Edwards, Dodd attend Iowa fundraiser

[Catchawave]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/01/491474.aspx

Posted: Saturday, December 01, 2007 3:57 PM by Chuck Todd
Filed Under: 2008, Dodd, Edwards


From NBC/NJ’s Tricia Miller
DES MOINES, IA -- Edwards and Dodd were the only two presidential candidates to speak to partygoers at a holiday fundraiser for Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge Friday night. Individual attendees paid $35 and families paid $50 for ribs, beer and a chance to hear the candidates and several surrogates speak.

Edwards, who had spoken at the DNC fall meeting in Virginia earlier in the day, addressed the crowd last. He gave a lengthier, more issues-focused speech than any of the others. He began by expressing gratitude to hard-working campaign staffers and his relief that Clinton staffers in Rochester, N.H., were unharmed following the day’s hostage situation. He reminded the crowd of those less fortunate and to celebrate “diverse faiths” during the holiday season.

After Culver, Dodd spoke, his wife Jacki standing just behind him. He kept it short, telling a story about his 6-year-old daughter: “Grace the other day asked her mother and I, she said, ‘How is Santa Claus going to know where I am?’ I said, ‘We’ll take care of that.’ So yesterday in front of our home in Connecticut, we put out a sign. It just says, ‘Dear Santa, we’re in Iowa. Grace and Christina.’ Now we’ve got a sign in front of our house here that says, ‘Santa, this is where we live here in Iowa.’”

Surrogates, who took turns at the mic, were former Texas Gov. Mark White for Richardson, former Transportation Secretary Federico Pena for Obama and Valerie Biden Owens, Joe Biden’s sister and campaign manager. Tom McMillan, a former congressman from Maryland, was expected to speak for Clinton, but canceled when her campaign shut down for the day following the hostage situation in New Hampshire. Former DNC chair Terry McAuliffe was also a no-show. In the audience were Iowa Reps. Leonard Boswell and Dave Loebsack and Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Dodd endorser. The president of the International Association of Fire Fighters came with members of his union on Dodd’s behalf.

Faculty Lounge, a local lounge band made up of teachers, provided the entertainment, and the dance floor was crowded after the speakers finished. Outside the event, two men held up anti-Dodd signs in the cold. The fundraiser came the night before each of the Democratic candidates are expected in Des Moines for the Brown & Black and Heartland Presidential forums. Equal to the political buzz in the room was the buzz about an incoming winter storm threatening travel over the weekend.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Why would the Dodds buy a house in Iowa?

I'm really, really confused.

[pstans]

2. So Dodd can spend time with his family while he campaigns in the state

Not sure if they bought or are renting, but his family moved here because he is campaigning here so much and he wanted to be able to see his 2 young girls.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Thanks - that makes sense.

I was trying to wrap my mind around him moving there permanently and the brain just wasn't going there.

:thumbsup:

[okamichan13]

4. He enrolled his kids in Iowa schools

so it makes sense to have a home there for them :).

[jamess]

5. it's good to see MSNBC covering the event

I just wish they've go into a little more detail
about what the Candidate said!

What do their writers get paid for anyways, lol?