State of Iowa Archives: on Principles & Values

Abby Finkenauer: Family taught her never think you're better than anyone else

Abby Finkenauer: Since insurrection, GOP has turned its back on democracy

"Since the Capitol was attacked," Finkenauer says, invoking the January 6 insurrection, "they've turned their backs on democracy and on us. They made their choice. And I am making mine: I am running for the United States Senate."

Al Sharpton: I want to privatize only one thing: privatize George Bush

Alan Keyes: Bring God back into the White House

Ashley Hinson: Getting started in Congress; considering run for Senate

Pressed to say whether she had ruled out the possibility, Hinson declined. "Well, I think there's a lot of things to consider," she said. "Like every decision I have to talk to my husband first. I've got kids to consider too. It's all part of the conversation, right, about any decision in life. And I'm not focused out two years from now, I'm focused on getting started in January."

Barack Obama: If you join me I promise you we can change America

Barack Obama: We are choosing hope over fear

The time has come for a president who will be honest about the choices and the challenges we face, who will listen to you and learn from you even when we disagree, who won’t just tell you what you want to hear but what you need to know.

Bill Bradley: Should we take risks? If not now, when? If not us, who?

Bruce Braley: Apologizes for denigrating Senator as farmer & not lawyer

The speech was made to a group of lawyers; Braley himself is a trial lawyer. But the backlash was severe, and Braley apologized.

In an opinion piece published in The Iowa Republican, Senator Ted Cruz (R,TX), a lawyer himself, touted Grassley and his accomplishments in the Senate. "Washington would be a lot better off if we had more farmers in Congress and a lot fewer trial lawyers," Cruz writes. "I served on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and in my opinion Chuck Grassley--that Iowa farmer whom Braley was denigrating--would make an outstanding chairman of that committee," he went on.

Carly Fiorina: We need a president NOT from professional political class

FIORINA: You know, we have a professional, political class of both parties. We have been talking about the same issues for election cycle after election cycle. Yeah, government is big and out of control, and the only way to get it under control is to ask the federal government to budget the way you do, to examine every dollar. The fancy word for that is zero-base budgeting. I call it common sense. That 3-page tax code I talk about all the time? It's been around for 20 years. But nobody wants to vote on a three-page tax code or zero-base budgeting, because if you get those two things done, you are goring everybody's ox.

Gov. Jim GILMORE: I disagree with Carly when she says that it's just a political class in Washington. The truth is that the country has changed. And there are powerful forces at this point that are really controlling our lives. And that's why people are so angry.

Carly Fiorina: People care about issues, not GOP internal affairs

A: I have done over 150 events in Iowa. Now, by the way, Someone asked me, what's the biggest surprise to you on the campaign trail? I will tell you what the biggest surprise is: the chasm between what the national media talks about and what the people of Iowa talk about. The people of Iowa never ask me about a crisis in the GOP, they never ask me about the polls. They never ask me about the other candidates.

Carly Fiorina: Hillary should be prosecuted; not be president

Carly Fiorina: Come help me take our country back

Carol Moseley-Braun: Fight the greedy and help the needy

Chuck Grassley: My re-election ensures Iowa is not denied Senate seniority

"Senator Grassley's plans are simply more of the same plans that plunged our economy into this crisis, that punished the middle class and exploded the deficit," Conlin said. "I have new plans and fresh ideas," Conlin said. "I'm not attacking him personally; I'm asking him to defend his record."

Grassley countered by touting his experience, saying he has a powerful role in the Senate that benefits the state. "I don't think Iowa should be denied seniority in the United States Senate," said Grassley. "I don't think a person from Iowa should be asked to leave when people from other states aren't leaving."

David Young: Optimism is at the center of America's continued greatness

Doug Butzier: Oppose limits on prayer in public places

A: Not sure what you mean by keeping God in the public sphere, but I would oppose any limits to freedom of speech, including prayer in public places.

