Ames High School Alumni Assoc

Craig Stephenson AHS 1972 Photos with Presidential Candidates Hillary Clinton President George Bush Al Gore President Bill Clinton Newt Gingrich McCain Barak Obama Mitt Romney Tom Tancredo Sam Brownback Governor Bill Richardson Rudy Giuliani Tommy Thompson Ron Paul John Edwards Joe Biden Fred Thompson Chris Dodd and Kevin Bacon

Left to right: Hillary Clinton and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) January 1st, 2008 on the presidential campaign trail. Photo taken in Ames Iowa?

Craig writes: " Happy New Year!! Jan 1, 2008 There are only two days left to the Iowa Caucus. Today I went to see Hillary for the third time. Most of the Presidential candidates are in Iowa. I went to Joe Bidden and Barrack Obama yesterday. I can't go to see Romny tonight and I skipped Richardson (too early) and John Edwards (seen him twice already). Bidden seems smart and would talk forever. Obama came late, has lots of secret service protection, and talked about hope and change but was not specific. Again I think Obama is overrated and some people left while he was talking. Hillary came with her mother and daughter Chelsea. Hillary spoke, joked, answered questions and stopped for pictures with everyone with a camera. I thought I was going to be on NBC Nightly News when reporter Andrea Mitchell asked me some questions. I was ready to make up some outrageous lies to make a better story. I am getting tons of mail, phone calls and people at the door from Republicans and Democrats. What am I going to do after the caucus is over. Finally, I have every photo of me and Republicans and Democrats except Mike Hackabee. I will vote for .............. the best picture of me and X. ha."

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Hillary Clinton. June 9th, 2007 on the presidential campaign trail, taken at the Prairie Moon Winery in Ames Iowa?

Craig writes: "The Secret Service told me to step back twice, but I got the picture. Hillary spoke outside at a Winery in Ames."

Left to right: George W. Bush and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken in 1999/2000 on the presidential campaign trail at a park in Ames Iowa?

Craig writes: "GW Bush picture was taken 1999/2000 when he first announced that he was running. He traveled to Ames in a bus and gave a short speech in a park in Ames, then shook hands and answered questions."

Left to right: Al Gore and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken sometime in 1999/2000 on the presidential campaign trail?

Craig writes: "History making photos of me and Gore. I have the George W. Bush and Al Gore pictures framed side by side."

Left to right: Former President Bill Clinton and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken December 22, 2007 on the presidential campaign trail for Hillary.

Craig writes: "Two weeks ago I went to see President Bill Clintion speak at ISU. I was lucky enough for him to pose with me for a picture, but my zoom was on the camera and the picture was no good. I tried to chase after him to get another picture, but the Secret Service pushed me back. Saturday, Dec 22, I went to Boone to see President Bill Clinton at the Gigglin Goat (must be a comedy club???). He gave basically his standard speech about Hillary that I heard in Ames. The paper reports that Bill talks about himself 90% of the speech and I must agree. I was late and was standing in the back, but was able to push my way to the front and get this picture. "

Left to right: Newt Gingrich and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken sometime in 2007 on the presidential campaign trail in Iowa?

Craig writes: "How about Newt?"

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Senator John McCain. Photo taken sometime in 2007 on the presidential campaign trail in Iowa?

Craig writes: "How about Sen. John McCain for President?? Who is your favorite??? Craig?"

Left to right: Barak Obama and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken February 11, 2007 on the presidential campaign trail at Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa?  See part of Barak's Ames talk

Craig writes: "I thought Barak Obama was boring. He was hyped up to be a great speaker. Craig"

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Mitt Romney. Photo taken sometime in 2007 on the presidential campaign trail in Iowa?

Craig writes: "Me and Mitt Romney. I will send others"

Left to right: Tom Tancredo and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken July 1, 2007 on the presidential campaign trail in Ames Iowa

Craig writes: "July 1, 2007, I saw Republican Presidential candidate US Representative Tom Tancredo at his headquarters in Ames. His signature issue is immigration. He is funny and is a regular guy. I wish I had taken video of him as he pulled out his barber shop punch card for a free haircut out of his wallet. Then he sang "I Feel Pretty" as he was mocking John Edwards for paying $400 for a haircut."

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Republican Senator Sam Brownback. Photo taken July 4th 2007 on the presidential campaign trail in Ames, Iowa?

Craig writes: "Another Picture of me with a Presidential hopeful. This is me and Republican Senator Sam Brownback at the Ames Fourth of July Parade!!!"

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Democratic Governor Bill Richardson. Photo taken July 26th 2007 at the Octagon in Ames, Iowa?

Craig writes: "Dem. New Mexico Govenor Bill Richardson running for President spoke at the Octagon in Ames today. I was lucky/experienced to get this photo. Only two out of 300 people got there picture taken with him."

Left to right: Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) Photo taken August 5th 2007 at a private residence in Ames, Iowa?

