Steak, beer and politics: 2020 Dems descend on Iowa
With marching bands, drum lines, hundreds of yard signs and at least one firetruck, Democratic presidential candidates made a colorful and often loud pitch to Iowa Democrats at the Steak Fry fundraiser in Des Moines on Saturday.
The event, a fundraiser for the Polk County Democratic Party and one of the biggest remaining opportunities for candidates to flex their organizing muscles in Iowa before the caucuses, comes as a number of candidates are facing an uncertain future in the race and ramping up their campaigns in an effort to break out of the pack.
With thousands of Iowa Democrats braving ominous gray skies and intermittent rain, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, punctuating a summer-long buildup in Iowa, drew one of the most robust receptions.
To the chants of, “Pete, Pete, Pete,” the once-little-known candidate began his speech joking, “I guess I can cross out the part where it says my name is Pete Buttigieg.”
California Sen. Kamala Harris, announced Thursday she is going all-in on Iowa in hopes of a topthree finish, despite lagging in national and Iowa polls. With just over four months until Iowans launch the 2020 Democratic nominating contest candidates have begun sharpening their contrasts.
But Saturday’s sprawling political festival featuring speeches by 19 candidates was more about attempts at shows of strength and, for some, more dire appeals to remain in the race.
On Saturday, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker warned he may need to end his campaign if he’s unable to raise $1.7 million by the end of the third fundraising quarter. Booker, who entered the race last winter with key staff and backing from influential Iowans, also has struggled to break through.
Candidates worked to turn out their supporters in force. Of the 12,000 attending, 9,000 of the tickets were provided by the campaigns. Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaigns competed for turnout, with both turning out well over 1,000, as Biden hoped to stamp his recent place atop Iowa polls.
Part festival, part organizing exercise, the daylong event was quintessentially Iowa, with its roots from veteran former Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, who began the event more than 40 years ago as a House member, then later five-term Senator. Democrats of all ages enjoyed the traditional steaks — 10,500 were grilled by volunteers — but also had the option to order from a food truck or visit a craft beer tent.
The increasingly pointed fall stretch to the caucuses stayed positive Saturday, as Biden continued his upbeat call for Americans to “pick our heads up, remember who we are, we are the United States of America.”