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Webster County Republicans got a measure of what political pundits sometimes call ‘‘fire in the belly’’ during an annual event Sunday evening.


Some of that fire, or at least warmth, came from the piping hot chili served to about 90 people at Kennedy Park north of Fort Dodge.


The political version of fire in the belly came from a host of elected officials and candidates who voiced their firm desire to prevail over Democratic rivals.


Regardless of who emerges victorious from the caucus and the primary elections, rallying around the presidential nominee is vital, according to Leon Moseley, the co-chairman of the Iowa Republican Party.


‘‘We’ve got to stay together in unison,’’ he said. ‘‘Anything short of that and the other side will be in the White House.’’


U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Ames, said the country has experienced 49 months of continuous economic growth. He attributed that growth to the tax cuts championed by President George W. Bush.


He called the war on terrorism ‘‘the battle of our generation.’’


Steve Rathje, who will challenge U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin next year, vowed to fight a war on both terrorism and ‘‘Washington hypocrisy.’’


He pledged to defend America’s borders against illegal immigration and said he would ‘‘severely penalize’’ anyone who hires or helps an illegal immigrant.


A largely unknown presidential  candidate, Vern Wuensche, of Texas, said he would bring decision-making skills he honed during a career in the construction industry to the Oval Office.


Wuensche said he is a ‘‘third tier’’ candidate who doesn’t have much money for his campaign.


State legislative candidate Jamie Johnson, of Stratford, said he would emphasize fiscal responsibility and family values as he challenges Rep. McKinley Bailey, D- Webster City.


‘‘Government ought to be limited and not be our nanny from cradle to grave,’’ he said.


He is seeking to represent a House district that includes Wright County, most of Hamilton County and southeastern Webster County.


State Auditor David Vaudt criticized the 2007-2008 budget crafted by Gov. Chet Culver and the Democratic-controlled legislature. He said the plan increases spending by 10 percent, but added that revenue is growing by 5 percent.


State Rep. David Tjepkes, R-Gowrie, said there is an ‘‘anti-business’’ mood in the state Capitol since Culver and the Democratic majority in the legislature took office.





Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net

 

 

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