Candidates and Surrogates Visit Iowa Delegation Caucus Before the RA Floor

On Monday, July 2nd the 115 delegates from Iowa attending the NEA Representative Assembly were treated to their first set of surrogates speaking on behalf of candidates running for President of the United States.


First to address us on Monday was former Congressman David Bonior of Michigan, National Campaign Chair for Senator John Edwards.





Dr. Jill Biden, a community college instructor and former high school English teacher (and NEA member) spoke on behalf of her husband, U.S. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware.




On Tuesday, July 3rd Iowans heard from Dr. Veronica Garcia, Director of the New Mexico Department of Education. Dr. Garcia spoke on behalf of Governor Bill Richardson.

On Thursday, July 5th the last day of the NEA Representative Assembly, Iowans greeted our last special guest when U.S. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois spoke to our early morning caucus. We were told that Senator Obama could only be with us briefly...saying a few remarks and answering a couple of questions. When he finished speaking, he asked if it was okay to greet our delegation by shaking hands of every individual. Oh yes, we had the time! It was an extra special treat for all of us!

Candidates running for president from both Republican and Democratic parites were invited to address the 2007 NEA Representative Assembly. Democratic candidates to address the assembled 9,000+ delegates were: U.S.Senator Hillary Clinton, New York; former U.S. Senator John Edwards, North Carolina; U.S.Senator Chris Dodd, Connecticut; Governor Bill Richardson, New Mexico; Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Ohio; U.S. Senator Barack Obama, Illinois; and U.S. Senator Joe Biden, Delaware. Only one Republican running for president agreed to address the NEA and that was former Arkansas Governor Huckabee.

Several presidential campaigns reached out to Team ISEA to have photos with some of our members. Presidents of early states had their photos with Senator Clinton on Monday. I had all of our NEA PAC fundraising team and New Business Committee members greet Senator Edwards following his remarks to the RA. They all had the chance for photos and many received autographs. Vice President Chris Bern and NEA Director Jim Young had photos with Governor Richardson on Tuesday. On Thursday we held a drawing of Team ISEA members that contributed at the suggested $150 level and four of our members had photos with Senator Biden as the result of that drawing.

Wrapping Up in Philly (from the NEA website)

On the last day of the 86th Representative Assembly, NEA delegates debated education priorities and welcomed three presidential candidates: U.S. Senators Barack Obama, (D-IL), Joe Biden, (D-DE), and the sole Republican to address the assembly, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

They had already heard from Sen. Hillary Clinton, (D-NY), former Sen. John Edwards, (D-NC), Sen. Chris Dodd, (D-CT), Rep. Dennis Kucinich, (D-OH) and Gov. Bill Richardson, (D-NM).

The candidates' speeches delivered a jolt of excitement. "It's an incredible forum," said Pennsylvania delegate Mike Ronan. "You don't get this on television."

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Presidential Candidate Video Clips RA Slideshows
Read Across America Read-In
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