Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 | Volume 211 | Number 42 | 40 cents | iowastatedaily.com | An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890.
Biden says no to presidential run By Alex.Hanson @iowastatedaily.com
Iowa State Daily
Vice President Joe Biden visits Iowa State in March 2012. Biden said Wednesday he will not run for president.
Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday he will not run for the Democratic nomination, ending months of speculation on if he would jump in the race to challenge frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Speaking from the Rose Garden at the White House with President Obama and his wife, Jill, at his side, Biden said there is “no timetable” for him to mount a successful run for president. “As the family and I have worked through the grieving process, I’ve said all along what I’ve
said time and again to others, that it may very well be that that process, by the time we get through it, closes the window on mounting a realistic campaign for president,” Biden said. “I’ve concluded it has closed.” Biden said he and his family have been grieving since the death of his son, Beau, who died of brain cancer earlier this year. While he will not be running, Biden said he will be a voice in the 2016 election by not being “silent,” and talking about where the Democratic Party stands on issues. He also said it would be a “mistake” for America to undo policies enacted during the two
terms of President Obama. “I intend to speak out clearly and forcefully, to influence as much as I can where we stand as a party and where we need to go as a nation,” Biden said. Draft Biden, a Super PAC urging him to run, picked up supporters nationwide backing a Biden presidential bid, including state Rep. Lissa Heddens and Sen. Herman Quirmbach, both Democrats from Ames. “I’m disappointed that he opted not to seek the presidential nomination,” Heddens said. “I do appreciate the time he took to mull it over. He’s gone through very sad circumstances, a lot with
his son, and I know that played a part in his decision making. I think he’s doing what’s right for himself and his family.” Biden deciding not to run leaves Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee in the race for Democrats. Heddens said she continues to listen to all candidates and has not made a decision on endorsing someone else before the Iowa Caucus, which is currently scheduled for Feb. 1. “I’m disappointed,” Quirm-
BIDEN p8
StuGov, City Council team up Housing, Cyride costs discussed By Zach.Clemens @iowastatedaily.com
Confidence in burlesque Iowa State Daily
The showcase Varietease on Sept. 25, 2014, featured burlesque performances, pole dancing and drag queens and was hosted by Xander Lovecraft, the Ringmaster of Ceremonies.
The Iowa School of Burlesque promotes body positivity through apprentice program By Andi.Schieszler @iowastatedaily.com
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rom wispy, glittering eyelashes and satin gloves to enticing music and seductive body movements, a burlesque performer has complete control of what the audience will experience. The Iowa School of Burlesque works to mold apprentices of all backgrounds into people who are completely confident. “Burlesque is a way to give the finger to the boxes people are put into,” said Matt Hoover, a graduate of the Iowa School of Burlesque. Students at the Iowa School of Burlesque are encouraged by the school’s head mistress, Phoenix L’Amour, to use the apprenticeship as an opportunity to fully accept themselves. L’Amour created the apprentice program for people who were serious about wanting to learn burlesque. Aside from learning the history of burlesque and the dance itself, the program integrates con-
fidence building. Students are encouraged to learn how other people view them and be able to accept and overcome their insecurities. “[Burlesque] made me do things I was uncomfortable doing,” L’Amour said. L’Amour designed the program based on what she wished she had learned early in her career. She started dancing burlesque after learning she and her roommate enjoyed the style, and the two formed a troupe after contacting as many established dancers as they could. L’Amour first started to dance burlesque after a breakup. She was in a troupe with nine members, the St. Vitus Taxi Dancers. “After my breakup, it made me realize my potential as a human,” L’Amour said. L’Amour wanted to create a program that was authentic. As she was designing the program she wanted to create a class that was gritty and went back to the foundations for what burlesque
actually meant. Christine Bird, another graduate of the Iowa School of Burlesque, used burlesque as a form of therapy after having a bad experience with a therapist. As someone whose sexuality is less known, she did not feel included in a single group. Bird said her therapist tried to tell her she was just going through a phase and that she would be able to get over it and just be normal. “When you perform, you’re up [on stage] being vulnerable and still are getting positive feedback,” she said. L’Amour said the apprentice program is all about being vulnerable and uncomfortable so a student can break down barriers they have. She said being on stage, locking eyes with someone and touching yourself is uncomfortable at first but also very intimate for both the performer and viewer. “For me, burlesque was about taking back ownership of my body,” said April Lausier, a graduate of the Iowa School of
Burlesque. Lausier attended her first burlesque show with her mother in New Orleans at the age of 15, where she became interested in the form of dance. Lausier had suffered from eating disorders and body dimorphic disorder, and while her mother had been body-positive and encouraged self-acceptance, Lausier still struggled to feel comfortable with her body image. Lausier’s experience with the apprentice program was about showing herself body acceptance. When she initially began the program she kept her body more covered, but now she is comfortable enough to dance in less clothing, making sure she follows the legal allowances for burlesque dance and body exposure. After completing the program, Lausier has the confidence to stand up for who she is and what she believes. “If I see something I feel is not right, I’m more likely to speak out
BURLESQUE p3
O’Malley still in contention for Democratic race By Rakiah.Bonjour @iowastatedaily.com The first Democratic debate showed Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in full force, and while Lincoln Chafee and Jim Webb were mostly quiet, Martin O’Malley had a chance to prove he is a serious contender. Several supporters and political experts weighed in on O’Malley’s performance and what he can do moving forward. Evan Abramsky, junior in political science and president of Cyclones for Martin O’Malley, said the questions were mainly for Sanders and Clinton, and O’Malley held his ground when given the chance, although rarely. O’Malley’s opening statement promised hope for future generations. He touted energy renewal programs, mentioned his gun reform platform and reminded the nation what he had done for the state of Maryland. But some critics say his performance was weakened by his persona, which still needs work. “Others with more dollars and better-known voices, like [Clinton] or [Sanders] have taken air out of the room,” said Mack Shelley, professor of political sci-
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Martin O’Malley participated in the first Democratic debate last week.
