GOP presidential hopefuls heed call, speak in Des Moines
By Todd Dorman, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007
DES MOINES -- Like cafes, corn dogs and questions about ethanol, "cattle calls" are a right of passage on the long road to Iowa's presidential caucuses.
The formula is tried and true.
Herd a crowd of presidential candidates -n the "cattle" -n across a single stage in a very big room. Fill that room with Iowans eagerly exercising their divine political right to poke and prod the next president.
Get a sponsor, any group hoping to raise its profile, press its issues or rake in some cash. And invite a media horde to record and analyze the spectacle.
All the ingredients fell into place Saturday in downtown Des Moines.
Nine Republican presidential hopefuls appeared at the Republican Party of Iowa's annual Lincoln Unity Dinner. Roughly 1,000 Iowans paid $75 per plate for a pork loin dinner and a chance to size up the GOP's biggest stars.
"I'm here to listen to all the candidates," said Yvonne Stockseth of Humboldt, after wading through a crowd to have a book written by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney signed by the author himself. Romney is the early favorite for her and her husband Richard's votes.
"It's kind of like preaching to the choir," Stockseth said of event. "I'd rather see them talking with real people."
It's good political theater. But do cattle calls really matter?
"It's a good thing. It gives the voters a chance to sort of scout us out," said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is trying to break from the GOP pack and catch up with better-known rivals.
"We're all on the stage. The floor's all level. Nobody's there so much as a celebrity. Nobody's there with a big check to wave and say, 'Here's how much money I have,'" Huckabee said.
But cattle calls aren't known for heavy substance. On Saturday, each candidate was instructed to limit their remarks to 10 minutes or less, although the rule was not strictly enforced. Sound bites and zingers were in. Details were out.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani n- considered a top contender for the nomination -n played it safe and low-key. He took shots at Democrats while urging Republicans to remain unified.
"If you don't pick me, pick one of them," Giuliani said. "When this primary is over, whoever wins, we're all going to be on the same side."
Romney called for expansion of the U.S. military, school choice and the elimination of the "death" tax. Long-shot Chicago businessman John Cox asked Republicans to stick to their core principles.
"I believe in the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan promised us," Cox said on a night when Reagan's legacy was invoked often. "I'm doing this because this country needs a good dose of Reagan revolution."
Huckabee tried biblical humor.
"They who endure to the end shall be saved," said Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, about the long list of speakers.
Both parties hold their share of cattle calls. Democrats gather for the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Labor unions and other groups often bring together multiple candidates. The Iowa State Fair is a must-see for White House wannabes.
But the Republican event Saturday was merely an appetizer for the mother of all caucus cattle calls -n the GOP's Straw Poll in Ames on Aug. 11.
Historically, candidates try to deliver hundreds of their supporters to the straw poll in an effort to make a strong showing. Weak performances have forced candidates to drop out of the race long before Iowa's January caucuses even convene.
There were shades of the straw poll's circus-like atmosphere Saturday night. Candidates and interest groups offered everything from live rock music and ice cream to a chance to win an iPod in an effort to entice Republicans to attend their post-dinner receptions.
McCain offered "ice cream, coffee and straight talk" at his reception. Chicago attorney John Cox served a "scrumptious dessert table" including cheesecake.
Romney supporters dished up Boston cream pie, although the busy candidate couldn't stick around for a slice.
Huckabee performed with his rock band "Capitol Offense," a group of former Arkansas staffers that plays what he calls "baby boomer hits."
"We don't take breaks," Huckabee said. "It's not to be impressive. We don't take breaks because at our age if we ever stop we can't start back up."
Candidates in attendance
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
Chicago businessman John Cox
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gillmore
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson
U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona
The formula is tried and true.
Herd a crowd of presidential candidates -n the "cattle" -n across a single stage in a very big room. Fill that room with Iowans eagerly exercising their divine political right to poke and prod the next president.
Get a sponsor, any group hoping to raise its profile, press its issues or rake in some cash. And invite a media horde to record and analyze the spectacle.
All the ingredients fell into place Saturday in downtown Des Moines.
Nine Republican presidential hopefuls appeared at the Republican Party of Iowa's annual Lincoln Unity Dinner. Roughly 1,000 Iowans paid $75 per plate for a pork loin dinner and a chance to size up the GOP's biggest stars.
"I'm here to listen to all the candidates," said Yvonne Stockseth of Humboldt, after wading through a crowd to have a book written by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney signed by the author himself. Romney is the early favorite for her and her husband Richard's votes.
"It's kind of like preaching to the choir," Stockseth said of event. "I'd rather see them talking with real people."
It's good political theater. But do cattle calls really matter?
"It's a good thing. It gives the voters a chance to sort of scout us out," said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is trying to break from the GOP pack and catch up with better-known rivals.
"We're all on the stage. The floor's all level. Nobody's there so much as a celebrity. Nobody's there with a big check to wave and say, 'Here's how much money I have,'" Huckabee said.
But cattle calls aren't known for heavy substance. On Saturday, each candidate was instructed to limit their remarks to 10 minutes or less, although the rule was not strictly enforced. Sound bites and zingers were in. Details were out.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani n- considered a top contender for the nomination -n played it safe and low-key. He took shots at Democrats while urging Republicans to remain unified.
"If you don't pick me, pick one of them," Giuliani said. "When this primary is over, whoever wins, we're all going to be on the same side."
Romney called for expansion of the U.S. military, school choice and the elimination of the "death" tax. Long-shot Chicago businessman John Cox asked Republicans to stick to their core principles.
"I believe in the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan promised us," Cox said on a night when Reagan's legacy was invoked often. "I'm doing this because this country needs a good dose of Reagan revolution."
Huckabee tried biblical humor.
"They who endure to the end shall be saved," said Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, about the long list of speakers.
Both parties hold their share of cattle calls. Democrats gather for the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Labor unions and other groups often bring together multiple candidates. The Iowa State Fair is a must-see for White House wannabes.
But the Republican event Saturday was merely an appetizer for the mother of all caucus cattle calls -n the GOP's Straw Poll in Ames on Aug. 11.
Historically, candidates try to deliver hundreds of their supporters to the straw poll in an effort to make a strong showing. Weak performances have forced candidates to drop out of the race long before Iowa's January caucuses even convene.
There were shades of the straw poll's circus-like atmosphere Saturday night. Candidates and interest groups offered everything from live rock music and ice cream to a chance to win an iPod in an effort to entice Republicans to attend their post-dinner receptions.
McCain offered "ice cream, coffee and straight talk" at his reception. Chicago attorney John Cox served a "scrumptious dessert table" including cheesecake.
Romney supporters dished up Boston cream pie, although the busy candidate couldn't stick around for a slice.
Huckabee performed with his rock band "Capitol Offense," a group of former Arkansas staffers that plays what he calls "baby boomer hits."
"We don't take breaks," Huckabee said. "It's not to be impressive. We don't take breaks because at our age if we ever stop we can't start back up."
Candidates in attendance
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
Chicago businessman John Cox
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gillmore
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson
U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona
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