The 2008 Harkin Steak Fry was a great, but blustery day. I am happy to say that Senator Harkin was again a good host, Governor Brian Schweitzer gave an excellent speech and Lieutenant Patty Judge may have stolen the show.
I just got back from a blustery and cold 31st Annual Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa (my Woodstock), where Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer was the keynote speaker. Schweitzer exhibited Bill Clintonesque political skills and for good measure brought his crowd pleasing border collie, Jag.
Though Gov. Schweitzer gave an excellent, rousing speech, Iowa's own small-town-girl-done-good, Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge (former Iowa State Senator and 2-term Iowa Secretary of Agriculture) may have stole the show when she brought the crowd to its feet for a standing applause with the following quote about the frivolity of McCain's pick of Sarah Palin:
"Sarah knows how to field dress a moose, but I know how to castrate a calf. The thing is, neither of those things have anything to do with this election."
Lt. Governor Judge mentioned that despite the fact she has more practical animal husbandry credentials than Palin and more elected office experience, Senator Obama didn't call her to be VP.
Senator Harkin came on stage and noted he was going to watch himself around Lt. Governor Judge from now on.