Campaign volleys get off to friendly start in Iowa
BOONE, Iowa – The attack ads and debates will come later. On Saturday, several Republican presidential contenders fought for an edge among motorcycles, puppies, war heroes and roasted pork, having swapped dark suits for blue jeans to meet Iowans eight months before they cast the first votes of the 2016 presidential primary.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry cruised to an afternoon presidential forum on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, leading separate rides of hundreds – many military veterans among them – as their Republican competitors chatted up would-be supporters over barbecue and potato salad.
“What a great day this morning was – out there on a Harley-Davidson, riding by the heartland of America,” Perry said. “That is what America’s all about. Living freedom, riding free.”
Perry’s ride raised money for the Puppy Jake Foundation, an Iowa-based group that trains service dogs for wounded veterans.
Walker, wearing a black “Born to Ride” T-shirt, said, “You’ve got to have fun on campaigns – or would-be campaigns – along the way.”
Beyond fun, candidates gained a valuable and unscripted opportunity to connect with voters at an event dubbed a “roast and ride” by its host, freshman Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. It served as a prime political gathering with the state’s straw poll losing its relevance and its annual steak fry for Democrats ended.
“I think in Iowa it is extremely important to do this,” said Ernst on retail politicking. “Iowans want to see their candidates, they want to reach out and shake their hand, they want to ask that question face to face.”
Indeed, before giving brief speeches from a stage flanked by bales of hay, the Republican contenders crisscrossed the sprawling outdoor venue trailed by packs of curious voters. They sliced meat, posed for pictures and made small talk with anyone who would listen.
Just two months before the first nationally televised debate, Walker is expected to announce his candidacy in the coming weeks. Perry launched his presidential bid Thursday. The Saturday attendees included recently declared candidates Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former tech executive Carly Fiorina.