Stumping and Eating In Iowa Part 6
Coffee Making, Courtesy of the New York Public Library
Campaigning successfully in Iowa requires candidates to be open and accessible to voters and food is a great tool for bringing people together. Former Senator Tom Harkin ran for president in 1992 and ran a successful campaign by establishing strong connections amongst the working class. Harkin made himself accessible to voters by leading campaign events that put him in direct contact with his supporters. At one of these events in the home of Ron Roy, an avid supporter of the campaign, Harkin ran a Q&A over coffee and biscuits that allowed him to connect with voters and build support organically. Harkin implemented similar strategic campaigning tactics throughout the state to win the Iowa caucus but lost the Democratic nomination to Bill Clinton. (The Guardian, February 1, 1992)