Duncan Hunter: Restore economic patriotism: America is arsenal of democracy

A: I think restoring what I call economic patriotism. You know, in World War I, World War II and the Cold War, we rode to victory on the arsenal of democracy. That’s our great industrial base, our ability to make things in this country, this magnificent manufacturing capability, which right now we’re pushing offshore, pushing to China, pushing to India, pushing to Japan. I would stop China from cheating on trade. I would level the playing field. I would bring back that arsenal of democracy that we need, not only for high-paying jobs in this country but also to defend the country. When my kid came back from Iraq, he wrote a great letter. And the last part of that letter said, “Families lift this country up. They provide us with fidelity, morality, faith in God, and raising the next generation of Americans.” Our work: to make sure that we elevate the American family and make a life of opportunity for that next generation of Americans.

Elizabeth Warren: Women candidates out-perform men candidates

Gary Bauer: America needs to return to the ethics of Ronald Reagan

Gary Bauer: First priority is to outlaw abortion

George W. Bush: Government can create an environment for prosperity

Prosperity is not a given. Governments don't create wealth. Wealth is created by Americans -- by creativity and enterprise and risk-taking. But government can create an environment where businesses and entrepreneurs and families can dream and flourish.

George W. Bush: Keys to American prosperity

• We'll be prosperous if we reduce taxes.
• We'll be prosperous if we reduce the regulations that strangle enterprise. I will fight for meaningful, real tort reform.
• We'll be prosperous if we embrace free trade.
• We must be prosperous to keep the peace.

George W. Bush: Philosophy of governing

Hillary Clinton: Running to continue work I've done for 35 years

We have a lot of work to do. And whoever holds up his or her hand to take the oath of office on January 20th 2009 will have to begin immediately to repair the damage that has been done by the Bush/Cheney administration, but more importantly to restore pride in our country again.

I'm running for president to make it clear that we will make progress together and I hope that I can earn your support.

Howard Dean: Democrats are as angry at Dems as at GOP

Source: AFSCME union debate in Iowa May 17, 2003

Howard Dean: Rule by hope instead of rule by fear

Howard Dean: Constitution says power belongs to the people-not to Bush

DEAN: The interesting thing about my campaign is it's really based on hope, not anger. People have a right to be angry with Bush. He is a president who appears sometimes to care more about the special interests that his political policies help rather than ordinary Americans. But our campaign's really based on hope. Our campaign empowers ordinary people, many of whom have not been in politics for years, to get involved. The Constitution of this country says that power belongs to the American people, and that is really what we intend to prove next November, as we bring enormous numbers of new Americans back into this process. 1/4 of all the people who gave us money between June and September were under 30 years old. The only way we can beat George Bush is to have a campaign based on addition, not subtraction. We want to add new people to the Democratic Party so that we can beat George Bush.

Jake Porter: Freely practice beliefs so long as not hurting others

A: The state should have no role in the Church. People should be free to practice their religion as they see fit so long as they are not harming anyone else.

Jack Hatch: Iowans are ready for a fresh start

Hatch hit the phrase repeatedly, punctuating a litany of controversies involving Branstad's administration by calling out "We need a fresh start!"

Iowa has lagged in job creation during Branstad's term, he said, and the governor has mishandled the now-closed Democratic governors," Hatch said of Branstad. "Well, let me tell you he has a created a mess that this Democratic governor is going to clean up for you."

Jay Williams Iowa: Truth, Life and Love--my values & American values

I honor Truth (with a capital "T") because, It just is--regardless of what we may think, say or do about it--it is. That's what makes it Truth.

I honor Life by living it fully and joyfully; by trying to share and preserve it in ways that allow good will and ease pain and suffering.

I honor Love by trying to follow what all great wisdom traditions teach: that we must at all times love Truth, ourselves and each other with everything we have.

