It was one of those events unique to Iowa's retail politics. Two men, each hoping to be the next person to lay claim to the nation's highest office, stood behind wooden lecterns with campaign signs taped to the front. Campaign signs were also attached to the front of the stage. Behind, a banner proclaiming the home county organization hung on the yellow stage curtain, only slightly off-center.
The audience of roughly 400 sat in not-so-comfortable wooden chairs at West High School auditorium and minded their manners so that the most information possible could be provided in a limited event time-frame. Although the entire balcony had been reserved for members of the media, the sound crew and I had the run of the joint. The lone cameraman was a student from the University of Northern Iowa who raced to this point and that point throughout the event, seeking the best shots and lighting.
More than half of those in the audience had arrived by caravan after spending one-on-one time with the candidates at receptions at downtown Waterloo businesses. If being so close to a presidential candidate was an unusual thing for members of the audience, none of them let on. Of course this could have been because more supporter meetings and dinners with the candidates were held after the forum.
Having only two candidates -- Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd -- participating in the forum was not disappointing for a Communications Workers of America member who traveled over two hours to attend.
"I think that these two candidates are the most qualified," said Laurie Soroka, a Biden supporter who drove from Des Moines. "These two are the ones who will be be able, on the first day of their administration, to lead. They won't be in training. So, I wasn't disappointed that the others weren't here."
Waterloo resident Kay Hoffman felt differently.
"I am disappointed," said Hoffman, an undecided Iowan with a history of making up her mind just before caucus night. "I had heard that [Rep. Dennis] Kucinich was going to be here tonight. And although I may never vote for Kucinich, I'd still like to hear what he has to say.
"I'm going down my list. I heard [former Sen. John] Edwards speak the last time he was here. Now I've heard Biden and Dodd. I haven't been able to get to Hillary Clinton's or Barack Obama's events yet -- but I intend to."
The lack of candidate participation in the event wasn't because the local Democrats didn't try. Invitations to the forum were sent out Feb. 23, said Black Hawk County Chairwoman Pat Sass, and follow-ups with all the Democratic candidates were made monthly. One campaign sent their final regrets at 8 p.m. the night before the event.
The candidates who did show pointed to the importance of all Iowa caucus-goers and to Black Hawk County.
"I came here because it is important," Biden said between speaking to undecideds and entering a private meeting. "Look, this is a Democratic county. These people asked us back in February to come and I think the more exchange of ideas, the more debates we have, the more people learn about us. I'm sorry the rest didn't show up. I'm glad Chris did."
"Black Hawk County Democrats are great people and this is an important community for us," Dodd said after his appearance on stage and before meeting with undecided voters. "These types of forums are tremendously important -- and you got more than 30 seconds to answer a question. That's always helpful because audiences get to hear more from you. So, I'm grateful to the Black Hawk County Democrats, the fire fighters and others that made it possible for Joe and I to be here tonight."
Although it might seem unusual to those outside of Iowa to hear opposing candidates openly praise one another, the appreciation and respect Biden and Dodd have for one another took center stage at the forum. Such accolades were welcomed by the audience.
"I came here tonight hoping to hear intelligent answers and explanations for things, which is something we haven't heard from some of the other candidates," said Soroka. "One thing I did not want to hear was them insulting one another or the other candidates."
Not surprisingly, Soroka said she wanted to hear the candidates discuss broadband internet connectivity.
"High speed internet is very important," she said. "It relates to all the issues that were discussed -- even Iraq as far as security. It relates to education, to health care, to all those things. They both touched on that."
Primarily because of a recent family health care crisis, Hoffman said she wanted to hear more about coverage for all Americans.
"I think anything we could hear from this party would be better than what we've heard the last eight years," she said. "I'm all for health insurance for everyone. Not because I don't have health insurance. I do. My husband just went through a three-year and four-month siege of pancreatic cancer. So, I know how important insurance is. I would like to see everybody have health coverage because I know we could not have gotten through without it."
Biden said he was pleased that he and Dodd were able to go more in-depth on their plans for for health care and education.
"There was a larger discussion on education because Chris and I both agree on it," he said. "There was also a larger discussion on health care. I think people got more exposure to our views."
Dodd stayed on message by stating he was happy those in attendance had opportunity to think about his and Biden's accomplishments.
"I think it is important, as people are evaluating candidacies, that they can see results," he said. "It's important to know what people have done in their lives. Who are they? What do they care about? Where have they dedicated their time and efforts? That will give you a better sense of what type of president the candidate is apt to be. I'm proud to say that the things I've engaged in over the years have changed America and made it better. I want to continue that work as president."
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