While trips to Iowa from an up-and-coming Democrat might turn heads about a potential challenge to an incumbent president, Fetterman was instead there to bolster support for President Biden.

Former President Barack Obama used his 2007 speech at the event, then called the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, for a breakthrough moment in his race against Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. So, Fetterman's trip to the state was a way to counter-program the constant Republican presence and give Iowa Democrats some hope amid an otherwise challenging landscape.įour years ago, the fundraiser drew thousands to an arena to hear speeches from the crowded 2020 field. To add insult to injury, the Democratic National Committee then did not pick Iowa to be the first to vote in 2024 after the debacle of Iowa's 2020 caucuses where the Associated Press never announced a winner. The fundraiser also comes following Iowa Democrats' abysmal midterm where the party lost its only Democrat left in Congress and two longtime statewide officeholders were also taken out.

Republican presidential candidates have been spending the better part of the year campaigning in Iowa ahead of its first-in-the nation caucuses on Jan. 'You might agree that the GOP is not sending their best and brightest to Iowa,' Fetterman said to laughs from the audience wearing his trademark hoodie and basketball shorts. ALTOONA, Iowa - Iowa Democrats looked to boost spirits among the party faithful at their sold-out Liberty and Justice Celebration which featured party up-and-comer Sen.

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