Year in Review: politics in Iowa 2009 (Part 1)
From Bleeding Heartland

Culver names Curran new campaign manager
From the Des Moines Register political blog

Governor Chet Culver

See these and other speeches from the JJ Dinner on our YouTube channel.

Here are some early photos:

Check out all our photos on our Flickr page!

All Iowans will have the opportunity to go online and watch the event live, starting at 6:30 pm CST. Vice President Joe Biden will be our featured guest speaker. Other speakers include Senator Tom Harkin, Governor Chet Culver, Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge, Congressman Bruce Braley and Congressman Leonard Boswell.

“I want everyone to be a part of this great night. Whether you are coming, but have friends who can’t, or if you cannot join yourself, watch from home starting at 6:30 pm,” wrote Chairman Michael Kiernan to Iowa Democrats.

Just check out our live streaming video page at 6:30pm on Saturday night. Enjoy!

We are equally excited about some of the ways we’ve added to the JJ experience for 2009. This is definitely not your father’s JJ Dinner! We will debut several new features at this event. I want to share some of those with you, in hopes you’ll choose to share the experience with us next Saturday:

• First event-wide reception – For the first time, everyone who attends the dinner event is invited to take part in an all-Democrats Jefferson reception before dinner. Chat with elected officials and candidates and catch up with friends past and present!
• First onsite JJ after party – It will take place in the ballroom next to the dinner event, immediately following dinner. We’ll showcase our candidates for U.S. Senate in a Victory 2010 party as we look forward to defeating Sen. Chuck Grassley!
• First use of interactive technology – We’ll we’ll have trivia questions, updated event information, and raffle winners all displayed on screens with text-message interactivity throughout different times in the evening

Don’t miss any of these debuts as we usher in a new era for the Iowa Democratic Party’s biggest night of the year! Join us Saturday, November 21! Click here to be a part of the event.

All the best,

Michael Kiernan

To celebrate, we’re giving two lucky Democrats the opportunity to meet Vice President Joe Biden face-to-face at the JJ Dinner! To enter, just text meetjoe to 72466.

Then, follow the instructions to register! But hurry, this opportunity ends Saturday, October 31 at midnight. We’ll announce the two lucky winners here in our DMail online newsletter on Tuesday, November 3.

For the 2009 Jefferson Jackson Dinner, we’re adding some fun new elements to the JJ experience. We’ll have interactive opportunities throughout the night ranging from political trivia to silent auction items. We’ll also feature chances to text, email and sign up with the party online.

Iowa Democrats are embracing the idea that being active in new media will allow us to have contact with more voters, more often and in ways they’re comfortable using. We want to talk to Iowans in the way they talk to each other.

For ticket reservations and additional information about the 2009 Iowa Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Dinner, click here.

Please do not text while operating a motor vehicle. You can’t go to JJ if you’re in jail or the hospital.

No purchase or contribution necessary. Void where prohibited. Click here for full contest rules

“We are absolutely thrilled to have the Vice President back in Iowa,” Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan said Thursday. “There is a great deal of admiration for Joe Biden among Iowa Democrats.”

Time and location are still being worked out but you can be sure we’ll be shouting it from the rooftops because this year’s event is going to be one you won’t want to miss.

Sign up for ticket information here.

We took some great pictures. If you have pictures you’d like to send us, send us an e-mail.

You can read the full liveblog and see some of the photos we shot after the jump.

3:30

We hope you enjoyed our live blog. Look for more pictures and video soon.

3:00pm

Sen Franken live now!

2:30

We are live!

2:10pm

Check out this short video.

1:49pm

In a press avail, Senator Harkin says we WILL have a health care reform bill passed by Christmas and it WILL include a public option. “Count on it.”"

12:57pm

We’re a mere hour and a half from broadcasting live!

The crowds have entered and the grills are smoking. Steak, chicken and veggie burgers are being eaten and good times are being had. Here are some more pictures and we’ll have some video shortly.

11:23am

Volunteers and staff are putting the finishing touches as the 2009 Harkin Steak Fry is mere hours away. Keep checking this post for updates throughout the day and especially check out our live streaming video at 2:30pm CST. We will be streaming the speeches given by Governor Culver, Senator Harkin and our special guest Senator Al Franken.