Welcome to Decoding the Vibe where I tell it like it really is as the first-in-the-nation primary parade of candidates comes to town. Join me behind the scenes where you might just find out what the candidate is really like.

By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, InDepthNH.org

HAMPTON FALLS – The vibe of any event can be felt even before entering by virtue of checking out the cars parked outside.  On Monday, Sept. 2, Mass. Sen. Elizabeth Warren spoke to a crowd that parked along the streets leading to a bucolic home in Hampton Falls.

There was not one truck, rather, lots of Subarus, Minis, Priuses. Windows sported Warren stickers, Rye Beach parking passes, pleas including, “Vote like your democracy depends on it,” and “Make America Green Again.” Bernie stickers were abundant as well as Pete 2020. 

 I spotted one “My dog is a democrat” sticker and thought, I’d better ask my own canine Luc about his political persuasion though our house is entirely non-partisan.

The vibe of Warren reflected the cars. I chatted with South Berwick, Maine, resident, Janet Hagan who’d braved Labor Day traffic.  She remarked this event felt “impressive, surprisingly well attended.”  Hagan had attended events with Cory Booker and Kamala Harris and remarked Warren felt “far more organized.”  She reflected, “There are so many good candidates – I’m waiting for the field to narrow.”

Warren sported her uniform of scoop neck, cardigan and black sneakers.  Her energy is astonishing. Even the rain that began did not stop her from promising selfies to all who wanted one.  She opened her stump speech reflecting on the Bread and Roses strike, reminding those of the breadth and depth of women who have been wronged, whose children have been caught in the crossfire of corruption and greed.

And just as cars sported stickers, so people’s t-shirts reflected their opinions, choices.  Moms Demand Action stood out in their red; other shirts read, “Nevertheless, She Persisted”  “Women for Warren.” 

“Let’s attack corruption head-on. We need the biggest anti-corruption plan since Watergate,” Warren said.

The vibe felt ready for those plans of which Warren speaks.  And Warren remarked she would “attack corruption head on.”  Her plan? 

• End lobbying as we know it.
• Lock the revolving door between Wall Street and Washington.
• Make the US Supreme Court follow basic rules of ethics.
• Make every single person who wants to run for office put their tax returns on the line.

Joan Rice, a Republican from Portsmouth, attending with her Democrat husband, John, remarked while she agrees with the Republican stance on protecting privacy, taxation and business her main issue is “to get rid of Trump.”  She remarked, “He’s an embarrassment to our country.”

The vibe felt hopeful, hungry, ready.

And while the rain held off for most of Warren’s speech, the rain did not appear to dilute the energy, the hope.

And thank you for following the vibe, Decoding alongside InDepthNH.org. As the field narrows, come along.  

Bumper stickers fade, fall off, but Decoding goes on.  Now, to ask Luc who’ll he will vote for.

Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.  Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.

The opinions expressed are those of the writer. InDepthNH.org takes no position on politics, but welcomes diverse opinions. email nancywestnews@gmail.com