DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The latest on the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner, the traditional kickoff leading to the Feb. 1 caucuses. Speakers include presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Martin O’Malley. All times local.
5:15 p.m.
Hillary Rodham Clinton made a surprise appearance at a concert for her campaign headlined by pop singer Katy Perry. Clinton urged Iowans to caucus for her on Feb. 1st.
In a hat tip to Perry, Clinton said sometimes “you just have to roar” in a reference to Perry’s hit song.
Clinton says the nation needs to build on President Barack Obama’s progress and, as she put it, “not let Republicans rip it away.”
Perry took the stage after former President Bill Clinton and performed “Roar,” which has become an anthem for Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Perry called Hillary Clinton her “firework” and appeared in a white strapless gown adorned with a Clinton campaign emblem and a flowing American flag as a cape.
She also performed “Wide Awake,” ”America the Beautiful” and “Firework.”
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5 p.m.
Bill Clinton says it’s time for men to knock down a gender barrier at the White House. He wants to be the first male presidential spouse.
With tongue in cheek, the former president complained at a rally for his wife that he’s tired of women having a “stranglehold” on that position.
Clinton spoke in Des Moines in advance of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner.
The big fundraiser will hear from presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley.
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4:45 p.m.
A large crowd of Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters filed into a parking lot outside Hy-Vee Hall for a kickoff concert with pop singer Katy Perry and an appearance by former President Bill Clinton.
Perry got into the act early this morning. She recorded a wake-up phone call that was sent to Clinton’s Iowa organizers at 5:30 a.m. local time.
“Wake-y, wake-y! Eggs and bakey. It’s Katy Perry here,” the pop singer says in the call. “I know it’s early, but you know what they say, the early bird gets the votes.”
As the crowd waited for Perry, a pro-Bernie Sanders bi-plane flew overhead pulling a banner: “Revolution Starts Now: Feel the Bern.”
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