Let’s Hear it! (without the mud slinging, of course)

Please find the Friday Guest Blog below, this was written by: Shawn Harrington

So we sit in 2009 inbetween election years.  As there’s plenty of issues out there affecting us and the lives we live, there’s still many people (like myself in past years), who lose interest in the wake of past elections.  Before we know it, the next wave will be here, like 2010′s much-hyped race for Governor of Iowa.  It’ll be a time for Iowans to start making educated decisions with the critical info they gather from tv ads, pre-recorded phone calls, 10-second news clips, and flashy lawn signs.  Oh yeah, and mass emails that will be  forwarded to us by our friends.

Actually, we know much better than that.  That’s why many of us are taking advantage of interacting with these candidates now, like at next thursday’s YPC Event that will include two of our state’s top political leaders:

“Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan and Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn will appear together at the Des Moines Social Club on October 8. The two will discuss topics and issues that effect young professionals across Central Iowa. Dave Price of WHO TV will moderate the discussion and ask the questions.
This moderated panel format will discuss the paths that have led these two young professionals to the head of their respective parties. Not being a debate, this is instead an opportunity for each to talk about their own background and future. Kiernan was elected to the Des Moines City Council in May of 2004 as an at-large member, representing all of Des Moines. Strawn was the Director for the Iowa for McCain 2008 during part of 2007 and currently runs a PR firm.”

If there’s ever a time for someone to make their voice heard in such discussions, this is it.  The topics covered will be coming from the attendees themselves (your own questions can be sent by email in advance to Civic Committee VP Chris Knauf. While most of our political news lately has been concentrating on what’s at hand in D.C., I’m sure we could benefit from knowing what upcoming issues may be affecting us on a state level.  More importantly, to learn just how our guest Chairmen will be effecting their outcomes!

The night kicks-off at 5:30 with an hour of networking in the Sideshow Lounge bar area, then will move to the back theatre at 6:30 for the discussions to begin.  Admission is free for members of YPC, and $5 for non-members.  The Des Moines Social Club is located at 1408 Locust Street in downtown Des Moines.