Kerry coming to Iowa City Sunday 10-09 - open meeting for Democrats

[emulatorloo]

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051004/NEWS01/510040310/1079

<snip>

Last year's Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., will stop in Iowa City this weekend to help plan party outreach and to thank voters for their support in the 2004 election, a local Democratic party official said.

Kerry will be in Iowa City from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elizabeth Tate High School, 1528 Mall Drive, said Sarah Swisher, chairwoman of the Johnson County Democrats. Swisher said the group is having a "grassroots organizational meeting" at the school.

Swisher said a Kerry representative called Monday and confirmed the senator will be at the meeting.

"He's truly coming to help us with our outreach and our party-building activities in Johnson County," Swisher said. "Sen. Kerry in many ways is the head of our national party. His voice not only inspires, but informs us. So I think we'll have party members both interested in what happened in 2004, but also how to bring home important Democratic victories in 2006."

<snip>

"It's an open, organizational meeting," Swisher said. "All Democrats and interested voters are welcome to attend."

Swisher said Kerry also wanted to thank Johnson County voters who overwhelmingly picked him for president last November. Kerry received 64 percent of the vote in Johnson County compared to nearly 35 percent for President Bush, who ultimately carried Iowa and won a second term.

<snip>

[IA_Seth]

1. If you go to this....

If you plan on attending this meeting, you might as well come to Cedar Rapids (see other thread) and get a double dose of Kerry!

[emulatorloo]

4. sadly already committed. . .hope you make one of them and report back!

EOM

[gemini58]

2. Anyplace Else?

Anyplace else? Thank you!

[emulatorloo]

3. CR, per IA_Seth - thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=152x3508

[sandnsea]

9. 3 stops

A morning meeting in Des Moines too.

"Former Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry is scheduled to return to Iowa on Sunday to help raise money for local candidates and touch base with party activists.

The U.S. senator from Massachusetts is among a half-dozen potential 2008 presidential candidates planning October visits to Iowa, where the precinct caucuses are expected to kick off the nomination run.
Kerry, making his first trip to Iowa this year, plans to headline a morning meeting of Democratic women in Des Moines, help a Cedar Rapids City Council candidate campaign in the afternoon and attend a late-afternoon meeting of the Johnson County Democratic Party in Iowa City. The senator visited Iowa in December after losing the 2004 election to President Bush.

Kerry's come-from-behind victory in the 2004 caucuses is credited with fueling his near sweep of the primaries and caucuses last year. He has not said whether he plans to run for president again.
The Iowa City event, which will be open to the public, will run from 3 to 5 p.m. at Elizabeth Tate High School , 1528 Mall Drive."

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051005/NEWS09/510050355/1001/RSS01

[newyawker99]

14. Hi gemini58!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[newyawker99]

19. dupe

[IA_Seth]

5. A side note...

I am surprised this quote by Sarah Swisher, chairwoman of the Johnson County Democrats didn't get any response: "Sen. Kerry in many ways is the head of our national party..."

I like Kerry, but isn't Dean the head of our national party?

Touche!

[Debi]

6. Yes, and Swisher is SEIU (who endorsed Dean in the primaries)

So now I'm really mad :grr:

Not really, I think she meant that Kerry is our standard bearer since he was the 2004 nominee.

(Let's not forget that the Democratic 'Leadership' made it clear that Dean will not be involved in policy, he's only the party's cheerleader and fundraiser). Big meanies! :mad:

[IA_Seth]

7. LOL

Yeah I doubt she meant anything by it either, and I think you are right in interpreting it the way you did...but it is so much more fun to try to get you all riled up!

As much as I did not connect with Dean, I think it is silly for party 'leadership' to discount his ability to lead, especially young people.

[Debi]

8. Seth...did you just call me young?

:loveya:

[IA_Seth]

11. Lol, I suppose if it makes you happy I did! n/t

[sandnsea]

10. Not to throw fuel on the fire

But Kerry got the youth vote in Iowa, and most primary states as well.

[Debi]

12. This from a Cardinal fan...Meh!

:eyes:

[Hardrada]

13. Kerry folded like a cheap suit after the 2004 "elections"

so I'm sure I want to hear his opinions a whole lot. Not!

[pstans]

15. I don't disagree with you, but I read a speech he made after Katrina

and it was great. He took the gloves off and called out where the Bu$h administration is going wrong. That kind of honest, straight forwardness would have won him some more votes. Here is a link to the speech:
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2005_09_19.html

And an excerpt:

Katrina stripped away any image of competence and exposed to all the true heart and nature of this administration. The truth is that for four and a half years, real life choices have been replaced by ideological agenda, substance replaced by spin, governance second place always to politics. Yes, they can run a good campaign -- I can attest to that -- but America needs more than a campaign. If 12 year-old Boy Scouts can be prepared, Americans have a right to expect the same from their 59 year-old President of the United States.

Katrina reminds us that too often the political contests of our time have been described like football games with color commentary: one team of consultants against another, red states against blue states, Democratic money against Republican money; a contest of height versus hair - sometimes. But the truth is democracy is not a game; we are living precious time each day in a different America than the one we can inhabit if we make different choices.

Today, more than ever, when the path taken last year and four years earlier takes us into a wilderness of missed opportunities -- we need to keep defining the critical choices over and over, offering a direction not taken but still open in the future.

I know the President went on national television last week and accepted responsibility for Washington's poor response to Katrina. That's admirable. And it's a first. As they say, the first step towards recovery is to get out of denial. But don't hold your breath hoping acceptance of responsibility will become a habit for this administration. On the other hand, if they are up to another "accountability moment" they ought to start by admitting one or two of the countless mistakes in conceiving, "selling", planning and executing their war of choice in Iraq.

[IowaGuy]

16. That "cheap suit" got,,...

10,000,000 more votes than any other Dem nominee ever...going against a wartime president that ran one of the dirtiest campaign ever.......
If that isn't reason enough to even listen to him, (even if you don't agree or choose not to support him)...well, I got to wonder what criteria it will take to be worthy of your attention?

He's still in there plugging away, and your just cryin - get over it, roll your sleeves up, be a grownup, give the man his due and get to work!

[Counciltucky]

17. I MET KERRY!!!!

I was at the event in IC and got to meet Kerry. Never met him before. HELL YEAH!!!!

PS -- I didn't realize he was as tall as he is. I knew he was tall and all, but damn -- he's like a head above me, and I'm 6' with shoes on.

[emulatorloo]

18. Depressed Citizen Article here:

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051010/NEWS01/510100318/1079

Good to see our real President come back to Iowa