Every summer I return to my hometown of College Station, Texas, where I am again confronted with the other side of the political spectrum from that commonly found at Macalester. Frankly, after growing up in Texas, I figure I know how to deal with, and possibly even understand, the majority of the right-wing. Several of my best friends are adamant Republicans, and I respect and try not to ignore their beliefs and opinions even when I’m in the midst of the liberal-minded neo-hippies that I love.

But of course, on returning to Minnesota, I have every intention of re-immersing myself in the liberal atmosphere and opportunities so readily available here. And on Saturday, Sept. 13, I had the pleasure of rising at 7:20 a.m. after five hours of sleep to make my way to Indianola, Iowa, for Tom Harken’s 26th Annual Steak Fry, featuring Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Howard Dean, and Bob Graham, among others.

Granted I am not a wholehearted Howard Dean supporter. In fact, until Saturday I was pretty sure that he annoyed me. But then, I spent the summer in the Republican bubble of College Station, Texas, so I was open to almost anything that didn’t involve listening to George Bush’s odd speech patterns and watching his equally strange eyebrow movements.

The group of Minnesotans for Dean— about 55 people— was headed up by a former Macalester student, and consisted of a variety of people. After five hours in the fifteen-passenger van, we stopped at Dean Headquarters where we were bombarded with signs and buttons. None of these compared to the shirts we received once we arrived at the Dean rally - bright orange “Hey Harken, these steaks are DEAN-liscious” shirts. After we hung out in the rain for about an hour, Dean showed up and gave a nice little rant, including praise of the internet that provoked a “Thank you, Al!” from a supporter. I have to admit, the rant and the t-shirts softened my Demmie heart toward this man.

Afterward we proceeded to the steak fry, and by proceeded I mean we walked through a lot of mud to stand in line for a more-than-welcome meal of baked beans, steak and slightly baked potatoes. A man across the table from me was approached by an elderly friend asking him for “a $100 check for James Dean for America.” The high number of older supporters brought to mind what I’d found out this summer about my staunch Catholic Republican, World War II veteran grandparents’ disapproval of the war in Iraq and ensuing dislike of Bush.

But I’d have to say the high point of the day (if not the ridiculous t-shirts) was Clinton’s speech. The slightly gaunt, older-looking former President touched on topics from the inefficient, environmentally unfriendly policies of the Bush Administration to the necessity of Democrats’ joining together to take back the White House. My Texan heart leapt a little when he mentioned what the Republicans are currently “doing to Texas;” the ridiculous redistricting/fugitive quorum-blocking battle of the summer in Austin and Albuquerque has been the political topic at the front of my consciousness. On the whole, the speech made me nostalgic for a time when Bush was only the man who ran my home state by working five hours a day and executing as many prisoners as possible in the small town about 60 miles from my home.

The entire day made me thankful again for the knowledge that there are two very complicated sides of the right-left spectrum, and though I will always feel fairly comfortable in either political atmosphere, it’s great to be back. But I’ll still wear my Texas flag bandana and listen to the Dixie Chicks.