Senator Kit Bond was asked if Hulshof might consider running for United States Senate in 2010 when Bond’s seat is up.

Bond dodged the question and responded by talking about Hulshof’s leadership skills.

“Kenny has a great ability to lead and serve,” Bond said. “He has served the ninth district well, and has served the state of Missouri well.”

Hulshof Watch: Party Update

Kyle Magee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:14:04 +0000

by Brent Foster

The mood at Kenny Hulshof’s election night party continues to be somber. The gathering is still extremely small, with the press actually outnumbering the guests at the moment. As of 8:30 p.m., there is still no official word on when or if Hulshof will concede the race to Jay Nixon. The talk around the room is that Hulshof is likely to wait until the last minute, after all the votes have been counted, to concede the race. Some of Hulshof’s family members are actually at the party, discussing the presidential race, not the governor’s race.

Right now, Hulshof trails by a substantial margin in the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas, and is actually behind in his home county of Boone by 13 percent. Nixon currently holds a 10 percent lead with 11 percent of the precincts reporting.

Stories behind vote choices

Kyle Magee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:37:54 +0000

by Jesslyn Tenhouse

Stories shape individuals, and for some individuals, their stories shape their vote.

Spending time at a polling place in the heart of St. Louis granted me several opportunities to talk to voters, many of whom shared anecdotes about their voting choices.

Although the individuals differed on their choice of important issues, all shared an energy and excitement—what some would call “conviction.” Of the people with whom I talked, not one seemed like a “nonchalant” voter.

David Pentland, still dressed in his bright orange work clothes and hard hat, voted after work. A union laborer, he said his job influenced his choice greatly because his job directly impacts his well-being. Pentland said his livelihood dictates everything he does, which is why he views the past dismantling of unions by the Republican Party as detrimental.

Pentland said he has voted since he was 18 and added that voting is something he considers of great importance. He said this year he felt more compelled to vote, and said he backed Carnahan, Nixon and Obama because of the support they have received from his union.

Maralyn Clay said she hopes jobs will come back to America and that the overall economy improves.

“I’ve never personally had so many friends lose their jobs because of downsizing and outsourcing,” Clay said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to weather the storm.”

Anne Williamson, with Obama’s face peering out from a screen-printed t-shirt under her blue button-up, said she’s a long-time voter and whole-hearted Obama supporter.

“This is the first time I’ve taken a really invested interest in it and campaigned for someone,” Williamson said.

Williamson said she canvassed her neighborhood as a volunteer for the Obama campaign. As she told me about talking with her neighbors, she stopped to greet one of them on his way to vote.

Piercings for votes - Steven Chinnock

Kyle Magee — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:19:43 +0000

As I stand outside Dyed Hyde Tattoo shop and stare aimlessly at the line of people waiting at the front counter I can’t help thinking, Why would a tattoo and piercing business offer a free piercing, minus the cost of a stud or hoop, to anyone who has voted?

Let’s be frank here. It seems like a strange offer and that getting a free extra hole in your body is not the best way to promote the democratic process. People should want to vote because they feel strongly about an issue or a candidate, not because they can get something free out of it.

Samuel Adams once wrote, “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual, or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts for which he is accountable to God and His country.”

I’m sure back in the 18^th century those few that were privileged enough to vote were not offered a free sheep if they did so. Starbucks and Ben & Jerry’s are doing the same thing, offering a free promotional item to encourage people to vote. But there are two ways to look at what these companies are doing.

First there’s the reason they want you to believe – offering an incentive for those who choose to vote somehow contributes to the democratic process. Then there is the second. Maybe all these companies are doing giveaways to make money. It’s brilliant free advertising. Once the word got out that Dyed Hyde was offering a free piercing, local media was quick to pick up on the promotional campaign. They might be taking a loss up front by only requiring those showing proof of voting to pay $5 to $10 for the stud or hoop, but this promotion has undoubtedly increased their business ten-fold for the day.

And don’t think it’s just a Dyed Hyde thing. What grown-ups do you know who go to Ben and Jerry’s to eat ice cream by themselves? That’s right – very few. They will probably have their kids with them and because you have to be 18 to vote, they can’t get free ice cream, which means their parents will have to buy it for them. And Starbucks, yeah they’re giving away free coffee, but let’s not forget Starbucks also has all those yummy things behind the counter that you couldn’t possibly pass up. So your trip to Starbucks for a free cup of coffee has put money back in the pockets of Starbucks.

