Iowa Republicans will hold their presidential caucus in January 2016 -- but possible candidates are already working the Hawkeye State as they test the waters.
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., was in Iowa on Monday to screen The Christmas Candle. Since his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Santorum took over EchoLight Studios to promote family and Christian entertainment.
Santorum has opened the door to another presidential bid in 2016, and Iowa -- which he won by the skin of his teeth last year -- will be crucial if he is to win the Republican nomination. The movie was shown in West Des Moines on Monday night and Santorum made no secret of where he was.
It's great to be in Iowa tonight for the screening of "The Christmas Candle"! Santorum informed supporters on Monday night.
While Iowa Republicans are very familiar with Santorum, another possible Republican hopeful is a newer face in the Hawkeye State. Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., spoke at the Scott County Republican Partys Ronald Reagan Dinner in Bettendorf on Tuesday night.
Noting that U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is retiring, Brown, who is weighing a U.S. Senate bid in New Hampshire in 2014, stressed his wifes roots in Iowa and called for Republicans to unite to retake the U.S. Senate.
Not only can we replace Tom Harkin with a Republican -- we can win back a majority in the United States Senate, Brown said.
Brown also called for Americans to unite together and noted that President Ronald Reagan could always work with liberal U.S. House Speaker Tip ONeill, D-Mass., during the 1980s.
It takes a very different spirit to do great things and to overcome great obstacles, Brown said. And that is what is asked of us now. To build prosperity that reaches everyone; to protect the fiscal integrity of our government; to stay alert to the dangers of the world; and to be the peacemaker in places desperate for that influence -- all of that is just the top of the list. The challenges that we Americans face in 2014 and beyond are going to take the best that is in us all. And a party that speaks to the best is a party ready to lead.
Winning will not be easy, and, of course, its not supposed to be, Brown added. But if we run with heart, count no one out, take our message to all who will listen, and let nothing divert us in the relentless pursuit of what is good for America, then I have a feeling it wont end there. Having set out to bring this partytogether, we might just bring this country together, and become again that place where all things are possible.
Brown was also upfront about losing his Senate seat to liberal Elizabeth Warren in 2012, though he noted Massachusetts is a traditional Democratic state.
I ran again last year and came up a bit short, Brown said. In the statewide vote, I did keep my liberal-progressive opponent at 17 points below President Obamas totals. But as we all know, they dont give consolation prizes for second place.
Other Republicans are also starting to work Iowa. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas barnstormed through Iowa last week, speaking to the Polk County GOP, as he contemplates making a second bid for the White House. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., will be attending an event with longtime Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad this weekend. Earlier in the week, Ryan told the Des Moines Register that he is open to running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
