>> that is the conclusion of the republican straw poll. you can see the three top finishers on your screen. we heard a little bit ago from the fourth place senator, rick santorum. rick perry announced his today and finished sixth as a right in candidates. he was in south carolina today. but she out the less, -- finishing out 10th, mitt romney.

in 10th place, congressman and thaddeus. we are going to take a look at cyber security. >> this week on the communicators, two legislators discuss cyber security issues. it he is the chair of the task force. jim is the co-founder of the caucus. >> this is the communicators program. we're continuing our discussion on the cyber security. joining us is mac thornberry who serves as head of the task force on cyber security. thank you for being here.

different martinez of politico is our recorder. what are the cyber security needs of the u.s. to defend against? do you think the white house plan introduced in may addresses those needs? >> the country faces a wide spectrum up threats all the way from vandalism and petty crime to more serious crime, theft of intellectual property, to things that people are calling cyber warfare. it is a wide spectrum of threats. the fundamental issue is that our laws and policies have not kept up with the changes in technology. to a large extent, the government is playing catch-up. that is what the white house proposal is trying to address. that is what we're trying to address. we are trying to help update our

laws and policies. the white house proposal has some helpful element in its. it is a good building block for steps that congress can and should take. it does not address all the issues. there are a number of issues that i think you need to be talking about. >> do you think cyber security legislation can ever keep up with the threat? >> it should not try to. we cannot have the federal government passed a law that says a what the defense need to do. we can improve our organization. to reflectte laws

this new reality that we are dealing with. we have had national security and criminal challenges in cyberspace. there is no definitive point we will reach and say we are done. this has to be a continual process. >> jennifer martinez. >> if the house will reject the house -- the house will handle this in a piecemeal fashion. the senate is looking for a larger bill. since the house is taking this piecemeal approach, are there any bills in particular the house should act on a person that are particularly important? to you think it is possible to pass its cyber security bill

through this congress? and it touches on nine different committees, he wanted to form a republican task force to lay the groundwork for what the committees would do. our hope is that it can set the framework from which the committee can operate. you are right. when you have the committees do their job, and that means there will be more of a piecemeal. different ones have different jurisdictions. i cannot tell you what the final legislative vehicle will be. the senate is looking for this big a bill.

i hope we do not take an all or nothing approach. there are parts that nearly everybody agrees we need to ac andt on. there is legislation for the government's own. there are other examples like that. the key is to do something that makes the country safer in cyberspace. >> for the task force, john boehner announce the creation last month. congratulations. congressman langevin has been vocal about how this task force is not bipartisan and only comprised of republican members. any obstacles you

will face because of that or potential challenges? can you address that charge for congressmen langevin about how this is turning cyber security into a partisan issue? >> i do not think it is turning into a partisan issue at all. jim is one of the most knowledgeable people on these issues. he and i happen to be chair and ranking member on the subcommittee of armed security. we worked very well together. there is no reason for cyber security to be part of the issue. it has not been in the past. before we move legislation, he needed an advisory group to step back and look at the broader picture of cyber security and

lay out some sort of framework from which the committees can do their work. we are not writing legislation and the task force. we're trying to look at the bigger picture and lay out an approach that seems to make sense from a house republican standpoint. it to be up to the individual committees. there is every hope that as they write the bills is will be completely bipartisan. i guarantee it will be in the armed services committee. the other key thing, of the task force has members on its from each of the nine committees that have significant jurisdiction. you have a variety of inputs. he felt that we needed to do that first. >> as you know, that the u.s. chamber of commerce has expressed concerns about

tampering business with regard to the cyber plan. there were concerns expressed about privacy issues. where do you stand? >> of both are legitimate concerns. if we take action through the government that makes our business less competitive, we will not have been doing them any favors. that the government takes action that the the the the only affect our individual privacy rights, -- action and that affects our individual privacy rights, it will affect the fabric of our freedom. we are going to have to work our way as a country through its. we will accept some risk. we cannot leave ourselves open and vulnerable and exposed.

we need to work with business. we need to work with the high- tech community to take these steps. it is that a final answer. we're trying to increase our general level of cyber security around the country. >> do you see it as an economic threat as well? >> it is clearly an economic threat. various people use these gigantic numbers about how much stuff has been stolen from industry. it is intellectual property that is being stolen. that is american jobs. there is no doubt that there is an economic element to it as well as criminals making money. this is the primary function of the federal government. >> industry has discourage congress from instituting

regulations or security standards. instead of advocating for both the house and senate, it rewards the private sector for taking better steps. do you prefer instances over regulation? if so, what would be possible incentives beat? -- be? >> it is always preferable to encourage someone to do the right thing rather than to tell them to do the right thing. if you get their interests aligned with what they are trying to do, you will be more successful. this is a very difficult area for the government to regulate. it changes so much. if you can encourage business to make the changes on their own to keep up with the changing

threat, you will have accomplished more. there may be more regulation that is needed. people talk about the nuclear power industry. areas are already fairly regulated. perhaps additional regulation is needed. we need to look at it. in makes more sense if you can encourage people to think the same way. a variety of incentives have been talked about from incentives to liability protection. if you can streamline some of the audits that are already in law, and you can offer an enticement for businesses to improve their cyber security and remove some of the burden they face. >> also, as part of the task force, you are reporting back to

gop leadership in october. have they asked you to look into any particular areas of cyber security? what did they going to be doing with the feedback? >> they did give us for specific areas they wanted us to consider. one is infrastructure, one is information sharing. another is laws that need to be updated. the fourth one is an authority issues. we're talking about a fair number of national security related type authorities. those are at 0 you are areas -- four areas they have laid out. it will be up to them on what they do with the recommendation. the hope is that we take this cross committee framework without writing the details of the legislation and we set it up.

that enables the committees to move out in their jurisdiction under that framework. meanwhile, you will have to have this bipartisan approach. considering what the senate approach is, that has to come together. >> some of the committees that will be active include the armed services. mac thornberry servers on that committee. -- serves on that committee. just to follow up on her question, if you are reporting back in october, what do you think a possibly be passed with regard to cyber security legislation in the congress? >> there are two or three pieces

of legislation in the house. i think a subcommittee of energy and commerce is already reporting out of the bill. we have a couple of provisions and armed services. the science committee improved a bill related to cyber security. things are moving. again, the hope is that with the framework over the next 1.5 years, we can make substantial progress in a variety of areas. my preference would be to not put all our eggs into a single 2000 page bill that you have to ram through. there's not a good history of that approach. >> the budget crisis has consumed washington for months. how do you think that will impact the type of bills through the house ta?

the house freshmen has made it clear they are against anything that will increase spending. do you see that as a possible issue going forward as they are looking at cyber legislation dies >> they are exactly right. it will be an issue. and let the people would like to have more federal research and cyber security for j a lot of people would have more federal research -- a lot of people would like to have more federal research and cyber security. this may make them more difficult to accomplish. cyber security like every other issue will be constrained by the budget. i think this is absolutely true. in fact, the internal report includes $2.3 billion for cyber attacks.

total affirmation spending will be about $12 billion. we have time for one more question. >> since you are the vice- chairman of the armed services committee, i wanted to ask you about the pentagon releasing the first formal cyber strategy. they did not give a cut definition for what an act of war is in the digital age and what type of a cyber attack would warrant a physical or kinetic response. were you disappointed that they left it up and answered? how important do you think it is for the principle -- for the pentagon to spell it out? >> i was somewhat disappointed at the vagueness of the strategy. i do not know that any of us

should expect the pentagon or anybody else to come up with definitive answers to these very hard questions. they are difficult. our first hearing in the armed services subcommittee, i tried to pose the question this way. we know what we expect the governor of defense to do if a bunch of planes come to bomb a refinery in houston. what do we expect the federal government to do if there is a bunch of packets coming to bomb the same refinery? what is the military's response ability to defend private facilities in cyberspace? we do not know. i did not expect the pentagon to come up with a definitive answers. it is important that we seriously grapple with these issues and that particular strategy was a more vague and

did not advance the ball as much as i would like. this the secretary has been helpful in putting forward ideas to help the country. some of these speeches have advanced it. >> thornberry is chair of the house republican task force on cyber security. thank you for being on "the communicators." up next, congressman engine langevin -- jim langevin of rhode island. we're continuing our conversation on the congressional response to cyber security threats. now joined by a jim langevin, a member of the armed services committee. he is also co-founder of the cyber security caucus.

with the president cyber security proposal introduced in may, how do you think the congress can implement that? how would you like to see it improved? >> it has been a long time coming. it moves as in the right direction. i am hopeful the congress will take up the elements of the proposal. the challenge will be reaching across multiple committees have responsibilities. i am hopeful that the senate side may have a comprehensive bill. i want to continue to but the house to consider this. mac >> no. thornberry said heangevin

would consider its piecemeal. >> right now we have serious threat in the country. there are also threats ec and the critical infrastructure. these are things that concern me. i would like to see this threat. >> he was talking about the creation of the cyber security task force.

he was saying the reason behind the task force was to help reduce the procedural challenges and the house. and make sure they are shepherded to the right committee. do think that will help? >> i would have preferred to see its. i always went to great lengths to make this a bipartisan issue. i have great concerns for the speaker. it should be a bipartisan effort. i do want to see the issue forward. i am not looking to make it a

partisan issue. we will try to work together. they gave a step in managing the federal government. they came up with a framework that would boost their own defenses. they have an ability to perform. do you think they are up? >> i would prefer to say a strong director of that is a senate confirm position that can reach across government.

i am also working more closely with the private sector. i think it is very important for information sharing. the government has visibility. there is visibility to what is happening in the private sector. if we can do this, i think the private sector would be better protected. the other thing is the fact that they are trying to protect this. it is owned and operated in by the private sector. it is a real cause of concern. damage can be done in terms of potential loss of life and to

our economy. we have identified this. there is an enemy. closing that vulnerability has been a high priority of mine for a very long time. >> do you think it is possible to get a bill passed t? >> it'll be important. the act passed in congress did not get to where we needed it to become law. it allowed authorities to work. they do not have the authority to direct it.

it is a self regulating body. they cannot direct changes. we need to direct it. my legislation that i introduced would give the vulnerability to regulate it. it is not strong enough. it encourages them to close vulnerabilities. we need to have schroeder authorities. >> do you see a need for one director of cyber security in some capacity? so if there is an attack there is one resource?

>> it to a basically create this with the budget authority. we're not doing a very good job right now protecting the network. we're pushing to the more collaborative. this can be done. we do not have the same robust authority. >> where are most of these attacks coming from tax credits from a variety of sources.

-- where are most of these attacks coming from? >> from a variety of sources. intrusions' can be more serious. the banking system has millions of dollars with control. it is a real problem protecting our banking system. contractors are being hacked. information was being stolen. it to avenging become classified. the zero problems.

they could have been to the grid. these are the things that worry me. there is cyber crime or esplanade. those things need to be addressed. it can do great damage. >> what do you think about kill switch legislation that strik? >> there's no such thing. i would never like to see the government have that kind of power. i like to see closer cooperation between government and the private sector and the president's proposal.

we could share that with a private sector. they can share with the government with how we can work more collaborative lead. >> do you think that businesses need incentives to do some? when we talk to congressman thornberry, he said he prefers incentives. >> it has to be a combination of the two. we're going to accomplish what we need to accomplish. >> do we have to change your mind? >> i need a quick adjustment.

we are good. a lot of times against addict. -- we get static. >> ok. do you want to test differs tit? >> they're testing it right now. >> another problem you identified was one that can deal with the threat of cyber attacks. how big of a problem will is before us down the line? >> this is another area that has to be addressed. we do not have enough people with the right skills to go into the field right now.

we only have about 1000 people in the country that compete at a world-class level. and trying to addresses in a number of ways. the need to identify the career paths. -- we need to identify the career paths. we're creating a program that runs in several different states. it encourages and people to deal with cyber security. we have a program that lasts a couple of months. they are using this for fun.

it harnesses these skills. >> jennifer raise the issue of the budget. about $12 billion is spent on prevention evers. to see this as a problem in the future, getting enough money to protect from cyber security intrusion attacks? >> we have to get smarter but how and where we spend our dollars. it is so important. if they confirmed it has both policy and budget authorities. sure they're doing what they need to do.

right now we do not have that. i give him high marks for the things he has accomplished. the agency is not doing what it needs to do. we take the measures to make sure we help. >> they are outspoken about how they are against anything with spending.

do you see this as a possible issue that democrats would have done the line? it is already being done in terms of nthe data. it is costing as this right now. i had this on our side for networks. wears a lot of things happen. the role of the strategy.

there are a variety of other key players. they all had a hand in putting forth a strategy. it was a good move. it is something we consider to be an attack. it keeps the bad guys guessing. >> how do you thread the needle legislatively?

there's some of the heavy handedness that would affect businesses. >> that is where collaboration comes into play. i think that we more engaged this, is part of developing the strategy. they could results in this. this is an ongoing effort. it is a moving target. we do this best buy information sharing and collaboration.

>>, a jim langevin -- congressman jim langevin and jennifer martinez, thank you for participating. >> thank you. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> there is the vote for the iowa straw poll. gov. rick perry announces his candidacy for the republican nomination. michele bachmann has won the iowa straw poll with 28% of the vote. she was followed by ron paul and

tim pawlenty. we will hear from representatives of michele santorum.achmann, rick this is just under three hours.