I believe these values--my values--are both American and spiritual values that, in the public's best interest, should be placed above the love of money, special interests, intentional ignorance, willful denial, and guile for personal gain--and sooner rather than later.

Jay Williams Iowa: Ordained ULC minister and United Methodist Lay Servant

Jim Carlin: Most important issue: preserving freedom for next generation

Jim Gilmore: Establishment media wrong to shape the presidential campaign

GILMORE: I disagree with Carly when she says that it's just a political class in Washington. The truth is that the country has changed. And there are powerful forces at this point that are really controlling our lives. And that's why people are so angry. One of those is government, which is regulating everything through the Environmental Protection Agency, through other places. But the biggest one is the organized establishment media. This media across the country is manipulating and shaping and framing this campaign and has been for at least a year now in order to get the kind of choices that people are going to have an opportunity to see. This is wrong. It has to change. And when I'm president, it's going to change.

Jim Gilmore: Son of meat cutter who was not rich but gave me values

Joe Biden: Trump's lies about me are so bad that TV won't show them

BIDEN: It's irrelevant. There's no choice but to move [forward with impeachment. Trump] has, in fact, committed impeachable offenses. I understand how these guys are, this Republican Party. They've savaged my surviving son, gone after me, told lies that your networks and others won't even carry on television because they're flat-out lies. I've got to be in a position that I think of the American people. I can't hold a grudge.

Q: President Trump has no problem mocking people, using insulting nicknames, slinging mud and telling lies. Are you prepared for that?

BIDEN: I am prepared for that. Look, I've been the object of his affection now more than anybody else on this stage. I have to be able to not only fight, but also heal. And as president of the United States, that's what I will attempt to do.

John Edwards: Fight for values of people and workers over privilege

This is going to be a debate about values, Mr. President. It's going to be a debate about the future of America and the kind of country we want. They, the Republicans and George Bush, they honor wealth. We honor the work that produces wealth. They fight to expand special privileges fore special interests. We fight for opportunity for everybody. We believe in taking responsibility. They believe in passing the buck to somebody else.

This is a fight for the working people of America. It is a fight for our values, and it is a fight we will win.

John Edwards: Fight for values of people and workers over privilege

This is going to be a debate about values, Mr. President. It's going to be a debate about the future of America and the kind of country we want. They, the Republicans and George Bush, they honor wealth. We honor the work that produces wealth. They fight to expand special privileges fore special interests. We fight for opportunity for everybody. We believe in taking responsibility. They believe in passing the buck to somebody else.

This is a fight for the working people of America. It is a fight for our values, and it is a fight we will win.

John Edwards: Two Americas: one does the work, the other reaps the reward

2004 is a make-or-break election because we need to create one America again. And that is the one thing George Bush will never do. Dividing us into two Americas - one privileged, the other burdened - has been his agenda all along.

John Edwards: Make America an ownership society

Under my plan, every American will have the chance to be an owner - to buy a home, save for college, or put money aside for a secure retirement. The ownership society should look like American society, not George Bush's secret society.
1. We'll give struggling families a chance to realize the American dream, with a $5,000 tax credit toward the down payment on their first home. There is no better way to build a strong, secure nest egg, and get ahead for the long haul than owning a home.
2. I want to make college affordable with my College for Everyone plan. For those young people who are willing to work 10 hours a week and can get into a university-you'll go tuition free for the first year.
3. We need to reward family. We can start by offering a family leave newborn child tax credit of up to $2,500.
4. When the time comes for Americans to retire, I want to help families who can't afford to put money away now by giving them a helping hand, a match of up to $1 for every $1 they save.

John Kasich: Establishment lane, anti-establishment lane & Kasich lane

KASICH: I had a national reporter say, "There's three lanes. There's the establishment lane, the anti-establishment lane, and then there's the Kasich lane."

Q: What do you say to Republican voters this year who view practical government experience as a liability and not an asset?

