Democratic Presidential Candidates Challenged by Everyday People at Heartland Presidential Candidate Forum

Media Wishing to Cover Must Apply for Credentials Beginning November 13  

WHAT:  The historic Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Moines, Iowa on December 1, 2007 at HyVee Hall will feature Democratic presidential candidates Senator John Edwards, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Dennis Kucinich.  This forum will be the final significant gathering of Iowans and Heartland residents, with nearly 5,000 people expected to attend, as candidates answer questions from everyday people.

Co-sponsored by the Center for Community Change and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, the Heartland Presidential Forum will kick off with a rally and march prior to the main event.

Mayor Cownie of Des Moines will welcome the crowd and community leaders from across the country will start the program, before the candidates take to the stage for a moderated dialogue with everyday people. Radio One founder and Chairwoman, Cathy Hughes will introduce the candidates and moderate the interaction between candidates and real people.

Unlike most presidential forums to date, candidates will not share the stage with any other candidate. Each candidate will receive one framing question around the idea of Community Values and then will be asked to respond to 2-3 questions from families directly affected by housing, agriculture, immigration, low wage work, healthcare and clean election.

The Heartland Presidential Forum is an important part of the Campaign for Community Values, a multi-issue and multi-year effort to challenge the dominant “on your own mentality” of the right and to promote Community Values.  The Campaign for Community Values is a collective effort by more than 100 community-based organizations from all over the country to have an impact on public opinion and the 2008 elections.

WHEN/WHERE:       

Saturday, December 1, 2007

                        Heartland Presidential Forum: Community Values in Action

                        12:00 pm           Rally at Nollen Plaza, 3^rd and Locust Streets, Des Moines, IA

                        12:30-100pm     March to HyVee Hall from Nollen Plaza

                        1:30 pm Heartland Presidential Forum, HyVee Hall, 730 3^rd Street

HOW: CREDENTIAL PROCESS: Due to the large number media expected, media wishing to attend the Heartland Presidential Forum must complete an online credential application through www.iowaheartlandforum.org.  The media credential page will go live at 9 am EST on November 13, 2007. Deadline for submitting an application is November 27, 2007 at 5pm EST.

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