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Friday, August 21, 2020
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Iowa Dems Dispatch: Convention Special Edition
This week Iowa Democrats celebrated the DNC Convention as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris officially became the party’s nominees to oust Trump in November
DES MOINES — This week, Iowa Democrats celebrated the DNC’s one-of-a-kind virtual convention where Joe Biden and Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic nominees to take back the White House. Iowans watched Joe Biden accept the nomination from a drive-in theater and spoke to special guests from around the country. Iowa’s own Congresswoman Cindy Axne even made an appearance in the program, and Iowans walked away energized and motivated to vote for Democrats in November.
Take a look at some of the Iowa Democrats convention highlights this week:
Iowa Democrats Found “Creative Ways to Celebrate” with a Drive-In Theater Watch Party and socially-distanced Voter Activation Stations:
DMR: ‘Creative ways to celebrate’: Iowa Democrats watch Joe Biden accept presidential nomination at Davenport-area drive-in theater
“Iowa Democrats watched Joe Biden accept the Democratic nomination for president from the comfort of their cars Thursday at a socially distant watch party at a Davenport-area drive-in theater.
“According to a pool report, about 50 cars sat parked in front of the big screen as Biden spoke from Delaware on the fourth and last night of the Democratic National Convention.
“‘Here and now I give you my word,’ Biden said. ‘If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst. I’ll be an ally of the light, not the darkness. It’s time for us — for we the people — to come together. And make no mistake, united we can and will overcome this season of darkness in America.’”
Radio Iowa: Democrats gather at Quad Cities drive-in for Biden speech
“Parking protocols ensured the vehicles were positioned more than six feet apart and everyone was told to wear face masks outside their vehicle. Gayman said she had ‘no words’ to adequately describe being near other Democrats on the final night of the convention.
“‘The silver lining from this pandemic is we’ve really appreciated that togetherness and I think especially since it’s been so long that folks have been able to gather, you know people are just really anxious and happy to enjoy one another’s company,’ she said, ‘even if it from a couple of cars away.’”
KYOU: Democrats Campaign Kickoff, Ottumwa, IA
“Today, Wapello County Democrats hosted their Battleground Iowa campaign kickoff this evening. Election season is in full swing as Wapello County Democrats kicked off their drive-up event in Central Park. The first ever event helped local voters register to vote, grab absentee ballots, pick up campaign signs, and receive census information.”
Siouxland News: State Senator Jackie Smith commemorates 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote
“As the Democratic National Convention continues, a local State Senator is making her rounds delivering campaign signs for Joe Biden to supporters.
“Iowa State Senator Jackie Smith of Sioux City and her team made their way across Woodbury County Tuesday, posting ‘Iowa for Biden’ signs in many front yards. […]
“‘It’s important going forward,’ Smith said. ‘We are going to join with men, women, all sorts of people to make sure we continue to fight for the integrity of voting. This is just the beginning of what we’ll be doing as far as trying to get Joe Biden’s name out in the neighborhood.’”
Delegates and Voters Came Together to Build Momentum for the Biden-Harris Ticket:
Although the convention looked a little different this year, Iowa delegates and voters alike came together to watch Joe Biden and Kamala Harris officially become the Democratic nominees — and talked about how they’ll meet the moment and win in November.
DMR: Iowa Democrats didn’t choose Biden, Harris at the caucuses, but celebrate their nominations
“Former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky said that seeing Biden, Harris and their spouses — Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff — didn’t send her looking back at the caucuses, but rather forward to what might be if they win the election against Republican Donald Trump.
“‘I look at the four of these people, and I look at how they look at each other and I look at how the four of them look together, and I just believe that there’s a path out of this,’ she said. ‘Because I think that they can lead it.’ […]
“Though many Democrats said they wished they could have celebrated Biden’s nomination in person, they felt the convention re-energized the base and offered a sense of hope for the future.
“‘There’s still fear, and there’s still apprehension and everything else,’ Sterzenbach said. ‘But there’s, I think, a light at the end of the tunnel. We can see how this team and our collective leadership are going to win this race, and then what this can look like next year and how different that will feel from where we are right now.’”
The Daily Iowan: Democratic National Convention begins with push for unity
“Janine Ambrose, an Iowa delegate from Black Hawk County, said in an interview with The Daily Iowan that she expects the party convention to appeal to a wide base and build momentum for Biden.
“Ambrose said some Republicans have been showing support for Biden at local committee meetings in Black Hawk County, reflecting a national voter bloc of Republicans who don’t approve of President Trump that the Democrats are trying to win over.
“‘I’m seeing people step up, even from the Republican Party, at the central committee meetings that are moving over and really stepping forward for the Democratic Party, so it’s real exciting,’ she said.”
The Daily Iowan: Iowa delegates navigate first virtual Democratic National Convention
“As the Democratic National Convention comes to a close Thursday with Joe Biden accepting the nomination as the Democratic candidate for president, delegates from Iowa have spent the week participating in a convention that’s unlike any before. […]
“‘It’s not enough for you to just have your plan to vote,’ Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith told the Iowa delegation Thursday. ‘We all need to make sure that our community, our friends, and our family have their plans to vote as well … I hope that you feel the urgency from the speakers last night, and I hope that you turn that urgency into action.’”
Special Guests Phoned in to the “Swingiest of Swing States” to Energize Voters:
Senator Cory Book, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Governor Tom Vilsack joined Iowans at virtual events to voice their support for Biden and belief that Iowa is a critical battleground state in this election.
Radio Iowa: Booker says Iowa is ‘swingiest’ of swing states in 2020 election
“New Jersey Senator Cory Booker tonight said the 2020 General Election in Iowa and elsewhere requires ‘grit’ and ‘gumption’ to bring an end to ‘a wretched period’ for the country. […]
“‘In Iowa, you all know that this is a deciding election where your state has assumed the position in America as the swingiest of states in all the 50 states and seven territories,’ Booker said.”
Radio Iowa: Buttigieg says Iowa ‘a real battleground’ in 2020 General Election
“The Democrat who won the 2020 Iowa Caucuses says he’ll campaign virtually in Iowa this fall in support of party nominee Joe Biden. Pete Buttigieg spoke to Iowa Democrats tonight in an online forum focused on voter turn-out.
“‘I have seen up close and personal just how seriously Iowans take your role in the process and I’m thrilled to be seeing Iowa shaping up to be a real battleground in November,’ Buttigieg said, ‘the battleground for the Biden-Harris ticket and a tipping point for control of the Senate.’”
Siouxland News: Fmr. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack talks virtual DNC, Iowa COVID-19
“Former Governor and USDA secretary in the Obama administration Tom Vilsack was one of Biden’s top surrogates in the state before February’s caucuses and delivered 38 delegates for his former boss during last night’s convention roll call.
“He says Biden’s qualities are exactly what the country needs right now.
“‘I think the convention themes of unity and leadership basically underscore what we need to have in the White House and what we need to have in this country to be able to tackle some of the major problems that we are now facing,’ Vilsack told Siouxland News. ‘The pandemic, the economic recession, climate change, the multitude of significant challenges that we face.’”
Congresswoman Cindy Axne Used the Convention Platform to Uplift Iowa’s Farmers:
NY Times: “They were joined by Representative Cindy Axne of Iowa, who met with a farmer whose business had been wrecked first by President Trump’s trade war with China and then by the pandemic.”