Yesterday I was e-mailing a friend whom I planned to meet during my visit to Iowa. My plan was to drive to Iowa yesterday evening. She mentioned that she and her daughter were going to a neighboring town to see Edwards (stumping for the Iowa caucus vote) that afternoon. I e-mailed back to find out when and where. Minutes later I was on the road. Dad and I met J and her daughter and listened to Edwards. The Iowa Caucus is amazing because the presidential candidates go to small venues across the state stumping prior to the caucus. Our event held probably 150 people and was free. It's a close look at the candidate. Edwards was honest and real with his answers.
The disappointment for me was the person who introduced Edwards. It was "Cooter" from the Dukes of Hazzard television show. "Cooter" aka Ben Jones, former (or present??) congressman from Georgia had the small town appeal, but I found him offensive. He mentioned Dukes of Hazzard was a "family show" which represented the "values of the heartland." Really? I thought it talked about stealing cars and bootlegging whiskey. He also mentioned how they had Daisy Duke something everyone would like. Really? This seemed a bit sexist. As the four of us met after Edwards speech, I shared my disgust. The vote was 2 to 2. It is clear "Cooter" would not be able to open for Edwards everywhere, but he was a hit with the 55+ farm crowd. He ended with this about Edwards, "ain't never got above his raisin." Perhaps this is true enough.
Enough of Cooter, Edwards handled the ethanol question honestly. I was impressed that he stated it wasn't the end all. It was an interim fix. This is tough talk in corn country. He also mentioned that congress was voted in to stop W and was doing a poor job. Amen! Of course he covered the major issues. Here are some quotes with which I resonated:
*On Iran "Does anyone have any nano second doubt what Dick Cheney is doing in the background?"
*"We need to be patriotic for something other than war."
*"...election not an auction" It shouldn't be who raises the most money or runs the most television ads.
*He talked some about W's "expansion and seizing of executive power."
As he was closing, he talked about the election and the presidency. He mentioned how we (Americans) need a president that is honest and true. When he said we need a president we can trust, I realized my problems with Hillary. I don't trust her or find her honest. She'll make a good president is she's elected, and I will vote for her is she is the democratic candidate. It, however, gave me words for the feelings I had about Hillary.
Is Edwards the guy? He was as I left the building, but I still don't know. I am pleased with the majority of the Democratic candidates.
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