Hey from Hampton, IA

Today was a busy day in Iowa. After leaving Eagle Grove, we rode east through more farm towns. In one town, I ran into a Clinton ’08 campaign booth. I stopped and spoke to one of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s Iowa campaign staffers. Clinton, of course, has signed on as a co-sponsor of one of the leading global warming bills in the U.S. Senate, the Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act. But I asked her campaign aide to ask Sen. Clinton to make global warming a priority in her campaign. I wrote that same message on her sign in book for riders.

Later in the day, we ran into Sen. Barrack Obama’s campaign, which was set up as riders rode into Hampton. Clinton’s staff set up shop there as well. Obama, too, has co-sponsored the Lieberman-McCain bill. His staff was less receptive to our NWF team. Not rude, but not interested in talking to us. Neither, really, was Clinton’s staff. Apparently, if you’re not an Iowa caucus voter, they don’t want to take the time to talk. Not very savvy, but I suppose it’s to be expected.

Tomorrow, former Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, will be riding with Lance Armstrong. Armstrong invited all presidential candidates – of any party – to ride RAGBRAI with him. Edwards was the only candidate to take him up on it. Lance wants to talk to all candidates about cancer. His Livestrong charity is front and center for him on this ride.

Ranger Rick made an appearance at camp this evening. He was a big hit with the kids, of course. But adults wanted their photo taken with him, too. We got a few more activists to sign up with us thanks to Ranger Rick!

More requests for our bike jersey…More on Wednesday, when we ride to Cedar Falls (68 miles). Until then, ride on!