August 10, 2019

Iowa State Fair: How the 2020 underdogs are keeping hope alive
Tulsi Gabbard, the Hawaii congresswoman who begins most speeches with a cheery “aloha”, wants Iowans to know about the “high cost of war” that she says detracts from domestic priorities like education and infrastructure development.Marianne Williamson, a self-help author with a seemingly unflappable calm, says she wants to disrupt of American politics in a way that goes beyond beating Donald Trump, and to a “way more powerful level”. You have to lead with love, she said.Meanwhile, John Delaney, the businessman-turned-congressman who has been touring Iowa for well over a year preaching a moderate platform, says radical calls for change coming from others in the Democratic field will alienate centrist voters they all may need if they hope to beat Mr Trump.That’s at least what the three hoped to portray during their Des Moines Register “Political Soapbox” speeches on Thursday, as the deadline to qualify for the next democratic debates in September looms. They are all trying to keep hope — and, by proxy, their visions for America — alive, and to find a way to make sure they make it through next month alongside the likes of Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.They’re not alone. A dozen presidential candidates have flocked to Des Moines this week for the Iowa State Fair, hoping to find any sort of foothold that might boost their chances with six months until the caucuses.The event draws each candidate to a small stage in the centre of the Iowa State Fair, where they have around 20 minutes to make their case to the voters spread out just an arm’s length away, just beyond some hay. Many may not even know their names, but are giving them something of a chance to explain their case and draw their votes — or, at least, that’s what voters say.“Iowa has a special place in our political process, and they get candidates here in person, so there’s something to be said about seeing them up front and close and listening to them and getting to talk to them,” said Roger Sherman, a political consultant who drove in from Colorado, said as Andrew Yang joked on stage nearby about throwing a party with Tom Hanks and others to celebrate his policies as president.For candidates like Ms Gabbard, Ms Williamson and Mr Delaney, the Iowa State Fair may be the last good opportunity to attract a decent amount of attention to themselves — and, by virtue of that, strong polling performances and donations — before the cutoff date for the debates, as set by the Democratic National Committee for 28 August. To qualify: Four polls showing 2 per cent support, alongside 130,000 unique donors.And, so far, just nine candidates have met those polling and donation thresholds, leaving the other 13 or so declared candidates scrambling to make the cut.For Ms Gabbard, who took a stroll along Grand Ave by the carnival rides and food vendors while greeted fans who happened to see her, and former Housing and Urban Development secretary Julian Castro, who spoke Friday morning at the soapbox, defending his brother for tweeting a list of Donald Trump's donors, registering for the debates means just meeting the polling threshold.But for candidates like Ms Williamson, Mr Delaney — a businessman with a considerable fortune who is funding his own campaign, in part — and others like Ohio congressman Tim Ryan, Montana governor Steve Bullock, and Colorado senator Michael Bennett, both criteria remain to be met.In a state like Iowa, though, some residents said most folks are already tuned in, at least a bit.With candidates touring through the state’s counties constantly, it is hard to miss the 2020 race, they said. But, it’s nice to have all of them in one place, they said. “Most of these candidates we’ve seen three or four times,” said Jeanne Uhl, 67, of Elhart, Iowa. “It’s nice to see several of them in a day, though,” she continued.Even for candidates who attract some good will, though, that doesn’t always translate into support.Take Joel Wackner, for instance, a 21-year-old from Aimes who ran over to Ms Gabbard at the fair, and asked for a selfie. The moment was kind, they joked, and they took the photo. But: “Honestly I’m kind of leaning towards Yang,” Mr Wackner said.Does she still have time to win his vote? Sure, he said: “I liked her at the debate. Sure, I’m considering her.”
Related Stories
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi Celebrate “Three Years of Bliss” Ahead of Wedding
March 24, 2024
C4Ehegcq1-A
Kate Middleton & Prince William "Enormously Touched" by Public Support
March 24, 2024
s8fig-RCjFc
Gisele Bündchen Denies Cheating on Ex-Husband Tom Brady
March 23, 2024
_SpRMagA8BM
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
'Everybody Was S----ing Their Pants': Nick Thune Jokes About Being Born in the '70s and Fatherhood
March 16, 2024
mm7Baf6o2d8
Gunna Says Tour Will Up Creativity in Rap, Endorses Flo Milli | TMZ
March 22, 2024
QfMU24fw-Qo
Reporter Taylor Lorenz Says Palace Botched Kate Cancer News Rollout | TMZ Live
March 22, 2024
o43ZucdiyEo
Riley Strain's Body Found After Going Missing in Nashville 2 Weeks Ago | TMZ NOW
March 22, 2024
1m1zM-4_Cs8
Kyle Richards hasn’t spoken to co-star Dorit Kemsley, denies sending her a ‘manipulative’ text
March 24, 2024
LqLZzDP1hm4
Jordan Emanuel on her connection to 'RHOSLC' star Meredith Marks, advice from Amanda Batula
March 24, 2024
5NPAwlOov1Y
Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary apologizes after slamming ‘fickle’ Meghan Markle in scathing interview
March 24, 2024
JWG9kitALZk
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SK Brann W - Barcelona W
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Hacken W - PSG W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SL Benfica W - Lyon W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Ajax W - Chelsea W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Brighton - Manchester City
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
11
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Chelsea - Newcastle United
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Liverpool - Manchester City
10
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Real Madrid - Celta Vigo
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Atalanta
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Fiorentina - Roma
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
AC Milan - Empoli
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.