What Democratic personality would you most like to meet/hear speak?

[CornField]

I've been given the task of inviting various folks be a keynote speaker in Linn County. I've gotten serveral names on my list, but would like to hear suggestions for others. Please post them or PM me.

Thanks!

[Bluzmann57]

1. Obviously you mean living people

otherwise I'd say FDR or JFK. In Linn County, who are ya gonna get? How about Al Gore or Feingold. Maybe Conyers. Just a few suggestions from a Scott County Dem. Good luck.

[CornField]

3. Well... my husband says I'm magical, but I don't think I'm that good.

:D

If we were talking about folks who've passed on, I'd be sending an overnight message to Eleanor Roosevelt. Of all the people in the world, I'd most like to sit down with her.

[pstans]

2. Cool

Of course I am a big fan of Feingold (http://iowafeingold.blogspot.com), and I think he should be making many more trips to Iowa in the next couple years. I'd also love to see Gore, Joe Trippi, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Molly Ivins, and Jim Hightower.

[IA_Seth]

4. Wes Clark

I know he plans on being her for a Hawkeye Labor event in May, but I think inviting him to a Linn Dem event would be nice to get a different crowd. He is a phenomenal speaker, very inspiring and very intelligent.

Other than him, Feingold is a good one. Barack Obama is an up and comer who is probably to busy for us, but he'd be a big draw I'd bet. Hillary would be a gigantic draw, although I am not really a fan and she'd probably be hard to get. Al Franken would be a fun one.

We could sure use a little diversity in our Democratic party, perhaps an invite to Obama or Conyers to talk about diversity in politics would be a good one?

[CornField]

5. I'm not inviting the Clintons

Although I think they'd be a huge draw, I'm helping plan an outdoor event and Secret Service would have a literal heart attack trying to keep them secure. For those same reasons, I'm not inviting Al Gore or any former Pres or Vice-Pres. (I have to admit that I'd roll over and play dead for Pres. Carter... but I know it would not be feasible from a security stand-point.)

Seth, you and I were having the same line of thinking. My first choices were Conyers, Obama and Boxer -- just because I think they would provide a different sort of draw and, as you know, our group could use the diversity.

My list thus far:

Rep. John Conyers, Jr.
Sen. Barack Obama
Sen. Barbara Boxer
Sen. Evan Bayh
Sen. Joseph Biden
Gov. Mark Warner
Howard Dean


Wouldn't it be great to get two of those folks -and- talk Air America Radio into doing a remote broadcast from the event? (When I dream... I dream big.)

[Debi]

7. Does Secret Service protection last a lifetime? I thought it was only

for a decade after service. I really don't know. Carter would be awesome.

[CornField]

8. Well...

Since I wasn't sure, I just phoned the Carter Center and asked if this type of event would be something Pres. Carter would even consider. I was told to *please* fax him an invitation. :wow:

Once I picked myself up from the floor, I took all the important information and began to craft the letter. (I have never been so nervous about putting words to paper in my entire life!) This will be the first and only invitation I extend -- at least until I hear back from his staff. The woman I spoke with told me they have a very quick turn-around on requests and I should know yes or no by next week.

And, Debi, you are correct: Secret Service protection extends 10 years, although most former presidents and vice-presidents tend to have private individuals after that time.

[Debi]

9. Wholy Moley!!!

I'd definitely go to an event where President Carter was the speaker.

Please, please, please keep us informed if he says yes!!!!

Thanks for the info on the SS protection - I must've read it somewhere and it stuck - wish that would happen more often :crazy:

[MaggieSwanson]

10. *gasp*

Carter would be awesome.

How about Ted Kennedy?

[progressoid]

12. Dang, if I wasn't so busy, I'd buy $3.00 gas to see Jimmy!

[pstans]

13. Jimmy Carter!

You'd have a couple car loads of poeple coming from Marshall Co. to see Jimmy Carter if you could get him.

[Debi]

6. Duh....HOWARD DEAN....no wise cracks Seth!

Actually all the people listed so far would be great - If you're looking at potential '08 candidates there are also Evan Bayh, Bill Richardson, Mark Warner (wasn't he just here?) and of course John Kerry and John Edwards.

[pstans]

11. Feingold is coming this weekend, but...

by July/August it will be about time for him to come back. Heck, Edwards has been in Iowa 6 or 7 times since the election, Bayh has been here 4 in 2006, and even Tom Daschle has been quite a few times. Please add Feingold to the list.

http://iowafeingold.blogspot.com