As readers of this blog know, I am a supporter of John Edwards, but I am cynical enough to not usually get too wrapped up in the party aspect of things. Still, while it takes a lot to get me to an event like this, the JC Dems BBQ was really exciting.
I was astonished at the number of people who showed their colors for their favorite candidate. I think the Biden camp's corn mascot was my favorite. Certainly in sheer numbers, all the candidates with the exception of Mike Gravel had their share of supporters.
In the well-represented Edwards camp, we stood by the highway entrance to the event with our signs and chanting things like "Who works for you? John Edwards works for you. And when he works, he works to bring big change" and "We love Elizabeth, We love John, we want to see them on the White House lawn" (though personally, I'd much rather have them inside the White House). Of course, we were competing with an abortion protester across the road with a bullhorn and someone who had a bone to pick with HRC.
When John and Elizabeth Edwards arrived, we followed them and the media into the super-heated swine barn for his speech and showed our support for him and his issues by waving our signs and applauding when he talked about reducing poverty, health care, ending the war, fighting global warming, and so on.
The downside of course, was I was starving and had not planned to be a part of the whooping and hollering. So, even for a cynic, it was a blast. It was like being at the political mall and you could shop the candidates' issues and others who were educating about supporting kids, the environment, Darfur, ending global poverty and on and on.
Of course the local politicos were out in force. Council candidates Mike Wtight, Brandon Ross, and Matt Hayek shared a table with Regenia Bailey (whose t-shirt has a silhouette of her or perhaps, it actually Liza Minelli). Council candidate Mitch Gross from Coralville was there, as was North Liberty's James Moody. Supervisor Rod Sullivan and County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek were there. Congressman Dave Loebsack, of course. Also sighted were Joe Bolkcom and Dave Jacoby.
Despite the excitement, after three hours of speeches, picking up literature and stuff, and the requisite milling about, I left.
The Press-Citizen puts the turnout at 2000, but I think it was a much higher.
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