>> what a difference four years can make. i am chairman of the republican party. i am proud to be part of the iowa gop fight to return sensible government. from the mississippi to b everywhere in between, the resurgence of i republicans helps with personal responsibility, economic responsibility. they deliver this up and down. they are capturing the majority. officers, winning 16 iowa house seats and a new majority, huge gains in the iowa senate, and gaining over 100 new county officers all across our state. and iowans are doing more than

just voting for our republican candidates. every day, more iowans are identifying with the republican party and our principle solution as the iowa g.o.p. getting new voters at the expense of the iowa democrat party from 28 straight months in the 2010, iowa republicans led the way in your jurrjens government in. 2012, iowa republicans will lead the way in returning a conservative principle president to the white house. iowa republicans, this is just the beginning. take a look around. look at e energy. feel the excitement. it is clear to me and it will be very clear to president obama that we are just getting started. [applause]

>> good afternoon, welcome to ames, welcome to the 2011 iowa straw poll! [applause] let's start things off with a very important question for everybody -- who's ready to start the process to make barack obama a one-term president? [cheers and applause] who is ready to elect a republican president who will stop the freedom suffocating erspending of washington? [cheers and applause] who is ready to elect a republican president who understands that it is the entrepreneur and the small business owner, not washington bureaucrats that create jobs and make america work! [cheers and applause] who is ready to elect a

republican president who will dismantle the job killing unconstitutional obama care! [cheers and applause] i'm ready and it sure sounds like you're ready too. choosing his republican succesrs starts now. it starts today. it starts in iowa. [cheers and applse] a time when more and more americans feel disconnected from our leaders in washington, thank goodness a process still exists that requires our national leaders to meet us, to listen to us, to let us directly question them and find out what their solutions are for addressing the challenges of america. this process is the iowa caucus. the first major step in the iowa caucus is happening as i speak. tense of thousands of republicans are meet the candidates outde. they will be here listening their speeches and they ll

cast a vote for their preferred successor, republican successor to barack obama. [cheers and applause] and the iowa caucus is a process. it's a very special process that allows someone like me, the son of an iowan farmer the grandson of a john deere fact frir worker who share my hopes and dreams of america. as you saw that introductory video, times have changed here in iowa. in fact, when air force one touches down on northeast iowa on tuesday, mr.resident will encounter a very different iowa than was here in 2008. [applause] first of all, mr. president, you'll find that there's a lot more of us republicans around. we have had straight months of outgaining democrats in voter

registration in this state. [applause] in fact, mfavorite statistic since president obama was inaugurated in january of 2009, one in 10 iowa democrats have even left their own part that's the true obama legacy in iowa! [applause] and as iowa g.o.p. voter registration rises, just two are these iowa republicans that are getting in cars, getting on buses, driving hours to be here on a beautiful saturday afternoon to take a stand for their country and make their voice heard with a vote in our straw poll? we, as someone who talks to more iowan republicans than anybody, it is the small business owner i talk to in davenport, who iafraid to hire or expand because he can't tell you how much it will cost his business or his employees to

implement the obama care. an iowa republican is the retired, self-made business owner who over lunch with tears in his eyes said matt, i don't think my grand kids are going to have the same economic opportunities in america that i had. an iowa republican is the world war ii veteran i met over breakfast who thinks it is absolutely unconscienable and morally objectionable that a child born today will have their personal $42,000 share of our national debt. an iowa republican is the recently graduated snuent cedar falls i talk to who hasn't found a permanent job yet but is too proud to move back home with the folks so he's working two part-time jobs and hoping for an improved economy. most importantly, it is much more than a list of policy positions. receive a reminder of this recently. it was at a pizza ranch.

i struck up a conversation with a gentle man that was laid off from his job in a factory, about 50 years old. he was more worried about his country's future than his own. he said something that day at stuck with me. he said, "of course, when it comes to choosing a president, he once a political leader that believes with him on the issues." he wants a leader tt believes in america again. [applause] faith in our creator, america, but more importantly, face in our fellow man. not government institutions that make our nation great. on that spring night, i think

he summed up ptty well who iowan is. we cannot afford four more years of the obama administration. [applause] iowan republicans know it, iowans know, the american people know it. mr. president, your path to the white house may have begun four short yearsgo, but your term will end here in iowa. that process starts todain. thank you, and let's get it started. [cheers and applause] it is now my pleasure to introduce our first speaker who was elected on a message of fiscal responsibility, job creation, and restoring education. in the seven months since taking office, he has fulfilled his

promise by signing a budget to restore discipline, ending the use of one time funds for ongoing expenses, stopped the creating practices of the past, and he is just getting started. please join me in welcoming the man who put iowa's budget back in black. [cheers and applause] >> thank you very much. u are doing a great job. the chairman of the republican party of iowa. i am glad to be back. i am pleased to welcome all of you this afternoon to ames, iowa, to hilton coliseum. this is a great turnout of

republicans, and it shows we are an excit party. i want to welco and command each of the candidates that are here with us today. they have poured their hearts and souls into this straw poll. we appreciate their efforts, and we appreciate them. their efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated by a iowa. i hope all of these candidates have enjoyed their time in this great state, getting to know the hard working people that we have in iowa. every four years, it is often said that iowa is the envy of the country. if you were at the state fair yesterday or if you are here today and you joined this beautiful weather and people, you understand why iowa is the envy of the nation. [applause]

candidates and a record number of media have flocked here, offering the country a bi's eye view of the political process at the grass-roots level here in the great state of iowa. we take our first in the nation responsibility very seriously. iowa is not a state where you can buy enormous amounts of television advertisements and hope to be successful. iowa is a state where a candidate needs to go out and see real people and answer tough questions from real voters. iowans share the same concerns as the rest of america. how will we pay down its debt that is being wracked up under thebama administration? who will make job creation and a top priority and restore our state to economic growth? who has the strong and bold

ideas that will beat barack obama in iowa and across america? [alause] iowans are earnest, hard-working people that expect the same from the candidates that they give themselves. today begins a long and hard toil toward the nomination. greatroad i9s filled with opportunity. this country's fouers have risen to the challenge of their time, whether it was during the great civil war that divided our country, or the threat to freedom posed by terrorists. heroes have risen and answer the call to keep america strong and free. our great country faces grave threats today, home as well as

abroad. we face a debt with no signs of stopping, and it threatens the fabric of this great and free country. it is clear, america is on an unsustainable course that adds over $1 trillion deficit to our burgeoningational debt every year. we must restore a fiscal responsibility, preventing the generational theft that threatens the future of our children and our grandchildren. [applause] at this time, this moment, our country needs a leader who will rise to the occasion just as we americans have always done. today, you will hear from some of those potential leaders. please give all of your warm iowa welcome. thank you very much.

[applause] and now, i would like to invite all of the presidential candidates that are present to come on the stage. [applause] [cheers and applause]

[applause] [cheers and applause] >> let's give the candidates won more big hand as they exit the stage. [cheers and applause]

>> now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to a brand new video put together by the republican party of iowa showing why the state is first in the nation. [applause] ♪ >> every four years, americans choose their president. every four years, the iowa caucus has started the process. for 40 years, iowans have listened to the candidates and made their decision. most candidates have moved on, and every four years, iowans get

the question, "white is iowa -- why is iowa first?" in iowa, retail politics are e name of the game. candidates cannot hide behind advertisements. we know that meeting the candidates personally,aving the urage to ask them tough questions is the best way to measure their mettle and their character. we donated our time to help the candidates. we welcome them into our homes. we share our stores, hopes, and fears, and establish a bond that goes beyond any election. it is the bond of america working side by side to make our country a better place. then, on a cold winter's night, we'd venture out to support those candidates who want to build america and who we have placed our trust.

they continue the process until one is to clear the next president of the united states. however, the process is not the only things that iowa is first in. iowa is the leader in renewable energy. iowa's capital city ranks as number 1 in the nation for young professionals and number 1 in the best places for business and careers. number one richest metro in the united states due to its reasonable cost of living. we produce over 10% of america's food supply in iowa. ranking first in children's health care. rst in the nation is nothing new to us. in fact, we are pretty good at it even if we most times are too humble to talk about it.

it is right here again today. here in america's heartland, where the pioneer spirit remains strong, where the pride of america never wavers. the great state of iowa, first in the nation. ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, a message from the one campaign. >> i have my own problems to worry about. >> why should i care? >> their problems are too big to solve. >> sto wasting my hard earned money. >> it is like throwing money down a rat hole. >> nothing will ever change. >> i give up. >> i give up. >> what is the point? >> where is the proof?

>> in just 10 years, over 15 million more kids are alive and over 46 million more kids are in school all for less of 1% -- >> 1% of the total budget. how is that for proof? >> it will not happen without you. go to one.org and join the movement. we are acting for a voice. [applause] >> please direct your attention to the stage as we prepare for former pennsylvania senator rick santorum. ♪ >> we blinked, and teh america we knew had changed. individual freedom replaced by

increasing government dependent. fiscal responsibility, replaced by reckless spending and mounting debt. a generational promise of a better future, broken for a lifetime of pain for the excesses of others. the greatest health care system in the world, systematically being destroyed. our traditional values shattered. jobs, gone forever. the american innovative spirit, broken. boundless optimism, replaced by uncertainty. the question now is who possesses at the courage and experience to save america? the answer is becoming increasingly clear. only one led the fight to shut

down the congressional bank and took on powerful members of his own party in his fight for a balanced budget amendment peing only one successfully led the fight to reform the entitlement program, eliminating the abuse and fraud, and replacing it with hope and opportunity. only one served for eight years on the armed services committee, and he wrote critical legislation that captain america from its sworn enemies. only one wrote the bill that ended partial abortions forever and has fought tirelessly to protect traditional marriage. for two decades, rick santorum has fought passionately to protect our economy, our tax dollars, our security, and our families. today is your day to join the

fight. ♪ [cheers and applause] >> thank you. thank you all very much. thank you, iowa. it is great to be here. family is first. let me introduce my wife karen along with five of our seven children behind . they can to -- we can to i was three weeks ago. people said it is nice that rick was coming.

no one really thought we were going to do much or have much of an impact. thanks to the great work of my wife karen? i will introduce to you right now -- [cheers and applause] -- and these five children -- how many people got calls from my kids in the last three weeks? [applause] they have been on the phones and traveling around the state. we did 50 cities around the state of iowa for 14 days. we went to all four corners of the state of iowa. one of the commentators called our campaign the ring of fire campaign. [cheers and applause] we wanted to make sure all of iowans were heard from and all of iowa got a chance to meet at least one of the candidates, to

sit in their libraries or living rooms, t talk to them and list to them because that is where the great wisdom is in america. then, enter their questions, be accountable to them. that is what i did it. 68 counties later, we have come here to do something important. we have come here, all of you have come here to say that the folks in washington, the people in the boardrooms in new york and the media centers, they are not the ones who are going to choose the next republican nominee for president. you are going to choose the next nominee for president. [cheers and applause] what the poeple of iowa have said to me is that they want someone that they can trust what they say are going to do and do what they are going to say.

as a positive vision for the future of this country. there is a positive vision for the future of this country if we do what our founding fhers did, believe in the goodness of the american people, free people,ho government says yes, like in our declaration of independence which founded this great country, transformed the world. we had governments that were not run from the top down, not where you have the divine right of kings with the king was given rights by god and then spread the wealth around. no. our founders believed in a country where we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights. [cheers and applause] it was that belief in free people that transformed the

world bank for the first time, we said that we were going to have a government whose job under this constitution was limited to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. many people have said that the social issues are not important in this campaign. iave talked about all of these issues. i will not back down on the sanctity of life and marriage. [cheers and applause] what the people of all i what recognize is that america is a moral enterprise. our founders understood that for the constitution to work, it had to be based onomething deeper, something grounded. our rights came from a cator. the creator has rules. nare and nature's god.

they understood that through reason and faith we could build a strong country from the ground up based on a moral society. john adams said our society is holy and adequate for any other. that is the mission for america. to suggest that we can be a party just about tax cuts and spending cuts and not about strong families and a strong faith d strong faith communities, you do not understand iowa and you do not understand america. [cheers and applause] ladies and gentlemen, as you saw from the debate the other night, this campaign is about scratching and clawing for any bit of recognition i could get. i had to wave my hand to ask for recognition. this is the little engine that

could campaign. [applause] they told us we had no chance, to not pay attention. all the press does is right about these shiny engines that keep coming by to help. maybe we will start to hitch up and work hard. we did not wait around. which started working hard. -- we started working hard. we have been to iowa more than otr candidate because i want to be accountable to you and the people who make decisions, who e going to have the first cut of narrowing this field to select the president, will get a chance to look m in the eye, keblick my shins and the tires, and to hear from me division of this country.

today is an opportunity to strike a blow for the people of the heartland. this is a hard land campaign, not just about wall street, but about all of the issues that you hear about. to moral and culture issues, and yes, to getting this of economy going. look at the plan that i put forward. it is about the heartland. it is about using the resources in iowa, pennsylvania, and offshore to create energy security for this country that is desperately needed. [cheers and applause] i grew up in a little steel town outside of pittsburgh, pa.. my grandfather came to this country because he wanted to be

free and believed in the goodness of america. an america that believed in him and what he could do to provide for himself and the family -- and his family and a god that he served bank for 40 years, he clawed fory freedom until he was 72 years old. i am here today standing on his shoulders because i believe right now in thithis country is in jeopardy of losing its freedom because of one man and one bale -- obamacare. -- and one bill -- obamacare. [applause] obamacare is the single greatest threato one generation's charge of handling this country off to the next generation freer, safer, and more

prosperous. margaret thatcher said she was never able to accomplish what ronald reagan accomplished, never able to turn the tide of socialism. never able to turn it back in britain like reagan did. and getting americans to believe in themselves, not some government official to take care of them. what margaret thatcher said, she was never able to turn it around. the british national health-care system. i was in the green room at fox a couple of days before the vote for obamacare. they decided to jam it down the throats of the american public. i said to juan williams, "water you doing? " you are committing political icide bank he said that me tell you what the administration told me. "we believe obama.

we believe that america's love for entitlements, and once we get them hooked on this entitlement, they ll never let it go." [crowd boos] just imagine a couple of weeks backhen barack obama's was against the wall being pushed for a debt cling increase. was his first move? just like at basketball, it was to the left. [laughter] his first move was to get in front of a national audience and tell the people who were dependent onhe federal government that they were not going to get their social security checks, that they were not going to get their benefits,ut they were not going to get their medicare benefits. they have the hook. at the time that they need to,

they pull the strings spending now, with obamacare, everyone is a manic and. being able to be pulled in the way that washington wants you to be pulled. not o;n my watch. [cheers and applause] you have an opportunity in this race to take someone who the national media is not paying a lot of attention to. maybe it is because in my elective history i defeated three decratic incumbents, twice for the congress -- [applause] -- toys for the congress -- twice for the congress and once in the state of pennsylvania, a state that republicans have not

won since 1988. i went up against an incumbent democratic senator whose campaign was managedy a couple of guys who just managed a successful campaign for president back in 1992. i beat them. [cheers and applause] in fact, one of my proudest accomplishments in james carville's book. item number 3 on his list. -- i am number three on his list. [cheers and applause] maybe it was because i fought for welfare reform and the only one on this stage the other night that actually authored a bill, managed it on the floor of the senate, got bipartisan support, which got a

democratic president to sign it, ending an entitlement, and is transformed society. [cheers and applause] maybe it is because i am someone who says to the people of this country who care about the sanctity of human life that i will just not give lip service. i will stand on the floor of the senate and in the oval office and i will fight for life because i did it for 12 years in the senate and got bipartisan support for three major bills to pass pro-life itiatives. i led the fight. that is not just doing it the same. it is doing it. [cheers and applause]

>> you have an opportunity today to send a message that iowa doesn't want wha new york and the media and the rest of them want that iowa can govern consistent with our constitution. thank you, and god bless you. [applause] ♪ ♪ >> well, lies and gentlemen, it is now my flows introduce our next speaker.

