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IowaPolitics.com: Some Dem caucus-goers pick Obama, Edwards as Jeff-Jack winners
11/11/2007

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."

After a summer where he appeared to lack energy in some of his Iowa stops, Obama's speech Saturday drew comparisons to the 2004 Democratic National Convention speech that brought him national attention. He even recycled one of the memorable ideas from that speech, saying at one point, "I don't want to pit blue America against red America, I want to lead the United States of America."

For several weeks, Obama's camp has signaled that it's time to directly challenge Hillary Clinton and he did that Saturday night, though he didn't mention her by name. Obama criticized "triangulation" and "poll-driven positions," reiterated that he had not voted for the war in Iraq and criticized the influence of lobbyists. One Dem insider said Obama proved tonight that he's ready for the closing stretch of the caucus campaign.

Clinton also had veiled references to Obama in her speech, arguing that "change is just a word if you don't have the strength and experience to make it happen."

Obama appeared to have the largest crowd of supporters, and he definitely had the loudest. Underneath a giant red glowing "Obama" sign, they filled the auditorium with the campaign's trademark "Fire it up! Ready to go!" chant.

Obama's camp wasn't the only one with a chant on Saturday night. Clinton's supporters carried signs and wore shirts reading "turn up the heat," a theme she referred to repeatedly during her speech. Clinton got the crowd involved by asking what Democrats would do to bring attention to important issues. In response to a series of questions her supporters repeatedly answered, "Turn up the heat."

Chanon Opstvedt of Story City was an undecided caucus-goer prior to Saturday night's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. After the event, she said she had been convinced to caucus for Biden.

Phyllis Franzen of Newton supported Edwards four years ago, and remains in his corner, but said she was impressed with Biden's speech.

Sybil Soukup of Clear Lake is an Obama supporter, but said she thought Biden gave the second best speech.

"I like Biden," she said. "He just does not have enough ground effort."

Biden's speech highlighted his foreign policy credentials and his plan for getting out of Iraq. He also drew cheers for his eagerness to debate a Republican candidate in the general election. But he slowed his pace mid-way through the speech, losing some excitement from what had been an energetic crowd.

Dodd didn't outshine the top candidates but did draw significant applause when discussing the importance of veterans, the Iraq War, his background in the Peace Corps and his plans for the future of U.S. foreign policy. Dodd's supporters from the firefighters' union were particularly vocal during his speech.

Richardson, who excels in small settings where his sense of humor and personable nature can win over people, had trouble inspiring the crowd (though part of his problem may have been that he had to follow the intense speech given by Edwards). Attendees, however, did note the former UN representative had one of the best lines of the night, however, in discussing his foreign policy strategy: "America needs to become not the policeman of the world, but the conscience of the world."


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