Omri Nahmias works the crowds at the hotly contested Iowa caucuses
Jason Banao, a Des Moines resident who served in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, says he sees a lot of himself in Buttigieg, who also served in the armed forces.
Is it important for you that he’s a veteran?
“I don’t think it’s a requirement, but I think it does help. Particularly now, when we have a lot of conflicts going on, to have a veteran who served in those conflicts. I think it does shape the way [a president might] use force because he knows what it’s like to serve, to be away from family and to send other people to go do the same. I’ve seen just about every candidate in some fashion, but I think Pete’s the most well-spoken. I think he can beat Donald Trump.”
The Straight-Talking Event
Amy Klobuchar is not the most charismatic and appealing candidate in this race, but she has a very good case for why she should be the nominee. With her opposition to Medicare for All (it would be too expensive) and her campaign message that she’s a moderate in a field full of radical progressives, the US senator from Minnesota is trying to show she’s the only contender who can win back Rust Belt swing states like Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Polling fifth in Iowa, the event she held on Motzaei Shabbos — in, you guessed it, a basketball gym — didn’t bring out more than 700 people. Klobuchar makes a compelling argument, but what she’s saying doesn’t seem to have much popular appeal.
Mike Winjum, a Klobuchar supporter, says he bought her book and read it twice. “Background checks for guns, get rid of student loan debt, have free community college — these are the reasons for me to vote for Amy.”
What is it about Iowa that makes it such an important state?
“We got lucky in 1972 when we got the caucuses. We are spoiled to have a chance to speak directly with all the candidates.”
In case she’s not viable, who would you vote for?
“Joe Biden, and I’ll be wearing my Joe Biden shirt under this one because I’m a precinct king. If she’s not viable, then I’ll join the Joe people.”
(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 797)
