Chelsea Davis, Ottumwa Courier, Iowa –
OTTUMWA In her 10th Iowa county, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann’s voice was fading, but her convictions were not.
For awhile, Bachmann let her staff of volunteers do the talking as she zig-zagged through the room at Country Kitchen, greeting supporters and posing for photos, except for a short speech at the end.
“She’s one of those that didn’t go to Washington and forget her hometown roots in Iowa,” said Tamara Scott, director of Concerned Women for America.
Scott praised Bachmann’s outlook on immigration and the Second Amendment: “I’m told her favorite weapon is the AR-15.”
State Rep. Danny Carroll (R-Grinnell) referenced a quote from former president Ronald Reagan: “Fly your bold colors, no pastels.”
Carroll said Bachmann is the right candidate because she’s “a real conservative,” and the reason the Republican Party did not win the 2008 election was because they did not “put up a bold color” by choosing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
“It’s probably going to take a mom in the White House to do it,” Carroll said to laughter and applause. “Pound for pound, she’s the toughest person in Washington, D.C.”
Bachmann finished out the speeches by summarizing her positions on several main issues: She is pro-life, believes marriage is between one man and one woman, wants English as the official language and believes in stronger border patrol, among others.
“Why is it when the liberals get in, they get everything, and when conservatives get in, we get nothing?” Bachmann said.
In their first election, 18-year-olds Jake Swanson and Brittany Fish said they were “scoping out Republican candidates.”
“We’re looking for the most viable candidate with the best stance on issues,” Swanson said.
Fish said she’s especially interested in finding a candidate who will reform the economy and plans to caucus Jan. 3 at Ottumwa High School.
Veteran voters Ron Wymore and William and Judy Miller came out to show their support for Bachmann.
“She’s my first choice because she’s conservative,” Wymore said.
William Miller said Bachmann will get his vote because “she thinks our country should be governed by the Constitution.”
“We have people running this country that were not elected,” said Judy Miller, who also said “White House czars” should be abolished.
