Lessons in Class

It's post-election season. That means it's time for thank yous, congratulations, and concessions. I want to spend this post discussing the different ways the Presidential tickets have done it, then take a short trip down memory lane.

The trend started earlier this week with Dakotah Reed. I don't think I've grown more respect for anyone in the race than this gentleman. Reed published his letter to the editor in Tuesday's paper following being knocked out of the race in the first round of voting. In it, he thanks supporters and asks everyone to vote again in the run-off. He compliments the other candidates, there is no malice, and he comes off as sincere in everything he said. During Monday's LiveStream coverage, he had a sense of humor and expressed his interest in staying involved with NISG. He has taken everything in stride and with an incredible amount of class.

Today, President-Elect Spencer Walrath said his thank yous in a blog post on his website. He gives a quick run-down of what happened, invites readers to apply to serve in his administration (which you should all be doing), then thanks the other candidates and invites them to apply as well. The shout-out to John, Adam, and me is certainly appreciated as well. Walrath is articulate, grateful, and finally shows the serious side I've been looking for this whole race. I'm confident he'll be a great President next year.

Finally, there's Rhonda Greenway. In her letter to the editor, published today, Greenway is far from graceful in defeat. The letter thanks supporters, goes conspiratorial, then goes out reusing the word ineptitude a few times. Lets break down the letter a little further:

Adam and I have chosen to abstain from calling a full recount of the votes cast, as we wholeheartedly believe that the student body has more pressing things to attend to.

A full recount? It takes 15 minutes in the NISG office with an Excel sheet to do a full recount. It's really, really easy. I did one on Monday. I'd be happy to send the materials to her. Greenway is obscuring the discussion in order to not be forced to admit she clearly and fairly lost this election.

To those that feel this ballot discrepancy delegitimizes the Northern Iowa Student Government: make it a priority that this type of sheer failure and ineptitude never happens again. Require more from your student government officials than a supreme lack of attention to detail and this complete absence of judgment. Remember, it is in every student's interest to have competent, reliable individuals acting on their behalf. I truly believe that this unfortunate excuse of an election process is a learning moment for the Northern Iowa Student Government and a year from now we will be better representatives having moved through this utter ineptitude.

Rhonda -- you're being petty. Move on. It was a typo. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. It certainly wasn't a "sheer failure," nor a result of "ineptitude." There may have been a lack of attention to details, but a complete absence of judgement? How? You're slinging mud and seem to be the one lacking judgement in your choice of words. As the NI's editorial team wrote in an exquisite editorial today, mistake were made -- and everyone makes mistakes. There are certainly lessons to be learned, but the Commission's mistake had no effect on the outcome of the election. Every vote was counted and the ticket with a majority of the vote won.

I understand where Greenway is coming from. Monday must have been horrible for her. Her vote total was halved, she lost the race, and worst of all -- she had no power over any of it. She lashed out at  everyone, this reporter included. While doing my 15 minute recount, she questioned whether I should even be allowed around the ballots, citing Walrath's previous involvement with my Presidential campaign. She needed someone to blame. I know; I've been there.

Two years ago, as I've talked about before, I ran for Student Body President. During the campaign, I was accused of early campaigning and most the election was spent with the NISG Supreme Court. I'd be happy to give more of the story over a few drinks, if anyone is really curious. For my own sanity, I'll avoid recounting it here. The weekend before the election, the Court ordered the election be delayed for two weeks to give them more time to deliberate. While the Senate made a last minute attempt to keep the election as planned, it failed. The Court eventually found us guilty and we were prohibited from campaigning. We ended up losing the race handedly.

I'll never forget the walk back to my dorm after the results were announced. I bolted from the Union, refusing to give a comment to anyone. I was relieved it was all over, but disappointed with myself, and angry at everyone who had put me in this spot. I got back to my room, poured myself the stiffest drink my stomach could stand, threw back a handful of shots, and stumbled over to a friend's futon. John McCain remarked after the election that he had been sleeping like a baby -- sleep for two hours, wake up and cry, sleep for two hours, wake up and cry. I can relate; I did the same.

Through it all, I just wanted someone to blame. I blamed the Court, the justices, the Election Commission, Adam and Jake, anyone other than myself. The truth was Adam and Jake had run a better campaign. What happened to us certainly hadn't helped, but I lost the race. Period.

It took a lot of self-reflection before I got to this point. I held grudges (and still do). I left NISG, pledging to never be a part of it again. I spent two years bitter. I hope Rhonda doesn't follow my lead, but it appears she's on the way. She needs to give up and move on. The day after my loss, I was offered the Presidency of the UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers. The position has defined my experience at UNI. Greenway's experiences at UNI are, likewise, far from over.

So, Rhonda, here are my two cents of unsolicited advice. I know what you're going through. It sucks. It sucks really, really badly. Leave NISG and take your talents elsewhere in the University. Don't take Spencer up on his offer to be on the Executive Branch. You don't want to be there, and that's understandable. Let go of your grudges. It doesn't matter anymore and thoughts of revenge will consume you if you let them. Be grateful for the experiences you've had this past month -- they're once in a lifetime for many -- and put this race in perspective. You'll be much, much happier if you do.

We're part of exclusive company, the NISG Presidents who never were. Hopefully you can take something from someone who has been in the club for a few more years -- I wish I had.