For Democrats, caucus night in Des Moines County was about choosing the right candidate to take on a Republican president.
For Republicans, it was more an affirmation of President Donald Trump — obligatory voting proof that the incumbent will indeed be the Republican nominee in the 2020 presidential election.
Hardly any of the 43 registered Republicans from Middletown and the Flint River voting district had even heard of former Mass. Gov. Bill Weld or former Ill. Rep. Joe Walsh, the other two candidates bucking for the Republican nomination.
“I first read about them in the paper today,” a voter whispered after precinct chair A. J. Fesler read the nominees to the packed music room inside West Burlington Elementary School.
To the surprise of no one in the room, the caucus tally for the district revealed 42 votes for President Trump, one vote for Weld and zero votes for Walsh. It was over in less than 30 minutes.
Bill Kreamalmyer of West Burlington spoke on behalf of Trump and was the only person at the caucus location to promote a candidate. A military veteran, Kreamalmyer stressed how President Trump has bolstered the military since assuming office.
“He (Trump) is a patriot, and I’m a patriot,” he said.
The serene, friendly crowd nodded in agreement, a choir that no longer needed preaching to but was still happy to express support. A few wore Donald Trump baseball caps with variations of the President’s motto “Make America Great Again.”
The rest came dressed as they normally would, reveling in the fellowship of like-minded political thinkers. Several joked about how they’ve become practiced at holding their tongue among their mostly liberal friends.
Carter Fesler, 12, wore his support for Trump on his sleeve, or rather his head. Topped by one of Trump’s trademark red caps, Carter was the epitome of professionalism as he helped his father check-in voters at the door of the music room.
He only voiced his political opinion when solicited by The Beacon, and felt no need to look at his father as he answered.
“I support President Trump because he supports gun control,” Carter said.
Carter’s father, precinct chair A.J. Fesler, said having an incumbent as the nominee is a double-edged sword. While the caucus is less heated since there is only one practical candidate to support, the lack of crossfire results in sparser attendance.
“When Trump ran the first time, we were in the (West Burlington Elementary) gym. All the seats were full. And there were probably some people standing, too,” Fesler said. “But it was really contentious.”
Like his son, A.J. Fesler is a Trump supporter, and he didn’t cite liberals or conservatives in his reasoning.
“He (President Trump) does what he promises to do,” Fesler said.
Photo by William Smith
Republican precinct chairman AJ Fesler and his 12-year-old son Carter Fesler check in voters at West Burlington Elementary School minutes before Monday's Iowa caucuses started. The precinct was for Middletown and Flint Creek voters.