Former President Bill Clinton is making three stops in Iowa today on behalf of President Obama. During a mid-morning rally in Council Bluffs, