AARP and The Des Moines Register are sponsoring forums in five Iowa cities featuring 19 Democratic presidential candidates next week. AARP state director Brad Anderson says each candidate will have 25-minutes on stage.
“We wanted something that really kind of favored substance over soundbites,” Anderson says.
The candidates will answer questions from the audiences of AARP members as well as from moderators Kathie Obradovich of The Des Moines Register and Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson.
“We anticipate that topics across the board are going to be covered that really apply to all people, but certainly the 50-plus population,” Anderson says.
According to Anderson, research indicates one out of every five people who attend the 2020 Caucuses will be an AARP member.
“People don’t realize that on Caucus Night, 60 percent of the Caucus-goers are going to over the age of 50,” Anderson says. “There’s been a lot of talk about the millennial vote, which is certainly important, but really all the candidates should be paying close attention to the 50-plus population and the issues they care about.”
Each forum will begin at 2 p.m. and be livestreamed on The Des Moines Register’s website. The schedule is below.
Des Moines Forum: Monday, July 15
Speakers:
Sen. Cory Booker
Gov. John Hickenlooper
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Vice President Joe BidenDavenport Forum: Tuesday, July 16
Speakers:
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Secretary Julián Castro
Sen. Kamala HarrisCedar Rapids Forum: Wednesday, July 17
Speakers:
Rep. Tim Ryan
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
Rep. John Delaney
Sen. Michael BennetSioux City Forum: Friday, July 19
Speakers:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Marianne Williamson
Rep. Beto O’Rourke
Andrew YangCouncil Bluffs Forum: Saturday, July 20
Speakers:
Sen. Bernie Sanders
Gov. Steve Bullock
Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Mayor Bill DeBlasio