Posted by Jeff Zeleny at 10:16 p.m.
DES MOINES – On the eve of his first campaign visit to Iowa, Sen. John McCain has reeled in one of the state's best-known Republicans to join his 2008 team.
Chuck Larson, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa and a state senator from Cedar Rapids, has jumped aboard the McCain bandwagon. He will be at his side Thursday as the Arizona Republican travels to four Iowa cities, launching his effort to win over GOP activists in a state that kicks off the road to the White House.
"He has a proven track record of leadership and independence that will be warmly embraced by the American people," Larson said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. "John McCain is one person Americans can trust."
While the 2008 presidential nominating process is nearly two years from starting, McCain has already lined up considerable support from the Republican faithful and from President Bush's corps of followers and fundraisers. Add Larson to that marquee list.
As McCain prepares for his second presidential run, he is taking a far different approach than he did in 2000. This time, the maverick is wooing (and hiring) the establishment.
Last month, McCain hired a new top political strategist: Iowa native Terry Nelson, the political director for the Bush campaign in 2004. In the small world department, Nelson and Larson were college roommates at the University of Iowa.
So this week, from New Hampshire to Arkansas and Ohio to Minnesota, McCain is traveling across the country to lay the groundwork for a prospective presidential campaign. But it is the Iowa stop on his itinerary that could prove the most interesting.
When he ran against Bush in 2000, McCain did not compete in Iowa. He railed against corporate subsidies to the state's cherished industry: ethanol. His visits to the state were limited to nationally televised debates that originated in Iowa.
Iowans are highly protective of their first-in-the-nation caucuses. But Larson, who was among Bush's most prominent supporters, said he doubted that any hard feelings still lingered among Republicans over McCain's decision to skip Iowa six years ago.
"It's inside baseball. Iowans will look at the issues," Larson said. "Today's world is far different than the 2000 election."
McCain will find out for himself if that's true when he arrives in Iowa on Wednesday night and begins his trek from Dyersville to Cedar Rapids to Muscatine to Des Moines.
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Comments
There is nothing "independant" nor moderate about John McCain anymore..he burned those adjectives a few weeks ago in Tenn....seems like he's hell bent on capturing the 38% of America that still think the shrub is doing a good job..
Posted by: TheIrishCurse | April 12, 2006 10:46 AM
Dont waste your time for 2008. Democrats will win big and be in the whitehouse for good.
Posted by: Liberal Democrat | April 13, 2006 10:59 AM
I don't think it matters much who's ahead or who wins, nothing will change. Lobbyists are running the country and always will. I'm living on a fixed income which will probably disappear any time now. Politicians, to me are about the same as used car salesmen, skanky lawyers, muggers and, again used car salesmen selling cars they've brought up from Louisiana. I'm 67 and wear a t-shirt with GW's picture on it and "I want your kid" right below it. I hope that the government doesn't reinstate the draft. If we nuke Iran they most probably will. I have two granddaughters, 5 and 6. I don't want them to die for oil.
Posted by: Elaine Gilroy | April 15, 2006 10:20 AM
Hello,
My comment is on Senator McCain.
Since he was seen With Rev Falwell, I have lost all faith in him. He cannot be trusted to do what he says he will do if elected as President.
It is so obvious he goes where the wind blows to take him to glory.
We need a President who is Presidential in his or her actions and does not change his or her mind.
We need less rhetoric and more deeds.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bogge
Posted by: RosemaryBogge | May 18, 2006 9:37 PM