Edwards pops up at a concert in, of course, Iowa

Presidential campaigns just love surprises -- as long as they are very carefully planned and appear spontaneous.

So last night after a long day hopscotching Iowa, Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards suddenly appeared at a John Mellencamp concert at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The singer and senior staff had been alerted but not the audience or the candidate's traveling contingent, including The Times' Seema Mehta, who shared her notes:

After Mellencamp sang "Small Town," an anthem celebrating rural life, he called Edwards onstage. You can't waste an audience that large in Iowa during an election campaign. "This guy's from a small town," Mellencamp said, "and he just so happens to be running for president of the United States."

Edwards was greeted by cheers interrupted by a notable contingent of jeers. He grew up in the mill town of Robbins, N.C., and has known Mellencamp for about seven years. The former senator and vice presidential candidate wisely kept his remarks brief.

"I have been in your small towns," Edwards said. "I was born and raised in a small town. I've been all over your state in small towns." In fact, he's visited Iowa nearly 150 times this election cycle.

As Edwards retreated to a darkened portion of the stage, Mellencamp added, "That guy's a pretty fun guy."

Shortly before Edwards' visit, Mellencamp exhorted young fans to be involved and effect change. Mellencamp noted that his generation had grand plans, such as the legalization of marijuana, which he said he hadn't smoked since 1972. "We never even got that job done," he said. "You need to show compassion for other people and not be as selfish as my generation was."

It was Mellencamp's intro to a song called "Minutes to Memories," in which an old man on a bus exhorts a young man to "be the best that you can." The younger Edwards staffers seemed genuinely moved, even setting down their BlackBerries for a few seconds to applaud.

Understandably, however, candidate Edwards said nothing about legalizing marijuana during his remarks.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[IowaGuy]

Edwards was boo'd off the stage after about 30 seconds. It was a very uncomfortable situation for both John's. I was there, it was ugly. I loved it.

[pmorlan]

I'm not surprised to hear that a small group of right-wingers booed John Edwards. I watched on TV in 2000 a small group of vocal right-wingers make a lot of noise during the vote recount in 2000. Bully boys are always loud and obnoxious.

[Jen Q]

A small group of drunk guys booed Edwards and this is what makes news these days? Sheesh. What's next - talking about whether or not Romney gets his hair dyed?

[Debbie J.]

Wow what a complete fabrication Iowa guy, he was greeted with many cheers and hollars out in welcome. Iowans are a welcoming and gracious people as a whole. However there was a very small booing section I'm sure some Republicans in the crowd, kinda like you. Don't dare spin this negative, as there is clear footage to support what I am saying. Guess you are a card carying member of the GOP and get your MISinformation from the Drudge report.

[Patty Morlan]

Well, well. I just watched a video of this concert that I found on the web and what I heard was loud cheering. But don't take my word for it, see for yourself.

http://www.seeingtheforest.com/archives/2007/11/smear_edwards_b.htm

I guess if someone goes to all the trouble to smear Edwards they must be afraid he might be the nominee.

[Thad Requet]

I'm surprised there were any republicans at the concert. People I talked to at the show said they heard a few boos, but it was probably 90+ percent cheers.