Singer John Mellencamp entertained a crowd of John Edwards backers in Des Moines Wednesday night.

Elizabeth Edwards called the Hall of Fame artist the voice of the Heartland and the voice of the working man before she introduced her husband as the "political voice of the working man in this country."

Coming off his 36-hour bus tour meeting caucus goers, Edwards fired up a crowd in excess of 3,000. On the campaign trail, Edwards has informed Iowans he is the son of a mill worker. Wednesday night, Iowans met that mill worker.

Edwards introduced his father Wallace and mother Bobbie, who were seated on the stage with a star-studded cast including actors James Denton, Madeline Stowe and Jean Smart, as well as Iowa First Lady Mari Culver.

Despite the celebrity backdrop, Edwards stressed he has not forgotten his roots.

"We went to that house, and remembered how hard it was to grow up in that mill village," Edwards said.

"It is time to tell a little truth. There are some obstacles in our way," said Edwards, citing corporate interference in keeping universal health care from becoming a reality. Also, he stressed their involvement in skewed trade policies. "This is insanity. It must stop."

Edwards said he takes it as a personal mission to show some backbone against corporate greed.

"My father, I watched him get up every day for 36 years to give me a better life," he said. "We owe a responsibility to our children and a future generation."

He asked Iowans for their support Thursday night when they turn out to caucus.

"Tomorrow night you need to send a fighter and warrior to Washington on your behalf," he said. "If you are smart enough, you can beat these people. We can win this. I am doing what is right. I am standing on principle We are going to make sure the American people hear the truth."

Edwards told the audience they are smart enough to know who will fight for them on their behalf. He shared a story of getting into a fight as a youngster. He remembered his father told him not to start a fight, but not to walk away from one either. He said he would fight for the American people.

"For those of you who don't know what to do tomorrow night in the back of the room, you can find out," Edwards said. "Go to the caucus, stand up, speak out, change this country, show what you are made up, show what your courage is, show what your character is, let's make America a country all of us are proud of for our children, for our grandchildren. God bless you. Go to the caucus tomorrow night and let's change America together."

Listen to IowaPolitics.com audio of Edwards and Mellencamp

Labels: Democrats