If it were only left-wing musicians declaring their choices in Monday’s Iowa caucuses, long shot Dennis Kucinich might be the odds-on favorite.
Sure, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has the support of such mainstream rockers as Hootie and the Blowfish. But the diminutive Ohio congressman (5 foot 7, 135 pounds) has hipper endorsements, including one from Ani DiFranco, whom Kucinich plans to introduce at her concert in Des Moines on Sunday night.
Kucinich also has the backing of country legend and Farm Aid activist Willie Nelson. The Kucinich Iowa headquarters sent supporters a “video postcard” Saturday featuring Nelson’s words praising Kucinich.
“Dennis was the first guy that I heard running for president who said the F-word: farmer,” Nelson said. “So therefore I’ve been on his side all the way and will continue–win, lose or draw. Seabiscuit won. Who knows.”
–Flynn McRoberts
ALL IN THE FAMILY
The politics of family were on display Saturday as candidates crisscrossed Iowa.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said in Mason City that none of his immediate family members would be in the state in the next few days. “One’s in college, one’s in high school and one’s seeing patients,” Dean said, referring to his children and to his wife’s medical practice.
By contrast, Jack and Emma Claire Edwards, ages 3 and 5, mugged for photographers along with their father, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, as his bus pulled away from his Des Moines headquarters for a day of campaigning.
Rep. Richard Gephardt was joined by his constant companion, wife Jane, and one of their daughters, Chrissy. The Gephardts campaigned in Cedar Rapids from the back of a pickup truck.
–John McCormick
1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri have drawn the most attention for their small armies of supporters in Iowa for the caucuses. But Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has some out-of-staters, too.
One of them, Susie Salmon, a Los Angeles lawyer, was working her cell phone Saturday in Edwards’ Des Moines headquarters. She sat in front of a sheet decorated with: “1…2…3…4…Who Ya Gonna Caucus For? Edwards.”
Her conversation with Muriel Thomas, 76, a retired hospital worker, seemed to confirm what recent polls have found: Many Iowans remain unsure who they will support Monday.
“You don’t know who you’re going to caucus for, but you’re definitely going to go?” Salmon said. She then asked if he knew where his caucus site was. Thomas gave her the wrong address. She corrected him and politely hung up.
–Flynn McRoberts
WESLEY AND ME
Perhaps Michael Moore, film director and activist, was over-enthusiastic Saturday while campaigning for Retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
At a raucous rally in Pembroke, N.H., Moore warmed up the crowd in the school gym.
“I’m here to tell George W. Bush you’ve just got a few months left,” Moore said.
When he mentioned that Clark was a debater in school, Moore said: “I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking,” tapping his head.
“I want to see that debate,” he said. “I know, the general versus the deserter.”
During the 2000 campaign, Bush was criticized for not showing up for the periodic drills required of National Guardsmen in 1972 and 1973.
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Clark later called Moore “a fantastic leader … a man of conscience, a man of courage.”
Asked whether he agreed with the characterization of Bush as a deserter, Clark said: “You know, I’ve heard those charges. I don’t know whether they’re established or not. He was never prosecuted for it.”
–Jill Zuckman
TAKES THE CAKE
Pity Shirley Echelberger of Ft. Dodge, Iowa. She spent hours baking a sheet cake and frosting it with blue icing. Topped with white piping, it was meant to resemble the “Gephardt for President” signs that fill Rep. Richard Gephardt’s campaign headquarters.
Echelberger had been waiting for the Missourian to finish rallying supporters so she could get her picture taken with him. But when Gephardt was handed the cake to hold up, a wedge already had been carved out.
“The excitement overcame them,” Gephardt said of his apparently hungry staffers.
–Rick Pearson