Over the weekend, I noticed a funny little corner in downtown Des Moines where the Huckabee and Paul campaigns have set up their headquarters side by side. I was sort of intrigued by how the most socially conservative candidate’s campaign is getting along with the libertarian’s in such close quarters, so I dropped by and paid a visit. Turns out they even have to share a men’s room–but in their case, proximity has not exactly led to harmony. Anyway, here’s what I found. (Today, the Paul people and some peace protesters joined forces to block Huck from getting into his own HQ. Arrests ensued.)
UPDATE: This clarification from John Zambenini of the Ron Paul campaign:
I wanted to offer some clarification regarding the exchange between anti-war demonstrators and Gov. Huckabee’s staff at his office today.
Ron Paul students were not there to demonstrate or intercept the governor for his arrival. They/we are not affiliated in any way with the protesters or those arrested. Our volunteers worked with members of the Des Moines police department to ensure that the sidewalks were clear and that they were not occupying space they had no business occupying.
As it turns out, one of the students saw a TV camera crew outside and rallied others, saying “let’s go show the media that we love Ron Paul.” So, an enthusiastic group of Ron Paul student volunteers rushed outside. …
Of course, the TV cameras were there to report on the arrest of the demonstrators and naturally trained their lenses on our unwitting, but enthusiastic crowd.
UPDATE2: This from this morning’s Des Moines Register:
Also on Monday, three protesters seeking a commitment from Huckabee to end the Iraq war were arrested for refusing to leave his Des Moines office.
Police arrested Mona Shaw, 56, of Iowa City; Robert Braam, 51, Manhattan, Ill.; and Kathy Kelly, 55, of Chicago, at around 1:20 p.m., Shaw said. They were charged with criminal trespass and released.