Article about John Kerry in Iowa in U.S. News and World Report

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060922/22kerryiowa.htm

On a beer-soaked Iowa field, Kerry steps soberly
By Jennifer Seter Wagner

Posted 9/22/06

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IOWA CITY, IOWA—The black dirt that for centuries endured the blood and sweat of a farmer's labor is–at least on game days here–now soaked in beer.

The newly renovated Kinnick Stadium can hold 70,000 football fans. And when those fans aren't in the stadium on a sold-out game day, they're generally right outside it, engaging in what some call the world's biggest tailgating party–particularly when the home team, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, plays its cross-state rival, Iowa State, as it did on Saturday morning. And thousands of those looking for beer and, well, more beer head right across the street to the plot of land considered the crazy epicenter of the party: Olive Court.

So when the local press corps got wind of the fact that Sen. John Kerry would be showing up for a pregame tailgating event at an Olive Court residence in support of Dave Loebsack, a local Democratic candidate running for Congress, many were mystified.

"It's not clear he knows what he's getting into," said one local newspaper reporter.

"I'm thinking what a security risk it must be!" noted a local TV journalist.

"It's f---ing insane down there," said another.

Still, if only they KNEW about your guys' evening in the pub with him:


Around 9:30 a.m., into this milieu strolled Kerry. The Massachusetts senator was instantly surrounded by a sea of Hawkeye black and gold and Cyclone colors of cardinal and gold. Despite the mobs, Kerry looked fresh and pressed–his blue button-up and pleated khakis didn't show a wrinkle. He held a baby, he gently kissed the cheek of a disabled woman who wanted to speak about Social Security and who had written him a poem, and he showed no signs of surprise in regards to his surroundings. He looked to be in his element.

His arrival brought various reactions from the crowd. "I think he needs a beer," said Ben Mulder, a 21-year-old student from the local Kirkwood Community College.

Kourtney Johnson, 20, wearing a black "Bong Me" T-shirt, stood about 10 feet from where Kerry shook hands with fans.

"It's a weird opportunity for him to be here," she said. "But he's trying to connect with students, not just the older population."

Said Hawkeye fan Damon Lord, 29: "It would be better if he was drinking with us."




Ha!! He's already past the first hurdle. People WANT to have a beer with him!!

Nice article.

Like he couldn't handle a bunch of college students. He was in Vietnam!!

In my county, when he came for Corzine, a group of young Republican protestors ran to the back of a parking lot to hide when he walked in their direction - even though they weren't the reason he went.