Posted on 05/15/2015 8:25:30 PM PDT by iowamark
Eleven announced and presumptive presidential candidates will crowd a room in hopes to not only get to know Iowans but to get close to state GOP leaders who can benefit them leading up to the 2016 Iowa caucuses.
The Republican Party of Iowa’s annual Lincoln Dinner will be held on Saturday at the Iowa Events Center, 833 Fifth Ave., in Des Moines. Though this isn’t the first event to bring together GOP hopefuls, it is one that doesn’t create a specific dialogue, such as the Faith and Freedom Summit or the Iowa Agriculture Summit had.
Cary Covington, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, said the dinner is more about party building rather than focusing on specific issues. He said that if any candidate wants to do well in Iowa, he or she has to take an interest in building relations with the party.
“There is no reason not to come,” Covington said. “This is an opportunity, and not coming is an opportunity cost.”
The Lincoln Dinner isn’t the only place Iowans will have a chance to see candidates this weekend.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush Saturday will be Bush’s first visit to the Hawkeye State since he attended the Agriculture Summit in March. Prior to the dinner, Bush will spend his morning at a town-hall meeting by College Republicans at Loras College in Dubuque. In the afternoon, Bush will head south to Iowa City, where he will join Sen. Chuck Grassley at a fundraiser at the University Club.
Ben Carson The retired neurosurgeon isn’t keeping Iowa off his radar. After announcing his presidential bid earlier this month, Carson spent a couple of days in the first-in-the-nation state. And it looks like he’ll continue to come back. On Saturday morning, Carson will speak at the Iowa National Security Action Summit in Waukee. He will stay through the weekend, also attending a Woodbury County GOP fundraiser in Sioux City.
Carly Fiorina Saturday will be Fiorina’s first time back in little over a week. After announcing her presidential bid on May 4, Fiorina spent a day in Iowa meeting with Iowans across the state. She is the only Republican woman running for president. Fiorina has been one of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s harshest critics.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham Graham may make a joke about Chick-Fil-A at the Lincoln Dinner, as he’s known for his humor and friendly demeanor. (In the past, Graham has joked that he would add a Chick-Fil-A drive-through to the White House if elected president.) The Southern hawk has yet to announce his candidacy but is expected to on June 1. He has visited the state several times this year, attending state Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter’s Agriculture Summit in March.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Having visited the state 10 times in the past two years, Jindal is continuing his double-digit streak. He will spend a full day in Iowa, by first pepping up with some coffee at with the Story County GOP Century Club, then heading to breakfast in Ames. He will then make his way to Waukee for the Iowa National Security Action Summit. He will end his night at the Lincoln Dinner.
Former New York Gov. George Pataki With an expected presidential announcement later this month, Pataki is one of the many Republican hopefuls who have visited Iowa the least. The former governor was last in Iowa for the Agriculture Summit.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul After only attending a series of smaller events, Paul isn’t skipping out on the big ones anymore. Before Saturday evening’s dinner, Paul will host several meet-and-greets throughout the day, with the first being at Comfort Suites in Burlington, and another at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa. He will also hold a rally at Central Park in Fairfield.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry Perry isn’t just staying for the dinner — he wants his dessert as well. He will start off Saturday with a lunchtime meet-and-greet at the Republican Party of Iowa’s Linn County office in Hiawatha. The former governor will continue his stay in Iowa until May 20, where he will end his trip with the Americans for Peace and Prosperity and Security’s first Iowa national security forum in Des Moines.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum Iowa isn’t just a quick trip for the former Pennsylvania senator. Santorum will also speak at the Iowa National Security Action Summit in Waukee on Saturday. On May 17, he will participate in a meet-and-greet Story County GOP. He will leave May 18 after participating in the Family Leader Presidential Lecture Series in Cedar Falls.
Donald Trump Trump is also jumping on to the train of hopefuls speaking at the Iowa National Security Action Summit on Saturday before the dinner. But that isn’t the only thing on Trump’s agenda. Today, he will give the keynote address at the Pottawattamie County GOP’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner in Council Bluffs. Saturday morning, he will speak at Morningside College in Sioux City.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Iowa’s leading man will be back in the state this Saturday. Walker pushed his way into the limelight in Iowa and across the nation after his speech was well received at the Iowa Freedom Summit in January. Walker isn’t just expected to attend the dinner. Before, he will appear at a Blue Jean Bash in West Des Moines, in addition to a fundraiser for state Rep. John Landon in Ankeny
Des Moines Register: 8 things to watch for at Iowa GOP's big Lincoln Dinner
Democrats to sink to the bottom of the sludge pit next week in Chicago.
...just like insects.
Doncha just love the headline writers?
From their website: http://www.catchdesmoines.com/includes/calendar-of-events/Republican-Party-of-Iowa-Lincoln-Dinner/31556/
Featured Speakers: Governor Bush, Dr. Carson, Mrs. Fiorina, Senator Graham, Governor Jindal, Governor Pataki, Governor Perry, Senator Santorum, Mr. Trump, and Governor Walker.
I wondering if Ted Cruz is attending ? It seems like everyone else is with exception of Rubio ...
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/05/14/lincoln-dinner-des-moines-presidential-candidates-gop/27335587/
“Four contenders are sitting this one out: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.
Rubio will be in Miami for his daughter’s birthday celebrations, his spokesman said. One of Cruz’s daughters has a piano recital, his spokeswoman said. Aides for Huckabee and Christie didn’t offer explanations.”
Also, Randy Paul.
Anyone know why Ted isn’t attending?
Never mind folks. I read the comment re: Ted not attending. Daughter has a piano recital. I’m glad he chose to be with his family for this occasion. He has his priorities right.
No Jeb Bush?
The web posting of those scheduled to speak was not updated for the late arrivals. The the speaking order.
Senator Rick Santorum
Dr. Ben Carson
Governor Bobby Jindal
Governor Jeb Bush
Governor Rick Perry
Senator Rand Paul
Governor George Pataki
Senator Lindsey Graham
Carly Fiorina
Donald Trump
Governor Scott Walker
Senator Ted Cruz was the keynote speaker
Ted Cruz was not there.
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