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Big day for conservatives in Iowa
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Iowa Congressman Steve King carries the bloated Pelosi health care bill
For conservative political junkies in the Hawkeye State, Saturday is a great opportunity to get your fix. Three major events take place throughout the day and they are spread out enough that you can check out all them.
The first is the Iowa Tea Party Statewide Convention at Hy-Vee Hall. At least 35 groups and candidates will have booths set-up, including the Iowa Family Policy Center, Save the USS Iowa, and ParentalRights.org. Several gubernatorial candidates are also expected to be on hand.
Ryan Rhodes, chairman of the Iowa Tea Party, says the goal of the event is to set up a large, statewide, grassroots organization. The group also has a message for anyone running for office. "We are putting politicians on notice," said Rhodes. "We want to remember next November. That's the theme. Candidates that don't run on the conservative values of limited government and freedom, we are coming after you."
Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann will make a video presentation and a surprise guest speaker is also expected. Bachmann, and Iowa's own Steve King were among several House Republican members that rallied with thousands of Tea Party protesters Thursday at Capitol Hill. Check out the video of the PelosiCare protest, and interviews with King and Bachmann from Thursday's "Hannity" below.
The Iowa Tea Party Convention at Hy-Vee Hall runs from 12-4 pm Saturday, with speeches beginning at 1pm. Admission is free, however a donation is encouraged. A crowd of 2,000-3,000 is expected.
Meanwhile, former four-time Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is inviting supporters to a meet and greet at his new campaign headquarters Saturday. Voters will have the opportunity to visit with Branstad, receive placards, bumper stickers and yard signs, then travel via caravan to the Iowa GOP fundraiser at the State Fairgrounds. The Branstad campaign open house begins at 4 pm in Urbandale.
An impressive showing of support at the Iowa GOP event is greatly needed for Branstad. His already tenuous relationship with Iowa's social conservatives has not improved. In fact, two recent meetings with so-con groups might have hurt Branstad more than helped. The reviews coming out of the meetings have not been positive. Blogger Shane Vander Hart posted audio from one of the meetings.
Branstad will join the other Republican gubernatorial hopefuls on stage Saturday for the Iowa GOP's "Leadership for Iowa" event. The most interesting aspect will be whether or not any of the candidates take shots at the others. Branstad will be the most attacked target. He is considered the front-runner, but Bob Vander Plaats and Chris Rants will not give up the nomination without a bruising battle.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is the featured guest speaker at the event. Pawlenty is a 2012 Presidential hopeful. He needs to make a strong showing in front of the state's most influential Republicans. Mike Huckabee is still the favorite among many Iowa conservatives and remains the favorite to win the 2012 Iowa Caucus.
The Iowa GOP's "Leadership for Iowa" event takes place at the State Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5pm. Tickets cost $25.
I plan on attending all three events and will report on the happenings in Sunday's column.
For more info: Steve King grills NFL commissioner
Social conservatives control Iowa Caucus
Branstad launches campaign for governor
Rants kicks campaign into overdrive
Steve King, Michelle Bachman speak out against PelosiCare on "Hannity"
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