'Marathon For The Middle Class' Includes Break for Real Running

John Edwards launched his 36-hour "Marathon for the Middle Class" today with events in Ames and Fort Dodge.

"During each hour of the 36-hour marathon – at events and on www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa – Edwards will highlight one specific step to strengthen the middle class," the campaign release reads, highlighting examples such as raising the minimum wage and passing universal health care.

But the release left out specifics about one critical hour ... The one Edwards spent on a treadmill in the Renaissance Savery in Des Moines, from about 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., reports Hotline staff writer Chris Bodenner.

Bodenner reports that Edwards, an avid runner, was alone, no security. He had headphones on and was watching the Rose Bowl.

Maybe exercise is one of those 36 steps .. it would quite literally strengthen the middle class. Full release about Edwards' "Marathon for the Middle Class" after the jump.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 1, 2008

CONTACT:
Audrey Waters
919 636 3203

EDWARDS LAUNCHES 36-HOUR “MARATHON FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS”

Over 36 hours, Edwards discusses 36 bold ideas for strengthening the middle class

Des Moines, Iowa – This morning, Senator John Edwards kicked off a 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class.” Edwards will spend the next 36 hours before the Iowa caucuses talking to thousands of Iowa caucus goers about his 36 ideas to strengthen the middle class. As he makes his closing argument to Iowans, Edwards will highlight his bold plans to stand up to the powerful special interests and give hard working, middle class families a voice in Washington. Edwards heads into the final days before the caucuses with growing momentum as more and more Iowans respond to his positive vision of America — an America where everyone can work hard and build a better life for their children.

“Over the next 36 hours, I’m looking forward to meeting with Iowans across the state who are as restless as I am for change – and who understand that making change happen is going to take a fight,” said Edwards. “Middle-class families are working harder and harder every day just to get by – and they need a president who will fight on their behalf. Together we can take on the corporate greed and powerful interests that are corrupting Washington and stealing our children’s future, and make our government start working again for middle-class families.”

Edwards begins the marathon today with a New Year’s Day event in Ames, followed by events in Fort Dodge, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs. At midnight, Edwards will attend an event with core supporters in Atlantic followed by an event at 2:15 AM at the home of another supporter in Creston. The marathon continues Wednesday with an early breakfast in Centerville, a visit to a campaign office in Ottumwa, and events in Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Grinnell. The marathon will end with a “This Is Our Country” rally in Des Moines with John Mellencamp.

During each hour of the 36-hour marathon – at events and on www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa – Edwards will highlight one specific step to strengthen the middle class. The first idea that Edwards is highlighting is raising the minimum wage. Effective today, Iowa’s minimum wage was officially raised to from $6.20 to $7.25 an hour. While Edwards applauds Governor Culver and the Iowa Legislature for taking this important step, he believes the federal government has to show leadership. Edwards has called for raising the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2012 to help millions of low-wage workers earn a decent wage -- and then having the minimum wage go up automatically after that.

In addition to his minimum wage proposal, the first eight hours of the marathon, Edwards will be discussing his other plans to create more good jobs by investing in new clean energy infrastructure. As president, Edwards will also support American ingenuity by investing in education and technology, strengthen labor laws, ban the permanent replacement of strikers, protect prevailing wage laws, cut taxes for working families and strengthen the safety net for workers struggling to find jobs.

In the following five hours of the marathon, Edwards will focus on his proposals for helping families save and get ahead. In hours 14 through 17, Edwards will focus on his plans to pass true universal health care so that every man, woman and child in America can get the care they need.

From hours 18 to 30, Edwards will highlight his plans to strengthen our schools, followed by his proposals for smart trade policy and to help working families. In the last six hours of the marathon, Edwards will talk about his proposals to restore rural communities by investing in rural America, and he’ll close the marathon with a discussion of his plans to help America achieve energy independence.

Edwards has outlined his bold solutions for change in an 80-page policy book, “The Plan to Build One America.” Further details on Edwards’ 36 bold ideas to strengthen the middle class can be found on the Edwards website – www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa.

Included below is the full schedule of events for the 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class.”

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2008
12:00 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a New Year’s Day event
Iowa State University – Memorial Union South Ballroom
2229 Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa

2:45 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a New Year’s Day event
Friendship Haven
420 Kenyon Road
Fort Dodge, Iowa

7:15 PM
Senator Edwards to drop-by a phone bank
United Steelworkers Local 164
2727 East Market
Des Moines, Iowa

10:00 PM
Senator Edwards to drop-by the John Edwards for President campaign office
John Edwards for President Council Bluffs office
8 North 34th Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2nd, 2008
12:00 AM
Senator Edwards to visit a “Midnight GOTC Party” with core supporters and volunteers in Cass County
The home of Denise O’Brien – 2006 Democratic Nominee for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
59624 Chicago Road
Atlantic, Iowa

2:15 AM
Senator Edwards to visit core supporters and volunteers in Union County
The home of Union County co-coordinator and precinct captain Jan Knock
906 West Montgomery Street
Creston, Iowa

5:15 AM
Senator Edwards to attend a pancake breakfast for supporters and volunteers
NOTE: following the breakfast, supporters and volunteers will get an early start on last minute Get-Out-The-Caucus activities
The home of Deb Kury – Staging location for Get-Out-The-Caucus activities
502 South 12th Street
Centerville, Iowa

7:00 AM
Senator Edwards to drop by the John Edwards for President campaign office for a canvass kickoff
John Edwards for President Ottumwa office
609 Church Street
Ottumwa, Iowa

8:30 AM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
2nd Street Café
107 East 2nd Street
Fairfield, Iowa

9:45 AM
Senator Edwards to drop-by a canvass kickoff
The home of Bob Petrezelka
609 East Monroe Street
Mount Pleasant, Iowa

11:30 AM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
Ivy Bake Shoppe
622 7th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa

1:00 PM
Senator Edwards to drop by the John Edwards for President campaign office
John Edwards for President Burlington office
2700 Mount Pleasant Street
Burlington, Iowa

3:30 PM
Senator Edwards to meet with caucus goers
Capanna Coffee Company
136 S Dubuque Street
Iowa City, Iowa

5:00 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a “Countdown to Caucus” event
Marriott Cedar Rapids – Hickory Room
1200 Collins Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

7:35 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
Saints Rest Coffee House
919 Broad Street
Grinnell, Iowa

9:00 PM**
Senator Edwards to hold a “This is Our Country” rally
Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp will perform at the event before Senator Edwards speaks
Ticket information for members of the public available at www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa
Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Road
West Des Moines, Iowa

**NOTE: Doors open at 8:30 PM. Media pre-set at 7:45 PM. Program begins at 9:00 PM. John Edwards will speak at approximately 10:00 PM.

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Paid for by John Edwards for President.

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