A who’s who of democratic and community leaders met Friday evening at the Collegiate United Methodist Church, 2622 Lincoln Way, to meet and greet supporting citizens and push political agendas.

Approximately 200 community members gathered for the annual Soup Supper, hosted by the Story County Democrats, where Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., was the keynote speaker.

A frenzy of interns and ‘V'(ilsack) cookies buzzed in between tables of political shwag for nearly every headlining 2008 presidential candidate. At the center of each table were worldly artifacts, including globes and foreign flag arrangements, which encompassed the sense of unity for the event.

Blank note cards to write questions for the senator, who recently announced his bid for presidency, were also placed on the tables.

The success of the turnout – given the weather – could be credited to potluck-style dinner, a string-quartet and local fame as Christie and Jess Vilsack, wife and son of Tom Vilsack.

“It’s a heck of a lot of fun, and it’s good to get together and talk with the neighbors,” said Cal Halliburton, Ames resident and ISU alumnus. “It’s good to meet and greet the candidates and for them to meet and greet us.”

Local representation for the presidential candidates took to the stage to endorse the aspirant of their liking. Christie spoke on behalf of Tom Vilsack, Tom Miller on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Herman Quirmbach for Sen. Biden, but all agreed that the various candidates were equally impressive.

“He’s not a rock star, but he is rock solid,” Christie Vilsack said of her husband, who was making the rounds of late-night talk shows, including John Stewart and Jay Leno, at the end of last week.

The issue at the vanguard of many attendees’ minds remained the war in Iraq.

“The war is a really big thing for me. It was a really stupid move and I feel it should be over,” said Cassandra McPherson, freshman in biochemistry and Vilsack volunteer.

Jon Turnbeaugh, sophomore in meteorology, agreed with McPherson.

“The main issue is the war in Iraq. It’s the forefront for both parties, I just tend to agree with the Democratic stance,” Turnbeaugh said.

He credited his attendance to the importance of politics.

“Politics has so much influence on what we do everyday, in every situation – from taxes to personal freedoms,” Turnbeaugh said. “If my voice is heard, my opinions will matter.”

After an award ceremony for the numerous volunteers and sponsors, Biden addressed the audience, who welcomed him with a standing ovation.

“It’s good to be in the blue state of Iowa,” Biden said as an immediate introduction. “In the last six years, this president has dug America in a very deep hole. American people are looking for someone who understands the problems and pressures we have been faced with as a country.”

Biden highlighted his campaign strategies for the war in Iraq, which called for giving the combatants “breathing room,” drawing down troops and making Iraq the world’s problem, not just the United States’.

“My fellow Democrats, it is time to end this war, to stop this sectarian cycle of revenge,” Biden said. “The price of this failure is measurable by the bloodshed and the treasure squandered.”

Biden, who was first elected into the U.S. Senate in 1972, regarded the president’s plans for a surge in Iraq “not a solution,” and is prioritizing at the congressional level to halt the aggression.

“It is an important step for Congress and the nation to go on record in opposition against this war,” Biden said. “We need a radical change in policy in Iraq.”

A step Biden considers imperative is to revoke the authorization given by Congress to the president to go to war in the first place.

“There were no weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein is no longer there, therefore it’s no longer relevant,” Biden said. “We should make it clear that the mission is not to stay in Iraq indefinitely and be marred down in a civil war.”