On the 2012 Presidential Campaign Trail
As the Republican primary heats up, ServeNext has Organizers on the ground in Iowa and New Hampshire. Their job is to engage the presidential candidates non-stop about national service and AmeriCorps. They want to educate them about the value of national service programs, show the voters' support for the issue, generate awareness, and get service into the press. There are many issues facing our country and many demands on the candidates' attention. That's why ServeNext is on the ground and pushing national service into the conversation.
New Hampshire
ServeNext NH Organizer Katherine Jones talks with Gov. Huntsman
In New Hampshire, Organizer Katherine Jones recorded two video conversations with Rick Santorum about his plans for AmeriCorps if he was elected president. As a supporter during his time in Senate, his first answer was disappointing. However, Santorum offered a more thoughtful answer during their second encounter. This demonstrates how a continuous presence by advocates can change a candidates' answer about an issue.
Katherine, along with ServeNext supporter June Carlson talked with John Huntsman at an event on November 21st. Huntsman endorsed national service saying, “I think national service is great.” He went on to talk about the need to harness young people’s desire to serve to help build up our country. The event was covered in the Nashua Patch paper and marks the first time a candidate has publically supported national service during this election.
Iowa
ServeNext IA Organizer Jordan Jones talks with Ron Paul
In Iowa, Organizer Jordan Jones has been driving all over the state to speak with candidates. Jordan has talked with Michele Bachmann twice. First at a town hall in Oskaloosa and then at an event at Drake University. Bachman's son participated in Teach for America, a program supported by AmeriCorps, but at both events she emphasized cutting federal spending and did not support national service.
Despite not getting a positive endorsement, Jordan’s diligence paid off when both CNN and the Des Moines Register published stories featuring Jordan’s question at the Drake University event.
Jordan was also able to engage Gov. Rick Perry after a town hall meeting. The Governor was fairly supportive of national service, but he wanted states to have more influence. Jordan is working to engage Perry again so he can further explain the active role states states play in administering national service programs.
Ron Paul also went on record as supporting the values of national service, but not how it's administered. When Jordan talked with Paul at a campaign event he said he would privatize national service entirely.
You can read more about Jordan’s adventures talking with candidates in his ServeNext blog post.
Going into January the ServeNext Organizers are going to continue engaging candidates to keep the conversations going.