. >> jennifer jacobs covers iowa politics for the des moines register. you wrote this morning this will be senator ted cruz's third appearance in ohio -- iowa in the that's three months. >> it is interesting for someone from the state of texas to be in iowa. he said he's here to energize the american people. he feel his role is larger than just the state of texas. he wants to energize the grassroots to take back the country. any time a politician comes to iowa, they've always suspicions that he is planning to run for president. >> he's speaking at the reagan dinner for the iowa republican party. is he trying to broaden that deal beyond the grassroots but to mainstream republicans? >> would think so. except our party is divided here in iowa now. lately, it's only that most conservative iowans, the tea party conservatives that really believe in the philosophy of ron paul or rand paul. the dinner tonight will probably not have very many moderate republicans. it will be more of the extreme right republicans. >> recent media profiles appeared in national pape

. >> jennifer jacobs, covering all it takes for the des moines register. you can reach her at the des moines register.com and also follow her on twitter. thanks for the update. we will give thanks here in a minute and then settle in and get ready for a great night. thanks. >> c-span live tonight from iowa, the state republican party reagan dinner here in des moines. introductions still need to be are making their way to their tables. senator ted cruz of texas, his third visit to iowa in three months. we also expect to hear from iowa governor terry branstad. we saw him enter the room just a minute ago, as well as senator chuck grassley. he is also in the audience tonight. senator ted cruz is excited to talk about the government shutdown, other issues facing the country and the republican party. the roomarently not in yet, but here at the convention center doing some photo opportunities and speaking with some of the folks outside the room before he comes in to make his remarks. we should be hearing from him and others shortly. >> man have your attention plea