John Edwards for President-September 2007

September 2007

The Reviews Are In: John Edwards "Blew The Doors Off" The Harkin Steak Fry

Dan Leistikow
9/18/2007 at 5:29 PM CT

Howard Fineman, in his September 17th MSNBC.com column, praised John's performance at the Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa by saying that John "blew the doors off the event." Fineman went on to say that John "touched every chord" as a "convincing man of the people," and that the John's performance showed that he and Elizabeth "have been listening to voters."
In her September 16th blog posting from the Steak Fry, Tricia Miller of the National Journal's Hotline reports on Steak Fry attendees who commented about John's appeal. Jerry Dingman of New London, Iowa said John was "more electable" and that John's "working class" background was very appealing. Carma Armstrong of Indianola, Iowa said that John was the only Democrat who could be elected to the White House, Miller reports. Miller also noted that Tracy Hatfield of Muscatine, Iowa pledged his support for John based on John's health care policy and his College for Everyone program.
In his September 17th "Century for the Common Iowan" blog post, Patrick Stansberry said that John Edwards used "bold vision" to rouse potential caucus goers at the Steak Fry. Stansberry said that John saved his "best lines" for discussing the influence of lobbyists in the health care system. Stansberry also noted that John reminded Iowans of the story of James Lowe to strengthen his message that "surely gained support from the most active Democrats in Iowa."

What Iowans Want Changed

George Stern
9/17/2007 at 7:51 PM CT

One thing was clear throughout the day at the Steak Fry -- there's an intense desire for the bold change John is fighting for. Thousands of caucus goers dropped their "Big Change, Real Ideas" coins into our deposit box with great messages to John about the change they want to see. And many people who stopped by our table also recorded their messages to John on our ChangeCam.

Check out the video below to hear Iowans, in their own words, telling John what they would change -- and what John had to say to them. Then, make sure to pass it along to your friends and family.

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Harkin Steak Fry in Pictures

George Stern
9/17/2007 at 9:04 AM CT

From the "Big Change, Real Ideas Deposit Box" to The Edwards Extra to hundreds of enthusiastic supporters and staff rallying throughout the day to an incredible speech from John, the 30th Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa was one of our best and most defining events of the year.

Take a look at all the pictures below and be sure to check back soon for video footage from the ChangeCam.

Supporters, staff, signs, and smiles at the Steak Fry

John delivers the day's best speech

Working the crowd with Elizabeth

John's entrance

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EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!

George Stern
9/16/2007 at 8:14 AM CT

Today the first ever print edition of The Edwards Extra hits the newstands at the 30th Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa and it's already reached a circulation of more than 5,000!

Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, our Iowa State Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Edwards Extra, had this to say about the new paper:

"Iowa caucus goers want more than soundbites, they want to know what the candidates actually stand for and what kind of person they are. This newspaper offers in-depth coverage of John's plan to end the war and bring change to America, analysis of his strength against Republicans in the general election, letters to the editor, and other information our readers are hungry for."

If you aren't able to make it to Indianola today, you can still get your hands on a copy of the paper:

Click here to download a full size PDF of The Edwards Extra.
You can also view The Edwards Extra online by clicking the image above.
To subscribe to The Edwards Extra email edition you can click here and fill out a supporter card or simply enter your email and zip code in the boxes at the top righthand side of the page.

We hope you enjoy this special Steak Fry edition of The Edwards Extra. Don't forget to help us spread the word about the paper and John Edwards by telling your friends and family!

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Today's The Day

Dan Leistikow
9/16/2007 at 8:03 AM CT

Thousands of Iowans from all over the state are descending upon the Indianola Balloon Field in Indianola today for the 30th Tom Harkin Steak Fry, and our campaign is ready!

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.

The first issue of The Edwards Extra contains some exciting breaking news...In an exclusive interview with the paper, the Edwards campaign announces that it will be distributing "Big Change from John Edwards" at the Steak Fry - large paper coins that give Iowans the opportunity to write John a message about what change they want for our country.

John Edwards is running for president to fight for big change on behalf of regular, hardworking Americans who don't have their own Washington lobbyists. He wants to hear from Iowans about what kind of change they want. By filling out a "Big Change, Real Ideas" coin 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.

Iowans are also invited to 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.

It's going to be an exciting day and we hope to see many of you there. If you can't make it, be sure to check back later today as we continue to post pictures and reports from the balloon field in Indianola.

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Connecting with Elizabeth

Jenni Lee
9/15/2007 at 5:16 PM CT

Jenni Lee is our campaign's Iowa Press Secretary and is traveling with Elizabeth Edwards on her four-day trip through Iowa.

It's Day Three of Elizabeth's trip across central and northern Iowa, leading up to the Steak Fry tomorrow. We've had some great community meetings and events. And if there's one thing I've learned since I've arrived in Iowa, it's that Iowans know their issues! And they want to hear in detail the candidates' plans for change.

From fixing our health care crisis to making sure our kids get a good education to taking care of our veterans, Elizabeth shared John's specific, detailed plans to change our country over the last few days.

We'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!

One of the Year's Biggest Events

Jennifer O'Malley Dillon
9/14/2007 at 1:51 PM CT

This Sunday, September 16th, John and Elizabeth Edwards will join 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.

Thousands of caucus goers, elected officials, and members of the local and national media will be on hand, and it's critical that we show them all just how strong John Edwards' grassroots support in Iowa really is.

The gates open at noon, but our staff and supporters are gathering at 11 AM. Please join us then in the parking lot of the Indianola balloon field near the corner of 150th Ave and Jewell St.

At the event, Senator Edwards will continue his strong leadership for change in Iraq. Last night, after President Bush made yet another argument for continuing the war in Iraq, Senator Edwards spoke directly to the American people in a nationally televised address, calling on our nation to bring an end to the war in Iraq. Check out the video:

Senator Edwards' address last night and his ongoing leadership on all the important issues -- from ending the war in Iraq to guaranteeing universal health care to strengthening our middle class -- are continuing to build energy behind our campaign.

Now, we're counting on our supporters from all over the state to help us add to our success with a strong showing of strength and energy at the Steak Fry on Sunday. Please click here to let us know you can make it.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and please make sure to tell all your friends and family about the event as well.

Elizabeth's coming to town(s)!

George Stern
9/13/2007 at 11:57 AM CT

Elizabeth Edwards is returning to the state today to begin a four-day campaign swing through central and northern Iowa.

In addition to participating in a number of fundraisers and community events to help local candidates and causes, Elizabeth is hosting three community meetings in Waterloo, Mason City, and Algona on Friday and a house party in Fort Dodge on Saturday. Her trip ends on Sunday when she joins John at the Indianola Balloon Field in Indianola for the 30th annual Harkin Streak Fry.

To see her full schedule and to RSVP, check out our events page.

Elizabeth is hoping to meet with as many caucus goers as possible over the four days to discuss John's plans for our country and hear directly from Iowans about what they want to see changed in America.

Please help us spread the word about the trip and our campaign by asking your friends and family to join us.

Less Than a Week 'til the Steak Fry

George Stern
9/10/2007 at 4:04 PM CT

In just six days, on Sunday, September 16, John and Elizabeth will join most of the other Democratic candidates for president and thousands of Iowans from every corner of the state at the Indianola Balloon Field in Indianola for Senator Tom Harkin's Annual Steak Fry -- celebrating the 30th year of the event.

You don't want to miss this exciting and historic day! We're counting on our supporters from all over the state to come out and show the strength and growing energy of John Edwards' grassroots campaign here in Iowa.

Please visit Senator Harkin's website today to learn more and sign up to attend. We can't wait to see you on Sunday!

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