and she has an thumb contagious to everyone around her. ascended to the iowa senate and quickly rose to become lieutenant governor last november. since taking office, she has spear headed so of the most ambitious educational and tech in a logical advances in years. her tirelessnd unending optimism make her an outstanding voice for the republican of iowa. she understands budgets and has never forget at any rural iowa values she was raised with. welcome me in join m in weoming lieutenant governor kim roons. >> good afternoon and thank you

to the thousands of iowans who have ventured here. today all eyes are on aim -- aims, iowa. i could not be more excited to be here today with governor braham sted. we have not had a sitting republican iowa governor at the straw poll since 1995, and what a breath of fresh air. >> today it is my honor to stand before you in ames and do the work our party entrusted to us. we will engage in spirited debate with one another, that i believe reflects the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of

assembly and vision by our forefathers. most importantly today, we exercise our right to petition our government for redress of our grievances. three years into the obama administration and the list of grievances grow long. it was once said that the presidency is more than just policies pushed, initiatives launched, and wars won. it was said the presidency is a stewardship, a trust, a commitment to sacrifice, anything needed in the service of this nation. today, as we begin this great contest and the race to find our nominee for president of the united states, let us stay true to our causes, faithful to our principles, and steadfast

in our belief. we are the party of personal liberty, limited government, and opportunity and responsibility for all americans. [applause] the challenges our country faces call for more than just a competition. the challenge demands a leader. a politician is someone who makes promises, pmises of hope and change. 6 a leader is someoneho delivers results. in the last election, we were promised change. but the only changes we've seen are an increase in unemployment rate and a decrease in the debt rating. it is time for action. it is time for results. [applause]

our country needs real action from a leader now more than ever. we need action on policies to create jobs for the almost 14 million unemployed throughout our country. action to reduce the size and the cost of the federal government that takes in $1.5 trillion, and yet spends $3 trillion. making these policies a reality will take a leader doing what a leader does. setting priorities, making tough, even unpopular decisions, and staying the course until the end. this last election republicans picked up more seats than in an other election since 1938. [applause] >> yes. that is something to rejoice. in that election, the people of

this great nation sent a loud and a clear message. stop the unsustainable spending and the outrage of debt that is mortgaging the future of our children and our grandchildren. stop the overreaching, intrusive and constantly growing government. we have been entrusted to take bold action. and we must stay true to our charge, because the country is restless, and they expect results. i'll reminded of a boobling i read recently "the battle" that all across the country and especially right here in iowa in small towns and big cities, in farms -- on farms and in factories, two visions for america e being presented to this nation. one nation that is backed by

hollywood a-listers, media moguls soonched called intellectuals attempt to convince us that our budget deficit can be solved by more taxes an spending. that government is not the problem but that government is the answer. the ore vision, our vision, understands that freedomo exceed cannot exist without the freedom to fail. that freedom, yes. that the freedom and ideals we know, love and value in america provide a foundation for us to be able to bounce back and to overcome failure, to be resilient in the face of adversity.

the country as teddy rose velt stated, treasure those that spend themselves in a worthy time. those that at their best know the triumph of high achievement and at their worst, if they fail, they fail while daring greatly. our vision understands that growth in government always comes at the expense of freedom. our founders fought, sacrificed and died for liberty not government programs. [applause] there are indeed two visions, but there is only one correct path for our country's future. it's our america, that has defended liberty around the world and has become a beacon of hope for all freedom-loving

people for more than 230 years, it is to survive again. we must deliver results. we know in successes if our country grows, so, too, does our standard of living. successful businesses lift up all america, and we must promote a free enterprise system, because it is a system that understands there are no limits. [applause] regardless of who prevails here today, we must defend our vision. because it is the heart and the core of the american dam, and it is what sets us apart from other nations. we must ban together, because we share ideas, hopes and dreams. we must note deterred, becae what is at stake is

varietyly important. we must ban together and refuse to do anhing but leave our state and our country better than we found it. let us ban together and fight for what we believe is needed to keep our nation strong, free, and prosperous. so stand strong. thank you. god bless you, god bless iowa and the united states of america. [applause] >> let's give an iowa lcome to the iowa energy forum. >> ladies and gentlemen, the following are iowa citizens speaking about the importance of america's energy security. >> my feeling has always been we are short. people talk about it. i don't think we're short on energy.

i believe there's enough energy on the soil and in the oceans to supply us for many, many years, and we don't even know how much is there. >> it's very important to the state of iowa. one in 11 people of the state of iowa receives a paycheck because of the trucking industry. and the trucks for delivery of good delivered on a daily basis. not only for the trucking industry, but for everybody in the united states. energy is important to our livelihood. it's important to our economy, and it needs to be the number one priority among lawmakers and decision makers. >> what's important is if we're looking at where our source of crude oil, where we get it in the world that we look first at what's in america. my unit was in charge of all

transportation within afghanisn. it was a huge, huge contract. and we relied almos solely on fuel that we got through pakistan, so there were oftentimes when that fuel pply was interrupted. and it really makes a huge impact on you. you realize how important stst when it stops flowing. so to have a consistent source of fuel for the nation as well as for our military. >> as i understand our keystone of trying to build a pipeline from canada to texas to refineries so they can move some of this oil from canada, and then we would get the benefit from it. because most of the canadians oil is -- somebody's got to run

and make a touch down and let's get the pipeline in. >> it can bolster a strong economy and create jobs in iowa. for more information visit iowa energy forum.com. >> good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, i'm jack, president and c.e.o. of the american petroleum institute and sponsor of the iowa energy forum. we represent more than 470 oil and natural gas companies across the nation. we're responsible for 7.7% of all our economic activity. and today we support over $9. -- over 9.2 million american jobs. [applause] we believe with good, sound energy policy that therere many more jobs yet to create if

given the opportunity to do so. i want to be downtown welcome you here, today to the kickoff to the 2012 campaign. the candidates have been crossing the state, seeking your sufment and -- your support. and later today your votes will be talentied, and it will begin the start of this race, determining who is up and who is down. it's a deciding precursor some of you will feel next month when the hawkeyes come together here at the stalmt. >> now as much as we love football and politics, and i am sure you know both are contact sports, my interest today is not to support an individual candidate, but to stress the tee -- key role it flaze our

lives and the key role it can be creating the jobs. it doesn't say how much we pay at the pump or how we handle foreign lands. it's about powering our economy. it's about creating more american jobs and getting this country moving again. you may not be aware of how important engineering is for this great state of iowa. on a per-person basis, your nation is the fifth largest energy consumer. that's why iowans are leading the way in our energy sector in exciting new directions. today the hawkeye state is the epicenter of tomorrow's energy technology. capitalizing on more than 1100 turbin, iowa leads all states by producing 20% of your

electricity through renewable wind energy. [applause] and i'm sure it goesithout saying but i'm sure you're also well aware that iowa is the leading maker of ethanol. ethanol production is surging in our economy, in this country. the u.s. is now a growing exporter. 've exported more in the last four months than we did in the prior 27 months in this country. we believe that with the right policies we could produce 92% of all our liquid fuels we need right here in america, and ethanol is a key part of that equation. [applause] our industry ithe lead buyer of ethanol. and it may surprise you to

learn that the oil and natural gas industry is a leader in developing alternativeorms of energies and fuels. in fact one of every five dollars invested in low emissions technology comes from the natural oil and gas energy. as the consumption has increased, so has natural gas. these renewable resources are sensitive to changing weather. the oil and gas industry today in the united states supports 9.2 million american jobs. including the 59,000 employees we have here in iowa.

regrettably, government overregulation is preventing our industry from adding millions of jobs to our economy. we could create a half a million jobs just by opening access to currently off-limits. and i'm sure many of you heard for the past three years we've been waiting for the state department to approve the keystone x.l. pipeline that will grant us access to the to the reserves which would create 500,000 american jobs. in fact this pipeline will import half of what we currently use, coming from -- our neighbors and allies to the north want to sell us their

oil, but they need a pipeline to do it. th is an historic opportunity that we should capitalize on. but i'm unfortunately fearful that due to politics, we might squander this opportunity. b.p.a. is also getting in the way as many of you here well know. it's pursuing an aggressive regulatory agenda that discourages so -- right now it's to the point of dis -- couraging this will pat freeze on our manufacturing sector and put at risk 7.3 million american jobs. these are but a few roadblocks that have prevented the american oil and gas industry from adding jobs right here in our economy. i hope that what i've said will

remain in your minds. how will those seeking your support haonize the need for economic growth with environmental protection? what will they do to unleash our energy sector and to grow our workforce a our economy? these are the questions the next president will have to answer. these answers are what can make a difference between the economic standstill we face today and the prosperity well desire for tomorrow. thank you-all for this opportunity to talk about our exciting potential to create jobs and help a u.s. come the -- pleasvisit us at the iowa energy forum tent. we'd love to meet you and answer any questions.

thank you very much. [applause] >> please direct your attention to the stage a we prepare for texas congressman ron paul. [applause] ♪ thank you. >> thank you very much thank you very much. it's great to be here. looks li a very exciting day. and we're delighted with the way things are going. [applause] the one thing about our campaign. it's been identified with one particular word, and i'm very proud of it. we are identified with the

cause of liberty. [applause] i'm convinced that liberty and an understanding of that and a constitution can bring us peace and prosperity. [applause] but today i'm going to emphasize something slightly different than just the cause of liberty. becausthere's something that proceeds liberty, and that is life. [applause] i believe in a very limited role for government, but the prime reason that government exists in a free society is to protect liberty, but also to protect life, and i mean all life. [applause] i want to tell a very short

story, because time is short, about how i came to be very strong right to life. when i was in medical school in the 1950's it was a non-issue. it was assumed everybody was pro life and abortions weren't to be done. in the 1960's when i was a resident studying ob/gyn, the doctors in the medical cenrs were defying the law in doing abortions. this shook me up. one day i walked into the operating room and they did a histy rot my and lifted out a baby that was crying and breathing and put it in a bucket in the corner of the room and let it die and pretended nobody heard it. that was rather disturbing. but as i walked out of that room because i was a student and observer, i walked out of the room and a baby about the same size was born prematurely. and all of a sudden 20 people,

nurses and doctors all rushing around to save the baby's life, which seemed very logical. but my conclusion that very day isou can net have relative value for life and deal with that. we cannot play with that decision. all life is precious. [applause] if we are to defend liberty and allow people to spend their money as they want and go on the trips that they want and run their lives as they please, you have to understand where that liberty and life comes from. it does not come from the government. it comes from our creator. [applause]

but there's a lot of ways you can defend liberty. in many ways, in a personal way, in intellectual way. in a religious manner. but also, as determined as i am to promote the cause of pro life and making sure that governments don't slip off to defeating life and taking life, one of the most atrocious positions this country could have, and that is where government will come along and take money from those who strongly believe in pro life and mmit abortions with that. that should be reversed. [applause] being pro life can be extended and pro liberty even into all ages. yes, it is good to be pro life,

and we must be pro life, or you cannot be pro liberty, the way i understand it. but i also think it's being strongly p life if we work very hard to have a policy when those young people, those babies that are born, when they come to age, those lives are st as precious and they are never forced to fight in undeclareible, unwinible wars. [applause] i find it very difficult to protect liberty if you don't truly understand what the patriot act is all about. i understand. i was in washington with the great concern on the day after the day of 9/11, but the patriot act is an attack on our liberties and the fourth amendment. it does not solve the problems

that we face. not when you take liberty away from the american people. [alause] if you want to think about the issue that comes about if you get careless about the protection of liberty, that the patriot act along -- if we tolerate that type to interfere with our lib i we have to be -- you can not repeal in order to say yeswe can give up a little bit of our freedoms to be safe. you never have to give up liberty to be safe. [applause]

and foreign policy has been a big issue in our campaign, because the country is tired of the war. and we're all so broke. the wars have been going on for 10 years. they are undeclared. they are fought under international bners, nato and the united nations, and we don't see an end to it. but it's also costing us a lot of dollars, those trillions of dollars should have been left in the economy to build jobs and prosperity here ahome! one other symbolism of a failed foreign policy is what we did in iraq. we went into iraq. we were supposed to go into

iraq to get al qaeda. there was no al qaeda. we went in there to get weapons of mass destruction. there were no weapons of mass destruction. today one half of the christians have been run out of iraq. we have not done a good job. and n they are closer to the iranians than they have ever been. but symbolically i want to tell you what was done in iraq. we built an ambassador there. the emssy is as big as the vatican. and just recently the d.o.d. budget authorized the employment of 17,000 people to work in this embassy. that is not the way to achieve prosperity [applause]

there's something you have to do because we have importance if you want to understand economics and process parity, you have to understand monetary policy and the mischief of that and we have to change that. [applause] in order to attract investments and capital into a country, you cannot have the wk currency. we inflate endssly which means we print money to pay for the debt. it goes to the stronger countries. now we have the greatest debt in the history of the world and we ow $1.4 trillion to china

and we wonder why we have a problem. you have to have a strong currency. there's nothing wrong with us reconstituting the constitution because only gold and silver can be legal tender. [applause] also you have to have the proper environment for companies to bring their moneys back home. you can't have a money bring money or park money overseas and double tax them and charge them 35% again, that's changing , around it would be a good idea to get rid of all ts income tax and corporate taxati. [applause] and of course with a strong

currency and with a change of the tax system, you also have to deal with the regulatory systems. we have to shrink the size of the federal register. we need a lot less regulations not more regulations. [applause] it is said that those of us who promote the free market system, that we don't care about regulating those ruthless, big corporations, but just think about how the sound economy would regulate those companies and banks -- stopping the debt on the american people, causing the unemployment and causing the little guy to lose his house.

[applause] the problems are very large. they are very difficult. the solution is not complicated if you understand ho we got into this mess. basically we got into this mess because we have lost respect for our law of the land, the constitution, and we have lost our thumb for freedom. that we, ourselves can take better care of ourselves, and predict our money and lives and our children's education >> much of the work has done better without government down our bac and in our freems, it's time we restore freedom back to america. [applause] and we have that opportunity.

before start -- people are starting to recognize. people are accepting the argument that the economy is now in shambles, and there was a housing bubble, and there's been a collapse of the housing bubble. the american people now by a large majority are saying we've been overseas too long. we need to protect the our borders and forget about the borders in afghanistan and pakistan. [applause] time to bring the troops home. [applause] there is no argument that is viable to say that we have to keep troops in south korea. they've been there since i was in high school. they've been in japan since world war ii. they've been in germany since

we need a boost in the economy! -- they have been in germany since i was in high school. we need a boost to the econo! >> [applause] if we got in this trouble by a lack of loyalty to our law and constitution, it is not that difficult. all we have to do is restore the bleeping freedom and restore our conviction that the constitution works. it would take a while. but it might only take a year. we're into the fourth year of this recession. yes. we got in this trouble by not having respect for the constitution. we can get out of this trouble by respecting the rule of law in sending them by defending the constitution and thank you very much. [applause]

♪ >> and now a special message from strong american now. >> i'm mike, i'm a granddaughter and retired c.e.o. i'm not a politician. i'm just worried about what we're levering for our children and grandchildren. you see in the last four years washington racked up $1 trillion of new debt. it's a staggering amount that

stifles our economy. i have a proven solution that can end waste and deficit spending with no new taxes. please go to strong america now to learn more. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, our next speaker is someone who needs no introduction. but right now, as we look at what a successful november conservatives had all across the count, we were successful because we stood up and showed the vors of this nation and the road isers of iowa that there's a clear difference between the majority and there's no one that embodyies the spirit and principle more than our congressman, congressman steve king.