Craig writes: "Wow!! Rudy gave a talk at Beth and Russ Cross's house with a small crowd of 50 in their living room. I was sitting so close that twice I saw the spit come out of his mouth and I could have shined his shoes while he talked. When he was done talking I had to chase him around to the next room and slapped him on the back to stop him before a campaign aide helped me by telling Rudy one more picture. She took the picture and he was gone to do television interviews in a closed room."

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Republican presidential candidate Tommy Thompson Photo taken Saturday August 11th 2007 at the Ames Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa in the Tommy Thompson for President tent.  You can see the Iowa State University Scheman Building and C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the background.

Craig writes: "Me and Tommy Thompson at the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames."

Left to right: Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972) and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul. Photo taken Saturday August 11th 2007 at the Ames Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa. You can see Lincoln Way and ISU Maple Willow Larch Residence Halls in the background.

Craig writes: "Ron Paul had a lot of college kids supporting him. My friend's son came from Chicago to work for Ron Paul at the Straw Poll in Ames.

1. Mitt Romney - 4516 votes - 31%
2. Mike Huckabee - 2587 votes - 18.1%
3. Sam Brownback - 2192 votes � 15.3%
4. Tom Tancredo - 1961 votes � 13.7%
5. Ron Paul - 1305 votes � 9.1%
6. Tommy Thompson - 1,009 votes - 7.3%
7. Fred Thompson with 231 votes
8. Rudy Giuliani with 183 votes
9. Duncan Hunter with 174 votes
10. John McCain with 101 votes
11. John Cox with 41 votes

Left to right: Democrat presidential candidate John Edwards and Craig Stephenson ( AHS 1972). Photo taken Thursday August 16th 2007 at a town hall meeting at the Gateway Hotel in Ames, Iowa.

Craig writes: "John Edwards spoke at a town hall meeting at the Gateway Hotel in Ames in front of at least 300 people. He talked first about his plan for universal health care. He also talked about energy dependence and a need to sacrifice and conserve. I rushed the stage at the end and got my picture with him. He was wearing Levi jeans and has a great tan and perfect hair. His southern drawl is smooth. Edwards gave media interviews outside in front of his bus. When he left his bus was right behind my car as we drove out of the parking lot. I thought if I had not gotten my picture I could have blocked the bus and hijack it to my house. Ha Ha."

Left to right: Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken November 5th 2007 on Main Street, outside of Luccullan's Restaurant in Ames, Iowa.

Craig writes: "I saw another '08 Presidential candidate when I went to see Senator Joe Biden speak at Luccullan's Restaurant in downtown Ames. It was a luncheon for vets, so all questions were about the war, Iran and Pakistan. I have heard him say it several times, but he always says "that people say he is the smartest one running for President but he can't get elected, but with Iowa's help he can win."

Left to right: Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson and Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken November 21st 2007 inside Cafe Diem on Main Street, Ames, Iowa 50010.

Craig writes: "Fred Thompson--Lawyer, Actor, Senator and now running for President 2008. He gave a speech at Cafe Diem coffee house on Main Street Ames, Iowa today, Wednesday Nov. 21. He said he doesn't need to run, but his country needs him. What you see is what you get -- a true conservative federalist. He is tall, maybe the tallest candidate and a good speaker."

Left to right: Democrat presidential candidate Chris Dodd, Patrick Kennedy (between Chris and Craig), Craig Stephenson (AHS 1972). Photo taken November 30th 2007 on Main Street, Ames Iowa 50010 USA. The Lazy M Shoe Store is in the backgroud.

Craig writes: "Democrat Senator Chris Dodd for President talked to a small crowd at the Ames American Legion on Main Street, Friday, November 30, 2007. I could not stay for the speech, so I was the first one to greet him as he got off his campaign bus. I read in the paper that Dodd was traveling with a famous House of Representative from Rhode Island. I saw a man ask him for his autograph and thought I should get my picture with Patrick Kennedy also. Wow a Kennedy!!! In this picture of me and Dodd the man behind us is Patrick Kennedy."

In the new cafeteria at AHS, Kevin Bacon at the podium under the AHS Crest. Photo taken December 16th 2007, Ames Iowa 50010 USA.

Craig writes: "Kevin Bacon sang four songs including Foot Loose at Ames High School before John Edwards spoke. I saw me standing by John Edwards on The Today Show this morning."

Craig writes: "I am registered Republican, that votes for both parties. My goal is to get most of the candidates picture with me. I think the Hillary photo was the most valuable and I thought it was going to be the hardest to get. I could not go to Des Moines tonight to see Hillary campaign with Bill. Rats. I think I might already have the picture of me with the next President, unless someone independent get in the race. I still need Edwards, Rudy, and Richardson. Maybe Fred Thompson. I think the extreme are a hoot like Ron Paul and Mike Gravel. What a great hobby. Autographs are OK, but you can't beat a photo. Craig"

Craig Stephenson AHS 1972
email: CWSWILLY84 (at) aol (dot) com

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