The Iowa caucuses started the presidential campaign and Iowa and neighboring Brain-Belt states Minnesota and Missouri may decide the whole thing, according to CNN's John King. He says this presidential election is so close that, similar to 2000 and 2004, a few key states may tip the scales one way or the other.
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After spending an hour and a half with Joe Biden at Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy's home I was immediately won over by Joe's charisma, his story and his position as one of our great international statesmen. I couldn't help but remark at the time that I thought Biden and Obama would be the perfect ticket. Joe was traveling with his son Hunter and daughter Ashley. I told Ashley I thought she should run for office. I would vote for her. She is really a bright light.
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Speaking of bright lights, a year and a half ago, I had the opportunity to spend an hour and a half with Sarah Palin, the dynamo Governor of Alaska. I was on a speaking tour and got the last seat in an exit row on a flight from Anchorage to Juneau. This really charming young lady sitting next to me started grilling me about what I was doing in Alaska. I told her that I was on the "Amazing Race" on a trip around the world, which it seemed like. She said, "really?", with really big eyes. I said, "no, not really, but what do you do?" She said, "I am the Governor." And, she was. She sold the Governor's jet and flew coach to make a statement about excesses in the Governor's office. What a breath of fresh air she was. I had met the previous Governor and he was one of the "old boys."
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What is it going to take for the next President to succeed? I think it is really simple: a plan for prosperity and peace. And, that will take the form of growing and supporting local economies across the globe. We need to break the grip of the legacy of the power grid, for example, that wasn't set up to absorb alternative energy or allow local, independent producers to create local energy independence. What we do in Iowa, also has to be exported to Africa, Latin America and the middle east. Fairfield may stand out a key campaign stop for its innovation in sustainable living and local food systems, not to mention entrepreneurship and the worldwide network that Fairfield represents.
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I applaud both Barack Obama and John McCain for their presidential choices. Sarah Palin and Joe Biden are two of the most impressive people I have met in the last two years. And, I have met most of the presidential candidates.
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The Fairfield Art Walk in September is about Everything Local. It is going to have fantastic food and art. The Fairfield Puzzle Place mural will be dedicated, the 1st Art on Barn contest winner will be announce and there will be many more great activities. Sept 5th!