Vander Plaats Event Live Blog

Sorry people. Our plans for tonight changed rather abruptly. Palm of Deborah is unable to live blog to blog so instead I am. So we have got a late start.

At about 5:15 PM after the singing of the National Anthem Jody Tymson introduced Bob Vander Plaats.

Bob’s speech focused on opening up new opportunities for business. He emphaized his years as an educator as a benefit to his candidacy. Strong appause on the idea of letting the teachers teach. More applause at getting government out of our healthcare decisions.

Now talkig about energy independence by saying that Iowa can and will become energy independence.

Now comes the talk about social issues. His personal conviction is that marriage is between one man and one woman. The applause is deafening. Standing ovation. States that he will be the governor that overturns the same sex marriage ruling.

5:22 Bob introduces Mike Huckabee. Another standing ovation.

Huck jokes about the heat at the straw poll. Reiterates that he loves Iowa.

Talking about why he has to leave abruptly, his television and radio shows.

Huckabee point blank states that as long as Vander Plaats is running for office he will campaign for him.

Mike is telling jokes and talking about experiences from his Presidential campaign.

He is joking about supposedly being mistaken for Bob Dole.

Now he is talking about how well he knows Bob Vander Plaats.

Talking about Bob having convictions and will never need a consultant to tell him what he needs to do.

Mike now saying that he truly believes that Vander Plaats is the man that Iowa needs to lead the state out of the hole that it is in.

Saying again that Bob’s convictions will not change based on an opinion poll. That he will work to limit the size of the Iowa government.

He is saying that Vander Plaats knowledge from inside the education system will help him reform our education system.

Huck is now saying that he hopes that Vander Plaats supporters are as ardent and loyal as he has been to them.

He is now saying that Vander Plaats will be the man to lead Iowa. That what Iowa is lacking is leadership.

Now the speech is over and Mike is getting ready to play with the band.

Well that is all for now, I wish I had a webcam so I could livestream this for you.