Hi Everybody, it is another busy Sunday for the Edwards campaign in Iowa. I am the anchor for the Edwards Evening News Roundup tonight. Here are some highlights from today in case you missed them.
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- Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa
- EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!
- Change-Cam and Big Change Coins
- Connecting with Elizabeth
- Webcast of Presidential Candidates Speeches at LIUNA Monday Sept. 17
- Edwards/Dylan Mashup Video: Courage To Bring Them Home
1. Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa
Today, John and Elizabeth Edwards joined thousands of Iowans from every corner of the state in Indianola, Iowa for one of the biggest events of the entire presidential campaign -- the 30th Annual Harkin Steak Fry. Over 140 press credentials were issued and well over 12,000 tickets were sold.
Just a little history about the Harkin Steak Fry from the Iowa Independent
The very first Steak Fry, attended by 20 people, began as just one small event of many, hosted by some of then-Congressman Tom Harkin's Madison County supporters in 1978. The Steak Fry grew to become Harkin's centerpiece event, and expanded exponentially beginning in 1990, the year Harkin sought his second Senate term.
~snip~
John Edwards is on an every-other-year cycle, speaking at the Steak Fry in 2003, keynoting the event in 2005 and returning this year.
Senators Obama, Clinton, Dodd, Biden and Gov. Richardson spoke as well. Edwards received a very loud warm welcome and delivered a passionate speech about the type of leadership he would offer.
Here are Part I and Part II of Edwards speech courtesy of our very talented NCDem Amy:
2. EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!
At the event, caucus goers will get some meaty news about John Edwards as they pick up their complimentary copy of The Edwards Extra. Though this is the first print edition of the newspaper, it has already reached a circulation of more than 5,000.
If you didn't make it to Indianola today, you can still get a copy of the paper:
Don't forget to spread the word about the paper and John Edwards by telling your friends and family!
3. Change-Cam and Big Change Coins
Another unique feature of the Edwards campaign at the Steak Fry will be to have Iowans
stop by the campaign's "ChangeCam" to record a video message to John Edwards about the change they want for America. These video responses will be compiled by the campaign and posted on YouTube.
Also the Edwards campaign distributed "Big Change from John Edwards" at the Steak Fry - large paper coins that gave Iowans the opportunity to write John a message about what change they want for our country and dropping it in John Edwards' "Big Change Deposit Box. Iowans will not only be sending a message to John Edwards, they'll also be entered into a drawing for a one-on-one meeting with Elizabeth Edwards to discuss their ideas for change.
4. Connecting with Elizabeth
Elizabeth has spent the last four day visiting central and northern Iowa, leading up to the Steak Fry today. There have been some great community meetings and events. Jenni Lee, the campaign's Iowa Press Secretary, writes that they've gotten great responses from the crowd, who enjoy hearing Elizabeth's stories about John - where he comes from, what he believes in and the campaign they've started to build One America.
People really connect with Elizabeth. There have been more hugs than I can count! At our first event yesterday in Des Moines, a woman named Dorothy raised her hand and told Elizabeth that she and John bring people hope and that's why Dorothy is volunteering to help make John Edwards our next president. What she really wants this morning, Dorothy adds, is a hug. And in true Iowa fashion, she wasn't finished there. She followed up her hug with...a detailed question about John's policies!
5. Webcast of Presidential Candidates Speeches at LIUNA Monday Sept. 17
The Democratic Presidential Candidates will be appearing at the LIUNA Leadership Conference in Chicago September 17 and 18. Every LIUNA member will be able to see and hear the candidates through a national live webcast of the candidates’ remarks. LIUNA members are encouraged to watch the webcast Monday and Tuesday and give feedback on the candidates at www.liunalive.org..
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6. Edwards/Dylan Mashup Video: Courage To Bring Them Home
A great youtube message about bringing our troops home to share with friends created
by arubyan using an online video mashup application at www.dylanmessaging.com/create.
John Edwards Website Give if you can at Edwards Donation Page
Or you can donate here for a chance to work with Edwards for a day in NOLA