Senator Obama will be holding a Town Hall Meeting at the Polk County Convention Complex on Wednesday, February 21st, at 7:45pm (Doors open an hour earlier). The event is free and open to the public, but attendees must pick up a free ticket at one of the following locations:

Wells Fargo Arena Box Office

730 3rd Street

Des Moines, IA

(515) 564-8000

Monday-Tuesday 10:00AM-5:30PM

Mars Cafe

2318 University Avenue

Des Moines, IA

(515) 369-6277

Monday-Wednesday 6:30AM-11:00PM

Saturday 8:00AM-Midnight

Sunday 8:00AM-11:00PM

IBEW

1435 NE 54th Avenue

Des Moines, IA

(515) 265-6193

Monday-Wednesday 8:00AM-4:30PM

Baratta’s Restaurant

2320 South Union Street

Des Moines, IA

(515) 243-4516

Monday-Wednesday 11:00AM-2:00PM and 5:00PM-9:00PM

Saturday 4:00PM-11:00PM

Sunday 5:00PM-9:00PM

Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure

2723 Ingersoll Avenue

Des Moines, IA

(515) 244-7694

Monday-Wednesday 7:00AM-9:00PM

Saturday 7:00AM-11:00PM

Sunday 8:00AM-6:00PM

(Obama Press Release) 

  “WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today introduced binding and comprehensive legislation that not only reverses the President’s dangerous and ill-conceived escalation of the Iraq war, but also sets a new course for U.S. policy that can bring a responsible end to the war and bring our troops home.

  “Our troops have performed brilliantly in Iraq, but no amount of American soldiers can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else’s civil war,” Obama said. “That’s why I have introduced a plan to not only stop the escalation of this war, but begin a phased redeployment that can pressure the Iraqis to finally reach a political settlement and reduce the violence.”

  The Obama plan offers a responsible yet effective alternative to the President’s failed policy of escalation. Realizing there can be no military solution in Iraq, it focuses instead on reaching a political solution in Iraq, protecting our interests in the region, and bringing this war to a responsible end. The legislation commences redeployment of U.S. forces no later than May 1, 2007 with the goal of removing all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008, a date that is consistent with the expectation of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.”

Full release below the fold:

The Register had the story this morning that Governor Culver would be signing the minimum wage increase this afternoon, that would incrimentaly raise it to $7.25/hr by January 2008.

I just got back from the Captiol about half an hour ago after attending the signing and it was very gratifying to see the Governor (GOVERNOR CULVER!!) sign his first bill into law. Also amazing was the support of the both Houses; 79-19 in the House and 40-8 to give a raise to over 100,000 hard working Iowans.

Also, happy birthday to Governor Culver, as he turns 41 today.

Is any one going to the events in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids? Any predictions on format, openess? Anyone know what the Des Moines venue (East High School Community Center) can hold?

I think this event will be very interesting/ telling of how the big name candidates start in the state. Senators Obama, Clinton, and Edwards are going to need to do small scale personal events, but is there any way to keep folks from coming in droves to these candidates. The best remedy of course is saturation (visit, rinse, repeat) When I think about it, a year until the caucus doesn’t seem that long with all the work these candidates need to put in the state. Small candidates have some good advantages of meeting with many folks in small groups and can have events that seem less staged and definately more fulfiling. I am excited to see how it all shapes out.

What will win out? “The tortoise or the hare strategy?” Could Vilsack be planning on the latter for a win?

The Boston Globe says Kerry will not run again in 2008.