And beginning in 1977, the steak fry has become his signature fundraising. He retires in september, which marks an end to this gathering. Or than 5000 people more than 5000 people here, with bill clinton making his fourth appearance at the steak fry, and Hillary Clinton, her second time speaking here. This also marks Hillary Clinton s first visit to iowa since losing the caucuses in 2008 two barack obama. We are here live as part of the cspan road to the white house 2016 coverage. We will check in with Jennifer Jacobs of the des moines register, but we want to go to the grilling area, the steak pit, where Hillary Clinton and bill clinton will be at the scene in a couple of minutes. Worst, Jennifer Jacobs, thanks for being with us. First, Jennifer Jacobs, thanks for being with us. It was a sense of who is in attendance and what this event is like today. Atmosphere,ig party like a big, feelgood nostalgia festival. A lot of and file democrats, elliptical operatives who have been running campaigns in iowa for many decades. Everyone is gathering. There is a lot of talk about how the democrats are one big family. A lot of big and feelings, a club atmosphere. Lots of music. It seems like a big festival. You tweeted a few hours ago, a two mile traffic jam on totbound highway heading indianola, iowa. What was it like getting there . Not bad. Indianola is used to a traffic jam this time of year for the last 30 years. The highway is always packed. It did take 20 minutes to get to the field. At is quite a traffic jam for iowa. But everyone was very patient, waiting in line to get here. We will see the former president and former secretary of state in a moment, what a lot happening behind the scenes in the ready for Hillary Campaign at College Campuses across the hawkeye state. Explain what has been taking place. They have been gathering College Students and busing the man. They have been signing people up by email, doing rallies and activities to try to get people together, young people on College Campuses, older people, everyone. Crowd here,t a big ready signs on cranes all over the place. The message is not ready for hillary it is just ready. The group is not associated with the hillary folks at all. They are trying to promote all the 2014 candidates in iowa. The signs do not make any reference to Hillary Clinton. It is an allencompassing effort to get Iowa Democratic candidates elected. We sat down with senator harkin as he prepares to step down at the end of this year. He said this is his final steak fry. What is his legacy in iowa politics and within the state democratic artie . Party . His legacy is incredible. He is iowas liberal lion. He is beloved. It is hard to think of another politician i can say that about, but he truly is beloved. His is probably one of the last chances Iowa Democrats will have to be here to show in person there appreciation for him their appreciation for him. I asked people, what was the biggest draw today, Hillary Clinton or tom harkin . You would be surprised how many people said tom harkin. Who is in attendance, gathering there . Mostly rank and file democrats, from what i have seen. I have seen some operatives, and folks that are not wearing campaign tshirts or buttons, curiosity seekers. For the most part, it is the core people i see at caucus voting, and doing doorknocking. It is people really active in campaign politics. At least 5000 people, probably more. In a piece in the new york moran interviewed axelrod, and he made the point that if Hillary Clinton does run, she needs a narrative. She needs to get what some are calling the agenda she would face if she is elected. Does she have that yet . Does she have what yet . Does she have a narrative . Does she have a narrative . We will see today. I dont think she does. I think she is going to try to make as little news as possible. I am not sure she is going to say a lot, other than cheer for the u. S. Senate candidates the democrats have in play. I am not sure exactly what her narrative will be. That is a big question. Have other democrats pam ince iowaen in the state for 2016 . She is definitely not the only person testing the waters. We have had everything from Amy Klobuchar to Martin Omalley, to the Vice President , coming in a couple of days. He will make a big footprint in iowa on wednesday. An independent candidate has also been talking to democrats. Why far she is not the only democrat searching for support in iowa. So far, she is the biggest thing she is. I do not think anyone doubts that if she were to run, she would be the nominee. Iowans would vote for her to be the nominee. Ask the senate race is one of the most closelywatched in the country this year. Polls showing republican johnny ernst and democrat bruce braley virtually in a dead heat. What are you hearing on the ground . Is tom harkins seat. He is retiring after 40 years as a federal lawmaker, and his seat is in jeopardy now. This race could not be any closer. It is completely tied up right now, which i dont think the democrats expected. Six months ago, if you had said, will we get a republican nominee in this race who could possibly harkins designated protege, i do not think any democrats would think that was possible. You had this noname republican come in, and caught fire and surged up in the polls. Now, there is no way anyone can tell you who is going to win. This raises extremely close. People here are hoping that Hillary Clinton can say bruces