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Day 1 at the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum- by Chris Brewer Related links:
Greetings from Cedar Rapids, home to the first-ever LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum! What an amazing day, and an early one at that as all hands were on deck from 6am for the MSNBC, event, and LAF staff teams to get this truly historic event started right. In addition to the myriad folks whose job it was to make this all happen the event was honored to have dozens of local Iowans pitching in as volunteers literally from the entrance to event to the seating in the arena - many, many thanks to all who turned out to make this event such a huge success! Before the first candidate took the stage there was plenty to do, including two receptions beforehand and then a lunch gathering immediately afterwards. Just minutes before air time the thousands of folks in the audience were treated to a special Big Screen showing of the LAF Manifesto video, and as usual many a tear was shed, it is that powerful. To get things started, LAF President Doug Ulman welcomed one and all. Prior to the event he said, "Today is a huge day for everyone who has cancer," Ulman said. "It's simple: there has never been a presidential cancer forum. We want to hear their thoughts, ideas, and plans, have them answer some questions and move the ball forward, but this is just the start of the campaign." How will the LAF measure the success of this type event? "One measure of success would be to get the candidates to commit to something, something that has not been done before and if they are elected that they can be held accountable for. Then it's our job to hold them accountable. But this is just a first step and we need to continue to educate them, provide them with information, and continue to work with their policy staff." He then introduced several key Iowa speakers: Kay Halloran, Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Dave Loebsback, Congressman from Iowa's 2nd District, and Chet Culver, the Governor of Iowa. After the Governor's keynote address that highlighted not only the fight against cancer, but how Iowa was integral in that fight, it was time for host Lance Armstrong to get things started. The format for the event was simple. Each candidate would get 3 minutes to make an opening statement about what their plan is to combat cancer were they to be elected President. Following that statement they would then spend 15 minutes answering questions posed by Lance, his co-host Chris Matthews from the show "Hardball", as well as questions taken from the internet at MSNBC.com. While all of the major candidates had been invited to be a part of this forum, those attending today were Senators Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, Governor Bill Richardson, and Congressman Dennis Kucinich. For details on the candidates specific messages, please visit MSNBC.com's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" site for breakdowns of what all the candidates said, as well as transcripts soon to be available for full review. Tomorrow it's the Republican's turn as the Presidential Cancer Forum continues — LIVESTRONG!
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