KASICH: I've been a reformer all of my career, fighting to reform welfare, fighting to reform the Pentagon, also being in a position to balance the budget, because that is very, very hard to do. And then in Ohio, of course, I had to bring about big reform, again, because we were so far in the hole and now we just found out we are up over 400,000 jobs since I took over as governor.

John McCain: Foreign policy should not be shaped by photo-ops & polls

Jon Huntsman: If you love your country, you serve her

A: Chris, let me just say, I'm proud of my service to this country. If you love your country, you serve her. During a time of war, during a time of economic hardship, when asked to serve your country in a sensitive position where you can actually bring a background to help your nation, I'm the kind of person who's going to stand up and do it, and I'll take that philosophy to my grave. In terms of the stimulus you talked about, it was failed. And let me tell you what I talked about with respect to the stimulus. I talked about the need for more tax cuts in the stimulus. We didn't have enough of it.

Joni Ernst: Values we grew up with are being threatened now

Joni Ernst remarked that what drives her is a desire to protect Iowa values from federal overreach. "The values that I hold dear, that I grew up with and that I have fought for, for over 20 years are being threatened by the failed policies of this president," Ernst said.

Joni Ernst: AdWatch: "Let's make 'em squeal" in Washington

Not only does she remove pig testicles, she smiles talking about it. The gender politics behind the spot--Ernst would join only four other female Republicans in the Senate if she wins--are both bold and hilarious. In a city of broken down men, she tells voters, it will take a woman with a knife to fix things. "Let's make 'em squeal," she announces. And at that point she is no longer talking about pigs, at least not of the livestock type.

Joni Ernst: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

Ernst: Strongly Disagree.

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Ernst: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Ernst: I am a Christian. I have grown up in the Lutheran faith, worship in the church I grew up in, and continue to teach Sunday school in that very church. My faith and beliefs continue to define who I am today as a mother, wife, soldier, state senator and community leader.

Joni Ernst: FactCheck: Missed half of state Senate votes for campaigning

[When asked about the missed votes, Ernst said], "They've included in those votes time I've been serving on orders with Iowa Army National Guard." The interviewer asked whether some of the missed votes were due to campaigning. "Yes, there were," Ernst said. "They were for other scheduled activities, and not knowing what the debate calendar is before they come up."

According to the Iowa National Guard, Ernst was on orders for training or other duty on [12 days this session, but] only two of those days--March 10-11-- overlapped with days the Iowa Senate held votes, accounting for 12 votes (or about 10%) of the 117 missed votes. Excluding the days that overlapped with Ernst's guard duty, she's missed 105 votes, or 57% of the Iowa Senate votes this session.

Marco Battaglia: Freely practice beliefs so long as not hurting others

A: I want everyone to be able to feel comfortable to freely practice their beliefs so long as they are not hurting anyone else.

Matthew Whitaker: OpEd: disagrees with entire liberal laundry list

Michael Franken: Probity of character transcends all

Michele Bachmann: Make Obama a one-term president

A: We can start to see recovery within three months, not the whole recovery, but we can begin to see it, if we put into place what we know to be true. We should not have increased the debt ceiling. I was leading on the issue of no increasing the debt ceiling. That turned out to be the right answer. And this is part of the movement that we're seeing all across the country. I've been leading that movement. I've been giving it voice. And it's not just Republicans. It's disaffected Democrats. It's independents. It's libertarians all coming together, apolitical people, because [in the Iowa Straw Poll], we get to send a message to Barack Obama. And the message is this: You are finished in 2012, and you will be a one-term president.

Mike Huckabee: Defining mistake: neglecting his health for decades

A: I think probably the greatest mistake I made was not taking good care of my own personal health for the first half of my life. And that's been one of the most transformational things I've done, and I just wish I'd started much earlier.