[applause] ♪ >> thank you. thank you all very, very, very much. you're a great crowd tie. you ever a big crowd today, and there's still cars coming in the platte. -- in the parking lot. it looks about like iowa state, iowa instead of the straw poll. you're sending a message to america. that message is we have a first chance to be able to give a boost to some candidates and give a recommendation to the rest of the country. this matters the first in the nation straw po. if the straw poll is effective and it is, you ever making it effective today, that means the caucus will also be effective. if we ever lost first in the nation a caucus, then it would be down to every man and every woman wouldn't have the opportunity to be president of

the united states again. it was the person with the deepest pockets. the camign that could paint a shaking their hand and -- this is important. when i was a young boy, i remember asking my father, dad, could you be president? and he looked at me and said, i supposed if i wanted to be. i want that always to be the case. for every little boy and girl in america. i want them to always grow up believing their mom or dad could be president if they wanted to be, and if america chodse them, and i want every little boy and girl and child is that aspiring to any position in this country whether it's public office or any other fm of purpose, this has embodied thank you for

everything you're doing to make it what it is today. [applause] >> now we have some things we need to do. there's some things we need to do from a policy standpoint. a lot of you know what i think, but i want to go down through the list of this and touch a few things. one is we're looking today at a national debt that is $14.3 trillion. if we do no, in 10 years, it's $28 trillion. if theroposalal passed two or three weeks ago is successful, it's only26 trillion. how do you feel? not very good, and if we stick with the ryan budget, it would be another 16 years before the budget balances. and pass the bailout budge et

-- budget that agrees with the constitution. and while we're doing that, we need to put some other pieces in place. one is we've got to get this economy on the move again. i will tell you that the markets are closed today and they'll be closed tomorrow. but i can tell you how we can get those markets to jump up 1,000 points at the opening bell on monday. now i know i have your attention. here's how the works. theresident of the united states needs to set up his podium out there on the south la of the white house, and what i'm typing into the teleprompter for him -- [applause] i want the president to step out on the podium, and i want him to say, you know i've been meditating and seeking counsel and praying and come to a conviction.

john mainer cane was wrong. -- john boehner was wrong. changing economics is wrong. you cannot borrow money from the chds and give it to people who aren't working and ask them to spend it in this economy and think you're going to stimulate an economy with a chain letter. you're not. >> i want president obama was wrong and adam smith was right. i want him to say now that i've come to this conviction, i'm here to tell you i'm a one-term president. now you know how the markets will jump up 1,000 points on monday if he does that. he would say i'm going to embrace and endorse the

republican nominee because that's the freedom and free market liberty party, one that 30 years ago ronald reagan asked this question of america. are you better off today than you were four years ago? the answer of course was no. we sent jimmy carter home and elected the greatest president of the united states. [applause] and the question is you asked whether you're better off. buthere's a more important question. there's something more precious to us. that's our freedom and our liberty. i will ask you do you have more freedoms today than when obama was inaugurated? more liberties? >> no. >> do we have more prosperity or jobs today? >> no. >> do we have more hope today? >> no. >> and what d obama do with

the change? he spent that and every dime he could get his hands on because he's an a canesian economist on stareds. he also makes chavez look like a piker when it comes to international business. three large investment banks aig taken over by the federal government. chrysler, fannie mae and freddie mac, all that nationalized. the takeover rftroift sect -- he likes that word, audity, the single most sovereign thing we have is our soul. and we protect this with everything we have, and we nurture our children to have the same core faith so they protect their sovereign soul as well. but the second most sovereign

thing we have is our health. our body and obama care. he nationalized your skin and everything inside it. and he put a 10% tax on the outside if you go to the tanning salon. o'bamday care has got to be ripped out by the roots. obamacare is a malignant nurem our society and civilization and it's got to be ripped out by if roots so there's not one particle of d.n.a. of obamacare . obamacare has got to go. [applause]

and i want that repea the repeal of obamacare to be fight number one in every presidential campaign so that the nextresident of the united states when he stas on the podium january20, 2013, i want that next president, he orshow she, to pass with this swear, i will faithfully execute the office of the united states and will to the best of my ability reserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states, so help me god. [applause] and before the next president shakes hands with chief justice roberts, i want him to sign the repeal of obamacare right there at the inauguration ceremony, january 20, 2013.

thank you very much. god bless you all! [applause] >> please direct your attention to the stage as we prepare for former minnesota governor, tim paw lenty. [applause] >> it's nightfall in america. tonight millions of american families and businesses are struggling through an american disaster. >> always going to be bucks across the country. >> across the countrymen and women are facing hard times. here's where we can put a proven record into action. here is where true leaders lead by example and make the lives of citizens better.

with a renewed vision of patriotism. this is where a real leader provides real solutions, for health care, balancing the budget, and for growing a more -- accomplishments and the ability to preserve and protect the fundamentals. here is where we prove that american independence is alive and well. >> for 235 years we've taken the road less traveled. the road of liberty. the role of self-government and free enterprise. >> our founding fathers created . our ancestors founded it. and now it is up to us to preserve it. generations from now, it will be said the american comeback began here in iowa. [applause]

>> our new beginning. our road begins today. right here. right now. [applause] ♪ >> thank you. thank you. thank you so very much. thank you. thank you very much. i appreciate it. thank you.

i hope that you'll give a great iowa welcome to the fosmer first lady of minnesota and my two daughters, anna and maura. [applause] >> i want to thank you for being here today. thank you for loving america and thank youor your patriotism and thank you for being on this journey to take back our country from barack obama. [applause] 30 years ago on this very day, august 13, ronald reagan, one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country signed the economic recovery act into law. it was knighted in that time of our country, massive revenue growth.

massive job and and as we face similar challenges today, we know what to do, don't we? [applause] we know what america needs. but unfortunately, barack obama has absolutely no clue. he is like a manure spreader in a wind storm. [applause] about four years ago, barack obama came through iowa. he convinced the democrats of this great stite catapult him towards white house. and they did. but today's the day that republicans in iowa, independence in -- independents in iowa and conservatives all across this country send the message that barack obama's got to go. [applause]

>> he's been talking a lot about the full faith and credit of america's death death. barack obama should put his full faith and credit in the american people. [applause] >> now the way forward may not be the easy way, but it's not complex. as we look over the history of this great nation, we know what works. we can see the lessons of america's greatness and bring them forward to the challenges of our time. and here they are. let's be a nation that puts its trust in god first and foremost. [applause] number we? we can't spendore than we take in. [applause]

and we also know as we watch him going across the world, apologizing for america, denying or ignoring america's k3e7pingsalism that we make sure our president will maintain the peace by maintaining our strength. [applause] and we're going to send the message from iowa here today all across this great country, and it's what i hear from hard-working and concerned americans experiencing the heavy-handed economic results of barack obama? the mess >> mr. president, get the government off our backs. [applause]

>> let's get a start on that agenda. first, mr. president, repeal amacare. [applause] number two, mr. president, please come before the country and tell us why you oppose a constitutional amendment to balance the budget? we want it, and the country deserves it, and you should support it. [applause] and i also want to share with you and many other republican c57bd dats here and in the race, they a wonderful people and they have a great vision for network in deciding who you are going to support in this race. many republican candidates are going to say the same thing. they are going to say i'm the one who will cut government

spending. i am the one who will reduce taxes. they say i am the one who will stand for the cause of life. they s i will stand for traditional marriage. they say i am the one who will do health caret. he cam through iowa with the great speeches, and the big rhetoric. t now we know this, don't we? his rhetoric doesn't put gas in our car, does it? and barack obama's relate rick doesn't pay our mortgage, does it? and barack obama's rhetoric doesn't pay our health care premiums, does it? and barack obama's rhetoric doesn't put our children through college and pay the tuition and doesn't give us a job, does it? >> no. >> is it time for barack obama to go?

but for us, too, it's got to be more than words. we've got to deliver. and so i stand before you as a candidate who sticks his claims to iowa and here today on large part that i don't just talk about it. we get the job done for minnesota and more america. [applause] so if you look at my record in minnesota, you can see we took spending from historic highs to historic lows. we cu taxes in my state over eight years and did it -- we advanced the cause of life and traditional maiage in historic ways. we did public employee pension

reform. before it was cool and popular to do it in the rest of the country. those kinds of results, not just talk, is what america needs now. i also want to tell you doing that in minnesota ising? that's very interesting and important to know. we need to not just preach to the oir and make sure we have a candidate who can win in places like kansas or oklahoma or some of the other great states in this country, alabama and georgia. he can come up to iowa and wisconsin and pennsylvania and take the conservative message and urgeos to win and get this country back. i won and got re-elected in one of the most difficult states to be a republican, minnesota, and i'll carry those states as a candidate for president. [applause]

the way forward may not be, but america can overcome challenges, as you know. valley forge wasn't easy. settling the west wasn't easy. winning world war ii, for sure wasn't easy. going to the moon wasn't easy, but this is not about easy. it's about getting our country back on track. this is the united states of america. we are the american people. [applause] the founding fathers created it. ronald reagan personified it. abraham lincoln stood courageously to defend it. and now the call comes to each

of us in this time as our country again faces great challenges. this is the greatest nation the world has ever known. if we stand courageously to defend it and move barack obama and put the country back on track, we will have done our duty. he is a government for the people, by the people, we will remain the greatestountry the world has ever known andur country will not perish from the earth. [applause] so i want you to do everything you can in the closing hours of the straw poll to get support to my campaign. i want to look you in the eye and tell you i know what this country needs and understand our

conservative principles. i am not just going to stand up here and give you the word. you can take it to the bank. will lead this country to a better, brighter, a stronger place. thank you very much. i appreciate your support. [cheers and applause] ♪ [cheers]

[crowd chants] [cheers and applause] >> that is tough to compete with. good work. our next speaker has been thinking -- has been an incredible advocate for iowans and republicans. he still goes back to the form every weekend and understands that midwestern work ethic. that is the hardest working center in the entire united states senator, chuck grassley.

♪ >> we are going to beat obama next year, aren't we? [cheers and applause] i have a question for president obama. after 2.5 years, when are you going to sta taking responsibility for your policies instead of making excuses? [applause] because it seems like speech after speech or news conference after news conference, you are always blaming somebody else and. yes, mr. president, maybe you have accepted when you took

office bad economic and fiscal times, but i want you to know, mr. president, by any measure of the economy orthoscope policy, you have made every statistic worse. [applause] so, we are here today to elect neweadership. are here today to listen to they andidate ass propose policies to turn our economy around and leadership that will accept responsibility for their actions. we need a prident of uncomp romising integrity. thanks to the voters and especially to the tea party members. i get it. congress gets it.

[applause] no excuses. when will you get it, mr. president? [applause] we are here today because as americans we believe in beter. we are here today because we believe in the principles that made america great. we know that freedom cannot be taken for granted. it must be defended and it must be protected. the simple truth is that since 2008 our worst suspicions have been confirmed. president obama's hope and change is nothing more than the failed and discredited big government policies that have been the enemies of freedom all over the entire world for centuries. the battle is on.

[applause] the battle is on. iowa welcomes the outstanding leaders here today who are fighng to maintain america's x factionalism.. -- exceptiolism. our nation, our culture, our economy, our governments are built upon the principles of freedom that are unique are around the entire world. ourica's founders formed national heritage based upon proven principles derived from constructive values, founded upon biblical convictions. [applause] that foundation will preserve

america, and without it, america will fail. the original contract, our constitution, promised a limited federal government. is the same today as it was a originally, except for time to time, it might be amended by the american people. of our sacred mission is to preserve the constitutional principles that made our country great and to advance the cause of liberty. we believe in fedom, and will fight to protect that liberty and freedom. [applause] now, three years later, we are into the obama presidency. e economy is still sputtering. we have added $4 trillion to the national debt, anemic economic growth has unemployment higher

than 9%, excessive government spending and regulation, plus the constant threat of higher taxes and more of the same or even worse have choke holds on our producve, free enterprise system and not creating jobs. now, has the leader of the free world lost sight of the american dream? the united states has grown into the world's largest economy through ideas, innovation, and instinct. for generations, self-starters, risk takers, and hard workers have clamored to climb the ladder of economic success through the mobility that it allows. mr. president, redistribution undercuts the core principles of

free enterprise [applause] the promose made in 1776 to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is what makes the american way of life the beacon of hope for the rest of the world. of course, t word "light" includes the unborn. [applause] the truth is that under this administration, america is losing its way. instead of honoring and instead of cherishing america's exceptionalism, washington has backed away from it while demonstrators in the arab world are trying to reach out and gain more freedom and a voice in their government.

and to do away with the oppression and tyranny. it is time for our president and a president in the future who believes in america is ambition d in america as a vocation again. we need a presidentho has deep faith in liberty and individualism and freedom. we need a president who understands the power of example toreat the rest of the world. we need a president who knows that tomorrow can be better if we put america's first principles first. america cane what be if we once again had a strong preside. today and in the months ahead, asome to the first in the nationa caucus system we have,

let's make clear to the entire country for them to hear our message that comes out our caucus system, make sure that message is heard loud and clear. you deserve better. you decided. let's get to work. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, we now have a special message from the executive director of the national rifle association. [applause] >> it was a 17th century writer who suggested to take a piece of straw and throw it in the air.

you may see with that which way the wind is. iowa's straw poll is the biggest. thank you for participating in this event and our democracy. as the winds begin to stir, let this day marks the beginning of a storm that blows of the occupant out of the white house door in 2012. he will be facing us. if we all do our part, you can take our victory to the bank. we have to work together, and we have to win. the issues we face demand 8. from surrounding or pour southern border to capitulating to the united nations, our government has lost its integrity and the face of the american people. all of the white house press conferences in the world will

not change that. but we can change it, and we will, starting today. endowed by our creator and due to all human kind, our liberty lives in the second amendment, the fundamental right that separates us from other nations on earth. that freedom mes us better in other countries, stronger, and we will stand up to all of the government's failure and corruption and defend our rights and our nation. it starts right here in iowa right now. it ends i;n the white house in 2012 with a new president that wakes up every day with a commitment to our values, our constitution, and our american freedom. i know you are with me. our members believe in defending freedom.

thank you for all of your support. have a great straw poll. keep fighting for freedom every single day. >> please direct your attention to the stage as we prepare for minnesota congresswoman michele bachmann. [cheers and applause] ♪ >> our american heartland, a place where life and liberty is celebrated. hard work and sacrifice is rewarded. gods the good grace is accepted as a loving gift. six generations ago, a hard- working norwegian family settled to begin a new life. their legacy continues today. michelle learned and lived the lessons of her ancestors. work hard and overcome every

obstacle. her name is michele bachmann. >> it was a very simple life because we did not have a lot of money. there was a standard of living that we followed -- being honest, truthful, and doing what you say you are going to do. i started out in waterloo. we had this all but two-story house that we were living in. my parents rented out the second floor to get rent money. i felt very crowded growing up and secure. we were happy. >> she helped to provide for her family even during those tough days. she never lost sight of her dreams. >> my mother told me i should become a secretary because she saw that it was a secure job.

