Mitt Romney during a campaign stop at the Eastern Iowa airport in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Tribune photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo
by Monique Garcia
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – If flattery gets you everywhere, then Mitt Romney has a pretty good chance during tomorrow night's caucus.
During a brief appearance before about 50 supporters in a chilly airport hangar, Romney not only thanked Iowans for their support during his initial campaign, but also confessed his love for the heartland.
He told a story about riding a train through Iowa years ago after working on a ranch in Idaho and looking out his window at the passing landscape.
“I saw the dark black soil, I saw tall growing corn, I saw the fact that the rain came from the sky instead of the irrigation ditch and I said, “Boy, God sure must love the land here in Iowa.'”
When he went to work at a company in Marshalltown, he said, he shared this story with a co-worker, who told him that God not only loved the land in Iowa, “he loves the people here and you're going to love them too and I have found that he is absolutel right. I have learned to love the people here in Iowa."
After his love confession, Romney went on to quickly outline his stances on immigration, the economy and beefing up troop presence in Iraq.
Romney noted the need for change in the country, but stood by President George Bush, lauding his efforts to jump-start the economy after the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks by cutting taxes.
“The president deserves credit, flying the face of some members of his own party,” Romney said, noting he would embrace similar efforts to stabilize a weakening economy.
And if flattery wasn’t enough, he ended by asking his supporters to bring their friends to the caucuses and “get them to vote five or six times.”
“No, I guess that’s not legal, but get them to vote and make sure that we send a message loud and clear, people are going to be listening to what Iowa has to say.”
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Comments
"Romney told a story about riding a train through Iowa years ago after working on a ranch in Idaho and looking out his window at the passing landscape".
...and Willard Mitt looked out at the passing landscape and wondered to himself, how many illegal landscapers would I have to hire to make that landscape look better?
Willard Mitts sons, fighting to keep Iowa safe while riding in a plush Winnebago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPOW75o3lt0
Posted by: John E | January 2, 2008 9:09 PM
I've been slow to come around but the more I see of Romney, the more I like. Where do I sign up?
Posted by: McCloskey | January 2, 2008 9:37 PM
It is so nice to finally read so many great thngs about Mitt. I know he will be the best President our Beautiful America has ever had. He will be the one to give us our Country back. I am a 75 year old women and seen a lot of presidents come and go, Mitt will be the best ever
Posted by: Verla Swords | January 2, 2008 10:36 PM
He will be the one to give us our Country back.
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Who took it away, Verla? The GOP did. Voting for Romney won't change a thing as he will continue every policy of Bush's administration.
Posted by: Bruce Y | January 3, 2008 7:39 AM
Okay...enough of these sappy little stories, someone tell him to stop already. We know he has worked everywhere and his God loves everyone he has come in contact with.
"After his love confession, Romney went on to quickly outline his stances on immigration, the economy and beefing up troop presence in Iraq."
This guy seriously needs some new advisors if he thinks people want us to send MORE troops to Iraq!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | January 3, 2008 7:41 AM
This guy is a joke right? Are people seriously considering him as President and leader of the GOP? He said he's more gay friendly than Teddy "why can't she swim" Kennedy.
Posted by: Paul | January 3, 2008 10:09 AM
You know, the first time I drove through Iowa I had a similar reaction. What a beautiful state!
I support Mitt, but I feel bad for him, because it seems like, more than any other candidate, the pundits and spinsters take his every word and put it through the mill.
Give the guy a break already; what's wrong with issuing a compliment to the people of Iowa, who DO live in a beautiful state!
Posted by: Clay | January 3, 2008 2:12 PM
This guy is a joke right? Are people seriously considering him as President and leader of the GOP? He said he's more gay friendly than Teddy "why can't she swim" Kennedy.
Posted by: Paul | January 3, 2008 10:09 AM
You're so cute when you get angry, Paul. Back rub?
Posted by: Really Friendly and Gay | January 3, 2008 2:54 PM