Two Key Demographics Focus of Edwards Tour

It doesn’t take much national media reading to determine which candidate is most often credited with having the most efficient, precise and dynamic campaign. Having been to events hosted by each candidate, however, my vote goes to Sen. John Edwards and his staff.

His current tour through Eastern Iowa was billed as an opportunity for Edwards to discuss the military and his plans in that area. Without fail, he did discuss plans for the current military, our veterans and military families. Also without fail, he continued to allow some of the state’s and nation’s strongest women to shape his public appearances.

In Vinton on Saturday afternoon, the show began with a well-known local woman, Rosemary Schwartz. She is the current vice-chair and former chair for the Benton County Democratic Party. Schwartz is one of 31 women recently named to a Women’s Leadership Team for the campaign.

Following her quick welcome, a second member of the Leadership Team began introductions not for Sen. Edwards, but for Elizabeth Edwards.

Civil rights attorney, former gubernatorial candidate and long-time Edwards supporter Roxanne Conlin was a fixture of this Iowa circuit, lending her knowledge of both local politics and people to the campaign… not to mention re-enforcing the campaigns first strides into women’s circles. She was only a few moments into her introductions when a commotion began in the back of the Vinton Library. John Edwards, family and staff were headed up the stairs and into the main lobby.

The VIPs were obviously intended to stay in the glass-enclosed stairwell and somewhat out of sight of those waiting in the library. A young girl with a blue cast, however, prevented Elizabeth Edwards from following the agenda and left Sen. Edwards smiling with overt appreciation for his wife.

Elizabeth first entered the room and whispered a few words with the girl and a younger boy sitting beside her. Soon, however, Elizabeth had pen in hand and was adding a memory to the cast. Once finished, she turned to her husband and motioned him to add his own signature. He did to the delight of the young girl and her family.

As the Edwards children – Jack and Emma Claire – entered the room, Conlin called the family to the front and the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd erupted in applause. Elizabeth held the microphone first, tongue-in-cheek pointing out to the crowd how Jack was not particularly happy to be at yet another campaign speech. (The kids didn’t have to stay for the entire event and were soon whisked off to a more fun location.)

While Elizabeth immediately began to turn the audience’s attention toward the upcoming Memorial Day, the war in Iraq and our veterans, the all girl line-up didn’t go without notice.

“It’s a good thing,” said Helen Miller (no relation to the state legislator by the same name). “I don’t know if women are getting more attention because Hillary is running or because we are finally demanding it. I do know that we are the majority of voters and that if we want this trend to continue, we’re going to have to take responsibility for it.”

Her friend, who would only identify herself as Beth, said she agreed and would take it one step further.

“It’s past time that we women finally started working together in a way that benefits us all,” she said. “If we can successfully pull together and not let the small stuff pull us apart, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”

John Edwards spoke briefly in relation to his plan for the military and veterans, issuing another call for our troops to be brought home from Iraq and then took several questions from the audience. Questions covered the gamut of healthcare to the national debt to environmental issues.

When the event ended, the former senator made his way out the door and onto the lawn with members of the press. Elizabeth remained inside the library where she received well-wishes, exchanged hugs and conversed with many.