i wanted to go to college. >> she went to college and started a family. she went on to earn a degree in tax law and served as a tax attorney for the united states government. they were blessed with five children and decided to become foster parents. over the years, they would open their arms to 23 children who needed a loving home. michele led an effort that successfully reformed education in minnesota. >> i knew that everything would change in our society if we did not get education right. i was so highly motivated and that i really believed you could change city hall and banquets chosen by her neighbors, she quickly earned a reputation as a tireless conservative leader that got things done.

in 2006, she was the first republican woman elected to the united states congress from minnesota. michele bachmann stood up to nancy pelosi's liberal policies. this a leader from america's heartland fight for our freedoms guaranteed by the constitution, believes that we can restore american prosperity, and has a face that we can overcome any obstacle because we always have. michele bachmann for president. [applause] ♪

[cheers and applause] ♪ >> thank you very much. hi, everyone. good to see you. godless you, every one. we are going to do 8. it is going to happen. 2012 is hours. we are going to take it back in 2012. [cheers and applause] all of the greatness, the energy, all that we need to do to take the cntry back in 2012 is right here in this room in ames, iowa. we are going to do it together and take it back. [cheers and applause]

my name is miche bachmann and i am running to be the next president of the united states of america. [cheers and applause] and together, we are going to make barack obama a one term presidt. [cheers and applause] from one iowan to antoher, iowa will be the pace car to set the tone and pace for briing this country back for the greatness itwas meant. it is iowa where we will see the greatness once again begin. i am so thrilled with what i have seen. our campaign is 48 days old.

i have been all across the four corners of iowa and all points in between. i was born an raid in waterloo and cedar falls of. in this wonderful part of our state, what i saw were reasonable, fair-minded people who loved me, poured themsels into me, and that is the voice i heard growing up. common sense and moral values. that set the tone. everything i needed to know in life, i learned in iowa. [cheers and applause] my mother and father taught us to always love iowa. iowa is the breadbasket of the world bank and we feed millions of people from iowa.

be grateful. i have always been grateful that i am an iowan. i believe it is time to have an house. in the white in the last 48 days, as i have been everywhere from spencer to storm lake, to you name it, we have been there, and ames as well. what we have seen is a restoration of that dream. you have restored in me m faith in ameca. i see on the television destruction all across the country, but inot in iowa. i see happy, confident, optimistic people. their crops are growing. we have a wonderful season.

people are more energized than ever before because they know we can do this. if we stick together, they know this will happen. they know we can secure the promise of the future for our children. how do i know is that? because i have seen wonderful people who believe this. they believe that life is precious, and that from conception until natural death, we stand for human life. that is iowa. [cheers and applause] and all across iowa, i have seen a marvelous appreciation for a marriage, as one man and one woman. [cheers d applause] you showed the world when you did notetain those three justices in your last

election. [cheers and applause] and as president of the united states, i will only appoint justices who followed the constitution and do not legislate from the bench. [cheers and applause] this is important. it is fundamental. it is foundational because the family is the foundation of a unit of this country. with the family, we are everything. without the family, how do we survive? we need the family to go forward. now -- [cheers and applause] people say, and that is unrealistic. it is absolutely essential that we maintain the family. i thank god for family. my parents were married here in

waterloo, iowa. my parents, unfortunately in later years, divorced. i was raised by a single mother. we went to below poverty overnight, but my mother said it will not always be that way. it is going to get better. one thi that i learned from my great family is that we did stick together. that was a great life lesson, we are thae i saw that soal conservatives and we will never be ashamed of being social conservatives. [cheers and applause] we understand that religious liberty is the essence and a foothold of this nation. we should never be ashamed or afraid of the faith that this country was founded upon.

i think god for the religious faith that my parents taught to me. i thank god -- a [applause] i think god for what he has done. god has mightily put his hand of blessing upon this nation. we can never think that we did this ourselves. it was almighty god who gave this to us. [cheers and applause] we are social conservatives. we are fiscal conservatives, and am one. i am a former federal tax lawyer. my husband and i started our own successful company. i get it, how to turn the a economy around. we think it is a good idea to turn a profit. [cheers and applause]

and we agree with the declaration of independence which said we have the right to the pursuit of happiness. the founders designed that to be we have the right to keep the fruits of our own labor. what aoncept. [cheers and applause] and as present of the united states, i will stand for life, marriage, and the right for you to keep the fruits of your opponent labor. [cheers and applause] -- of your o labor. nationale alolso security conservatives. we love this country. we love our brave men and women who served this country with respect and admiration.

[cheers and applause] we will never forget that every day there are those who wake up in the morning thinking how they will kill americans today. there arehose thinking how they will destroy the united states of america today. i am privileged to sit on the house committee on intelligence. we are a very small committee that deals with the nation's classified secrets. we must never forget that we always stand for the safety and security of the american people. and i will. [cheers and applause] in iowa, we have successfully maintained the chain of liberty for 150 years. my family has lived in iowa.

every generation has successfully handed the torch of liberty to the next. it is if we have forged a chain link of liberty. every generation has successfully tapped the change going. now is our chance here in iowa. we get to forge a that next chain on the link eo fliberty, to make sure is not just our generation, but generations of 150 years from now that look back and say thank you for restoring the promise of the future to myhildren, thank you that you restored greatne again to the united states. that is what we will do to get their. we will stick together, stand together, do with the solomon brothers said, the famous sullivan brothers from waterloo, iowa. all five brothers gave their

lives for the cause of liberty. they said, "if we stick together, we will get it done." whether we are in the tea party,ocial conservatives, fiscal conservatives, we stick together, and this will happen. the greatness will once again belong to th united states of america. nchpad.gan the lau [cheers and applause] because i know right now as i ok across this arena here in ames, we are the team that cannot be beat. [cheers and applause] teh sullivan brothers of waterloo, our military men and women -- they have laid it on a

line for us generation after generation after generation. they have laid it on the line for us. now it is ours. we will not let the next generation down. we too will lay it on the line, and in 2012, which will take the country back. join the. i am headed over to the voting booth right now. come with me now because i am going over to the voting booth to cast my vote. i am asking for your vote to be the next president of the united states to take your voice to the white house spending god bless you! god bless the united states of america! i love you all. god bless you! i love you! thank you so much! i love you!

♪

>> it is the time when we are looking for leaders in washington who will run to a fight instead of running away from one, we have someone in iowa who is doing that very same thing. how important it is to have conservative voices in washington. he isaking on a fight to make sure that we defeat them next november. tom needs your help, and we are going to do it. we need the conservative leader in washington. he will continue to be that great voice in iowa.

congressman tom latm. ♪ [applause] >> thank you very much. thank you. what a great day to be in iowa. what a great day to be the people who will decide who gets to be the next president of the united state it is a beautiful day. as a representative, welcome to the fourth congressional district. [applause] let me just get a show of hands here, folks. how many of you think that your parents, your forefathers and mothers, gave you a better opportunity than what they had? how man y of you >

how many of you believe today that if we continue the policies of barack obama, of the liberals in cgress, the spending, the regulatory nightmare that we are putting our country through, how many of you belie that your children and grandchildren are going to have a better life than you had? i do not see a hand in the place. that is why it is critical of what you do today here. i know each and every one of us have their favorite candidates. but we always have to keep in the mind the end goal, and that is to make barack obama a one- term president. [cheers and applause] because i will tell you having watched what happened in the

last congress, when you had total control with barack obama in the white house, nancy pelosi as speaker of the house, harry reid as the majority leader, you saw what happened. you saw what their agenda is, to only spend more money in washington, to have more control in washington. when you look at over $1 trillion stimulus bill that they passed, cap and trade that would regulate ournergy industry out of business, the health-care bill that was jammed through, that is their agenda. larger government, more control, more spending. we understand as conservatives. we understand that it is the people that make the difference in this country. is the people's country, the people's government. i think what has got us

motivated today is everyone believes that no one in washington is listening. there is nobody there that really brings the concerns of the american people to the table. when you look at the liberals and seek the expansion of government and control, and we all know that the larger the government is, the smaller the citizen. we have to change the. weekend with this first step that we have here today in ames, iowa. this is a great start. we are seeing numbers that we have never seen before. it is fabulous. always keep in mind what tghe goal is. bring back prosperity for our country, opportunities for our children and grandchildren so they can have a better life than we have had. thank you all for being here. god bless.

[cheers and applause] >>lease direct your attention to the stage as we prepare for the michigan congressman thaddeus mccotter. [applause] ♪ [applause]

>> thank you very much for the kind introduction. you know, when they told me they were going to play the video, i was a bit chagrined because in my mind's eye i have a full head of hair. [laughter] but, as children of god, we realize our limitations and our mortality. but as a free people, we must always recognize the greatness within us. this generation of americans has a choice to make. we can focus on the jeopardy, or we can seize the opportunity. we can seize freedom. our nation was conceived as a

revolutionary experiment in liberty and self-government. toda we are called to conserve and improve that experiment at the very time all around us we are seeing self government and liberty expand. when we look at our economy, we see staation. we see the effects of institutions, be thehy the federal government or the failed bailout banks on wall street that think they are more important than you. that bieve they are too big to fail. they are wrong. [applause]

the only thing too big to fail in the united states are the sovereign american people. [applause] and that is why i have no doubt that you recognize the future is not big government. it is self government. [applause] and that youill seize the opportunity to undo so much of the damage that has been done under the obama administrion and under the past democratic majority in the congress. and this is simply why. we know we live in a period of time when you can at your laptop

computer seek sources of information from anywhere you wish and use that information to make a decision. we know that with a black. in the palm of your hand you can communate around the world to talk to friends, family members, or to make a purchase. we understand that today, in your lives, you are being empowered to make your own decisions to -- yet we see one entity that refuses to recognize the reality around us. that is big government. today, we live in what is known as a consumer economy.

that means you make the decisions, the investments, the purchases. that is called a free market. we cannot have the big governmetn model that is highly centralized, highly vertical, taking your decisions, taking your property, and centralizing it in washington. that is called the politicof the past. that is why i would ask my fellow republicans that when any democrat tells you they are progressive, please correct them. ive. are regresses [applause] because of big government, the welfaretate created that reached its zenith under clinton johnson when i was born in 1965, is non-sustainable in 2011 in a

globalized world. [applause] that is why the government must be restructured for the 21st century. it must not be merely shrunk or cut. it must be restrtured the same way businesses and families have had to restructure their operations to be competitive in a global h. bahut [applause] -- in a global age. as we well understand, the fallacy of the welfare state is it tends those who are self- reliant to trade their liberty and property for false state benefits and the security. we know that a passionate country takes care of those who cannot help themselves and who need assistance to get back to self-reliance, but as we restructure government, we will never again ask a person who

already has the self-respect of a job, the self-reliance to ever become dependent upon government because you know that you cannot and power an individual by making them dependent on how another person. that is wrong. [cheers and applause] speaking of the dependents, let us turn our eyes to the failed bailout banks on wall street. you know, we heard the concept of too big to fail. we know as a practical matter, the bailout has not worked. we know thatecause we know that for the first time since the great depression you have sink credit contract in the united states. that means no matter how much tax relief we do, no matter how much regulatory relief that we do, no matter how much energy policy we do, this economy will

remain stagnant until the banks are forced to recapitalize at their expense so the credit gets downo the entrepreneurs and workers that will grow this economy in the nearerm and shape it for the 21st century. [applause] . more importantly even than that, you will reaffirms a free people that we all are equal sovereign citizens, and you should not pay for the failure of those banks out of the hard work and fruits of your labor. [applause] as you grow andhape this a economy, as you restructure the federal government, you will also be asked to address the reality that we will remain and

are a nation at war, that we have brave men and women in uniform defending our libty in foreign lands, and it is heartbreaking to know that we cannot bring them home as quickly as our hearts wished them to be. but make no mistake. as someone who has met with them, both at home and abroad, as someone who has met with the families of the fallen and tried to cover them as best i could, they are quite proud of what they are doing to defend you. and they are rightfully so. because, my friends, the american military remains a force for moral code in the world because in order to secure our liberty, our young men and women in uniform are expanding liberty to others. [applause]

and we will not abandon in a precipitant manner the fruits of their hard work. we will not abandon those individuals who believe that lady liberty when she said she would give them a chance to enjoy the same god-given right to freedom that we enjoy here in our republican. we must also face another challenge. we have toccept the reality that communist china is a strategic threat and a rival model of governance to the united states. [applause] and the reason as the party of recon and lincoln, we understand. as a free pple, we understand our liberty which comes from our

creator is the foundation of our security and the foundation of our prosperity. the communist chinese regime in beijing that butchered my generation in the streets of t an immense square believed that human liberty is a threat to prosperity. they are as wrong today as the soviet union was wrong in the 20th century. i will not seek the 21st century -- or tes to culturally commit genocide against the people of tibet. [cheers and applause] my fellow citizens here at home, i will not allow, as a free and

sovereign citizen, your sovereignty, your god-given right to riase your children as yous ee fit, to engage your mmunity to seek the common good. i will not allow that to be impaired by an imperial bureaucracy by the fedel court or the united nations or any outside entity. [cheers and applause] you are the masters of your fah. and youa re the custodians of the legacyf liberty that we have been bequeathed. now, in a difficult time, you are asked to transcend the challenges that we face. there are many who asked whether

or not the best days of the united states are behind her . there are many who wonder -- big government, the big wall street banks, our terrorist enemies, a regime in beijing that seeks to own and dominate the 21st century, or outside embassies that want to tell you how to live. some people ask do i matter anymore? well, as the party of lincoln and reagan, we know the answer to the question is this. you matter more than ever. you matter more than ever because -- [applause]

because in your hands rests the true hope for change for the unit states. you understand that the lambeau liberty that you cradle in your humble hands will be bequeathed to future generations, that we will conserve and improved the free republic that we have inherited. despite the challenges we face, despite the difficulties, despite some of the doubters, you will trod that hard road to happier times because you understand, above all else, that the true strength and the salvation of the united states remains for a free people and their virtues genius and industriousness and the

unfathomable grace of god. that is why you understand, very simply, what washington and the obama administration refused to admit. this feature is now. the future is u. you wi build a virtuous, purposeful, productive republic for generations to come. is lucky enough to be nominated, if honored enough to serve in the office of the presidency, i will not work for the pundit. i will not work for the bundlers. i will not work for the powerful. i will work for the people. i will work for you. god bless you. god bless the united states of america. [cheers and applause] ♪

we have the following message from the american wind energy association. >♪

♪

>> please direct your attention to the stage as we prepare for mr. herman cain. >♪ >> hope and change ain't working. we do not need to rewrite the constitution. we need to re-read the constitution and in force the constitution. ♪

america one voice, we stand i am america one hope to heal our land this is the work that must be done i will not rest until we have one i am america ♪ >> arise, shine, and the glory of the lord has risen upon the.

herman cain. ♪ >> the founding fathers did their job. we have to do our job and be the defending father. >> i love you. all right, they did not give me much time. thank you, thank you, thank you.

