Republican Senator Chuck Grassley never mentioned his Democratic opponent during his speech at the Iowa Republican Party’s state convention. Grassley reserved his rhetorical barbs for President Obama and the Democrats already serving in congress.
“President Obama’s hope and change is nothing more than camouflage for the failed and discredited European big-government policies that have been the enemy of freedom for centuries all over the world,” Grassley said.
Grassley saluted the “patriots” or Tea Party activists who he said have been “awakened to the dangers” of having Democrats running congress with a Democrat in the White House. “The sleeping giant is roaring because millions of concerned Americans have become passionate,” Grassley said. “They’ve become very passionate about freedom and advocacy for that freedom.”
Grassley drew one of his largest burst of applause when he mentioned the need for better security along the U.S./Mexico border. Grassley accused President Obama and his fellow Democrats of putting the U.S. on a “slippery slope” toward default on the national debt. According to Grassley, public opinion has reached a “tipping point” and Republicans are beginning to “re-earn the trust” of voters.
“A liberal president with a teleprompter can’t sell European big government to freedom-loving Americans,” Grassley said.
Grassley is seeking a sixth term in the U.S. Senate. Roxanne Conlin, the Democrat who is challenging Grassley this election, frequently mentioned Grassley by name during her speech at the Iowa Democratic Party’s convention two weeks ago, accusing him of bearing some responsibility for the oil spill in the Gulf. Grassley didn’t mention the oil spill during his speech at the Iowa Republican Party’s convention this past weekend.
Listen to Grassley’s 17-minute speech: ChuckGrassley