The intensity of the presidential politicking in Iowa will not cease just because there’s a national holiday on the horizon. The three leading candidates for the Democratic Party’s 2008 presidential nomination will campaign in Iowa just before Thanksgiving. Republicans Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson plan to campaign here early next week as well.
But two Democrats — Chris Dodd and Joe Biden — intend to spend Thanksgiving Day in Iowa. "We’re going to spent Thanksgiving with my family and we’re going to be with good friends of ours in Iowa," Dodd says. "…They’ve got a huge family and they’ve invited my huge family. We’ve got some coming from Utah and Connecticut and the staff out in Iowa. We’re going to spend a wonderful Thanksgiving Day."
Dodd’s wife and two young children have moved to Iowa for the duration of the Caucus campaign, living in a rented home in the stately "South of Grand" neighborhood in Des Moines. Terrace Hill, the Victorian era mansion which is the home of Iowa’s governor, sits in that neighborhood. But according to Dodd, his family won’t be sitting in a home on Thanksgiving Day.
The Dodds will be in a barn on a Jones County farm near Monticello with the Spechts, who will have more than 100 members of their own family there, plus the Dodd contingent. "A great Thanksgiving, Midwestern dinner so we’re looking forward to it," Dodd says.
Biden and his family will be spending Thanksgiving Day in Des Moines. Biden and his entire family will hold canned food drives on Wednesday, then the Biden family and his campaign staff will get together on Thursday for a Thanksgiving meal.