we are america. we are the greatest nation in the world. and we do not have to apoloze for it either. [ches and applause] i do not have to tell you about the problems this nation faces, so i and going to spend my few minutes talking about how we solved this mess. [cheers and applause] we have become a nation of crises. we have an economic crisis, and entitlement spending crisis, an energy crisis, an immigration crisis, a foggy foreign policy crisis, and we have a moral crisis, but most of all, we have a severe deficncy of leaderip crisis. [cheers and applause]

the people of this great nation -- they are tired of excuses. they want responsibility and leadership. the people of this great nation are tired of the blame game spending they want results. result we can get with the right person in the white house. [cheers and applause] our economy is stuck, not growing. our economy has stalled simply because this administration does not recognize that the engine of economic growth is the business sector, and once we get that engine going, this economy will begin to grow. we need to lower the corporate tax rates. we need to take the tax on repatriated profits to zero. we need to take the capital gains tax to zero and make all

of them permanent. [cheers and applause] uncertainty is killing this economy. it is killing this nation. we have an entitlement spending problem. we c no longer tram all around the edges. we must restructure these programs, such that this nation will go from being an entitlement society to an empowerment society. let's empower people. empower businesses. [cheers and applause] we have energy crisis because of our dependency on foreign oil. there is a way to solve it. you do not solve it by going to brazil and other countries, saying that america is going to be their best customer for oil. we will be our own best

customer. we are going to drill, coal, gas, shale, all of our natural resources. america will be its own best customer. we have an immigration crisis. one of the reasons there has been little progress as because one of the things you learn as a business person and a problem solver is make sure you are a working on the right problem. in this case, we do not have one problem but four. this is how the cain administration will attack illegal immigration. first, secure the border for real.

secondly, promote the path to citizenship that is already there. let me tell you what the solution is for immigration. we have a path to citizenship. we do not need a new one. do you know what it is? legal immigration is the path to citizenship. the third problem is to enforce the laws that are already there and number four, the government cannot and will not deal with it the issue, so what i believe we should empower the states to do with the federal government does not doing and let them deal with the illegals that are here in this country. empower the states. empower the states to deal with

their problems. we have a foggy foreign-policy coming out of washington, d.c. i have been criticized because i have not had any direct foreign policy experience. the guy we have there now has? [laughter] helped me understand that. i may not have an extensive foreign-policy experience, but let me tell you what my approach to foreign policy will be. number one is, clearly identify who our friends are. clearly identify who our enemies are. and stop giving money to our enemies. [cheers and applause] #two, before i commit any of our

brave men and women in uniform to go to war on behalf of this nation, i will make sure that the mission is clear. i will make sure that the definition of "victory" is clear and i will make sure that it is clear how it is in the best interests of the united states and that particular nation, because if i send our men and women into more, they want to be in it to win it which is why we need to be clear why we are there. [cheers and applause] we have a moral crisis. there are people who want to take god out of our culture, the founding fathers understood the importance of godly, biblica principles.

there are some people who want to ignore the declaration and the constitution. i happen to believe that the founding fathers got it right. they got it right when they say, "we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are in doubt by their create your -- creator." and i will never leave that statement out of the declaration of independence -- "endowed by their creator." "they are endowed with inalienable rights and among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness peacoat life from conception. -- pursuit of happines."

life from conception. in pursuit of happiness based on determinatino. there is no department of happy in washington, d.c. my parents achieved their american dream is the old- fashioned way. they worked for it. i know that is a novel idea, but they worked for it. they achieved their dream is the old-fashioned way. one of the reasons i am running for president of the united states is because i have achieved my american dream and then some. 12 years ago, my first grandchildas born. when i looked into the little space for the very first time, the thought that went through my mind was not, "what do i have to

do to make sure she gets a good education?" or "what do i have to do to make sure she gets a good start in life?" the first thought that went through my mind was, "what do why do to make th a better nation and a better world/" that was 12 years ago. when i saw president obama take office and watched the weakening of america, i knew the voice i heard 12 years ago meant that i had to use my skills and abilities to do somethi about is nation and get it off the wrong track and put it back from the right track because the american people, we the people, this giant has awakened and it is not going back to sleep.

[cheers and applause] the people of this great nation are sending a message to washington, d.c. the message they are sending to washington, d.c., is that they are ready to embrace a problem solver and not another politician. they are sending a message to washington, d.c., that the precious thing that we call libert, we are not going to let it go. just like the founding fathers did their job and they were inspired a by what i call the spirit of america it is tt same spirit that has this nation, its citizens, willing and ready to take back its government.

no onexpressed the challenges that we face better than the giver himself when he reminded us that freedom, never more than one generation away from extinction, you cannot pass it on in the bloodstream. what must be fought for, protected, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and grandchildren what the united states of america used to be like when men were freed. i am not going to have that conversation with my grandkids, and i do not think you want to have that conversation with yours. [cheers and applause]

the people of this country have spoken loud and clear. on our currency it says, "in god we trust." in the fourth verse of our national anthem, "the star spangled banner," it says so again. we need to put united back in the united states of america, the greatest nation in the world. [cheers and applause] ♪

>> wow. how about that? [applause] this has been an incredible program and that concludes the speaker program of today's festivities. i do want to remind everyone that if you have not voted, the boating area will be open for approximately 15 more minutes. -- 50 more minutes.

send that message. we will be back shortly. thank you, everyone. [captioning peormed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] ♪ >> welcome back, everyone. i want to thank everyone for an incredible day. while his name wasn't on our ballot, i can tell you there is

one presidential candidate that did not have a good day, that's our incumbent, barack obama. because the size of today's crowd in ames is evidence that the republican resurgence is alive and well here in the hawkeye state. i also want to make sure before we announce the results of the straw poll to thank iowa secretary of state matt schultz and his staff as well as the auditor, lucy martin, for overseeing today's election. at this time, secretary of state schultz will hand deliver the straw poll results to me.

>> with 16,892 iowans voting, the winner of the 2011 iowa straw poll is congresswoman michele bachmann. thank you, everyone. have a good night. ♪

>> here are the results from the iowa straw poll. minnesota representative michele bachmann finished first with 28% of the vote. texas congressman ron paul was sec with 27%. former minnesota governor tim pawlenty finished third with 13% in fourth, former senator rick santorum got 9% of the vote. and fifth was businessman herman kain who received 9% of the vote. the remaining field, in order, texas governor rick perry, 3%, mitt romney 3rk%, newt gingrich, 2%, jon huntsman and thaddeus mccotter each received less than 1% of the vote.

>> watch more video of the candidates, see what political reporters are saying and track the latest campaign contributions with c-span's website for campaign 2012. easy to use, it helps you navigate the political landscape with twitter feeds and facebook updates from the campaigns, candidate buy yows and the latest polling data, plus links to buy yows in early caucus states. -- plus results in early caucus states. >> next, texas governor rick perry formally announces his nomination -- announces his campaign for president. he says he plans campaign stops in new hampshire and iowa, the nation's first primary and caucus states. he spoke at a gathering of the group red state in south carolina and this is about 25 minutes.

>> rick perry knows the value of working hard, he's the son of tenant farmer, he married the first girl he ever dated, they're proud pearnts of two children. as governor, he's cut taxes on property and small businesses, stopped junk lawsuits and cut state spending for the first time since world war ii. rick perry has helped build the nation's top economy since june of 2009, more than 40% of all new jobs in america have been created in texas. that's why we today can call him the jobs governor, rick perry. >> howdy.

good afternoon. eric, thank you very much. it is great to be at red state. i'll tell you what, it's even better to be governor of the largest red state in america. and it's sure good to be back in the palmetto state in south carolina. i enjoy coming to places where people elect folks like mickey haley, true conservatives and also where they love the greatest fighting force on the face of the earth, the united states military. [applause] i want to take a moment, i want to take a moment and ask you to just take a silence, think about those young navy seals and the other special operators who gave it all in service to their country.

take a moment to say, thank you, lord that we have those kind of selfless, sack official men and women. -- sacrificial men and women. their sacrifice was immeasurable and their dedication profound. and we will never, ever forget them. [applause] i stand before you today as the governor of texas but i also stand before you the son of two tenant farmers. ray perry who came home after 35 bombing missions over europe to work his little corner of land out there and amelia, who made sure my sister and i had everything we needed including hand sewing my clothes until i went off to college. i'm the product of a place called paint creek. doesn't have a zip code. it's too small to be called a

town along the rolling plains of texas. we breed dry land cotton and wheat and when i wasn't farming or attending paint creek rural school i was generally over at troop 48 working on my eagle scout award. [applause] and around the age of 8, i was blessed, didn't realize it, but i was blessed to meet my future wife, anita thigpen. we had our first date eight careers later. and she finally agreed to marry me 16 years after that. nobody says i am not persistent. you know, there is no greater way to live life than with someone you love and my first love is with us today, my lovely wife, anita.

honey. we're also blessed to have two incredible children, griffin and sydney, and they're also here with us today and our wonderful dournl meredith. i'd just like -- our wonderful daughter-in-law, meredith. i'd just like to introduce those two. thank you. you know what i learned growing up on the farm was a way of life. it was centered on hard work and on faith and on thrift. those values have stuck with me my whole life. but it wasn't until i graduated from texas a&m university an joined the united states air force flying c-130's all around the globe that i truly appreciated the blessings of freedom. you know, paraphrase abraham

lincoln and ronald reagan, i realized that the united states of america really is the last great hope of mankind. what i saw was systems of government that elevated rulers at the expense of the people, socialist systems that cloaked maybe in good intentions but were delivering misery and stagnation. i learned that not everyone values life like we do in america. or the rights that are endowed to every human being by a loving god. you see, as americans, we're not defined by class and we will never be told our place. what makes our nation exceptional is that anyone from

any background can climb to the highest of highs. as americans we don't see the role of government as guaranteeing outcomes but allowing free men and women to flourish based on their own vision, their hard work and their personal responsibility. and as americans, we realize that there is no taxpayer money that wasn't first earned by the sweat and toil of one of our citizens. [applause] that's why we reject this president's unbridled fixation on taking more money out of wallets and pocketbooks of american families and employers and giving it to a central government. spreading the wealth punishes success while setting america

on course for greater dependency on government. washington's insatiable desire to spend our children's inheritance on failed stimulus plans and other misguided economic theories have given us record debt and left us with far too many unemployed. but of course now we're told we're in recovery. but this sure doesn't feel like a recovery. -- like a recovery to more than 9% of americans unemployed or the 16% of african-americans, 11% of hispanics in the same position. or the millions who can only find part time work or those who have even stopped looking for a job. one in six work eligible americans cannot find a full-time job. that is not a recovery. that is an economic disaster.

you think about it, for those americans who do have full-time jobs, they aren't experiencing economic recovery with the rising fuel costs and food costs going up. recovery is a meaningless word if the bank has foreclosed on your home, if you're under water on your mortgage or if you're up to the max on your credit card debt. those americans know that this president and his big spending, big government policies have prolonged our national misery, not alleviated it. what do we say to our children? do we say, well, you know, y'all will figure it out, don't worry, washington, they created

17 debt and entitlement commissions in 30 years, but the fact of the matter is, they didn't have the courage to make the decisions to allow you to have the future you actually deserve. that washington wouldn't even make modest entitlement program reforms in this last debate and the president even refused to lay out a plan for fear of the next election. how can the wealthiest nation in the history of civilization fail so miserably to pay its bills? how does that happen? mr. president, let us tell you something. you cannot win the future by selling america off to foreign creditors. we cannot afford four more years of this rudderless leadership. last week that leadership

failed. and the tax and spend and borrow agenda of this president led to the first ever downgrade of credit rating of the united states of america. in reality, though, this is just the most recent downgrade. the fact is, for nearly three years, president obama has been downgrading american jobs, he's been downgrading our standing in the world, he's been downgrading our financial stability, he's been downgrading our confidence and downgrading the hope for a better future for our children. that's a fact. his policies are not only a threat to this economy, so are his appointees a threat. [applause] he stacked the national labor relations board with antibusiness cronies who want to dictate to a private company, boeing, where they can

build a plant. no president, no president should kill jobs in south carolina or for any other state for that matter simply because they choose to go to a right-to-work state. you see, when the obama administration is not stifling economic growth with overregulation, they're achieving the same through the reckless spending. debt is not only a threat to our economy. but also to our security. america's standing in the world is in peril. not only because of the disastrous economic policies but from this incoherent muddle they call foreign policy. our president has insulted our friends and he's encouraged our enemies, thumbing his nose at

traditional allies like israel he seeks to dick kate new borders for the meas and the oldest democracy there, israel, while he is an abject failure in his constitutional duty to protect our borders in the united states. [applause] you know, his foreign policy seems to be based on alienating our traditional allies while basing our demesting agenda on importing those failed western european social values. we don't need a president who apologizes for america. we need a president who protects and projects those values. [applause] it's pretty simple. we're going to stand with those who stand with us and we will

vigorously defend our interest and those who threaten our interests, harm our citizens, we will simply not be scolding you, we will defeat you. our nation cannot and must not endure four more years of aimless foreign policy. we cannot and must not endure four more years of rising unemployment, rising taxes, rising debt, rising energy dependence on nations that intend us harm. it's time to get america working again. [applause] to get citizens, to get our citizens working in good jobs and getting the government to working for the people again. you know, page one of any economic plan, to get america

working, is to give a pink slip to the current residents in the white house. listen, we just got to get back to the basic truths of economic success. as governor, i had to deal with the consequences of this national recession and in 2003 -- in 2003 and again this year, my state faced billions of dollars in budget shortfalls. but we worked hard, we made tough decisions, we balanced our budget, not by raising taxes but by setting priorities and cutting government spending. it can and it must be done in washington, d.c. a

we have led texas based on some just really pretty simple guiding principles. one, don't spend all the money. you know, two is keeping the taxes low and under control. three, you have your regulatory climate fair and predictable. four is reform the legal system so frivolous lawsuits don't paralyze employers trying to create jobs. over the years, over the years we followed this recipe to produce the strongest economy in the nation since june of 2009. texas is responsible for more than 40% of all of the new jobs created in america. think about that. we're home to less than 10% of the population in america, but 40% of all the new jobs were

created in that state. i cut taxes. i have delivered historic property tax reductions. i was the first governor since world war ii to cut general revenue spending in our state budget. we passed lawsuit reform. including just this last session loser pays law to stop the frivolous lawsuits that were happening. and i know i've talked a lot about texas here in the last little bit, i'm a texan and i'm proud of it, but first and foremost, i am an incredibly proud american. [applause] and i know something, america is not broken. washington, d.c. is broken.

we need balanced budgets, we need lower taxes, we need less regulation and we need civil justice reform. those same four principles. our country's most urgent need is to revitalize our economy, stop the generational theft that is going on with this record debt. i came to south carolina because i will not sit back and accept the path that america is on. because a great country requires a better direction, because a renewed nation needs a new president. it is time to get america working again and that's why with the support of my family and unwavering belief in the goodness of america, i declare to you today as a candidate for president of the united states.

