Author: Team Starting Line

Today’s party gathering in Cedar Rapids was the largest crowd yet for an Iowa Caucus event, and 19 presidential candidates took the opportunity to impress the key activists who showed up. For many of the Iowans there, it was their first time hearing in-person from a dozen or more of the contenders. Starting Line fanned out to ask attendees what they thought of the candidates after the event was over. The consensus seemed to be that there was no consensus. Many of the White House hopefuls had good moments, but no one ran away with the day. Here’s what they […]

Nineteen presidential candidates made their case to a ballroom packed full of the very Democratic activists who will help determine the next nominee of the party. Despite the lengthy program line-up, the day actually ran decently on-time, and most attendees stuck around for the full three hours. How do you make your case to be the next President of the United States in a mere five minutes? Every candidate gave it their best shot. Many contenders simply used a shortened version of their stump speech or pulled well-tested lines straight from their announcement months ago. And for some of the […]

Senator Amy Klobuchar landed her second Iowa endorsement just in time for her speech at the Iowa Hall of Fame Dinner in Cedar Rapids this Sunday afternoon. State Representative Marti Anderson announced her support for Klobuchar, citing the senator’s experience in working on mental health care issues and criminal justice. Anderson represents House District 36 in Des Moines, which includes the Beaverdale neighborhood. She joins fellow State Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, who backed Klobuchar earlier this month. Gaines also represents a Des Moines-area district. Both their seats are prime, delegate-rich areas for the Iowa Caucus. “I am proud to endorse […]

It’s the most important weekend of the Iowa Caucus yet, with 19 candidates descending upon Cedar Rapids to speak at a major fundraiser that nearly every key Iowa Democratic activist is at. The Hall of Fame Celebration is officially about honoring party activists and elected officials, but it’s really the kick-off of a new phase of campaigning for the Iowa Caucus. Campaigns show up in force to show off to both activists and the national press gathered here. Starting Line has full team coverage of all the day’s events. Here’s what the candidates and their staff did this morning and […]

You couldn’t walk more than a block at Des Moines’ Pride Fest this Saturday without bumping into a presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders attracted throngs of young people as he made his way through E. Locust Street in the East Village. Kirsten Gilllibrand had a local drag queen walk her around. And Pete Buttigieg gave a speech to hundreds of on-lookers before watching a renewal of vows ceremony to celebrate ten years of marriage equality in Iowa. The Starting Line team was on hand for all of the day’s events. You can read our previous story on the morning happenings. Here’s […]

It’s Pride Fest Weekend in Des Moines, and the 2020 presidential candidates are out in force to meet local Iowans and show their support for the LGBTQ community. A candidate forum is set for later today, and Iowa Safe Schools is holding a tailgate for visitors to meet local LGBTQ youth. Close to a dozen White House hopefuls are expected to be in the area. Starting Line has full team coverage for all of the day’s events. Here’s everything we’ve seen so far: Back In The Saddle: Kirsten Gillibrand Serves Up Drinks, Policy At Gay Bar “Who wants a drink?” […]