Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad
Former Governor Terry Branstad’s opening appearance with the five other Republican candidates who’re running for governor was a bit rocky.
Each of the candidates was given 10 minutes to speak on Saturday night during an Iowa G.O.P. fundraiser in Des Moines. Branstad was second in the line-up, and he opened by directly addressing some of those who’ve questioned his bid for a fifth term.
“I know there are some that say, ‘Well, you’ve been out of politics a few years. You may have lost a few, uh, you may have lost a few, uh, uh, of your steps,’” Branstad said, with some in the crowd laughing as he ended his verbal fumbling and raised his voice. “Let me tell you this: I love the Republican Party and my fervor has not waned. The fire in my belly is still burning bright.”
[Audio of all candidates after the jump]
