A caucus to remember!

As many of you know, I have gotten really involved with the Romney campaign. Even before I decided to support him, I was so excited to get involved with politics because of the great opportunities to experience it firsthand living here in Iowa. I have made hundreds of phone calls and have attended a lot of events for him, and for other candidates.
I was invited by his staff to represent Gov. Romney by being a precinct leader at our caucus. I agreed to and was told it was no big deal. I really didn't fret about it too much until the day of. Then I freaked out. They said I would have to give a speech, but it was no problem because they already had one for me to read. Then all I had to do was watch them count the votes and make sure there were no errors there. I was told there would probably be about 100 people there. I've given talks at church to about that many people. Easy enough, right?
Well. First of all, it is important to have a good hair day for such an event as this, right? Well, that was my first problem. For some reason, we had an uncontrollable case of static electricity at my house. Mariah and I literally had our hair standing out for most of the day. So my friends, I started with bad hair, and it all went downhill from there.
I go early so I can have a few thoughts to myself. Right when I walk in, I overhear the only other people in the room with me talk about how horrible Romney is and that they are going to form a coalition to stop Romney. They could clearly see who I was there to represent because of my Romney shirt and stack of stickers, but he carried on. Then the rest of the people came. And they kept coming and coming. The room was packed with over 300 people. I started to get a little nervous, but not too bad. Then the chairman stood up and said that it was time for our speeches. I figured that everyone else was like me. Just an ordinary citizen there to read a letter from their candidate. I was the 5th to speak. First up was the man who had been there earlier bashing Romney when I walked in. He was older, more educated and didn't have a boring script. He spoke from the heart. Then another McCain's rep also came without a script and shared how he had flown in from Colorado on his own dime to stand before us and tell us why we should vote for him. He knew McCain personally and had great things to share. Then we had a respected doctor share from his heart about another candidate. Next up was another distinguished, older gentlemen who happened to be the guy who helped start the "young replicans for Ronald Reagan" back in the 1970's with another unscripted intelligent speech.
By the 3rd speech in, I started to panic. I really felt like I might pass out I was so nervous. I've never gotten that scared before. I felt I was so out of my league. I was all dizzy and thought I was going to lose my dinner any minute. My friend Sandy tried to comfort me and said, "Robyn, just think stake conference". That made me laugh, but I'd much rather speak at stake conference. At least everyone there is on the same page and supporting the same person I am there to speak about. I think that is what scared me so much. I was to speak to people who didn't necessarily agree with me, and even had a coalition against my guy!
So up next was me. Ordinary me. A young lady who doesn't have any impressive titles, experiences, or even education. I don't remember exactly what I said before I read it, but I did make some sort of joke (I hope it was a joke, because I remember people laughing) and pretty much asked them not to judge my candidate because of my presentation.
Immediately after I finished I got slammed with the biggest headache I've ever had. I had just put my poor body through the most acute stress in the shortest amount of time. My headache lasted all night and into the next day.
But do you know what? I am dang proud to have done something like that! I would have to say that this past year has been such a growing one for me. I have done a lot of things that have challenged me and forced me out of my comfort zone, and I have felt so empowered! Scared, and nervous too, but it has been worth it!

After the caucus, my friend Tiffany and I went to Mitt's caucus party. Tyler forgot to take pictures of the speech (according to him, he was just so mesmorized, he completely forgot).



If you click on this one, you should be able to see it better. This is the whole Romney family when he came out to speak to us after learning he had come in 2nd after Huckabee.