Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards fired up a roomful of chanting supporters at a crowded Steelworkers union hall in Des Moines this morning, delivering a populist message focusing on social issues.

"There is an energy and a momentum behind this campaign that can not be stopped," Edwards said.

The former U.S. senator from North Carolina and Dem vice presidential candidate challenged the supporters to "ensure our children have a better life and that we lead America better than we found it."

"When we give voice to the voiceless. When we speak for 47 million Americans who have no health care coverage, for 37 million who wake up in poverty every single day, for 35 million who went hungry in America last year, for 200,000 veterans who will go to bed under bridges and on grates tonight. When we give them voice, when we stand with them, we say something about America, we say something about the character of America."

The crowd answered Edwards with chants of "Go, John, go," and "We love Elizabeth, we love John. We want to see him on the White House lawn."

At the rally was Democracy for America chairman Jim Dean, brother of former presidential candidate and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.

Jim Dean said the organization was not officially endorsing any candidate, but he said they are urging candidates to stick with "progressive values" like ending the war in Iraq and universal health care.

"What we're telling them to do is not listen to who supposedly can win and who supposedly can't. Because all these candidates can win, but it's the one who are committed really doing something about Iraq and health care ... that's what we really want them to do."

Dean said he's hearing turnout will be high, and said he's heard reports that Republicans may try to cross party lines to caucus with Democrats.

"I think you're going to see a higher turnout for sure, I'm just not sure how much," he said, adding that he's not sure if a high turnout will benefit one candidate over another.

Listen to IowaPolitics.com audio of an interview with Dean

Also in attendance was Chuck Rocha, national political director for the Steelworkers. Watch him discuss the union's efforts for Edwards:

Labels: Democrats