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IowaPolitics.com: Hundreds of state Republicans flock to hear GOP candidates
4/16/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

DES MOINES -- Randy and Shelly Tilton drove nearly two hours from Eldora Saturday to listen to the nine GOP presidential candidates address a state Republican fundraiser. They know that opportunity may not present itself in the coming months.

"It is nice at this stage to have the time to exchange words with the candidates," Randy Tilton said. "That is one of the reasons I came down (from Eldora). If we wait too much longer we may not have that chance."

In all, more than 1,000 Iowa Republicans, including the Tiltons, took the opportunity to listen to and meet the candidates at Saturday's Lincoln Day Dinner. The candidates all held post-dinner receptions. Republicans strolled the hallways of the Polk County Convention Center eating Boston Cream Pie from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's reception. They were given bags of potato chips promoting Chicago businessman John Cox's run for president. And, they were able to dance the night away in former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's reception. Huckabee played bass guitar with his band, "Capitol Offense."

The Huckabee reception was a crowd favorite for those who enjoyed hearing classic hits like "Born To Be Wild" and "Mustang Sally." However, the potential caucus-goers also enjoyed meeting candidates like former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, Kansas Sen. Sam Browback, and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Arizona Sen. John McCain attended his reception for a short time, but had to leave early to attend another engagement. Romney, who altered his schedule to speak Saturday, also left the event shortly after the dinner.

California Congressman Duncan Hunter did not attend Saturday night after he experienced airplane issues, Congressman Tom Latham said.

Hunter's absence disappointed Cindy Williams of Manning. She wanted to learn more about the California lawmaker. Williams said she enjoyed Huckabee's reception and speech. She also took an interest in what Tancredo and Thompson had the say in the event and in their receptions.

"I want our borders secured and the laws enforced that we (have on the books)," Williams said.

Tancredo's message resonated well with Iowans. Illegal immigration has been a hot-button topic along the campaign trail and along Main Street in many Iowa communities. It resurfaced at the intersection of 5th and Grand Saturday night, and many Iowans liked candidates like Tancredo, who takes a hard-line stance on the issue.

Shelly Tilton was one of those people. She was impressed by Tancredo. The Eldora couple also was partial to Romney's message.

Gilmore may have made the most noise Saturday night as he set his sights on the frontrunners in his party. His "Rudy McRomney" comment (crticizing the conservative credentials of Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney) drew a large sigh from the crowd. In the hallways after the dinner, many of the Republicans were curious about his motives. However, it set well with one large Republican player who preferred to remain anonymous.

"If I had to caucus tonight, I would caucus for Jim Gilmore," the insider said.

While the 1,000 plus Republicans packed into the convention center, nearly 80 media - including numerous national outlets - saw the nine candidates share the stage for the first time of this election cycle.

"What a wonderful night," said Bonnie Hall of Boone. "There was a lot of serious discussion followed by a lot of fun. It is one thing for people to listen to a candidate, but they get to meet them and shake their hands as well. That is what Iowa politics is about - getting to know the candidates. We are blessed."

Brownback gave the shortest speech of the evening at nearly nine minutes, while Thompson gave the longest at more than 22 minutes. The average speech was approximately 13 minutes.

The candidates all shared similar views on the importance of reducing the US. dependency on foreign oil, reduce spending and many stressed the need to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Most of them shared their views on illegal immigration, and the need to look at simplifying the tax codes. Despite their time on stage, no candidate really seized momentum going forward, according to one top Republican.

"I don't think any of the candidates leaped out ahead of the others," said Ted Sporer, chair of the Polk County Republican Party. "I think we have a wide-open race. Nobody won the love war."
IowaPolitics.com: Coverage of candidate speeches
IowaPolitics.com: Full audio of Lincoln Day Dinner speeches


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