"He's a draw."

[cheeto]

By James Q. Lynch The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS — Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark will
headline the Hawkeye Labor Council’s hog roast fundraiser Saturday in Cedar Rapids.
Clark, considered a possible Democratic presidential candidate for 2008 , will speak at the fundraiser, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Teamsters Hall, 5000 J Street SW.
In addition to the labor rally, Clark will appear with U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, a Des Moines Democrat, at a State Capitol news conference today to talk about long-term care of soldiers with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Clark, who visited New Hampshire earlier in the week, will record the weekly podcast he does for his political action committee, Securing America’s Future, while in Cedar Rapids on Saturday afternoon.
With his visit this weekend, Clark, who skipped the 2004 Iowa caucuses, will match the one trip and two days he spent in Iowa during 2004-05.
He was unable to accept an invitation to an earlier Hawkeye Labor Council fundraiser but asked to be invited to the next one, according to Alan Bernard, the council’s executive director.
‘‘He’s a draw,’’ Bernard said. Based on ticket sales, he estimated the crowd could be as large as 1,000 people.
Clark is expected to devote much of his speech to the ongoing war in Iraq. He has been a critic of the Bush administration’s handling of the war.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Blouin and 2nd District U.S. House candidate Dave Loebsack, a Democrat, also will speak at the event.
Clark also has private meetings scheduled during his visit, a spokeswoman said.

[IA_Seth]

1. That he is.

And I would recommend that anyone with some time on their hands come down to this event and enjoy some good company, free beer, and good food. Not to mention that you will be supporting Dave Loebsack in his quest to turn district 2 blue, and have the opportunity to hear Wes speak!

[cheeto]

2. I'll be there.

I already bought tickets but if anyone hasn't yet, there is a half price coupon in yesterday's Gazette, good for up to 4 people. Heck, I'll bet you can drink $12.50 worth of the free beer for that. See you there!

[rurallib]

3. Welcome to DU Cheeto! See you there

I will be using that coupon so that I can take my daughter and son in law. Trying to push them to work for Dave. Think this will put them over the edge.

[CornField]

4. Welcome, Cheeto

I'll be seeing you there too... if I can figure out what I want to wear. LOL!

[pstans]

6. Nice to have you stop by the Iowa Forum

Hope you frequent often.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi cheeto!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[CornField]

7. Gen. Clark was brilliant

I still don't understand how this works, but everytime someone/anyone in a position of authority says the war was wrong... the administration lied... etc. my eyes fill with tears. I think there is just so much anger and disbelief within me that I can't stop the emotions bubbling up.

Was great to see so many again tonight. I'll let someone who doesn't gab as much I do give an overview of the evening.

[rurallib]

8. Well you ain't thre only one

I get emotional, not only for the lives lost, both ours and Iraqi, but for the opportunities that have and will be wasted thanks to this mess. Bush has purposely spent our progeny into a ridiculous debt while cutting programs that would help the next Dave Loebsack and Wesley Clark survive and possibly prosper.
A lot of the optimism and hope that used to be the American Dream has been spent in Iraq. All for the glorification of the boy king.
I get emotional, then I get madder and madder. That keeps driving me to get to work for Dave and other Dems.
We've lost a lot, but we need to stop the bleeding before the patient (USA) goes under.