Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is on a tour of historic sites in the eastern United States. CNN’s Peter Hamby reports Palin said during a stop on Monday that “at some point” she would be visiting Iowa. A documentary about Palin is set to premiere in Iowa in June.
Bachmann on Medicare, Obama’s birth certificate, the ’12 race
May 31, 2011 By
Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is the guest on this week’s edition of “Iowa Press” and you can watch it online on IPTV’s website right now. It was taped last Friday.
She talked about a wide variety of subjects, from the Medicare issue (GOP needs to do better “messaging”) to Obama’s status as an American citizen (“for most Americans this issue is put to rest”). In a direct question about how she would differentiate herself from former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Bachmann said American’s don’t want an “establishment” candidate.
The culprit…
May 27, 2011 By
It was a bag of burned microwave popcorn that set off the fire alarm at the State Historical Building, bringing to an abrupt end the forum featuring former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Romney: “fully committed to Iowa”
May 27, 2011 By
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is making his first visit to Iowa this year. He’s currently speaking at a forum staged in the State Historical Building.
Earlier today, during a stop in Ankeny, Iowa, at a software company, Romney answered a few questions about his Iowa intentions. And he’s not revealing whether he will compete in the Iowa GOP’s Straw Poll this August, Romney said his campaign would give it “good consideration.”
“I’ll be back in Iowa a number of times before the contest is complete,” Romney said. “As to the tactics of the campaign and where you devote your financial resources and time resources, that’s something we’ll figure out as we go along.”
Romney won the Iowa Straw Poll in 2007, but wound up finishing second in the 2008 Caucuses. Romney indicated “different candidates (campaign in Iowa) in different ways” depending on the dynamics of the campaign cycle.
“But I’m here and hope that I will be able to build on the goodwill of a number of my friends from last times around and hopefully add some more friends this time,.” Romney said.
During his speech at the forum sponsored by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Romney called President Obama “misguided” and “inexperienced.” And Romney focused on his “private sector” experience.
Romney said government was “far more forgiving” of bad decision-making than government.
“Ultimately, the piper has to be paid….We’ve been borrowing too long,” Romney said. “…At some point soon, we’re going to hit that wall.”
Romney said American voters in 2008 had chosen a president with “no experience in the private sector, no experience in the economy.” This was the concluding line that drew applause: “To create jobs, it helps to have actually had a job.”
Romney answered questions from moderator Lynn Campbell of IowaPolitics.com who started by asking him why he hasn’t been in Iowa. “It almost felt like home I was here so often,” Romney said of 2007, adding of 2011: “I’ll be here plenty.” Romney said he would do what is best to win, and that means campaigning in many states.
He promied a “lean” campaign in 2011 & 2012.
“I’m not going to be flying all over the country and making a big falderol,” Romney said of his announcement scheduled in New Hampshire. “…I care about Iowa. I care about every state in this country and I care about the American people.”
At 12:30 the building’s fire alarms began sounding. “I wasn’t trying to get out of touch questions, I promise,” Romney joked.
The moderator asked him another question about the Iowa Caucuses and his chances. Romney turned to the crowd: “Can I win Iowa?”
The crowd responded in the affirmative.
Romney then interjected, saying: “I think we ought to be very careful and go outside. Thanks for being here.”
All are exiting.
Bachmann: “There is no downside to being born in Iowa” (AUDIO)
May 26, 2011 By
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann spoke with the group of reporters who’ve gathered in a Des Moines hotel for what was to have been a Bachmann speech to Polk County (Iowa) Republicans.
She told the assembled throng (of reporters) she would announce her candidacy for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination — in Waterloo, Iowa. It’s her hometown.
When asked what kind of advantage being a native Iowan might give a candidate, she replied: “Oh, goodness. Being born in Iowa gives every advantage, every advantage a girl would want to have. There is no downside to being born in Iowa.”
AUDIO of conference call (16 min)
UPDATED: Here’s the Radio Iowa story. Bachmann spoke to the banquet crowd via Skype. The connection was lost about 7 minutes in, then reconnected; she talked for about 24 minutes then fielded questions for another 10 minutes before ending.
The polite Iowans in the audience said things like “it could have been better” when I asked what they thought of the event. Another was a little more candid with CNN’s Peter Hamby.
