McCain joins blitz in Iowa
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Suddenly and surprisingly, after virtually abandoning the state all year, John McCain is everywhere in Iowa.
He didn’t compete here in 2000 and hasn’t really this year either, until now. He opposes the ethanol subsidies popular in this corn-belt state. He supports comprehensive immigration reform, anathema to most Republicans.
Yet here was McCain, for nearly three days in the run-up to Iowa’s influential Jan. 3 caucuses. He’ll be back on Jan. 2 and 3 as well.
Thursday was a typically frenetic McCain campaign day: stops in Des Moines, Mason City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
“I’ve never given up in Iowa,” he told reporters. “We’ve got a long way to go. I certainly feel enthusiasm. We’re just gonna do the best we can.”
Edwards beats populist drum
WAUKON, Iowa — Democrat John Edwards on Thursday continued his populist appeal to Iowa voters, saying he’s ready to do the most to fight for the middle class.
Edwards has been trying to hammer home his message that he’ll stand up to special interests in Washington. As part of the effort, he launched an eight-day, 38-county tour keeping him in Iowa until the Jan. 3 caucuses, the first nominating contest of the 2008 election season.
“My belief is that we desperately need to make this government work for everybody again. We need to stand up to the forces of corporate greed that are destroying the middle class of this country,” he told a crowd in a restaurant bar.
GOP’s Paul aiming for Tancredo’s leavings
DES MOINES, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Thursday that he expects to gain support from people who previously backed Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo because of his tough stand against illegal immigration. Tancredo quit the race Dec. 20 and endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Fox News slates GOP candidate forum
WASHINGTON — The New Hampshire Republican Party is sponsoring a forum for Republican candidates on Jan. 6, two days before the state’s first-in-the-nation primary. The forum, where the candidates will be questioned by Fox News Channel’s Chris Wallace, will be held a day after ABC holds back-to- back Democratic and Republican presidential debates.
