WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Tom Vilsack served up boxes of popcorn. Dennis Kucinich's signs were illustrated with a peace sign. And John Edwards' supporters held banners that were at least 10 ft. high touting his candidacy.

The first votes in the race for the White House won't be cast for another 11 months, but six of the 10 Democratic candidates seeking the party's presidential nomination appeared before the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting Friday to explain their respective visions for the future. Tomorrow, four more will address the meeting.

All of the candidates handed out signs, bumper stickers and buttons. Vilsack added popcorn to promote the cash crop of his state and a pamphlet created by a "wind powered printing company."

While the 10 candidates have been making frequent visits to the early caucus and primary states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, Friday's meeting was the first time they addressed the full DNC membership.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, set the tone with the first speech in the morning by sharply criticizing the Bush administration's execution of the Iraq war.