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Obama calls tea partiers "extremists" as they rally in Iowa, plus GOP fundraiser highlights
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Iowa's Steve King stretches the mammoth PelosiCare bill down the Capitol steps
As freedom loving Americans from around Iowa headed to Des Moines this weekend, President Barack Obama was calling these same U.S. taxpayers "extremists", during an effort to rally the Democrats to pass PelosiCare. Iowa Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham were on the front line on Capitol Hill, trying to thwart the attempted takeover of our healthcare industry.
Meanwhile, Saturday was a big day for conservatives and Republicans in the nation's most important state for Presidential elections. The Iowa Tea Party held its statewide convention, former 4-term Governor Terry Branstad held an open house in his new campaign headquarters, and 2012 Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty headlined an Iowa GOP fundraiser.
Here are my thoughts, observations, notable quotes and other interesting tidbits from the day's events:
Money for nothing: One group at the Iowa Tea Party Convention was charging $5 just to get on their mailing list. Dumb move. I declined, as did most people. Get people to join your cause, then ask for money. Not the other way around.
Smart politics: Most of the Republican gubernatorial candidates showed up at the Tea Party Convention and mingled with the crowd.
Notable observation: During his speech at the GOP fundraiser, House member and gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants made an interesting point. "The problem is there were more people (at the Tea Party Convention) than are here tonight. These are people we've lost," Rants said.
It should be noted that the Tea Party Convention was free. Tickets to the GOP fundraiser were $25. However, attendance at the fundraiser was lower than expected. Tea partiers are unhappy with almost all of their elected officials. Not just the Democrats. It is time the Republican Party paid attention.
Biggest snob: This did not happen in Iowa, but it's relevant. President Obama called the tea partiers "extremists" in front of Democrat House members. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon said the President asked them, "Does anybody think that the teabag, anti-government people are going to support them if they bring down health care? All it will do is confuse and dispirit” Democratic voters “and it will encourage the extremists.”
Our President believes middle-aged, middle-class, Americans who exercise their First Amendment rights are "extremists", but warns against "jumping to conclusions" when an Islamic radical commits mass murder on a U.S. base. Harvey Dent has nothing on this two-faced hypocrite.
Worst first impression: 3rd District Congressional candidate Pat Bertroche has an earring in his left ear. Some men can wear earrings and pull it off. Like Michael Jordan. For a middle-aged white guy trying to win over conservatives, it does not work so well. Bertroche has some interesting ideas, but needs to lose the earring.
Best first impression: I did the voice-overs for Mariannette Miller-Meeks' 2008 campaign commercials, but never met her face-to-face until Saturday. I was very impressed. This lady is fired up, full of great ideas, and has a terrific life story. Dr. Meeks is making another run for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District seat in 2010.
Rudest supporters: Following Bob Vander Plaat's speech, many of the gubernatorial candidate's supporters headed to his table at the back of the room, and were talking loudly during the other candidates' speeches. Not cool.
Fired up to fizzled out: 150 or so supporters showed up at Terry Branstad's new campaign headquarters for a quick rally prior to the Iowa GOP fundraiser. They were boisterous and pumped up at the rally. Not so much so when Branstad took the stage later that night. Some held up signs and applauded at the appropriate times, but it was not the impact the Branstad campaign hoped for.
Best speech: Tim Pawlenty, by far. After that, Iowa House member and gubernatorial candidate Rod Roberts. I thought it was going to be a snoozefest after he spent the first few minutes giving his entire family history. However, once he started talking about the issues, Roberts received the most applause and best audience reactions of the night. He has very little chance of winning the GOP nomination, but made the best impression of all the candidates Saturday night.
Rustiest candidate: Terry Branstad. Giving his first stump speech in a decade, Branstad stumbled noticeably at the start. He did recover and gave an impassioned speech, delivering 10 applause lines. However, he will need to step-up his game in the coming months.
Worst act of pandering: Gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats once again uttered his promise that his first act as Governor would be to issue an executive order placing a stay on same-sex marriage. The line got great applause, but the promise rings hollow. Iowa's Supreme Court overstepped its boundaries by making gay marriage legal. Vander Plaats says he will overstep the Governor's authority by reversing the ruling. This is a promise he cannot deliver and is flat-out pandering to social conservatives.
Best lines of the night:
"I hope they don't pass it." --Senator Chuck Grassley told me in regards to the PelosiCare bill, which did pass later that night.
"In God we trust. Everyone else we audit."-- State Auditor Dave Vaudt, via video
"For liberals, this legislation is the crown jewel of their socialist agenda."-- 5th District Congressman Steve King, via video
"We need to rise up and stand against this legislation until it is mortally wounded with a stake driven through its liberal heart." -- Steve King
"For the first time in the 225 year history of our country, the federal government is telling you you have to buy something.....and I think it's a violation of the 10th Amendment." -- Senator Chuck Grassley
"Thank you Lord for my red-hot smoking wife." -- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, quoting from Will Farrell's "Talladega Nights"
"The only thing growing faster than the federal debt is Chris Matthews' man-crush on Barack Obama." -- Tim Pawlenty
"They should be focused like a laser on jobs, not acting like a manure spreader in a windstorm." -- Pawlenty, referring to the Democrats in Congress
"We in Iowa need to get back to the basics. Our ABC's. Anybody But Culver." -- State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Behn
"Today, my heart aches for Iowa. What has happened to our state?" -- Former Gov. Terry Branstad
"I love the Republican Party. My fervor has not wanted. The fire in my belly is burning bright." -- Terry Branstad
"We have to celebrate LEGAL immigration, whether they come from across the seas, or from Nebraska." -- gubernatorial candidate Christian Fong
"I'm the only candidate born after Roe v. Wade. A third of my generation is simply missing. They never were allowed to draw their first breath." -- Christian Fong
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