Follow an Autograph reader through Iowa as he hits the presidential campaign trail for autographs.
By Robert Moore
For me, election time can only mean one thing: autographs! Living near Iowa gave me a golden opportunity to come face to face with every major candidate of the presedential race, other politicians, movie stars and more. The Iowa caucus required many contenders to give speeches, and attend fundraisers and rallies for more than six months. Approaching the candidates was usually a pleasurable and interesting experience. Most were friendly and accommodating to potential voters and autograph collectors alike. For about a month, I ran from rally to rally in Iowa, collecting every autograph I could.
December 8, 2007 - De Moines The highlight of collecting these autographs was attending the Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey rally, which was the biggest event in Iowa in 2007. Out of the 18,000 attendees, only a few were able to shake hands with the TV megastar and the Illinois senator. Even though Obama did not have time for autographs, I worked my way to the barricades and waited for Oprah after the event. She grabbed my hands and said she was sorry she couldn’t sign anything for me, but after she noticed my Oprah magazine, she said, “I just can’t say no anymore,” and that she was “breaking the rules!” Winfrey gave me a beautiful autograph and I thanked her. Obama’s handlers were strict with the no autograph rule, so he didn’t sign any that night.
December 12, 2007 - Johnston Well-wishers, media members and autograph seekers waited in the cold to interact with the candidates after a debate in Johnston. When former Arkansas Governor, Republican and Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee appeared, his staff quickly escorted him to a car, bypassing the crowd. I was able to cut in front of the media before he disappeared. Huckabee politely acknowledged me and quickly signed a copy of the latest Newsweek, which featured him on the cover.
December 12, 2007 - Des Moines Later that evening I attended a John Edwards rally featuring actor Tim Robbins who was stumping for the former senator. After Edwards’ moving speech, he and Robbins were more than willing to sign anything. Robbins signed an 8x10 photograph from his movie, Arlington Road and Edwards autographed a political pamphlet. I later got Edwards to sign a cover of Newsweek at an event in Council Bluffs.
December 26, 2007 - Council Bluffs After a week or so of attending events close to my Omaha, Nebraska home, I went back to Iowa to see Senator John McCain. McCain appears to be one of the more obliging presidential candidates when it comes to signing. After his 30 minute speech, the Vietnam veteran spent almost an hour signing autographs and shaking hands. McCain didn’t spend a lot of time with each person, but he made sure everyone walked away happy. Earlier that day, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson held a smaller but similar event and graciously signed three photographs for me.
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December 28, 2007 - Missouri Valley Even though Mitt Romney catches a lot of flack for appearing disingenuous to voters, he was very cordial to anyone he came in contact with at an event in Missouri Valley. He took his time, shaking hands and signing autographs. I happily walked away with two things signed by the former governor.
December 28, 2007 - Indianola I visited Indianola hoping to score autographs from candidates who were planning to appear in town over the next few days. Rudy Giuliani was scheduled to do a meet and greet with potential voters at Funaro’s Deli and Bakery on December 28. A Giuliani sighting in Iowa was rare, so I was excited to get the opportunity to obtain his autograph, which I’ve gotten before. Giuliani tends to be very polite and accommodating, but picky about which items he will sign. As he signed a National Review and an 8x10 photograph for me, I noticed he ignored a fellow collector’s request to sign a photograph of himself and Senator Clinton together.
December 29, 2007 - Indianola The next night I attended a Barack Obama event, braving the large crowd and bitter cold. I walked away with a signed 8x10 Obama photograph. I’ve had prior autograph success from Senator Obama, so I was surprised at how abrupt he was with autograph collectors and potential voters alike. I also got to speak to and take a photograph with Brandon Ruth of Superman Returns fame.
December 30, 2007 - Carlisle Just a stone’s throw from Indianola, Bill Clinton was speaking in Carlisle on December 30. I was excited about the opportunity to go to another of his events. I have had mixed success with the former president and was hoping for better luck this time. I brought along a friend who was a first time autograph seeker. Clinton gave a fiery speech about why his wife, Hillary Clinton, would be the best choice for president. Immediately following the event, we swiftly worked our way up to the barricade and waited for him to work the room. After what seemed like an eternity, Clinton appeared in front of us, posed for a photograph and passed off our items to his handler. He spent the next 20 minutes autographing items at a table out of view. Campaign workers diligently returned books, photographs, baseballs and even a bobble head doll to waiting bystanders. A few days later I was able to attend another of his speeches closer to my home and get my photo with him signed.
With the Iowa Caucus around the corner on January 3, 2008, candidates were rapidly scheduling events, hoping to secure undecided voters. During the remaining days, I packed in three events. I attended a speech by Senator Hillary Clinton, meeting her and her daughter, Chelsea, afterward. Hillary was very patient with each voter and made sure everyone had a photo opportunity, an answer to a question and an autograph. The highlight was finishing a combination photograph signed by all three Clintons.
In the little time remaining before the Caucus, I managed to get to two of Obama’s events. He brought in a few celebrity heavyweights to help lend support to his campaign, so I had the opportunity to obtain autographs from Kal Penn of Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. He was down to earth and talked with me about sports, Hollywood and politics. Other celebrities included Indie rock music sensation Conor Oberst and one of Autograph magazine’s own top 10 worst signers, Scarlett Johansson. Penn and Oberst were very willing to sign while Johansson signed and personalized a strict one per person.
Collecting autographs throughout the Iowa campaigns was exhausting, exciting and rewarding. Not only was I able to meet all these celebrities and candidates, but I also got to collect signatures from Senator Joe Biden, Representative Dennis Kucinich, former governor Tom Vilsack, Senator Lindsey Graham, politician-turned-actor Fred Thompson, Senator Chris Dodd and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Paul Simon.
Patience, picking out the right place to stand and being persistent were key to obtaining 27 autographs in one month. I hope to see all of you on the campaign trail trying to get your own autographs. Happy collecting!
ROBERT MOORE is a freelance marketing consultant who has been collecting sports, music, politics, history and military autographs for more than 15 years.