name enough times to get people fired up about him. A governors race as well. What do you expect in those contests . We have a des moines area u. S. House race that could switch from republican hands into democratic hands. I expect Hillary Clinton will be mentioning that democratic candidate, stacy apple, a former state senator. She is running against a. Esserknown republican that is going to be another close one. I am not sure who is going to win on that one. And the governors race, you have a long time incumbent going for his historic sixth term. That is a big deal. If he wins again, that race is not so close. I am not sure any democrats are confident they are going to bag that particular race. U. S. House race in the des moines area could go to the democrats. You are doing a great job. I know it is loud out there. The crowd continues to intensify. We know the clintons are scheduled to be in the grilling seven orilling area in eight minutes. I want our audience to hear what Hillary Clinton said back in 2007, and she made her first appearance at the steak fry before today. I am so grateful to tom harkin and his wonderful wife ruth for their 30 years of public service. Senator harkin has been a strong progressive voice year in and year out, and it is an honor to serve with him. All of the other elected officials, current and former, who are here. Blue at theto see state level, and we are going to turn it blue in 2008. Are you ready for change . For qualityy Affordable Health care for every single american . Thatou ready for schools work for our children and our teachers . For a president who believes in science, and will support Stem Cell Research . Are you ready for a Vice President who respects the constitution of the United States of america . Are you ready to end the war in iraq and bring our troops home as quickly and responsibly as possible . For change, idy am ready to lead, and this country is desperate for leadership. We cannot continue on the path that george bush has taken us. We can look around the world and see the damage that has been done. You cannot be a leader if no one follows. Right now, our values, our interests, are being shoved aside not only by our enemies, who have been emboldened, but by our friends and allies, who no longer think we know how to lead. We have to reassert American Leadership in the world, and that does start with bringing our troops out of iraq. It also continues with recognizing that our young men and women in uniform have done what they were asked to do. They have gotten rid of saddam hussein. Freehave given the iraqis and fair elections. He had given the Iraqi Government a chance to have a future. They deserve to come home, because there is no military solution. [applause] unfortunately, both the Iraqi Government and the Bush Administration have failed. The Iraqi Government has refused to pursue the political path that was necessary, and the Bush Administration has turned its back on diplomacy. We have got to get back to using diplomacy. You know, i will not wait until i am inaugurated. The day after i am elected, i will ask distinguished americans of both parties to travel around the world with a very simple message the era of cowboy diplomacy is over. America is back. [applause] from september 2007 to our live coverage today, for the 37th and final harkin steak fry in indianola, iowa. How is Hillary Clinton viewed democrats . Andfile she came in third in the Iowa Caucuses in the winter of 2008. Pointscame in eight full behind underdog candidate barack obama. Right now, she is viewed very positively here. The polling we have taken shows that she has gotten a lot of strength amongst the democratic activists. Also, she has got the attention of the independents. One. That 50 of iowa adults think it is a good idea for her to run for president again. There is no one who comes to being close to as popular as she is in iowa. What about former president bill clinton . This is his fourth steak fry. Fry. S, his fourth steak you will hear the crowd go crazy for him. Wait until he takes the stage. He will be a smash. There is no doubt about it. Jennifer jacobs is chief political reporter for the des moines register. As can follow her on twitter well. Thanks very much for being with us. You are welcome. Here is former president bill clinton, as he has appeared in previous harkin steak frys. Our live coverage will continue in a moment. I want to read you something your senator said. I like to make fun of you. You are convinced he is born in a log cabin he built himself. But anyway [applause] i want to read this to you. This is no joke. Listen to this. Primary, New Hampshire tom harkin said, and i quote, success or failure in politics or life is not tested by whether you stumble a little on your way to your goal. Everyone does. The test is, do you get up . The test is, how do you get up . My friends, when this primary process was over and i had somehow managed to survive, the thing i admire the most, i think, was the way tom harkin got up. [applause] and you can share your thoughts on facebook, at bill andcom cspan, as Hillary Clinton headline todays 37th annual harkin steak fry. We are told in 30 minutes they will come to the grilling area. Look at the scene in indianola. Some of the preprogram underway as state and local candidates speak to more than 5000 people on hand for this event. In just a moment, the clintons will appear, live here on cspan. Lets give