Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) called the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina “Lake George,” criticizing President George Bush for the government reaction to the disaster.

“Hurricane Katrina ripped the mask off of George Bush’s America,” Harkin said.

Harkin spoke at his 28th annual Steak Fry at the Warren County Fairgrounds on Sunday. Former senator John Edwards, keynote speaker at the event, commented further on hurricane relief, proposing a new idea for reconstruction.

“All these people who lost their jobs, lost their homes, how about if we let them rebuild their own city, pay them a decent wage and give them decent benefits?” Edwards said to the crowd of over 1,200.

Edwards cited the Works Progress Administration formed during the Great Depression as an example: parks and bridges built then are still in use today.

“I got that feeling that gets you ready to set out and fight the good fight,” said sophomore Ben Williams, president of the Simpson College Democrats.

Sophomore Melissa Kopf was impressed.

“Both speakers, I thought, were really down to earth,” Kopf said.