Editor’s note: This column originally published Aug. 6, 2015.
There was a little Ethiopian food restaurant in downtown Iowa City which gave a Midwestern home to Chickpea Wat, Injera — or flat bread — and savory Ethiopian cabbage. During the presidential primary debate season, David’s Place served another dish — a plate of Americana during the lead up to the Iowa Caucus.
David’s Place was never packed, and despite its commitment to cuisine and community, the restaurant has since shut its doors. But huddling around the TVs for primary debate watch parties made me feel like part of the process. It brought me closer to like-minded people, as well as allowed friendly debate with those of differing viewpoints — usually while sipping a glass of local craft beer. It was a melting pot of ethnic foods and political ideologies.
During the debates of 2007, watch parties were everywhere. In bars, homes, businesses and the classroom, everyone gathered together to watch then-Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton intellectually spar and Senator John McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney try to define the future course of the Republican party.
These parties brought young Republicans and Democrats living in Iowa City into the same room to exchanging ideas — some through heated, but rarely impolite, debate. The watch party was my favorite way to collectively engage in the intellectual and rhetorical side of our country’s democratic system.
Ten politicians took the stage Thursday in Cleveland in the first prime-time presidential primary debate of the 2016 election season. Each member of the crowded, ever-growing Republican presidential field vied for voters’ attention, and tried to crank their volume nob higher than Republican front runner, real estate magnate Donald Trump – who indicated he would defect as an independent on the general election ticket if he didn’t get his party’s nomination. It was hard pressed to find a better time to revive the entertainment factor of a debate watch party with what assured to be a rhetorical talent show.
But beyond the theater and stagemanship, these ten men have strong views on social and economic issues that, if elected, could define the course of the United States and the world for decades to come. Pop your popcorn, break out the beer, gather a diverse group of minds and viewpoints and turn on the tube — it’s debate season.
Contact Mike Mendenhall at 515-674-3591
or mmendenhall@jaspercountytribune.com