Obama Campaign Press Release - Today: Obama Campaign to Host 11 News Conferences Across Iowa to Mark 5th Anniversary of Vote for Iraq War

Des Moines, IA -- The Obama Campaign announced 11 press conferences happening TODAY across Iowa to mark the anniversary of Congress' vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq. Five years ago this week, members of Congress authorized and enabled the war in Iraq by voting to give George Bush a blank check to wage war. This vote came less than two weeks after Barack Obama spoke to 3,000 Americans in downtown Chicago and laid out his clear opposition to invading Iraq.

"This war was planned by Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, two men with some of the longest resumes in Washington. Five years ago today, many other politicians in Congress relying on their Washington experience followed the conventional political thinking and voted in favor of this ill-advised, ill-conceived war," veteran Bob Sprengeler of Cedar Rapids said. "Drawing on his own experience and judgment, Barack Obama stood up and said '˜no' to the war before the vote in Congress and before it was popular to do so. He demonstrated that he's got the right experience and right judgment to be our next Commander in Chief."

Iowans and veterans across the state will also unveil a post-card writing campaign to call on Senator Grassley to join Senator Obama's bipartisan coalition to end the war in Iraq. On Saturday October 13, thousands of Obama supporters will go door-to-door to share Senator Obama's vision to turn the page in Iraq during a nationwide "Canvass for Change." Participants will distribute post-cards urging Grassley to join Obama's bipartisan coalition and will talk with Iowans about Obama's movement to change the way Washington works and to end the failed policies in Iraq.

Press conference details below:

TODAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11th

Des Moines

Iowa State Capitol, New West Capitol Terrace (West of E. 9th St between E. Grand and E. Walnut.)

Des Moines, IA

Program begins: 12:30 PM

Cedar Rapids

Obama for America Office

1420 1st Avenue NE, Room 105

Cedar Rapids, IA

Program begins: 2:00 PM

Iowa City

Obama for America Office

393 East College Street

Iowa City, IA

Program begins: 11:00 AM

Cedar Valley

Obama for America Office

4807 University Ave.

Cedar Valley, IA

Program begins: 2:30 PM

Burlington

Memorial Auditorium

200 N Front St

Burlington, IA

Program begins: 12:30 PM

Davenport

Obama for America

3546 North Brady Street

Davenport, IA

Program begins: 12:00 PM

Dubuque

Obama for America Office

219 W. 9th St.

Dubuque, IA

Program begins: 12:00 PM

Council Bluffs

Public Library

400 Willow Ave

Council Bluffs, IA

Upstairs Conference Room 2C

Program begins: 2:00 PM

Ottumwa

Obama for America Office

222 East 2nd Street

Ottumwa, IA

Program begins: 12:00 PM

Mason City

Obama for America Office

503 South Federal Avenue, Ste. B

Mason City, IA

Program begins: 10:30 AM

Sioux City

Obama for America Office

1322 Pierce St

Sioux City, IA

Program begins: 2:00 PM