Candidates Compete At Iowa Democrats' Dinner« Thread Started on Jun 2, 2007, 11:29pm » --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Candidates Compete At Iowa Democrats' Dinnerread at source> http://www.whotv.com/global/story.asp?s=6603182June 2, 2007--The Iowa Democratic Party's Hall of Fame dinner is tonight in Cedar Rapids.It gives presidential hopefuls a chance to outdo one another and try to capture the loyalty of about a thousand activists in attendance.The lineup includes New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd and Delaware Senator Joe Biden.A notable face missing from the evening is Illinois Senator Barack Obama. A spokesman blamed his absence on a scheduling conflict.The evening's speeches are expected to touch mainly on the war in Iraq, health care and renewable energy. And, of course, there will be plenty of barbs aimed at the Bush administration.Democrats attending the posh dinner paid up to 500-dollars a head to share a meal with the candidates.