Liveblogging Carolyn Dodd in Cedar Rapids

This event has now ended. As far as campaign events go, it had to be the most casual… and perhaps fun… that I’ve attended in a long time.

Carolyn has much to say on the matters of disabilities and access, education and family.

Those pictured, from left, Carol Wickey, Kathy Bass, Wendy Barth, Amy Farrar, Carolyn Dodd, Katie Finn and Kay Hale.

8:50 a.m. — Well, I’m at the Blue Strawberry on 2nd St. SE in Cedar Rapids and the women are starting to arrive. We’ve watched what appeared to be a very tired father try to wrestle two young boys into their vehicle. The oldest boy ended up climbing into the vehicle via the sunroof. Needless to say, several women were sitting on their hands so as not to go outside and offer assistance. (The tongues, unlike the hands, weren’t held nearly as still.)

Carolyn Dodd — sister to Democratic hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd — has arrived and we are sitting at one of the front tables, waiting on muffins and warm lattes from the counter. Looking around the room we have some local party officials, local businesswomen and political activists.

We should be officially underway in about five more minutes.

9:02 a.m. — We’re still waiting for a few people to arrive… Carolyn is having a quick breakfast.

Dodd’s Deputy State Director Katie Finn tells a story of the first time she met Sen. John Culver. She says, he told me there are two things you should never pass up in politics: “food and restrooms.” This is because “you never know when you’ll get either one again.” She tells me that is the best campaign advice she’s ever received.

9:16 a.m. — This is really interesting. What you have here this morning is a very politically-charged, intelligent group of women. The program has yet to start because, around the table, the conversations are already varying between First in the Nation, the Ames Straw Poll and, of course, Chris Dodd.

Others in the business are beginning to take notice of the group. I bet they’ll be joining or listening in when we get underway.

9:21 a.m. — And we’re officially off.

“Chris is generally concerned with people and what their needs are,” Carolyn says. “That’s why he’s been holding the kitchen table meetings. He likes to connect with people and there is a real need for unity and for bringing this country together.

“This country needs a barn-raising. We’ve dangerously become a culture of selfishness.”

9:25 a.m. — Do you hear complaints that our new Democratically-controlled Congress hasn’t done what it should?

“Getting legislation through Congress is complex,” she says. “It is amazing they get anything done sometimes. I think people should be more pro-active and not cry over what [George W.] Bush has done.”

She says Chris Dodd has been very proactive in the Help America Vote Act.

“What I like about it is that people with disabilities can vote independently and privately,” she says, noting that she never liked having someone else mark her ballot for her — although didn’t always have a choice since she is legally blind.

9:29 a.m. — The meeting has moved into a discussion of verified voting. Former Green Party gubernatorial candidate Wendy Barth and I confess to Carolyn that we’d like to see all people use paper ballots only instead of electronic voting machines. (Those interested should have a look at the AutoMark system for how those with disabilities can still vote independently and have a paper ballot.)

9:32 a.m. — “I think a lot of school’s problems are societal,” she says. “[Sen. Dodd] feels NCLB was a good concept although not implemented well. I’ve heard a lot of teachers talk against it.”

More discussions on how NCLB has affected Iowa and Iowans.

“During all these discussions,” she says, “I’ve never heard parents referred to as the primary educators of their children.”

9:36 a.m. — “It is very tough because we believe in the public schools and we want to see them work,” she said.

One of the ladies mentions that it is sad with all the talent we have here that we can’t make our schools work better.

Carolyn points out that other nations don’t have the diversity our schools have.

In Providence, RI, she says, there are 60-some different languages spoken by the children.

9:39 a.m. — Carolyn points out that her brother has worked for families by helping create and pass the family leave act.

“He’s working on having it be a paid family leave,” she says.

Discussion moves to child care issues and what role larger employers can play. Those at the table agree that these problems are huge and it can force those of us who care to do nothing because because it seems so overwhelming.

“We need to really sit and be thoughtful about what we’re going to do,” she says. “We need to have conversations and work together to solve problems.”

9:44 a.m. — Carolyn says when her family had disputes, it was Chris (number 5 in their family of 6 children) who always played peace-maker.

Off the six brothers and sisters, all are still kicking and still healthy, she says.

“I think it is a real honor to be one of seven or eight people running for president out of so many million in our country,” she said when I asked what she thought about the current campaign.

“I think the campaigns are too expensive and too long,” she added. “I also don’t think people understand how important the $10 and $20 donors are. Also, it is your time and energy — that’s so important.”

9:50 a.m. — Iowans have proven in the kitchen table tours time and time again that people can gather round a table with a camera rolling and have a real conversation, says Finn.

“He was a very loving little boy,” Carolyn said, when asked what her brother was like while growing up. “My other siblings do have faults, but Chris really is so special. And he has a wonderful sense of humor.

“Sometimes if I tell him a sad story about myself, he will sometimes laugh and I kind of get upset. But the truth is that he always sees the best in any situation. And… he makes the solution to problems seem do-able.”

9:55 a.m. — We [as a nation] are so rich, she says. We have so much going for us that we can do great things. “Chris can provide the leadership,” she says. “I think that’s the ingredient that’s been missing.”

“We have a lot of crisis in America,” she says. “Health care is a big one.”

A major discussion has begun on health care, insurance and the costs involved — it’s flying pretty fast and my fingers can’t keep up. It seems no matter where you go, everyone has a story about lack of coverage, escalating costs, denied tests/needs, and so-forth.

10:00 a.m. — There’s talk at the table that Michael Moore and the veterans that went with him to Cuba are being indicted. I hadn’t heard that — will have to look it up. This appears to be mostly true. The part about possible indictment is very true. He did not, however, take military veterans with him. They were individuals who worked at Ground Zero after Sept. 11, 2001 and had become ill. The Americans received free treatment in Cuba.

Carolyn says that Iowans are very friendly, that she was welcomed everywhere she went.

Looks like everyone is breaking up — Carolyn has to get to the airport.

The ladies are laughing and posing for cameras — I even got pulled over into one of them (although not the one that’s posted here).