Dave Helliman, Ruth Harkin, and Sally Pederson have been introduced and are taking the stage.
Dave says he’s the guy who lives on the end of the last gravel road in Jackson Township, here in Henry County. He’s introducing the IWC staff and welcomes the crowd and thanks them for being here. Looks like turnout is about 500 or so people, possibly more as the overflow areas are beginning to be populated by lots of folks on the viewing level above the main floor of the the gymnasium.
Quite the enthusiastic crowd here cheering for Vilsack, especially with Dave’s mention that Tom Vilsack will make a “great American president.”
Ruth Harkin is speaking now, not exactly a fantastic speaker. She’s speaking on behalf of Senator Tom Harkin, her husband, who couldn’t be here because of his travel schedule. “He will make a great president because he has been a great governor.” In the same way that Sen. Dick Durbin is encouraging an Obama run for President, Sen. Tom Harkin will be backing up Gov. Vilsack in his run for the White House. She just said she was sure that Tom Vilsack will win the Iowa Caucuses in 2008.
Sally Pederson is next to take the stage…I’m shutting down for just a bit to save battery power. I’ll be back in a few minutes.
It seems there was a naturally scheduled lull in the program here. The band plays “Louie Louie,” then “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and “Celebration.” Your usual campaign music. When the Vilsacks finally get into’d, they come on stage to the tune of — I believe — the “Final Countdown.” Curious choice, but I’ll allow it.
Christie V. highlights Tom’s embrace of change when he first came to Iowa and as he took a leadership role here in Mt. Pleasant, and then across the stage. As Christie notes, he “embraces change.”
As Christie intros Tom, the crowd fiercely chants “Go Tom, Go!” He’s a bit extemporaneous with his remarks but when he declares his candidacy in the remarks the crowd applauds and chants even more. They’re really into the remarks and they like what he’s talking about. I’ll hopefully have a full digital copy of the remarks later this afternoon.
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