[cheers and applause] >> you know, it's time for america to believe again. it's time to believe that the promise of our future is far greater than even our best days behind us. it's time to believe again in the potential for private enterprise, set free from the shackles of overbearing federal government. and it's time to truly restore our standing in the world, renew our faith in freedom as the best hope for peace in this

world that's beset with strife. the change we seek will never emanate out of washington, d.c. it'll come from the wind swept prairies of middle america, the farms and factories across this great land. from the hearts and minds of the good hearted americans who will accept not a future that is less than our past. patriots. patriots who will not be consigned to a fate of less freedom in exchange for more government. [applause] we do not have to accept our current circumstances, we will change them. we are americans. that's what we do. we roll up our sleeves, we go

to work, we fix things. we stand up and proudly proclaim that washington is not our caretaker and we reject the state that in margaret thatcher's words, she said a state that takes too much from us in order to do too much for us. we will not stand for that any longer. we're dismayed, we're dismayed at the injustice that nearly half of all americans don't even pay any income tax and you know, the liberals out there are saying that we need to pay more.

we are indignant about leaders who do not listen and spend money faster than they can print it. in america, the people are not subjects of the government. the goth is subject to the people. -- the government is subject to the people. and it's up to us, it is up to us, to this present generation of americans, to take a stand for freedom to send a message to washington that we're taking our future back from the grips of these central planners who would control our health care, who would spend our treasure, who downgrade our future and micromanage our lives. it's time to limit and simplify the taxes in this country. we have to quit spending money we don't have. we need to get our fiscal house

in order and restore our good credit. and we will repeal this president's misguided one size fits all government health care plan immediately. [applause] we'll create jobs, we'll get america working again, we'll create jobs and buildwell and truly educate and innovate in science and technology and engineering and math. we'll create the jobs and progress that's going to be needed to get america working again. i'll promise you this. i'll work every day to try to make washington, d.c., as inconsequential in your life as i can. and at the same time, we'll be

freeing our families and small business and state from the burdensome and costly federal government so that those groups can create and innovate and succeed. i believe in america. i believe in her purpose and her promise. i believe her best days have not yet been lived. i believe her greatest deeds are reserved for the generations to come. and with the help and the courage of the american people, we will get our country working again. god bless you and god bless the united states of america. thank you. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011]

>> thank you very much. ♪

♪ >> the vermont senator bernie sanders, a member of the budget committee, discuss the role of the commission and its appointees. you also talk about the budget and job creation, and campaign 2012 mineral discontent -- and liberal discontent with president obama.

>> this weekend on american history tv, we will visit the office of the archivist of the united states as he shows historic documents that are a personal interest to him. leon panetta recalls his years of working in the republican administration of richard nixon, his eventual resignation from his post, and his switch to the democratic party. on the 50th anniversary of the bay of pigs invasion, a critical of its u.s.-cuban relations in the 1950's and 1960's and the actions of the eisenhower and kennedy administrations. get the complete schedule at c- span.org/history. >> next, the weekly addresses bird preserve, urges congress to urge partisan gridlock and act on his proposals to grow the economy. then pat toomey gives the republican address. he talks about the impact of government regulation on the economy. this is about 10 minutes.

>> on thursday, i visited a new high-tech factory in michigan where workers are helping america lead the way in a growing clean energy industry. they were proud of their work in the should be. they are not just showing us a path out of the worst recession in generations. they are proving that this is still a country where we make things, where new ideas take root and grow, where the best universities, most creative entrepreneurs, and most dynamic businesses in the world call home. they are proving that even in difficult times, there is not a country on earth that would not trade places with us. that does not mean we do not face some very tough economic challenges. many americans are hurting badly right now. many have been unemployed for too long. putting these men and women back to work in growing wages for everybody has got to be our top priority. but lately the response from washington has been partisanship and gridlock that has only undermined public confidence and hindered our

efforts to grow the economy. so while there's nothing wrong with our country, there is something wrong with our politics, and that is what we have got to fix. we know that there things that congress can do right now to get more money back in your pockets, get this economy growing faster, and get our friends and neighbors back to work. that payroll tax cut that put $1,000 back into the average family's pocket this year? let's extended. construction workers who have been jobless since the housing boom went bust? let's put them back to work rebuilding america. let's cut red tape in the patent process so that are to be yours and get good ideas to market more quickly. let us finish trade deals so that we can sell more american- made goods around world. let's connect the hundreds of thousands of brave americans coming home from iraq and afghanistan to businesses that need their incredible skills and talents. if these are all things we can do right now. so let's do them. in over the coming weeks, i will put forward more proposals to help our businesses hire and create jobs and i

will not stop until every american who wants a job can find one. but we cannot let partisan brinksmanship get in our way, the idea that making it through the next election is more important than making things right. that is what is holding us back. the fact that some in congress would rather see their opponents lose than see america win. you have a right to be frustrated, i know i am. you deserve better. i do not think it is too much for you to expectant the people you send to this town start delivering for you. members of congress are at home in their districts right now. and if you agree with me, whether you are a democrat or republican or not much of a fan of either, let them know. if you had it with gridlock and you want them to pass stalled bills that will help our economy right now, let them know. if you refuse to settle for a politics where scoring points is more for an insolvent politics -- problems, if you believe it is time to put

country before party in the interest of our children before our own, then let them know. -and maybe they will get back to washington ready to compromise, ready to create jobs, ready to get our fiscal house in order, ready to do what you sent them here to do. yes, we have still got a long way to go to get to where we need to be. we did not get into this mess overnight and it will take time to get out of it. that is a hard truth. but it is no excuse for inaction. after all, america voted for divided government, not dysfunctional government, and we have got work to do. when we come together and find common ground, there is no stopping this country. there is no stopping our people. there is no holding us back. and there is every reason to believe we will get through this storm to a brighter day. thanks for listening and have a great weekend. >> i am senator pat toomey from the great state of pennsylvania and i'm pleased to have this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you tonight. like a lot of americans around the country, i am deeply concerned about the lack of job

current and our sagging economy. president obama inherited a weak economy by every measure he has made the economy worse. his administration told us that passage has $787 billion stimulus bill would keep unemployment below 8%. instead, our economy has lost more than 1.3 million jobs in the unemployment rate has averaged over 9%. today, fewer people are working, gas prices are higher, on volumes are lower, health care is more expensive, taxes are heading higher, and our federal deficits are much larger than when president obama took office. clearly the policies this is administration have are not working. a big part of the problem has been job- killing regulations. every day small business owners, job creators, and on to bidders are bombarded with new regulations and higher costs, discouraging these employers from expanding their

businesses and hiring additional workers. this is what i hear what i travel across my home state of pennsylvania. whether i am touring a manufacturing plant, dairy farmers, or energy producers, visiting attracting company or meeting with medical device manufacturers, the messages the same -- the oppressive burden of federal regulation is making an increasingly difficult for them to grow their new businesses, hire new workers, and in some cases just to keep their doors open. for example, it can sometime take years for a new life-saving medical device to be approved by the fda. hot dog factory can wait months for federal regulators to approve food product labels, throwing their entire products -- production schedule. abbottabad -- broadband networks have been jeopardized by new internet regulations adopted by the government. the cost of credit as rates in national labor relations board is dictating to companies where they can build new plants. these are few examples of

hundreds, maybe thousands, and the number regulations are only increasing since president obama came into office. the federal register containing all federal regulations now totals of whopping 49,000 pages, covering everything from dust to samantha to livestock. with so many burdens and the threat of new obstacles in the future, it is not hard to understand why job creators all leery of the cost that, starting a new business or expanding an existing company. as a former small business summer there ran restaurants, i can attest to the burdens these regulations impose on our job creators. despite all of these obstacles, i remain very optimistic about our future. americans are still the hardest working, most industrious,-and innovative, most entrepreneurial people in the world. if we just let them, they will build more factories, start more businesses, hire more workers to produce more

goods, and create more and edges. but first government has to get out of the way. of course we need some regulations to keep us safe. but these regulations must be enacted in a thoughtful manner and with a careful consideration to the impact they have on jobs. first, we should start by eliminating some of the most harmful regulations already on the books, including the president's health care bill, with its maze of new costly rules. next, several of my colleagues and i have introduced legislation that will make sure future regulations are not over don't -- overly burdensome. for example, the employer impact act introduced by senator john barrasso of wyoming is a simple bill. it will require of the role of agencies to consider the number of jobs that will be lost as a result of a proposed rule or regulation. senator ron johnson from wisconsin has introduced legislation that would place a moratorium on new federal regulations with an economic impact exceeding $100 million until the unemployment rate falls below 7.7%. and as a newly appointed member

of the joint select committee on deficit reduction, i am ready to work hard with my federal project fellow committee members to produce a proposal to reduce government spending and help us pripet -- create an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive. i have confidence that the 21st century can be a new great american century. another we can have a booming economy. but to get there, we have to remember the source of our national strength -- our street as i come from a bigger government controlling our economy. it comes from our free enterprise system and the hard- working, honest citizens to make it run, the kind of industrial folks i see every day in pennsylvania. when government lets these folks grow their businesses and work hard without being -- setting obstacles in the way, that is when we will achieve the flourishing recovery and job creation that our country needs and deserves. i am pat toomey and i think you for listening. -- i thank you for listening. tomorrow on "washington journal," our roundtable on the

iowa straw poll. with and. he talks about the obama administration efforts to prevent a violent extremism and homegrown terrorism in the u.s.. and georgetown university professor looks back to the construction of the berlin wall and the cultural geopolitical and economic impact of budget -- divided germany. >> as a student journalists, i preparing for the very small salary that i will be starting out with. >> you have to put aside your bias and report to trichet and the reason why people of fox news and movies is because it is an experience, emotional, it is love and hate. >> promote media conference at george washington university, aspiring high school journalists

on ethics and where they get their news information in today's multimedia environment. sunday on c-span. >> next, remarks by some of the 2012 republican presidential candidates and the vote for the iowa straw poll. the texas governor rick perry announces his candidacy for the republican presidential nomination. later, the weekly addresses by president obama and pennsylvania senator pat toomey. >> michele bachmann has won the iowa straw poll with 20% of the vote. she was followed by congressman ron paul with 27%, and former governor tim pawlenty with 13%. now remarks by six of the republican presidential candidates prior to the iowa straw poll vote. we will hear from representatives michele bachmann, ron paul, and thaddeus mccotter, as will former governor tim pawlenty, former senator rick santorum, and

herman cain. this is just under three hours. >> wow. what a difference four years can make. i'm matt strawn, chairman of the republican party of iowa and i

am proud to be a part of the iowa g.o.p. that is leading the fight. from the mississippi to the missouri, from athlete to whale, the resurgence of the iowa republicans is fueled on the bed rock principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic opportunity. your iowa g.o.p. developed up and down victory. electing bram instead and lieutenant reynolds, capturing a majority of statewide executive officers, winning 16 iowa house seats and a new majority, huge gains in the iowa senate, and gaining over 100 new county officers all across our state. and iowans are doing more than just voting for our republican candidates. every day, more iowans are identifying with the republican party and our principle solution as the iowa g.o.p. getting new voters at the expense of the iowa democrat party from 28

straight months in the 2010, iowa republicans led the way in your jurrjens government in. 2012, iowa republicans will lead the way in returning a conservative principle president to the white house. iowa republicans, this is just the beginning. take a look around. look at the energy. feel the excitement. it is clear to me and it will be very clear to president obama that we are just getting started. [applause] >> good afternoon, welcome to ames, welcome to the 2011 iowa straw poll! [applause]

let's start things off with a very important question for everybody -- who's ready to start the process to make barack obama a one-term president? [cheers and applause] who is ready to elect a republican president who will stop the freedom suffocating overspending of washington? [cheers and applause] who is ready to elect a republican president who understands that it is the entrepreneur and the small business owner, not washington bureaucrats that create jobs and make america work! [cheers and applause] who is ready to elect a republican president who will dismantle the job killing unconstitutional obama care! [cheers and applause] i'm ready and it sure sounds

like you're ready too. choosing his republican successors starts now. it starts today. it starts in iowa. [cheers and applause] at a time when more and more americans feel disconnected from our leaders in washington, thank goodness a process still exists that requires our national leaders to meet us, to listen to us, to let us directly question them and find out what their solutions are for addressing the challenges of america. this process is the iowa caucus. the first major step in the iowa caucus is happening as i speak. tense of thousands of republicans are meet the candidates outside. they will be here listening their speeches and they will cast a vote for their preferred successor, republican successor to barack obama. [cheers and applause] and the iowa caucus is a process.

it's a very special process that allows someone like me, the son of an iowan farmer the grandson of a john deere fact frir worker who share my hopes and dreams of america. as you saw that introductory video, times have changed here in iowa. in fact, when air force one touches down on northeast iowa on tuesday, mr. president will encounter a very different iowa than was here in 2008. [applause] first of all, mr. president, you'll find that there's a lot more of us republicans around. we have had 29 straight months of outgaining democrats in voter registration in this state. [applause] in fact, my favorite statistic since president obama was inaugurated in january of 2009, one in 10 iowa democrats have

even left their own party. that's the true obama legacy in iowa! [applause] and as iowa g.o.p. voter registration rises, just two are these iowa republicans that are getting in cars, getting on buses, driving hours to be here on a beautiful saturday afternoon to take a stand for their country and make their voice heard with a vote in our straw poll? well, as someone who talks to more iowan republicans than anybody, it is the small business owner i talk to in davenport, who is afraid to hire or expand because he can't tell you how much it will cost his business or his employees to implement the obama care. an iowa republican is the retired, self-made business owner who over lunch with tears in his eyes said matt, i don't think my grand kids are going to have the same economic opportunities in america that i

had. an iowa republican is the world war ii veteran i met over breakfast who thinks it is absolutely unconscienable and morally objectionable that a child born today will have their personal $42,000 share of our national debt. an iowa republican is the recently graduated snuent cedar falls i talk to who hasn't found a permanent job yet but is too proud to move back home with the folks so he's working two part-time jobs and hoping for an improved economy. most importantly, it is much more than a list of policy positions. receive a reminder of this recently. it was at a pizza ranch. i struck up a conversation with a gentle man that was laid off from his job in a factory, about 50 years old. he was more worried about his

country's future than his own. he said something that day that stuck with me. he said, "of course, when it comes to choosing a president, he once a political leader that believes with him on the issues." he wants a leader that believes in america again. [applause] faith in our creator, america, but more importantly, face in our fellow man. not government institutions that make our nation great. on that spring night, i think he summed up pretty well who iowan is. we cannot afford four more years of the obama administration.

