Candidate #2 - Tom Myers
Today in Speech class we had Tom Myers speak. Tom is running for the same position as Kyle Foust, in the democratic primaries. His speech was the usual, he talked about a lot of the issues he feels important. He came to the issue of the war in Iraq and nipped it at the bud. His solution, "get them out, but I have no clue how" (or something to that effect). To me Tom Myers with this solution seemed human. I believe in the war, I think it was the right thing to do. I also believe in troop with drawl but like Tom I have no clue how to do it in a safe manner. So to me, and I believe everyone else in the room, this was a very good appeasing answer.
When it came time for question and answer session I thought Tom would get off easy. He had already essentially eliminated the War from coming up again, so it should be easy for him, right? NOT!! Someone asked the candidate if he believed marijuana should be legalized, his answer was (in a more complicated way of saying) No. Then the student began coming up with some good theory behind his argument and almost pinned Tom Myers against the wall with it.
Tom Myers answered the question with astonishing composure. Even though the whole class was just waiting for this candidate, with admitted minimal political experience, to fail he pulled it through. Most impressively he supported his argument while expressing respect for the questioner. He also asked us to perhaps put aside this one issue (Legalizing marijuana) and look at others reasons we could vote for him.
However, despite his great performance there's still that side that realizes, he is a politician. When listening to any candidate from either party you have to wonder "Is this person lieing to my face"? And of course during the presentation Tom (as well as Kyle last class) ripped apart incumbent Phil English. While they do this it almost makes me wonder if they are telling me the truth, or if they are just out to get their competitor.
Anyways, thats the wonderful political experience of my week. I really dont understand why more americans choose to not exersice their right to vote. This whole ordeal almost makes me want to get into politics, but for now, I'll stick with my Public Relations major.
