Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
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The Iowa State Fair opened this morning to a slightly soggy start, but the sun quickly came out and the crowds poured in.
It didn't take long for several Republican presidential candidates to arrive at the fair and begin shaking hands.
California Congressman Duncan Hunter was the first to take to the mic at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox, which really is just a few bales of straw and a PA system. Hunter's stump speech focused mostly on the familiar themes of national defense and "criminal immigrants."
Hunter brought with him a small group of sign-wavers, and an equally small number of fair-goers stopped to listen to his speech. He was a bit overdressed for a day at the fair, sweating in a suit and tie. He quickly removed his jacket.
With the Iowa Republican Straw Poll just days away, Hunter was asked by reporters about his expectations. He was quick to emphasize that he hasn't spent as much time on the campaign trail as some of the candidates, but he expects to do well at the Ames event.
Iowa Independent asked Hunter about his vote against the 2007 Farm Bill on July 27 in the U.S. House. He said he couldn't recall the specific vote on the farm legislation or exactly why he voted against it except that it was "probably because of the cost."
Hunter said he was planning to walk around a bit then stop by the WHO-Radio studios.
Hunter's path intersected with another Republican congressman running for president, Ron Paul of Texas. (More on Paul inside.)
Ron Paul Outshines Hunter
Paul had a noticeably larger and louder contingent of followers at the fair. He took to the soapbox to share his belief in limited government and a return to original constitutional principles.
Paul's stance is what drives his beliefs that the war in Iraq was wrong, the income tax should be abolished, and government programs should be slashed.
Iowa Independent asked Paul about his vote against the 2007 Farm Bill. "I don't believe the government should be involved in farming at all," he said, adding he favored a federal policy that has no subsidies whatsoever for farmers.
As the two congressmen were meeting with Iowans along the Grand Concourse, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, one of several undeclared potential candidates for the Republican nomination, was at the WHO Radio studio on the fairgrounds, speaking with conservative talk-show host Jan Mickelson.
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