Essential Estrogen

I've been invited to join a conference call with Sen. John Edwards to discuss the launch of his campaign's first ad in Iowa -- "We the people."

The call will begin in about five minutes. Before we get started, here's what we know so far:

• On May 2, we posted "We Don't Have Time For Normal" about the email which asked supporters to help him both create and air the "We the people" advertisement.
• The next day, we posted how the campaign wanted to bring the ad to Iowa after raising enough money to put it on the D.C. airwaves
• Today, the Edwards campaign sent out a press release announcing the ad would begin running across the entire state of Iowa today.

Here's a peek at the ad:

Was the fourth to join the conference call. There are a few names online that I recognize such as Charlotte Eby. Lots of local press and also lots of national press. So far, we just have a lot of folks joining the call -- no real action.

Dan Leistikow from the Edwards campaign is on the call now as well as the operator... waiting... there seems to be a technical issue the operator is working to resolve.

Announcements -- Edwards will come on and make comments and then we'll move to a question and answer. Everyone asked to mute lines. OUCH! Massive beeping as everyone moved to mute their lines.

The ad is going up statewide on both cable and network, says Leistikow. Questions about logistics of the ad will be discussed after the Senator comes on the line. He should be with us in about 60 seconds.

Senator Edwards signed on -- announcing our first state-wide advertising in Iowa. Unique because it uses the voices of Iowans to ask Congress not to back down on the issue of Iraq. We are also asking others to log on to YouTube and add their voices.

Have seen some discussion of a compromise, but he says the people have spoken -- they want this war to end. "The people are going to be speaking out loudly and clearly."

Heading into questions.

Ken Black -- Marshalltown paper: If this campaign is successful, do you think we'll be perceived as weak for cutting and running in Iraq?

Senator -- First need to deal with the bleeding sore which is Iraq... need to do so in a thoughtful way. Bring all the Iraqi parties into the discussion and work with them. We need to be a leader and stabilizing force and be a moral authority in the world.

Kay Henderson -- Do you admit to having an advantage in this debate because you do not have to cast a vote in the Senate while your colleague do?

Senator -- No. I'm a candidate for the President of the U.S. and I'll be held responsible for every stance I take. Our we doing everything in our power to bring this conflict to an end.

Charlotte Eby -- Is the average voter paying attention to the legislative strategy for ending the war?

Senator -- I think that Iowa caucus goers pay attention to everything and I believe they know the difference between the Congress using its powers to bring this war to an end and not.

Jim Boyd from WHO -- Not present

Robin from Omaha World Herald -- You voted for the resolution giving the Pres. authority to go to war. Do we have any moral obligation to the Iraqis?

Senator -- First of all we have a moral obligation to our selves and to the world. We have spent years and many American lives... many American men and women severely injured both physically and emotionally... we have worn our military down... we have made ourselves more vulnerable.... time for Iraq to take more responsibility for their own country. More American troops on the ground will not make the forces in Iraq to work with each other.

No choices are good -- George Bush has created a mess in Iraq and now we have to deal with it.

CJ Jackson with the AP -- Talks about Senator's wealth... is it fair?

Senator -- What matters at the end of the day is where you come from, what you stand for and what you believe.

Mary Ray from Dubuque Telegraph Herald -- Republican candidates coming through Iowa have said the November election was not about war... how can you or other Dems specifically point to something which says those elections were about the war.

Senator -- This isn't a guess... I was campaigning and heard it. People are very frustrated with a bull-headed president who refused to change course. It wasn't just Iraq, but it was a significant part of it. Also wanted bold changes in other areas -- healthcare, Katrina, globla warming -- but Iraq was at the top of the list.

David ??? with ABC -- This sounds like an extension of the ad campaign started in the beltway. Who are the people who will be profiled?

Senator -- people who are participating are regular Iowans --He laughed at that "when are they not?" -- from lots of places around Iowa. I wanted to make it clear to caucus goers where I stand on this issue. I also wanted to allow the voices of Iowa to be heard on this issue.

Emily Gibbons from KCCI -- (didn't answer call for her question)

Chris Dorsey from Iowa Politics -- (didn't hear question)

Senator -- Want to see forums and debates pay less attention to the trivial and more attention to things of substance.

That's it... press are asked to phone staff with any follow-up questions.

I considered going back through this and fixing typos and so-forth, but I thought it would be better to let it stand as-is.