Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Democratic presidential hopefuls warmed up for today’s big debate by trying to impress about 1,000 activists at the Iowa Democratic Party’s Hall of Fame dinner Saturday.
The lineup included Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.
The evening’s speeches touched mainly on the war in Iraq, health care and renewable energy, with plenty of barbs aimed at the Bush administration.
A notable face missing from the lineup was Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. A spokesman blamed a scheduling conflict.
Democrats attending the posh dinner paid up to $500 a head to share a meal with the candidates and hand out awards to their top state leaders. It’s one of the biggest fundraising events for the Iowa Democrats and a chance to court the most influential party members.
While the focus was on outlining their policies, the dinner also gave candidates the opportunity to show off just how much organization they’ve mustered on the ground in Iowa, the state that kicks off the presidential nominating season with its caucuses.
Sharon Mow was waiting on a street corner, holding signs and cheering for Edwards, who was ushered into the hotel hosting the event by a marching band.
“This is my first time doing anything for any political candidate,” said 57-year-old Mow, of Cedar Rapids.
The candidates will meet today in New Hampshire for a nationally televised debate.