Pawlenty told to go to Texas…
May 23, 2011 By
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, promising to be a truth-telling candidate for the presidency, says it’s time to phase-out federal subsidies for ethanol. Pawlenty made that phase-out call today during a speech in Des Moines, Iowa — in the heart of corn country. Now comes a suggestion from the ethanol industry: go to the heart of oil country and give a speech there about ending petroleum subsidies. Here’s the statement:
IRFA President Walt Wendland Statement on Former Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty’s Ethanol Remarks
Background: In Des Moines today, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty discussed phasing out subsidies across all sources of energy, including ethanol.
IRFA President Walt Wendland issued the following statement:
“The ethanol industry is united behind Senator Chuck Grassley’s legislation to phase down and reform the current ethanol incentive as part of the discussion on all energy programs. We appreciate Sen. Grassley’s leadership on this issue. Governor Pawlenty’s remarks today appear to be in line with Sen. Grassley’s approach for ethanol reform. We welcome his support.
“Gov. Pawlenty further pointed out that energy incentive reforms must be across the board. We agree that the massive amount of federally funded petroleum incentives must be a part of any reform discussion. Iowans look forward to Gov. Pawlenty further detailing his plans to ‘phase out’ petroleum subsidies, perhaps in a speech in Houston, Texas.”
Walt Wendland is the CEO of Golden Grain Energy near Mason City, Iowa and Homeland Energy Solutions near Lawler, Iowa. He is currently serving his second term as President of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.
Pawlenty kicks off campaign with call for end to ethanol subsidies
May 23, 2011 By
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is formally kicking off his campaign today in Des Moines, on a rooftop bathed in sunlight and cooled slightly by a gentle breeze. I’m sitting in the back, around the corner, in the shade, by the guy who’s running the teleprompter.
With the golden dome of the Iowa statehouse glowing in the background, former US Attorney Matt Whitaker — Pawlenty’s Iowa campaign chairman — began the event by telling the crowd the schedule of events and promising the crowd they’d be able to ask Pawlenty questions after T-Paw’s speech.
Mary Pawlenty gave a personal testimonial about her husbsnd, saying she met him in 1983 and “knew I had met somebody extraordinary.” She used the phrase “salt of the Earth” to describe Pawlenty’s family. And she praised her husband’s “internal compass,” saying it “is set so true that he always found a way to lead Minnesotans to a better place.”
Mary Pawlenty said she was all-in when it came to supporting her husband. “All that I know and all that I have witnessed…has me supporting him in equal measure with my heart and my head,” she said.
Pawlenty was up next and by 11;38 a.m. Iowa time he had made the formal declaration: “I’m Tim Pawlenty and I’m running for president of the United States.”
Pawlenty told the crowd the country is “in big trouble” and it will take a “new and better president” to fix things.
There were a number of references to truth-telling. “I’m going to take a different approach. I’m going to tell the truth,” Pawlenty said.
Pawlenty’s truth-telling included a message to Iowans who back subsidies for corn-based ethanol fuel. “We need to do it gradually…but we need to do it,” he said. According to Pawlenty, the free market, not “freebies” from government, should determine success of all industries, “including ethanol.”
Pawlenty continued: “Someone has to say it. Someone has to finally stand up and level with the American people. Someone has to lead. I will.”
Trump cancels on Iowa GOP
May 19, 2011 By
Moments ago, an announcement, via email, that “The Donald” has decided against headlining the Iowa GOP’s Lincoln Dinner on June 10. Rather than seek another big-name, the party has canceled the event. Plus, Trump gets a thump from the party chairman. Read on:
Earlier today the Iowa GOP was informed that Mr. Trump will not attend and keynote the June 10 Lincoln Dinner. Citing Mr. Trump’s unique appeal and the close proximity to the event, the Iowa GOP has decided to cancel the 2011 Lincoln Dinner.
Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn issued the comment below following Mr. Trump’s decision to cancel his appearance at the Lincoln Dinner.
“In Iowa, your word is your bond. We are disappointed that Mr. Trump has chosen not to honor his commitment to Iowa Republicans.”
Former Iowa football player signs with T-Paw
May 17, 2011 By
I know it’s been a long time since Matt Whitaker played football at the University of Iowa, but former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says he’s glad Whitaker is on his “team” and there’s a lot about “Winning!” in the press release, hence the headline.
FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY MATT WHITAKER TO CHAIR
PAWLENTY’S IOWA STEERING COMMITTEEURBANDALE – Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker will chair the Iowa steering committee of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican who has formed a 2012 presidential exploratory committee.
“Tim Pawlenty is a proven leader and a winner. He was elected and re-elected in one of the most heavily Democrat states in the nation, and he did it while remaining true to his conservative values and principles. What that meant for Minnesota voters was a governor who finally stood his ground against higher taxes and spending increases while reforming health care, improving education and making state government more efficient,” Whitaker said. “That’s a sharp contrast to President Obama’s record in Washington. I’m ready to work hard to see that Governor Pawlenty is our next president.”
Whitaker is the managing partner of the Des Moines law firm, Whitaker Hagenow GMBG. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 2004 to 2009, prosecuting federal crimes such as mail and wire fraud, public corruption, child pornography, firearms violations, narcotics trafficking, corporate fraud, and terrorism financing.
Whitaker received his undergraduate, master of business administration and law degrees from the University of Iowa, where he was a tight end on the 1990 Big Ten Champion football team and played in the Rose Bowl game and the 1991 team that played in the Holiday Bowl. Following graduation in 1995, Whitaker moved to the Twin Cities and worked for the law firm of Briggs & Morgan. In 1998, Whitaker joined SUPERVALU, a Fortune 500 grocery company, as corporate counsel. In 2001, Whitaker and his family moved back to Iowa and he joined the law firm of Finely Alt Smith where he remained until his appointment as United States Attorney. In 2002, Whitaker was the GOP nominee for state treasurer.
“Matt Whitaker is a man who knows what’s important and he gets things done,” Pawlenty said. “That’s been true from his days as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes team that played in the Rose Bowl to his determination as a U.S. Attorney who prosecuted dangerous criminals and put them behind bars. Iowans know and respect Matt Whitaker. We’re very happy and blessed to have him on our team.”
Gingrich on his “Meet” moment
May 16, 2011 By
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich made three campaign-style stops in Iowa today, the final one in Des Moines. After his speech and the picture posing with members of the crowd, Gingrich answered a few questions from a handful of reporters. I asked him about the waves he created from his statements on Meet the Press on Sunday. Here is his answer:
AUDIO: 2 min
Here’s the transcript:
“This is one of those things where only after it happens do you begin to think about how to do it. I think if I could do ‘Meet the Press’ over when they ran an 18-year-old clip, I should have said to him, ‘David, where’s the rest of the film?’ and not allowed him to set up a question based on 12 seconds taken totally out of context. I mean, that’s an example of it.
“…And let me say it’s amazing to me how rapidly some people took that whole conversation to imply that somehow I was for ObamaCare. I mean, I founded the Center for Health Transformation. The best charts taking apart the Obama legislation, you can see them at www.healthtransformation.net. We produced three charts that cover 118 square feet of wall space, laying out what’s wrong with ObamaCare. I’ve for two years gone around the country making speeches about ObamaCare. I’ve said over and over, ‘We should repeal it.’
“I mean, for people to go from all of that body of evidence to say, ‘Yeah, but for 25 seconds yesterday I thought you said X,’ that’s beyond gotcha. I mean, so tomorrow morning in Mason City I will sign — there’s a national repeal pledge. I’m going to sign it tomorrow morning to make unequivocally clear to anybody who doesn’t believe in the first two and a half years of evidence and let’s go beyond that.
“I do think on the Medicare situation I do feel that when you’re dealing with the largest-single-program that affects human beings, and you know that every single American is affected, that you have to be very careful and you have to make sure that every American understands it and that the conversation has been way beyond the normal legislative process.
“All of us on the right got angry at Obama for ramming through ObamaCare and we just need to be a little cautious and make sure that we are very open and that we’re willing to change things, that we’re willing to listen. It’s not, ‘Go have a good sales campaign.’ It’s, ‘Go share with people what you’re trying to get done. See what their ideas are.’ We’re entering an age when the challenges are so big that we have to use the Internet, we have to use talk radio and all these other devices to get many people helping us think things through so they get used to the idea that they’re part of the process and it’s not being imposed on them by Washington.”
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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