Harkin Taps Edwards to Headline Fundraiser

By MIKE GLOVERAP Political Writer
August 16, 2005, 11:49 PM EDT

WATERLOO, Iowa -- U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin has picked 2004 vice presidential candidate John Edwards as the headline speaker for his annual steak fry next month, a Democratic strategist said.

One of the Democratic Party's biggest events, the fundraiser will provide Edwards with a chance to speak to thousands of activists as he considers another run for the party's nomination, Democratic strategist Jeff Link told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Harkin was scheduled to make the formal announcement on Wednesday.

This year's steak fry was scheduled for Sept. 18 at the Warren County Fairgrounds. Harkin throws the steak fry every September, both to raise money and to keep his political organization polished.

Past speakers at the fundraising events have included former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and Democratic political strategist James Carville.

Since the 2004 election, Edwards has made repeated trips to Iowa, where precinct caucuses will likely launch the nominating season. He's made it clear he's looking at making a second run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina, is scheduled to speak in Waterloo this week at the annual convention of the Iowa Federation of Labor. *

_ Editors: Mike Glover has covered politics since 1982, when he began covering the Iowa Statehouse

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