Edwards charms 5,000 at University of Iowa Rally in Iowa City

[WI_DEM]

Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards challenged University of Iowa students Thursday to help John Kerry win Iowa by voting early and getting friends to vote. "The great changes in the history of this country started with young people," Edwards said to a sign-waving, whistling, camera-phone-picture taking crowd of 5,000 people. "It's you who could change this country."

Spectators said tehy knew Edwards didn't have to come to Iowa City, which is heavily Democratic. But the outdoor rally in Hubbard Park near the Iowa Memorial Union energized the mostly college crowd to vote on Nov. 2, students said. Iowa went to the Democrats in 2000, by 4,000 votes.

"I just voted," said Brittany Blasi, a U of I junior from Jefferson. "Some people are almost annoyed by it (get out the vote drives), but if they are annoyed, they are thinking about it."

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041022/NEWS09/410220390

Earlier in the day Edwards spoke at Muscantine High School and headed to Davenport to meet with the Quad-City Times editorial board.

[berner59]

1. idiot woman on MSNBC...

Keeps saying that Bush is up by 6 in Iowa and the guest said that no it was much closer than that and this woman keeps saying - "let's say that it's true...why is Bush doing doing so much better????" How stupid is this woman?? This guest just said the polls are wrong!!!

DUH!!!!!

[Rainbowreflect]

3. Let's just say that it is true that bush has sex with farm animals,

Should you still vote for him?
What an idiot.

[Rainbowreflect]

2. He charmed Iowa & Nebraska when he was in Council Bluffs

last Thursday. I think there were more folks from Nebraska than from Iowa to hear him that day.

[WI_DEM]

4. excellent

I bet the good dems and indies of Neb were thrilled at the opportunity since they don't get many.

[Rainbowreflect]

8. I'm glad, in a way, that they are not wasting money on Nebraska,

but I do miss having a chance to see them in person. I was so thrilled when a friend had 2 extra tickets last Thursday & both my hubby & I were able to get off work.

[cthrumatrix]

5. kick for Iowa going Kerry........

[helpisontheway]

6. Good news

I'm sick of hearing Tweety talk about Iowa.

[Supersedeas]

7. and *'s VP had a private diner with 200--who is the populist candidate

up is down, black is white, and B/C are men of the people.

[ComerPerro]

9. Wow, and they had a "protest" Bush/Cheney turnout of 20

Outside the Edwards rally, a group of about 20 U of I Republicans held Bush signs and wore "Dubya" T-shirts. Otto Heck, a 2004 U of I graduate and Bush-Cheney volunteer, was dressed in a suit and tie and chasing another student dressed as an ambulance.

"I'm John Edwards. My hair is perfect," Heck said in a fake southern drawl.

Then he added: "But seriously. I'm, Otto Heck, and I have not enlisted in the military even though I fully support Bush and his wars, and even though I know we need more troops. I would rather chase someone dressed up like an ambulance here in Iowa than actually put my money where my mouth is and defend our freedom."

Fucking cowards.

Why are the biggest cowards usually the most receptive to fascism?

[Utakan]

10. Edwards is SO handsome and sexy. NT