It is no secret that Dubuque has become a favorite city for those seeking elective office because, here in the Heartland, citizens are demonstrating the seriousness with which they assume civic responsibility.  And because the mayor’s role is non-partisan, meaning I serve to represent all citizens regardless of party affiliation, I have the privilege of accepting invitations to welcome all presidential hopefuls to our community.

For the first time since 1928, neither the incumbent president nor the sitting vice president is running for the country's highest office.  The field of 2008 presidential contenders is quickly becoming crowded, high-profile and historically diverse including (but not limited to):  Senator Joe Biden (D) Delaware; Senator Sam Brownback (R) Kansas; Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D), New York; Senator Christopher Dodd (D) Connecticut; Senator John Edwards (D) North Carolina; Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R), New York; Representative Dennis Kucinich (D) Ohio; Senator John McCain (R) Arizona; Senator Barack Obama (D) Illinois; Former Governor Mitt Romney (R) Massachusetts.

In late February, and just recently on March 4, I was invited to introduce Senators John Edwards of North Carolina and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. I anticipate we will receive many more visits and repeat visits from presidential hopefuls prior to the caucuses in January of 2008.  

The interesting thing about this stage of the 2008 national election cycle is the candidates’ intentionality to campaign on a more personal level.  This is due, in part, to our caucus system, which is different from a primary(where we go to cast our votes for the candidates who will run in the general election).  

A caucus system is where citizens meet with others from within their own party, in different locations around the community, and within the party’s caucus format, a candidate is ultimately chosen.  The “town meeting” setting being utilized by presidential hopefuls is intended to provide for more personalized opportunities to engage them on major national and international issues as well as those important to us right here in Dubuque, Iowa.  

I invite you to remain aware of presidential candidate visits to Dubuque in the months ahead, and to participate in the town meetings. Significant challenges face our nation, and the depth of knowledge, experience, intelligence, and character of our leadership has never been more important to our future as a nation, and to our role within the global community.