But maybe all this is beside the point. All the free stuff you get today doesn’t discount your vote or make it not as worthy as someone who didn’t get a free piercing. If anything could be concluded from all of this it is that this election has been infused with energy from young voters that started way before free piercings and ice cream came into the picture.

Signs foil students looking to vote in Student Union - Steven Chinnock

Kyle Magee — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:23:00 +0000

If Election Day couldn’t be complicated enough someone has decided that it would be a hilarious idea to play a practical joke on those people looking to vote in the Student Union. Someone had the frankly brilliant idea of posting a sign telling voters that the voting would be taking placing on the first floor of the SUB. So of course many students saw the sign and walked down the stairs only to have to make a U-turn in complete frustration after learning that the line was forming outside.

In a period of an hour, more than three dozen eager voters with ID cards in hand walked to the SUB Down Under where they saw the voting booths, but sadly were also presented with a dry-erase board telling them “to vote enter down under from the outside door only.”

I’m sorry but having people wait outside in November in Kirksville is not the best decision. Yeah, the weather has worked out thus far, but on any other fall day cold temperatures would have kept student from the polls after seeing such a long line. And it is a long line, it’s 11 a.m. and 450 student voters have already placed their votes for the next president of the United States while 30 more wait in line.

Election officials say they expect a good turnout at the Student Union as the day wears on and are asking voters to be patient and brace for possible delays. So my best advice to save you a bit of time, frustration and the possibility of assaulting someone in a moment of rage is to not even go in the SUB. Instead walk down Franklin Street toward the Student Union and when you see a line, jump in and you’ll be all right.

Around Lincoln Univeristy’s campus - Brent Foster

Kyle Magee — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:21:50 +0000

Some interesting things are happening on and around the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City this Election Day. A group of students in support of Barack Obama have set up shop directly outside of the polling place near the campus encouraging people to vote. There were some complaints by people that they were electioneering too close to the building, so a poll worker came out and measured 25 feet and told them they could not stand in front of that line. There were also shuttles bringing people in to vote for people that did not have transportation

The lines were not too incredibly long at the polling place. Most people I talked to said they waited between 20 and 25 minutes to vote.

One thing I noticed on Lincoln’s campus was the complete lack of bipartisanship. That is not completely surprising since Lincoln is a Historically Black College (HBC). Frank Williamson of the group Campaign for Change said thirer complete focus is on helping get Barack Obama elected president.

“We have been going door to door and trying to get people to vote,” Williamson said. “Our focus isn’t really on the other candidates.”

He also said there is very little support for John McCain on the campus.

I walked by another group of students from the same organization. They had a table in front of the libray making sure people get out and vote. The table was loaded down with Obama signs, but there was a very small John McCain sign on the corner. One person sitting at the table told me they had to remain neutral, but they really were not following the rule. Pretty soon after that a woman came by and told them to display their McCain sign more prominently.

Sticker Shock: Campaign stickers dominate wardrobes - Steven Chinnock

Kyle Magee — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:20:23 +0000

For the bulk of my college career I have maintained one primary objective: scheduling out my days with the intent of remaining in bed for as long as possible. Strategically scheduling classes, showering the night before, and skipping breakfast were just a few things I did to ensure the possibility of extra sleep. But the opposite seems to be happening among my peers on this historic Election Day, as students line up outside the newly renovated Student Union Building to place their ballots. It’s only 9 a.m. as a man in a Nascar ball cap and navy-colored hoodie is settling into his post, where he will be checking voter identification for rest of the day. At this early hour, already this polling location has seen more than 200 voters come and leave. So many factors could be attributed to why students are turning out to the polls, so many in fact that it would be hard to comprise a detailed list. But one factor remains true—an abundance of student enthusiasm. There’s a large number of student volunteers who have donated their time and even skipped classes to remind students to vote and to do some last minute persuading for their party’s candidates.

One such person awake for such do-gooding was Peter Johnson who positioned himself right across from the polling station in front of Centennial Hall. With Obama stickers in hand and a blow horn attached at the waste he strikes up conversations with all passers-by, urging them to vote while dressing kids head to toe in Obama support stickers. “Handing out stickers all day… you can tell who really feels strongly for Obama, they’ll personally ask for a sticker,” said Johnson. Of the people he has talked with, he said more than 60 percent of students voters are voting for Barack Obama.

The only group missing from this election extravaganza was the college republicans. “It’s shocking not to see them,” said Johnson. “Where the hell are they?”

The only reasonable answer that one could contrive from such a question is, like me, sleeping was the priority this morning.

Pssh…someone go wake them…the line for voting is starting to curve down Franklin Street.