Why 2020 Democrats show up in the salons of the people of Iowa: NPR

The Iowa caucuses are still in nine months and, with at least 20 Democrats considering running or who are officially declared, many of them are looking for ways to stand out in the overcrowded world. A proven method: to introduce yourself to voters.

The party at home has a long tradition in presidential politics of the first two states of Iowa and New Hampshire, where locals open their doors to allow future presidents to audition in their living room. This is an essential part of the first campaign, when many candidates can not organize larger venues.

"It's pretty surreal to be able to have a presidential candidate in your living room," said Liz Adelman, who recently hosted Senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif., At her home in Des Moines, in the United States. ;Iowa.

Adelman is originally from outside Washington, DC, and has lived in Iowa for about 10 years.

"We've done this before, so I knew what to expect from food and put everything in closets to hide it," laughs Adelman, who works in public relations. "Normally, it does not look so clean."

Adelman did not endorse Harris at the party at home that she was organizing for the candidate (though Harris is one of Adelman's favorite candidates). Harris was talking about the state chapter of Emerge America and highlighting the importance of women running for office.

"I'm running for the presidency of the United States, I'm a candidate and I'd like everyone to support me, so I'm going to fix that." Harris told the crowd, standing on a landing at the base of Adelman's staircase.

Taking advantage of his notoriety last week, Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, attracted an estimated 1,600 people in Des Moines on Tuesday. The last time he was in Des Moines, it was in February, when he was in a lounge with about twenty people likely to attend caucus groups.

Some evenings at home have a list of guests, while others are more like a city hotel where everyone can introduce themselves and ask questions. This month, candidate Beto O 'Rourke visited six homes in Des Moines on a Saturday.

Owner Nathan Blake told the crowd that he and his family had just moved in and that welcoming a presidential candidate was speeding up their unpacking.

"[I’m] I'm really glad you're all here, whether you're a Beto supporter or, as I said this week, Beto-Curious, "Blake told the crowd in his living room, where many sat cross-legged on the floor. We only have 10 months to decide. "

During the party's question-and-answer portion in the southern part of O'Rourke's offices, Des Moines, Dante Powell asked him what he would do as president to ease tensions between Afro- Americans and the forces of the order.

"I was not prepared for his honesty," says Powell. "So, I appreciated that he went into great detail as he did and that he possesses the racism inherent in the systems for which I was asking questions."

Powell says that he likes O 'Rourke, but he's far from having chosen his favorite, a sentiment shared by many Democrats in Iowa who are trying to tackle it closely. of 20 candidates declared to the Presidency.

A bed for tired candidates

House parties are not reserved for large population centers of Iowa.

"We have to use all the possible tricks," says Kurt Meyer. He lives in the small town of Mona, north of Iowa, and chairs the Tri-County Democrats.

Meyer has been welcoming candidates for years.

During this cycle, Meyer even asked a couple of Democratic candidates to spend the night at home after getting stuck in his living room.

"We have arrangements to welcome you for the night, which offers people the opportunity not only to know the candidate, but also to know him in a more informal setting," Meyer said.

With the good weather in the months to come, expect even more Iowans to open their homes to candidates who are trying to become the next president.