them a round of applause. [applause] what greatorget candidates for statewide office treasurer mike fitzgerald. [applause] attorney general tom miller. Stateate for secretary of brad anderson. Candidate for secretary of the candidate for the secretary of agriculture. Leastst but certainly not [indiscernible] become were summoned from the third congressional our congresswoman from the third congressional district, stacy at low hello, democrats. I raise my family here. I am so glad to see the great unfortunately our last some of the state and local candidates speaking at the harkin steak fry in indianola, iowa, about a 1520 minute drive from des moines, iowa. On our website is an interview we conducted with senator tom harkin as he reflects on how the steak fry began, and how he was able to get bill and Hillary Clinton to speak. Here is stacy appell. You to the grilling area where the clintons have just arrived. Here is the odd burger. [laughter] how is it to be back in iowa . How are you . This is really good. I like those. [indiscernible] that would be great. We need a good i have a picture, but i do not know. Bill, thank you. Happy you are back. You bet. [indiscernible] hivee meat. I cant hear you. [laughter] all right. Come on. Turn, turn, turn. [laughter] is the next guy . Are going to leave that . Are you done with that . It is tough. Those are pretty good. Helping, there. Another day on the job for you. [laughter] i agree. [laughter] yes. Business or pleasure . [indiscernible] i will check it out for you. [indiscernible] [laughter] the transport. Its transport. We are hoping thats right. A very good ride. We will see you back here. Is in that crazy . Isnt that crazy . The clintons at the grilling area, a traditional spot for the ruthte speaker, joined by harkin. The gentleman in the cowboy hat mention he has been at every state try since 1977 every steak fry since 1977. The clintons are scheduled to next within the last 1520 minutes, but we want to share our conversation with outgoing senator tom harkin. Today marks the 37th and final iowa steak fry. How did it begin . It started with two good friends of mine, joni and gary kiernan. With been in high school kerry. It started in their farm outside winterset, iowa. It was a gettogether for some friends, and raise a little money. The charge was two dollars a person. I think we had 20 some people come to it. We set around on hay bales, cooked up some steaks, had some beer, and i lost that year, so there was no one in 1973. We picked up one in 1974. 1976, we missed. 1977, we picked it up, and it has been annual since then. Even though it spans over 40 years, this is the 37th we have done in a row. A lot of speakers over the years. What stands out . My gosh. A lot of right speakers. First of all, bill clinton, this is his fourth time at my steak fry. He came in 1992, 1996, 2003, back again. And this will be hillarys second time at the steak fry. And you know, i have to tell you this also. When they first started, we did not have speakers. You would have state and talk notk and talk, and we did have speakers. That did not start until the 1980s. It literally started with the 1988 campaign for president. Our first speakers that year were date gephardt, paul simon, and al gores father, the former senator from tennessee, who i remember got up on this wagon that we had, an old hay wagon, and gave one of the best speeches i have ever heard. And then we began having more and more people after that who were seeking the presidency, after that. So, my gosh, we have had people wanted to run we for president but decided not to dale spoke at my steak fry once. , i mentioned. A couple of times, howard dean. Joe biden. Spoke at my steak fry. And you ran in 1992 for president. Do you remember what affect it had in 1991 . Anyone. Not have it was just me in 1991. I announced for president at my steak fry. 1991, on september of George Buehler George Mueller s farm. We had moved. That is where i announced for president in 1991, at my steak fry. . Who is a typical attendee mostly rankandfile democrats. That is why we always kept it cheap. Only 30. You get a steak, salad, potato, and beer or beverage. Not a bad deal. We arranged it so we have a host committee. These people give like 200, 500. N, the 30 that people pay that is all clear money that we use for campaigns. And so that is the way we have kind of run. I would say rankandfile students. Teachers, and we give a lower price for kids, so we get kids to come. It is a nice outing. It is fun. Kids have hot dogs, hamburgers. If i can clear up one thing people say steak fry. Do you fry steaks . I always say this is the 37th annual steak fry, and we have not friday steak yet. They are all grilled. There is one area, the steak pit, where you bring the notables over. You will be doing then presumably with the clintons. How did that come about . I guess it came about because iowans want to know that their president ial aspirants like to have a good steak. I guess that is it, more than anything else. It became a photo op. We have had a lot of the same grillers or years. For years. Aople get to come over, turn couple of steaks, and talk to some of the people grilling mistakes. We had Martin Omalley. The names are coming back to me. Arnaud malley spoke Martin Omalley spoke at the steak fry. We had brian schweitzer, who was governor of montana. Paul wellstone spoke at one of my steak frys. More and more people come to mind