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Muscatine gathering provides platform for presidential candidates

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By Melissa Regennitter | Monday, October 08, 2007 |

MUSCATINE, Iowa — More than 125 people — and two presidential candidates — showed up Sunday at Muscatine’s Strawberry Farms Bed and Breakfast to hear what political front-runners and their peers had to say about the state of the country and its future.

Those who spoke at state Rep. Nathan Reichert’s fourth annual Oktoberfest, a popular gathering spot for Democrats, all were ready for a Democrat in the White House, and few were happy with the way President Bush has run his administration. They also discussed education, an end to the war in Iraq and health care.

Democratic candidates John Edwards and Joe Biden gave speeches and Biden’s wife, Jill, mingled in the crowd but was gone before her husband arrived later that afternoon.

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack spoke on behalf of Hillary Clinton while Gordon Fischer, former Iowa Democratic Party chairman, spoke on behalf of Barack Obama.

Biden introduced himself by saying he does not believe Americans are divided.

“Red states aren’t red, blue states aren’t blue, this country is purple,” he said, adding that every American wants to do what’s right to end global warming, create an energy policy, better education and health care — they’re just looking for someone who can bring them all together.

He also mentioned that many people were angry at him for a past decision to vote for funding for the troops in Iraq, but that as long as there’s a war, funding is necessary.

“(We) can’t vote to keep them there, but vote against funding them,” he said.

Edwards also discussed Iraq.

Regarding Edwards’ vote to support the Iraq war and now his current opinion to end it, Edwards said he’s since learned not to trust George Bush.

“I was wrong to vote for this war in Iraq,” Edwards said.

He added that as president, he’d close Guantanamo Bay, eliminate secret prisons and torture — and put an end to illegal spying on Americans by the government.

He described his idea of universal health care as full coverage of dental, vision, long-term and preventative insurance that you take with you anywhere you go. He said his plan would cost the United States $90 billion to $120 billion per year, which could be paid for “by getting rid of Bush’s tax cuts for people who’ve made over $200,000 per year.”

Melissa Regennitter can be contacted at (563) 262-0526 or regennitter@muscatinejournal.com.