By IowaPolitics.com Staff
Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Scott Brennan called it "the most successful Jefferson Jackson Dinner in history," but it was more successful for some candidates than for others.
After discussions with party insiders and people in attendance, the early consensus seemed to be that the candidates who have generally polled in the top three -- Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama -- all did well, with Edwards and Obama excelling in particular. Among the other three candidates -- Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson -- the crowd seemed to be moved the most by Dodd and Biden, but not enough to significantly affect their chances in January, interviews Saturday night suggested. Candace Opstvedt of Story City was an undecided caucus-goer, but not any longer.
"I am definitely leaning toward Barack after tonight," she said after the long night of speeches and Democratic fundraising, including an auction. Undecided caucus-goer Jordan Oster, a Drake University student and a Des Moines native, thought Obama and Edwards made a definite impression on the crowd.
"It is yet to be seen if tonight can be considered a moment of shakeup, but I think it really goes to show that Edwards and Obama cemented their importance in the race," he said. "Neither made direct reference to Senator Clinton, but without mistake many references were aimed her way."
Oster said he thought Biden, Dodd and Richardson did well, but didn't stand out.
"None of these candidates made what can be considered new pitches but they played to their strong points," Oster said. "Each of them face problems in how they overcome the excitement and attention focused, and certainly kept tonight, by the other candidates." Des Moines resident Huy Tu is an Obama supporter, but thought Edwards delivered the second best speech. Melissa Koss of Cedar Rapids is also an Obama suporter, but thought Hillary Clinton gave the second best speech of the night. Robert Schliesman of Ames shared the same thoughts as Koss.
Edwards, who has seen his lead in the Iowa polls dwindle away this year, was the first candidate to speak and may have reinvigorated supporters with a fiery speech that included a spirited list of Democratic party principles. He was passionate and emotional as he promised to give America hope and give entrenched interests ``hell.'' Edwards urged the crowd to "stand up to change this system" and work on delivering a better country to the next generation. He highlighted his work as a lawyer, saying he had repeatedly beaten special interests in court and that he would do it again as president.
"I am a political junkie, and definitely support Edwards because of his consistently, specific, sensible policies," said Pat Sheller, an Edwards supporter from Bettendorf. "I respect the way he answers questions directly and honestly at every campaign stop."
Sheller also had kind words for the other two top candidates: "Obama was a very impressive speaker, and Clinton presented herself as a very formidable contender."
http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=110277
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