[applause] iowan republicans know it, iowans know, the american people know it. mr. president, your path to the white house may have begun four short years ago, but your term will end here in iowa. that process starts today in. thank you, and let's get it started. [cheers and applause] it is now my pleasure to introduce our first speaker who was elected on a message of fiscal responsibility, job creation, and restoring education. in the seven months since taking office, he has fulfilled his promise by signing a budget to restore discipline, ending the use of one time funds for ongoing expenses, stopped the creating practices of the

past, and he is just getting started. please join me in welcoming the man who put iowa's budget back in black. [cheers and applause] >> thank you very much. you are doing a great job. the chairman of the republican party of iowa. i am glad to be back. i am pleased to welcome all of you this afternoon to ames, iowa, to hilton coliseum. this is a great turnout of republicans, and it shows we are an excited party. i want to welcome and command each of the candidates that are here with us today. they have poured their hearts and souls into this straw poll. we appreciate their efforts, and

we appreciate them. their efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated by a iowa. i hope all of these candidates have enjoyed their time in this great state, getting to know the hard working people that we have in iowa. every four years, it is often said that iowa is the envy of the country. if you were at the state fair yesterday or if you are here today and you joined this beautiful weather and people, you understand why iowa is the envy of the nation. [applause] candidates and a record number of media have flocked here, offering the country a bird's eye view of the political process at the grass-roots level

here in the great state of iowa. we take our first in the nation responsibility very seriously. iowa is not a state where you can buy enormous amounts of television advertisements and hope to be successful. iowa is a state where a candidate needs to go out and see real people and answer tough questions from real voters. iowans share the same concerns as the rest of america. how will we pay down its debt that is being wracked up under the obama administration? who will make job creation and a top priority and restore our state to economic growth? who has the strong and bold ideas that will beat barack obama in iowa and across america? [applause] iowans are earnest, hard-working

people that expect the same from the candidates that they give themselves. today begins a long and hard toil toward the nomination. greatroad i9s filled with opportunity. this country's founders have risen to the challenge of their time, whether it was during the great civil war that divided our country, or the threat to freedom posed by terrorists. heroes have risen and answer the call to keep america strong and free. our great country faces grave threats today, home as well as abroad. we face a debt with no signs of stopping, and it threatens the fabric of this great and free country. it is clear, america is on an

unsustainable course that adds over $1 trillion deficit to our burgeoning national debt every year. we must restore a fiscal responsibility, preventing the generational theft that threatens the future of our children and our grandchildren. [applause] at this time, this moment, our country needs a leader who will rise to the occasion just as we americans have always done. today, you will hear from some of those potential leaders. please give all of your warm iowa welcome. thank you very much. [applause] and now, i would like to invite all of the presidential candidates that are present to come on the stage. [applause]

[cheers and applause] [applause]

[cheers and applause] >> let's give the candidates won more big hand as they exit the stage. [cheers and applause]

>> now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to a brand new video put together by the republican party of iowa showing why the state is first in the nation. [applause] ♪ >> every four years, americans choose their president. every four years, the iowa caucus has started the process. for 40 years, iowans have listened to the candidates and made their decision. most candidates have moved on, and every four years, iowans get the question, "white is iowa -- why is iowa first?" in iowa, retail politics are the name of the game. candidates cannot hide behind

advertisements. we know that meeting the candidates personally, having the courage to ask them tough questions is the best way to measure their mettle and their character. we donated our time to help the candidates. we welcome them into our homes. we share our stores, hopes, and fears, and establish a bond that goes beyond any election. it is the bond of america working side by side to make our country a better place. then, on a cold winter's night, we'd venture out to support those candidates who want to build america and who we have placed our trust. they continue the process until one is to clear the next president of the united states. however, the process is not the only things that iowa is first in. iowa is the leader in renewable

energy. iowa's capital city ranks as number 1 in the nation for young professionals and number 1 in the best places for business and careers. number one richest metro in the united states due to its reasonable cost of living. we produce over 10% of america's food supply in iowa. ranking first in children's health care. first in the nation is nothing new to us. in fact, we are pretty good at it even if we most times are too humble to talk about it. it is right here again today. here in america's heartland, where the pioneer spirit remains strong, where the pride of america never wavers.

the great state of iowa, first in the nation. ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, a message from the one campaign. >> i have my own problems to worry about. >> why should i care? >> their problems are too big to solve. >> stop wasting my hard earned money. >> it is like throwing money down a rat hole. >> nothing will ever change. >> i give up. >> i give up. >> what is the point? >> where is the proof? >> in just 10 years, over 15 million more kids are alive and over 46 million more kids are in school all for less of 1% -- >> 1% of the total budget. how is that for proof?

>> it will not happen without you. go to one.org and join the movement. we are acting for a voice. [applause] >> please direct your attention to the stage as we prepare for former pennsylvania senator rick santorum. ♪ >> we blinked, and teh america we knew had changed. individual freedom replaced by increasing government dependent. fiscal responsibility, replaced by reckless spending and mounting debt. a generational promise of a better future, broken for a

lifetime of pain for the excesses of others. the greatest health care system in the world, systematically being destroyed. our traditional values shattered. jobs, gone forever. the american innovative spirit, broken. boundless optimism, replaced by uncertainty. the question now is who possesses at the courage and experience to save america? the answer is becoming increasingly clear. only one led the fight to shut down the congressional bank and took on powerful members of his own party in his fight for a balanced budget amendment pending only one successfully

led the fight to reform the entitlement program, eliminating the abuse and fraud, and replacing it with hope and opportunity. only one served for eight years on the armed services committee, and he wrote critical legislation that captain america from its sworn enemies. only one wrote the bill that ended partial abortions forever and has fought tirelessly to protect traditional marriage. for two decades, rick santorum has fought passionately to protect our economy, our tax dollars, our security, and our families. today is your day to join the fight. ♪ [cheers and applause]

>> thank you. thank you all very much. thank you, iowa. it is great to be here. family is first. let me introduce my wife karen along with five of our seven children behind us. they can to -- we can to i was three weeks ago. people said it is nice that rick was coming. no one really thought we were going to do much or have much of an impact. thanks to the great work of my wife karen? i will introduce to you right now -- [cheers and applause] -- and these five children --

how many people got calls from my kids in the last three weeks? [applause] they have been on the phones and traveling around the state. we did 50 cities around the state of iowa for 14 days. we went to all four corners of the state of iowa. one of the commentators called our campaign the ring of fire campaign. [cheers and applause] we wanted to make sure all of iowans were heard from and all of iowa got a chance to meet at least one of the candidates, to sit in their libraries or living rooms, to talk to them and listen to them because that is where the great wisdom is in america. then, enter their questions, be accountable to them. that is what i did it.

68 counties later, we have come here to do something important. we have come here, all of you have come here to say that the folks in washington, the people in the boardrooms in new york and the media centers, they are not the ones who are going to choose the next republican nominee for president. you are going to choose the next nominee for president. [cheers and applause] what the poeple of iowa have said to me is that they want someone that they can trust what they say are going to do and do what they are going to say. as a positive vision for the future of this country. there is a positive vision for the future of this country if we do what our founding fathers did, believe in the goodness of the american people, free

people, who government says yes, like in our declaration of independence which founded this great country, transformed the world. we had governments that were not run from the top down, not where you have the divine right of kings with the king was given rights by god and then spread the wealth around. no. our founders believed in a country where we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights. [cheers and applause] it was that belief in free people that transformed the world bank for the first time, we said that we were going to have a government whose job under this constitution was limited to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. many people have said that the

social issues are not important in this campaign. i have talked about all of these issues. i will not back down on the sanctity of life and marriage. [cheers and applause] what the people of all i what recognize is that america is a moral enterprise. our founders understood that for the constitution to work, it had to be based on something deeper, something grounded. our rights came from a creator. the creator has rules. nature and nature's god. they understood that through reason and faith we could build a strong country from the ground up based on a moral society. john adams said our society is

holy and adequate for any other. that is the mission for america. to suggest that we can be a party just about tax cuts and spending cuts and not about strong families and a strong faith and strong faith communities, you do not understand iowa and you do not understand america. [cheers and applause] ladies and gentlemen, as you saw from the debate the other night, this campaign is about scratching and clawing for any bit of recognition i could get. i had to wave my hand to ask for recognition. this is the little engine that could campaign. [applause] they told us we had no chance, to not pay attention. all the press does is right

about these shiny engines that keep coming by to help. maybe we will start to hitch up and work hard. we did not wait around. which started working hard. -- we started working hard. we have been to iowa more than other candidate because i want to be accountable to you and the people who make decisions, who are going to have the first cut of narrowing this field to select the president, will get a chance to look me in the eye, keblick my shins and the tires, and to hear from me division of this country. today is an opportunity to strike a blow for the people of the heartland. this is a hard land campaign, not just about wall street, but about all of the issues that you hear about. to moral and culture issues, and

yes, to getting this of economy going. look at the plan that i put forward. it is about the heartland. it is about using the resources in iowa, pennsylvania, and offshore to create energy security for this country that is desperately needed. [cheers and applause] i grew up in a little steel town outside of pittsburgh, pa.. my grandfather came to this country because he wanted to be free and believed in the goodness of america. an america that believed in him and what he could do to provide for himself and the family -- and his family and a god that he

served bank for 40 years, he clawed for my freedom until he was 72 years old. i am here today standing on his shoulders because i believe right now in thithis country is in jeopardy of losing its freedom because of one man and one bale -- obamacare. -- and one bill -- obamacare. [applause] obamacare is the single greatest threat to one generation's charge of handling this country off to the next generation freer, safer, and more prosperous. margaret thatcher said she was never able to accomplish what ronald reagan accomplished, never able to turn the tide of socialism. never able to turn it back in britain like reagan did.

and getting americans to believe in themselves, not some government official to take care of them. what margaret thatcher said, she was never able to turn it around. the british national health-care system. i was in the green room at fox a couple of days before the vote for obamacare. they decided to jam it down the throats of the american public. i said to juan williams, "water you doing? " you are committing political suicide bank he said that me tell you what the administration told me. "we believe obama. we believe that america's love for entitlements, and once we get them hooked on this entitlement, they will never let it go." [crowd boos]

just imagine a couple of weeks backhen barack obama's was against the wall being pushed for a debt ceiling increase. was his first move? just like at basketball, it was to the left. [laughter] his first move was to get in front of a national audience and tell the people who were dependent on the federal government that they were not going to get their social security checks, that they were not going to get their benefits, but they were not going to get their medicare benefits. they have the hook. at the time that they need to, they pull the strings spending now, with obamacare, everyone is a manic and. being able to be pulled in the way that washington wants you to be pulled. not o;n my watch.

[cheers and applause] you have an opportunity in this race to take someone who the national media is not paying a lot of attention to. maybe it is because in my elective history i defeated three democratic incumbents, twice for the congress -- [applause] -- toys for the congress -- twice for the congress and once in the state of pennsylvania, a state that republicans have not won since 1988. i went up against an incumbent democratic senator whose campaign was managed by a couple of guys who just managed a successful campaign for president back in 1992. i beat them. [cheers and applause]

in fact, one of my proudest accomplishments in james carville's book. item number 3 on his list. -- i am number three on his list. [cheers and applause] maybe it was because i fought for welfare reform and the only one on this stage the other night that actually authored a bill, managed it on the floor of the senate, got bipartisan support, which got a democratic president to sign it, ending an entitlement, and is transformed society. [cheers and applause] maybe it is because i am someone

who says to the people of this country who care about the sanctity of human life that i will just not give lip service. i will stand on the floor of the senate and in the oval office and i will fight for life because i did it for 12 years in the senate and got bipartisan support for three major bills to pass pro-life initiatives. i led the fight. that is not just doing it the same. it is doing it. [cheers and applause] >> you have an opportunity today to send a message that iowa doesn't want what new york and the media and the rest of them want that iowa can govern consistent with our

constitution. thank you, and god bless you. [applause] ♪ ♪ >> well, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my flows introduce our next speaker. and she has an thumb contagious to everyone around her. ascended to the iowa senate and quickly rose to become lieutenant governor last november. since taking office, she has

spear headed so of the most ambitious educational and tech in a logical advances in years. her tireless and unending optimism make her an outstanding voice for the republican of iowa. she understands budgets and has never forget at any rural iowa values she was raised with. welcome me in join me in welcoming lieutenant governor kim roons. >> good afternoon and thank you to the thousands of iowans who have ventured here. today all eyes are on aim -- aims, iowa.

i could not be more excited to be here today with governor braham sted. we have not had a sitting republican iowa governor at the straw poll since 1995, and what a breath of fresh air. >> today it is my honor to stand before you in ames and do the work our party entrusted to us. we will engage in spirited debate with one another, that i believe reflects the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly and vision by our forefathers. most importantly today, we exercise our right to petition our government for redress of our grievances. three years into the obama

administration and the list of grievances grow long. it was once said that the presidency is more than just policies pushed, initiatives launched, and wars won. it was said the presidency is a stewardship, a trust, a commitment to sacrifice, anything needed in the service of this nation. today, as we begin this great contest and the race to find our nominee for president of the united states, let us stay true to our causes, faithful to our principles, and steadfast in our belief. we are the party of personal liberty, limited government, and opportunity and responsibility for all americans. [applause]

the challenges our country faces call for more than just a competition. the challenge demands a leader. a politician is someone who makes promises, promises of hope and change. 6 a leader is someone who delivers results. in the last election, we were promised change. but the only changes we've seen are an increase in unemployment rate and a decrease in the debt rating. it is time for action. it is time for results. [applause] our country needs real action from a leader now more than ever. we need action on policies to create jobs for the almost 14 million unemployed throughout our country.

action to reduce the size and the cost of the federal government that takes in $1.5 trillion, and yet spends $3 trillion. making these policies a reality will take a leader doing what a leader does. setting priorities, making tough, even unpopular decisions, and staying the course until the end. this last election republicans picked up more seats than in any other election since 1938. [applause] >> yes. that is something to rejoice. in that election, the people of this great nation sent a loud and a clear message. stop the unsustainable spending and the outrage of debt that is mortgaging the future of our children and our grandchildren.

stop the overreaching, intrusive and constantly growing government. we have been entrusted to take bold action. and we must stay true to our charge, because the country is restless, and they expect results. i'll reminded of a boobling i read recently "the battle" that all across the country and especially right here in iowa in small towns and big cities, in farms -- on farms and in factories, two visions for america are being presented to this nation. one nation that is backed by hollywood a-listers, media moguls soonched called intellectuals attempt to convince us that our budget deficit can be solved by more

taxes and spending. that government is not the problem but that government is the answer. the ore vision, our vision, understands that freedom to exceed cannot exist without the freedom to fail. that freedom, yes. that the freedom and ideals we know, love and value in america provide a foundation for us to be able to bounce back and to overcome failure, to be resilient in the face of adversity. the country as teddy rose velt stated, treasure those that spend themselves in a worthy time. those that at their best know the triumph of high achievement and at their worst, if they

fail, they fail while daring greatly. our vision understands that growth in government always comes at the expense of freedom. our founders fought, sacrificed and died for liberty, not government programs. [applause] there are indeed two visions, but there is only one correct path for our country's future. it's our america, that has defended liberty around the world and has become a beacon of hope for all freedom-loving people for more than 230 years, it is to survive again. we must deliver results. we know in successes if