The last candidate on my list to meet was Bernie Sanders. I discovered his camp was elusive, impossible and grass rooted in all forms and sense. I could not figure out where, when, if he’d be around, or how to get in touch with his campaign. I started with a phone call, followed by an email, another email, another phone call, email… I could go on and on.
Discovering information with how to secure press passes to his events, hell, even finding his events was like a covert operation. Or maybe my inexperience at this job had finally shown a bright light on me? Finally, at long last, his people finally contacted me. And now they will not stop.
Editor’s note: This is an in-depth series of Meyer’s accounts as a military spouse and veteran hitting the Presidential Campaign Trail in South Carolina. Read from the beginning or discover her experiences with Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, or skip to her final thoughts.
Quite possibly, all the discord was representative of the possible disorganization of his campaign, but I can’t say for certain. The press passes finally started rolling in for his events, but they were a little too late. My first invite was to Michigan — but I’m in South Carolina, a stay at home mom, with a four-year-old.
As much as my dream of Rogue Reporter had come to fruition, getting to Michigan was impossible. Any military spouse understands it’s family first. So, here I sit, at McDonald’s, with its play area as my babysitter, typing and editing and wishing that I could just jump on a plane and continue on the campaign trail but I simply cannot.
I decided the next best thing would be to watch some interviews, C-Span recordings and an episode of Circus on Showtime to have a better understand of The Bern before hitting the voting booth.
The theme of this election season, in both parties, was that many voters are disillusioned with the status quo. Sanders has become the democrat’s Donald Trump.
Click to navigate to page 9: Final Thoughts
This is an in-depth series of Meyer’s accounts as a military spouse and veteran hitting the Presidential Campaign Trail in South Carolina. Read from the beginning or learn about her experiences with Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, or skip to her final thoughts.
About the Author: Rebecca Meyer, a veteran of the California National Guard, married to an active duty Marine Corps pilot, works part-time for GBX delivering curriculum to separating/retiring service members on behalf of the Department of Labor, writes a veteran’s blog with ACI Benefits, and most importantly is mother to a brilliant, sweet, tree-climbing, bike riding 4-year-old.
She grew up discussing politics around the dinner table and listening to talk radio on AM several nights as a family. She stepped into politics in the 8th grade after giving an award winning (Rotary Award) speech, firmly announcing that she would be the first woman president of the United States. She has fond memories of dancing around the room with her grandparents when Bush Jr. won the election in 2000. She remains an active part of the spouse community in Beaufort, South Carolina.
