PRESS RELEASE from ED in '08

PRESS RELEASE -- August 9, 2007

Contact:
Shannon Murphy

ED in ‘08 Reaching Out to Caucus Goers at 2007 Straw Poll

ED in ’08 will be giving away Maggie Moo’s ice cream, IPODs

Ames, IA – The significant need for K-12 education reform will be highlighted to caucus goers in Iowa at the Straw Poll this weekend by Strong American Schools’ ED in ’08 campaign. ED in ’08 will be giving away Maggie Moo’s ice cream and raffling off IPODs and a Macbook computer to caucus goers at their booth throughout the Straw Poll on Saturday.

“The story up until now about the Iowa Straw Poll has been about who’s not attending,” said Marc Lampkin, ED in ’08 executive director. “But ED in ‘08 will be there, making a strong push to reach out to Iowa caucus goers. In Iowa, where only 33% of 4th graders read on grade level, and only 34% of 8th graders are proficient in math, education should be at the front of everyone’s agenda.”

The Straw Poll is just one of several ways the ED in 08 campaign is reaching out to Iowans. This past week in IA, ED in ’08 launched a new television ad campaign, investing more than $45,000 over a nine day period in the Des Moines market to inform Iowans and candidates of the need for K-12 education reform. The ad (which is available on our Web site at www.EDin08.com) features a recent Johnston High School graduate and Iowan, Abby Bowman, 17, who will cast her first vote in a presidential election next year. Also recently, ED in ‘08 had a
team of 50 cyclists participate in the RAGBRAI bike tour across the state.

To speak with officials from the ED in ’08 campaign, including executive director Marc Lampkin (former Bush deputy campaign manager in 2000), and representatives from our Iowa leadership team, please contact Shannon Murphy at 202. 870. 1093.

Date:           Saturday, August 10, 2007
Time:           9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Location:     In front of the north entrance to the Hilton Coliseum
                   Lincoln Way and Elwood Drive
                   Ames, IA 50011

To join the ED in ‘08 campaign and for more information about ED in 08 events and a list of the IA leadership team board members, log onto: www.edin08.com.

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Strong American Schools, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, is a nonpartisan campaign supported by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation promoting sound education policies for all Americans. SAS does not support or oppose any candidate for public office and does not take positions on legislation.