Posted on 01/11/2015 4:29:05 PM PST by cotton1706
Representative Steve King has compared illegal immigrants to livestock. He tried last week to overthrow House Speaker John Boehner for being too moderate. And he was quick to defend a colleague who spoke before a white supremacist group in 2002, saying, “Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners.”
King could also play an important role in choosing the 2016 Republican nominee. A politician who delights Tea Party activists, riles liberals, and infuriates the Republican establishment, King is gathering outsized influence in presidential politics as a gatekeeper in the first caucus state, Iowa, and with a following that is attracting even moderates such as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
It puts him at the fulcrum of the continuing debate about the heart and soul of the Republican Party, as well as the potential perils of Iowa’s role in the presidential nominating contest. He also illustrates the irresistible tug of conservative activists in the GOP primary — because they have the most energy and can field ground troops and build excitement — as well as the worries that the party will go too far in catering to them.
“He represents the conservative conscience in Iowa,” said Craig Robinson, a former political director of the Iowa Republican Party who now runs the influential website the Iowa Republican. “For what the conservative activist is thinking and feeling in Iowa, Steve King is a reflection of that.”
In two weeks, King will host a forum in Des Moines that will feature some of the top presidential hopefuls in what is billed as a kickoff to the state’s yearlong evaluation of the presidential contenders.
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonglobe.com ...
"Moderation now! Moderation tomorrow! Moderation forever!"
Far left propagandist warns center left GOP establishment against somewhat conservative influence.
Yeah, that’s a shocker.
/
People need to put their swords away and let the process work. Each voter has equal say. Some voters try to get more than their share through lies, cheap shots and name calling. Let the positions and talents of each candidate do the job. As much I do not favor some of the early candidates, I think the “can win” people and the “blood and guts” people need to step back and shut up. I would like to see a fairer process. That would include a fairer primary (not likely to happen). But some of these candidates will shoot themselves in the foot soon enough.
Livestock earn their keep.
milkque toast for mitey Mitt....
prune the shrubs out of the party...
The GOPe is afraid of Steve King, he has real core convictions and they can’t buy or smear him. We need hundreds more like him.
Jeb and Mitt, come on over to Iowa, the weather is great. And we will be ready to send you to New Hampshire with your tail between your legs.
Yep. My thoughts exactly. Livestock pay well for the food and services they receive. They also tend to be more grateful.
Romney endorsed Rep. Steve King (R-IA) at a campaign event on Friday.
“This man needs to be your congressman again,” Romney said of King on Friday. “I want him as my partner in Washington D.C.”
The Obama campaign took Romney to task over the endorsement, accusing him of not standing up to “the most strident voices in his party.”
Bush won Iowa in 2004 because of Steve King. The turnout would not have been the same with a generic.
Isn’t King Sinn Fein/the IRA/Gerry Adams’ man in Congress? And isn’t he anti-Southern as well?
The King I'm thinking of is from New York. I apologize for the confusion and rejoice that it's not the same guy.
Funny how the Dems never have any “provocateurs”.
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