Let me Start of by saying that I have been a fan of John Edwards since the spring. I am a young, mid 20's democrat that was born, raised, and graduated from college in Iowa. I have taken full advantage of our first in the nation status, volunteered, and worked on campaigns. For the first time i was able to sit on the floor near the state at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner Saturday night in Des Moines.
This is my first diary as I was often not afforded the privilege to have my own opinions.
Those who live outside Iowa may have a hard time truly appreciating the effort candidates put into Jefferson-Jackson. It is not just that Barack Obama brings in John Legend (George Clooney was rumored too) or that Hillary Clinton had Billy Jean King and Terry Mcaullife front and center and had supposedly taken over an entire parking ramp near the venue. Hell, even Biden was serving up BBQ and Edwards had his trademark drumline.
It is the fact that 9,000 iowans show up for an event that lasted 4pm until midnight to support their favorite candidates. My initial feeling was that this must be what it would be like if the whole state had to caucus in the same room.
The campaigns buy up as many tickets as they can, arm their supporters with fans, thundersticks, t-shirts and whatever else they can to draw attention to their supporters.
Organizers in Iowa are smart enough to know how to schedule who speaks, despite any claims to the list being random, Edwards first, Hillary second to last, and then Obama.
I was down on the floor, mostly suits, the who's who in Iowa, and others who have flown in on the campaigns behalf. When you looked up at the balcony what you say were large groups of brightly colored t-shirts. Red for Obama, White for Edwards, yellow for Clinton. I think Richardsons were blue, but they didn't look uniform. The other thing you noticed was that Hillary and Obama double up, if not tripled up, even Edwards in number of supporters.
I talked to a friend of mine who from Obamas campaign, and she pointed something interesting out. There was a section, with Hillary signs in front of but no supporters, apparently they couldn't fill the seats.
There are a million things I could say about the night but I feel there are really only a few that are worth saying in this diary.
- Biden and Dodd are done. Biden is the master of face to face and in my opinion could still do better than people on Kos give him credit for, he just doesn't do well at a rally.
- Richardson had a decent number of supporters, but he looked uncomfortable without a podium.
- Edwards had fire, he had his usual charisma the only thing that may have held him back was going first, but he set the bar so high Richardson, Dodd and Biden looked terrible following.
- Hillary's speech was great, except you felt as if you could have taken everyone out of the room and she would have looked exactly the same. It was as if she new what exactly to talk about because that's what they tell her, and those who told her know their shit.
And then there's Obama.
His supporters were the most vocal and best organized. They had Obama in Christmas lights behind each supporting section that stood out in the dim light. They had light-up signs for each county, I"m not sure that each section was by county, but you definitely felt you were looking at a mock Denver DNC convention.
His speech didn't just talk to his activists, in fact, he never flinched when they chanted or screamed out his name. He made sure to quiet them down to keep with his message without making the same mistakes that John Kerry would and try and speak over the applause.
He had the longest single applause all night. He spoke about what people needed to hear. Making sure we knew the nightmare of Bush and Cheney would be over, making you feel as if you will soon feel the pride you desire from your country again. I will have a hard time taking anyone serious who ever questions his patriotism over something as simple as pin.
I wish I could give more details, but I didn't take notes on the speeches.
I still like edwards the best, Obama is just too damn arrogant in person. He's the only candidate in Iowa who i have ever heard tell people to take candids because he couldn't stop and pose for pictures. But He has come a long way, and for the first time I feel like he will beat Hillary in Iowa, and my guess is after JJ a lot of other people do to, which is just the type of "hope" his campaign probably needs
Most motivating line of the night goes to John Edwards
I will tell congress that if everyone in this country doesn't have health care in six months, I will use the power of the presidency to make sure htat you don't either.
Worst line of the night goes to Hillary Clinton
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, and I'm great in the Kitchen.
Best Jab of the Night goes to Joe Biden
He looks at Obama's supporters and says "Hello Chicago!"