Harkin Steak Fry with Jokes
Indianola, IowaAs we drove into Indianola Sunday, shortly after noon, we started to tense up, wondering where the protesters were going to appear. Bracing ourselves, we continued across town. Spotting the “Harkin Steak Fry” sign on the corner, we kept going, and right before the Warren County Fairgrounds, there was a small gaggle of people with some signage. We were by them too quickly to even read the signs, so we weren't even sure whose side they were on. That was it. There was to be no further assault on our senses for the rest of the day – on to the Democratic oasis that would be the Harkin Steak Fry (well, you couldn't really have a Harkin Tofu Steam, as the star of the day, the junior Senator from Minnesota, Al Franken, would later joke).
First speaker, Michael Mauro, Secretary of State. He reminded us that there are indeed important philosophical differences between Dems and the GOP when it comes to voting. The GOP, he said, really want to keep people home, so it is important to elect Democrats. Amen.
Second up, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller. Congratulated Senator Harkin on his new committee chairmanship on HELP (as did everyone who took the podium today). Said Harkin getting Kennedy's spot was huge. Miller wins the day's progressive prize, for being the only one who called out the media on the role they have played in the dissemination of misinformation, anger, and hatred that has been displayed during the health care reform discussion so far. He laid blame at the feet of the right-wing media for getting us in the mess we're in today. Miller said that democracy functions best when citizens have facts and information, and when arguments are made in good faith. His closing line was that it is time for the GOP to put up or shut up on bipartisanship.
Next was Mike Fitzgerald, State Treasurer. Mentioned Grassley's poll numbers dropping. Said Obama has been doing a great job as President of the U.S. Reminded the choir that this is Bush's economy, not Obama's. Said we have a balanced budget here in Iowa. “If you want to live like a Republican, vote for a Democrat.”
Congressman Bruce Braley fired up the crowd, hammering the GOP about their pathetic scare tactics in the health care debate. “We're not going to put up with this crap any longer.” He literally had the whole crowd on our feet chanting, “Speak truth to fear!” Braley said, “we thought when Obama won with an overwhelming majority, they'd get the message. We've put up with their lies and fear, to keep the American people from knowing the truth. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Now is the time for every Democrat to rise up and speak. He urged everyone to write letters, go to town halls, talk to your neighbors.
Congressman Dave Loebsack opened with, “This is a very important time right now, there's absolutely no doubt about it, folks.” Talked about working together with Senator Harkin on committees, education, ways they'll improve NCLB – instead of punishing schools and teachers, actually give them tools to do their job. Mentioned green schools.
Congressman Boswell: Reminded farmers that Harkin is still on the Ag. Committee. He said that Harkin's assignment on HELP committee is huge. Credited Braley with improving Medicare reimbursement for Iowa. Said he supports the public option, and health care needs to be done NOW. Said he is grateful to have a President who is not “kicking the can down the road.” Getting health care “is not easy, it'll be hard, but we can do it, we must do it.” Said GOP “scare tactic not going to work; we're not going to let it. We can do this. We're not afraid. Let's get 'er done.”
Governor Culver: Congratulated all the Democrats on their successes. Shout out for Curt Hansen for winning the District 90 Iowa House Seat. Praised Harkin. Pointed out Harkin is on four committees and the new Chair of HELP Committee, and 8 sub-committees. Culver said “there is no better fighter than Tom Harkin.” Culver said what Democrats have learned from Al Franken is, how to persevere.
Ruth Harkin told a couple of jokes, reminisced a bit about the 35 years of the Steak Fry and what it has come to mean for Iowa Democrats. Harkin thanked Gov. Culver for being a strong advocate for education.
Tom Harkin thanked everyone, gave another shout out to Dist. 90 winner Curt Hansen, asked him to stand again. “This is my kind of town hall meeting.” Mentioned Sarah Palin originating the “death panels” lie, and said, “Shame on anyone who repeats it anywhere in the country – shame on 'em!” Praised Obama's speech, spoke of the great loss of Ted Kennedy. “While none can take Ted Kennedy's place, I'm ready for the fight – ready to get health care passed before Christmas (standing ovation)…. Stay standing, because mark my word, I'm the Chairman, and it's going to have a strong public option.” Quoted FDR, 1936: “Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me and I welcome their hatred.” Let's make history.
Harkin introduced Senator Franken. Said Al wasn't his first choice to invite to the Steak Fry. In the spirit of bipartisanship, he had intended to invite Sarah Palin, but just as he went to call her, she up and quit. “As she put it, 'the best way I can serve Alaska is by leaving office,' and no one can argue with that.” Then Harkin thanked Franken for taking back Paul Wellstone's Senate seat (big applause).
Senator Frankin: Let's just say the Senator from Minnesota was both hilarious, and policy wonkish in a good way. He talked for quite a long time. Said to Chet, “Gov. Culver, your dad gave a hilarious testimony [for Ted Kennedy] that went viral. If you have even ½ the sense of humor that your dad has, do not let people see it until you retire. It could get you into trouble…. I know.” He said to Harkin, “as a Presidential candidate, you won 76% of Iowa and 76 votes in New Hampshire.”
Franken talked about the popular internet video, where he had talked down some rabid tea-baggers, who accosted him at the Minnesota State Fair. He said this had earned him the reputation of “the wing-nut whisperer.” Gave a very good health care spiel. Said we have great health care in the U.S., but a terrible health care system. Said the Saudi royal family travel to Rochester, MN for great care at the Mayo Clinic – but for a poor person who lives not far away in Minnesota, that care “is a world away.”
Franken said in Washington, the GOP are only asking, “How do we break President Obama? How do we make sure he fails?” The debate shouldn't be about Obama. Said we're going to make sure insurance companies face real competition with a public option. “We don't want to look back and say, we voted for change and then got scared of actual change.” That was the end of the program. Hoping to get Al to sign my copy of Lies and the Lying Liars, I rushed the stage, but heard him tell someone he had to catch a plane, and off he went.
It was a calm, pleasant town hall meeting, on a beautiful late summer day, no screaming and yelling, and plenty of jokes.
Blog For Iowa 
Thanks for the nice update, Trish. We had company from out of state so I couldn't get to the Fry. I love Al Franken (I must have bought and given away 20 copies of Lies and the Lying Liars that Tell Them) and wondered how the event was going. And great weather for it, too.
I like the new comment system, since I can never remember my login and password. 🙂
Alta Price
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Great recap. Even U.S. News % World Report is reporting on bad press for Obama… http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/washington-whispers/2009/09/14/media-coverage-of-obama-grows-more-negative.html
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