Quad City Times: First Vote

By Sarah Elgation

First Vote

Davenport Central journalist Sarah Elgation interviewed Browne and Raitt for First Vote.

(Audio link to four-song set.)

(Video link to FV interview.)

FV: Most of the stops on this tour are at high schools. What demographic are you looking for? Your audience is not teenagers.

Browne: We’re coming to sing to whoever’s here. I think the reason events are held in schools is because it is the most egalitarian place to hold them. …
I think it’s appropriate to Sen. Edwards’ message, too, because it has so much to do with education … .
Bonnie’s and my demographic — I’m almost 60 — I’ve got young people in my audience but my generation is pretty much my age. …
I don’t think I would have done this earlier in my life. There’s not many candidates I’d have done it for.
We don’t caucus in California, so for me, it’s kind of a new experience and I don’t know who’s going to be here.
How old are you?

FV: I’m 17.

Browne: Are you representative of the kids in your school, are you unusual in your interest in politics?

FV: I’m probably more on the unusual side.

Browne: Among musicians, I’m on the unusual side in that I’ve paid more attention to politics… I’m on the more-interested-in-politics side of the spectrum instead of being interested in being on Cribs or something.
Raitt: “Democracy can work”

FV: I’m wondering if the stops at high schools have anything to do with trying to get youth into the political process or if it’s just a good place for the community to gather?

Raitt: Both. I think it’s really important for young people to not feel discouraged and disenfranchised and cynical about the political process. There are an awful lot of younger rock ’n’ roll acts and folk acts from every genre of music that really support people getting involved. … The important thing is for people to get educated and believe democracy can work.

By Bryn Lawrence
First Vote
John Edwards’ hopes of building campaign excitement seems to have succeeded Monday. The rally at Davenport North High School began with a performance by musicians Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne and followed with a talk from Edwards. Even after a one-hour delay, students were still attentive for Edwards’ speech. At the end he had won over at least one student.
Kyle Defauw, a Davenport North Student, said the rally helped him decide on Edwards as his top choice. He said that he agreed with Edwards’ views and thought that the former senator would do the best job of putting America back on its feet.
Guy Hiller, a social studies teacher at North, brought his class along to see the rally. He liked the idea of getting everyone fired up with music and then following with a campaign message.
The short concert (Link to video) at the beginning created an entirely different atmosphere than other campaign stops.
While most of the students hadn’t heard of the musicians beforehand, they seemed to enjoy the music anyways.
Edwards said students appear to be looking for causes and issues rather than a continuation of politics as usual.
“I think the campaign of causes and change we’re running is something they’ll respond to,” he said.
Davenport North student Dylan Morgan thinks students aren’t involved because it’s taboo to talk about politics in school. He said that while teachers remind students that it’s important to be involved, they don’t direct them to opportunities enough.
Monday’s rally was Morgan’s third time seeing Edwards speak and he said he’s gotten 4 or 5 of his friends involved in the campaign.
The Davenport stop was the first time students Jeff Brinson and Dakota Fredrick got to see Edwards. Brinson has been a supporter ever since 2004 and says most students aren’t involved because they’re watching the wrong things on TV, like reality shows or MTV. He’s disappointed he can’t caucus this time around, but says he will in 2012.

By Amelia Schoeneman
First Vote
Before Bill Richardson began his speech, all the veterans in the Davenport RiverCenter audience were asked to stand and be recognized. More than half the audience rose.
The New Mexico governor’s Nov. 2 event focused entirely on veterans issues.
“I’m an advocate for you; I’m not just going to say here’s my 10-point-plan.” But how can one trust a politician to stick by his plan for veterans? Richardson points to his record.
As New Mexico’s governor, he has given every member of the National Guard a $400,000 life insurance policy.
One of the most important parts of Richardson’s health care plan is a “Hero’s Health Card.” This little piece of plastic would allow veterans to receive medical attention at any hospital or doctor’s office, not just Veteran Affairs hospitals.
Even if a veteran did choose to go to a veterans’ hospital, it would be nothing like the institutions have been in the past. According to Richardson, “we’ll never have another Walter Reed on my watch.”
Veterans and even current soldiers have had trouble accessing mental healthcare. Under the Richardson Administration, it would be readily available because of the belief that “not every wound can be treated with bandages.”

Amelia Schoeneman attends Rock Island High School.