Interesting movement afoot in NW Iowa

[Cairycat]

http://www.ktiv.com/story/28039440/2015/02/05/democrats-get-organized-republican-rich-northwest-iowa

A small, but active, group of Democrats in the heart of Republican-dominated northwest Iowa hope to help Dems get the advantage back.

Tom Fiegen drove more than four hours from his northeast Iowa home to campaign for Senate in Sheldon, Iowa. "It's very energizing to come to a place like this," said Fiegen. The room was packed with people prepared to back his campaign. That wouldn't be unusual in O'Brien County, where Republicans outnumber Democrats four-to-one. But, Fiegen's a Democrat, and so was everyone else in the room. "My goal was to convince people that's it not a secret society, and it's okay to come out of the Democratic closet," said Kim Weaver, SOLO Dems Co-Founder. To do that, Weaver, and Kathy Winter, helped found "SOLO Dems". SOLO is an acronym. "Sioux County, O'Brien County, and Osceola County," Kathy Winter, SOLO Dems Co-Founder said.

In the counties the SOLO Dems represent, state records show three out of every four voters registered with political party align themselves with the GOP. "I thought it was kind of funny because someone said, 'solo?'," said Weaver. "I said, 'yea, it's kinda like we feel up here'."

[enki23]

1. I grew up in NW Iowa. I've been living here again, but only for three more months.

I feel like I live in a sci fi film where everyone is controlled by insane aliens when I'm here, and I'll be even more glad to go than I was the first time. It's like FOX news has figured out how to communicate directly with these people's amygdalas. Good luck NW Iowa Dems. I'm well acquainted with most of the populace here. You won't be winning much of anything anytime soon. I wish you luck anyway. I just... freaking can't do this place. Not the first time, and not now.

[progressoid]

5. Me too.

I still have family there. Every time I return, it seems like it's getting more and more crazy. People I grew up with, that I thought were just run of the mill conservatives, have turned into tea party/Bircher types.

But I think it's great that Dems are making themselves known. It's time to show what we stand for and not back down from it.

[rurallib]

2. I can't say enough good about Tom Fiegen

As a bankruptcy lawyer he fully understands the pain many Iowans have endured due to horrible, horrible government policy.
As an economic major and former state legislator, he understands policy probably better than anyone else I have seen save Elizabeth Warren. Yes that is high praise, but he gets it.

Beating Grassley has to be a full Iowa effort. Fiegen's name recognition is slightly above 0. Grassley will have million s upon millions at his command. He will also use every trick in the book no matter how unknown his opponent is.

[Cairycat]

3. I just emailed my son about inviting him

to speak to the student Democrats organization at Iowa, where my son is a Political Science major (see what happens when they grow up being dragged to hear politicians speak all the time).

I too am impressed by Tom. I hope there is some way people getting fed up with the bullshit overcomes the enormous monetary power of the Rs.

[rurallib]

4. Hard to beat a virtual media blackout though

name recognition is tough to come by.

[appalachiablue]

6. Good for Fiegen. It's great to see how he's trying, more Dems. need to do this.

[cyberswede]

7. Fiegen was a DUer once upon a time

I think his username was Broke Dad or something like that. Really nice guy.