ence. “He’s not as engaging as [Sanders] and not as well-known as [Clinton] but he doesn’t have baggage that they have.” Shelley said O’Malley should work on two things: his persona and being a distinguished position-leader. “When you’re a governor, you don’t want to stick out,” Shelley said. “Running for governor is different than running for president.” State Rep. Dan Kelley, DNewton, has endorsed O’Malley and disagrees with critics’ com-
ments about O’Malley’s personality. “I think he has a great persona,” Kelley said. “He has workingclass values and a proven track record. Once voters get to know him, they’ll see.” Despite O’Malley’s average performance, he did not grip the issues like the other candidates did, Shelley said. “He echoed whatever [Clinton] was saying,” Shelley said. “He has to find something to be outstanding at.” O’Malley can pick a number of positions to be outstanding at, but his most recent efforts are focused domestically, where a lot of his experiences lies. “He had a great closing statement and did a great job pushing pro-gun reform and his clean energy platform,” Abramsky said. “He was quiet on other issues.” But many agree that this is only the beginning for O’Malley and there is plenty of time. “You have to pay your dues,” Shelley said. Shelley explained that O’Malley is still quite young even with his experience as governor. Shelley said he is someone who can be looked at as a “next generation leader,” much like Sanders was in the 1980s.
“The caucus is still months away and a poll is only a snapshot in time,” Kelley said. “The caucus is what truly matters.” Abramsky agreed, saying it was “too early to tell,” and that there is still a lot to be decided on. Now that Vice President Joe Biden has announced he will not run, many Democrats are left deciding on a new candidate. Abramsky said upwards of 20 percent of likely caucusgoers now need to find a new candidate, and O’Malley could take up some support from them. The best way for O’Malley to enhance his candidacy before caucus season is by biding his time. Kelley says as the debate goes on and his campaign continues, voters will better get to know O’Malley. Abramsky thinks O’Malley reaching out to the nation on talk shows like he has this week on The Daily Show and The View is a good sign for being able to reach voters. The way the rest of the nation may see O’Malley does not falter Kelley’s view of him. Kelley said he is a strong candidate with experience to show for it. “I just want to make sure a Democrat is in the oval office, and I think O’Malley can be that Democrat,” Kelley said.
Student Government and Ames City Council discussed several issues that affect students, such as transportation and housing costs at a joint meeting Wednesday night. At the beginning of the discussion, Michael Snook, vice speaker of the Senate, asked the council about the trend of rising funding for CyRide and making the system more efficient. “Every community is responsible for providing a reliable network for transit,” said Matthew Goodman, city councilman. He expressed worry about a buffet style transit system, and that it might create unneeded rides. Sen. Robert Dunn talked about his concern for the waste in Cyride routes he sees and wondered about ending the 7 Purple route and instead extending the 1 Red. Sheri Kyras, director of transit for CyRide, said the 7 Purple route is a helper route for Red, and there are residents who want and need service, which is why the 7 Purple route was created. Dunn also said he was “appalled at the city’s failure to maintain the winter roads.” He had personally witnessed a five-car pileup because of slick roads. Ames City Manager Steve Schainker, said the expectations might be wrong for plowing, explaining that the plow will not blade down to the concrete, and it is everyone’s responsibility to drive slower. Sen. Abbie Lang asked for an explanation for all the metered parking in Ames. She asked why there were certain restrictions at different locations and days. “All the city is trying to do is recapture its cost. Parking meters are there to create turnover,” Schainker said. He said businesses want those parking meters there to promote their businesses and get more customers. Student Government President Dan Breitbarth questioned why there was no overnight parking in Campustown for the permanent residents near Welch Avenue. Some residents may have to pay for their parking in the middle of the night. Gloria Betcher, Ward Two representative, said there is a “lot more pressure on parking.” Permanent residents of Campustown are getting their cars towed because of a lack of overnight parking and have said they believe Ames needs to treat park-
STU GOV p8
NextGen took two ISU students to Las Vegas for the Democratic debate. Read more about the program and the students’ experience on page 3.