Mike Huckabee: Never forget that ordinary citizens are the President's boss

A: I would put the very same frame on my wall in the White House I did as governor for 10 and a half years. It's a frame that has a photo, and underneath the photo it says, "Our boss." My picture was never in that frame in 10 and a half years. Every week or so, we'd put the picture of some ordinary Arkansas citizen. And I told our staff, let's never forget who the real boss is. I hope every day I'd never forget I work for those people; they don't work for me. I'd like to be the kind of president that's more concerned about the people on Main Street, not just the folks on Wall Street. And we need that kind of Republican running, that kind of Republican winning. I'd never forget who the boss really, really is.

Mike Huckabee: A President should care about regular folk, not just elites

Mike Huckabee: Motto as governor and now, "Come, let us reason together"

Mitt Romney: Bush & Cheney have made mistakes, but have kept us safe

A: You let the president decide what the responsibilities of the V.P. would be in his administration.

Q: What would you decide?

A: Depends on the person, depends on the needs, depends on their capabilities. But I like a person that gives wide viewpoints on a wide array of issues. It's been very popular lately to be critical of the president and the V.P. I know they make mistakes. But they have kept us safe these last 6 years.

Mitt Romney: Strong families, a strong economy and a strong military

A: I've thought a lot about this question. And I take my inspiration from my dad, from Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, the Declaration of Independence. My view is that America is going to be strengthened by virtue of the presidency, if I'm able to have that opportunity. I would strengthen America's military, make sure that we could be safe here at home. I want to strengthen our economy, keep our taxes down, become free of oil from foreign places, strengthen our economy so we have great jobs and a great future for our people. And finally, I want to strengthen the American family. In my view, strong families, a strong economy and a strong military--that combination of features is what makes this party so strong and accounts for our great success in the elections over the prior several decades and also is so critical to our future as a nation--a strong economy, a strong military, and strong families. And I'll fight for those things.

Orrin Hatch: President should set a moral example

Rich Leopold: I'm a person of faith; I volunteer with faith-based groups

Being involved in my community and state are important also. There is never enough time, but I have served on boards and volunteered doing "grunt work" for dozens of non-profit, faith-based, youth-centered, and/or conservation organizations.

Rick Santorum: Vote for leader of free world; not for who entertains you

Rick Santorum: Obama is divisive & untrustworthy; I am respectful

Rick Santorum: Trust Iowans to pick best leader rather than follow polls

Rudy Giuliani: I have executive experience; I can restore hope to America

Ron Paul: Freedom is based on tolerance and non-violence

PAUL: I have learned that you should never give up on your opposition. Because if you're persistent, and you present your case, they will come your way. So Rick, I appreciate it. You're open to the federal reserve. That's wonderful. But I work from the assumption that freedom brings people together. And if you understand freedom, it's based on tolerance and nonviolence. So if it's tolerance, it should be bringing all kinds of people together and that's following our Constitution. And we shouldn't be fighting among ourselves. Where does the fight come from? Somebody is messing up somewhere. So I say that with persistence, I think that we can all prevail and come up with the right answers.

Roxanne Conlin: Republicans only offer more of the same

"Senator Grassley's plans are simply more of the same plans that plunged our economy into this crisis, that punished the middle class and exploded the deficit," Conlin said. "I have new plans and fresh ideas," Conlin said. "I'm not attacking him personally; I'm asking him to defend his record."

Grassley countered by touting his experience, saying he has a powerful role in the Senate that benefits the state. "I don't think Iowa should be denied seniority in the United States Senate," said Grassley. "I don't think a person from Iowa should be asked to leave when people from other states aren't leaving."

Sam Brownback: Bush has over-relied on Cheney's experience

A: I wouldn't delegate things to the vice president. But I would involve the vice president in a lot of things. But I think there's a key point here to look at. One is that Dick Cheney came in with a lot of experience. He came in with a lot of experience on defense, foreign policy issues. And I think the president over-relied on that. I think Dick Cheney has done an admirable job. I think the president's over-relied upon that. I think you need somebody coming into the presidency that's had foreign policy experience, that's worked on these national and global issues, so that they don't have to depend on the vice president as much. I think you should have a highly competent person as vice president that can step in at any time and can provide you high-quality information, reflection, wisdom that's needed in that job, but not somebody that takes over the job.

