They're Off!

With barely 900 days to go before the official process of replacing George W. Bush begins with the first presidential caucus, the good Democrats of Newton, Iowa, are anxious. Almost fully recovered from last fall's bruising battle to carry their state for Al Gore, but still righteously indignant about the Supreme Court ruling that denied him the presidency--folks here prefer the word "theft"--the partisans of the Jasper County Democratic Party are aching to get back into the fight.

Just past 8 on a Saturday morning in July, the parking lot behind the United Auto Workers Local 997 hall is full. Latecomers are parking along the cornfield across the road and scrambling in, with only a few old-timers pausing to sweep bugs off the plaque that reads, "In memory of Solidarity Brother Edris 'Soapy' Owens--December 11, 1914-September 23, 1998--He woke up every day seeing the ghost of Walter Reuther, asking himself what can I do to make this world a better place."

The torchbearers of the Reuther tradition have filled the tables and lined the walls of the hall. The Wallace brothers are among the last to show. "He's not here yet?" ask the look-alike elders of the local party. "No, no, not yet, but you hurry up and get a seat up front so you can see," says county party chair Sandy Shaver. That's good advice. Moments later, the side door opens and in walks the son of a St. Louis milk-truck driver who, as far as these folks are concerned, looks pretty darned presidential.

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