Kevin Hardy

kmhardy@dmreg.com

CEDAR RAPIDS — Elaine Arnold is a big fan of both Hillary Clinton and Ashton Kutcher. So there was no way she was missing the celebrity's appearance as he stumped for the Democratic nominee in his hometown.

Arnold has made dozens of phone calls drumming up support for Clinton. Plus, she recently retired from the Cedar Rapids General Mills plant after 33 years and worked alongside Kutcher's father for years. The Hollywood star himself spent a summer working in the factory.

"I feel like I kind of indirectly know him," Arnold said.

Kutcher stopped by a Clinton campaign office here Saturday, kicking off an afternoon of volunteer door knocking and phone banking. He was in town for Saturday's Back Porch Revival, a star-studded benefit concert at the University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium.

Sporting a University of Iowa hat and T-shirt, the native son played up his local roots. His political message was simple: She's one of us.

Back Porch Revival brings a crowd to Kinnick Stadium

Photos: Back Porch Revival concert at Kinnick Stadium

"What I know about Iowans is I know that they're common-sense people," he said, "and I know they're people that understand the power of bringing people together and the power of accepting people even though they're not like us.

"We all know Iowans are the first people to reach out a hand to someone that's in need and not the people that kick people out when they're in need. And I think that Hillary stands for all the things we stand for, too."

Kutcher told a crowd of about 80 supporters and volunteers that he was somewhat of a novice to political rallies.

"I'm not really like a Democrat, Democrat. I'm not really like a super-liberal," he said. "But I'm definitely not a Trumper."

If elected, Clinton's administration will be guided by common sense, Kutcher said, and her government will be "data-driven." The star said he has met both nominees. He described the former first lady and secretary of state as an "extremely nice, caring, generous down-to-earth human being."

Still, he said she makes mistakes like all people, seemingly a nod to the controversy surrounding her use of a private email server that has plagued her campaign for months.

"I think we all know what I'm talking about," he said to chuckles in the crowd.

Kutcher said he believed some criticism of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been exaggerated. He doesn't think the billionaire is actually a racist, as some have claimed. But he said Trump's campaign has been divisive and embarrassing.

"Honestly, when you travel outside the United States, people are like, 'what the hell's wrong with you guys?'" Kutcher said.

After speaking for a few minutes, Kutcher snapped selfies with nearly everyone in the crowd. Senior citizens and small children alike fawned over him. His wife, actress Mila Kunis, accompanied him to the event, but did not speak publicly.

After a few dozen photos, Arnold made her way to Kutcher for a picture. She told him how she used to share smoke breaks with his father every day at General Mills.

Arnold put her arm around Kutcher's waist as he towered over her. She told him to say hello to his father for her. He promised he would.

"He's common as common can be," Arnold said.