Sam Clovis: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

Clovis: Strongly Disagree.

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Clovis: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Clovis: I was raised evangelical and converted to Catholicism while in college. Thus, I am a conservative Catholic with a very wide evangelical streak. I drifted away from my faith until I had a "road to Damascus" moment in 1990. I had to pick young men to go off to war and found that I could not do that without getting back on my knees to ask for strength and wisdom. I have been on a spiritual journey back ever since. I live my faith, have accepted Christ as my Savior, witness for Him and hold strongly to the Word of God. I have been endorsed by [several] Pastors--all established evangelical faith leaders in Iowa.

Scott Walker: My relationship with God drives every major decision

During his political rise in Wisconsin, Walker did not often emphasize his faith. But evangelicals make up nearly 60% of Republican caucusgoers in Iowa. They are an important factor in Southern primaries. And they continue to have an outsize influence on the Republican nominating process.

Scott Walker: Raised as a "P.K.", Pastor's Kid, by his father Pastor Llew

Before the elder Walker retired in 1995, at the age of 56, he struggled with depression. His wife, Pat, and the teenage Scott Walker shouldered some of his pastoral duties. "There were Sundays when Scott would preach the sermon," the current pastor said.

Terry Branstad: The Iowa Dream: working hard; working together

• working hard,
• working together, and
• working to make things better than we found them.

Theresa Greenfield: Shaped by growing up on family farm

Theresa Greenfield: As scrappy farm kid, pick yourself up when knocked down

Tom Fiegen: Progressive battling for the soul of the Democratic party

He continued, "This is a real battle for the soul of the Democratic party. Are we really with the people? Who are the people who are really with you, and who are the people who are only with you until push comes to shove?"

Describing himself as a progressive Democrat, Fiegen is the oldest of 11 children who was raised on a diversified family farm. Previously, Fiegen served in the Iowa State Senate and has spent 27 years providing bankruptcy services to family farmers and small businesses.

Tom Hoefling: Straight up the middle Reagan conservative

Hoefling has never held elected office. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in state House District 14 in 1998. In 2012, he ran for president as the nominee of America's Party, but was not on the ballot in Iowa. He was a member of the state Republican Central Committee from 1994 to 1996.

Hoefling, a consultant and publisher, briefly led an organization called the Iowa Conservative Coalition. He worked on the 2000 Iowa caucus campaign of Alan Keyes. But he said he left the Republican Party for awhile after it nominated U.S. Sen. John McCain, of Arizona, for president in 2004.

Tom Tancredo: Defining mistake: waiting 30 years to accept Jesus as savior

A: I have no doubt of what the greatest mistake in my life has been. And that is that it took me probably 30 years before I realized that Jesus Christ is my personal savior.

Tom Tancredo: We can no longer afford political correctness

A: Hope. Hope in America itself. We made mistakes that have turned our friends against us, have encouraged our enemies. I believe that it is going to take a leader committed to speaking out about the values of Western civilization. We can no longer afford political correctness. We have to tell people that there is something good--not just good, but great--about who we are. That will restore America's faith in itself and the world's faith in America.

Tommy Thompson: Bring into administration Dems, Republicans, & independents

A: I would open up the East Wing. I would open it up to bring in the best minds--Democrats, Republicans, independents across America--that want to get something done with this great country. Instead of tearing it down, start building, pro-America. And by bringing in the best minds, the best people, we can change the direction and really start building America a stronger and healthier and better tomorrow than ever before.

Kim Reynolds: Let Supreme Court overturn 4 states in 2020 election

After Biden's inauguration, Reynolds said, "I think he is legitimately elected." But she continued to baselessly suggest there were unanswered questions "about the integrity of the election process."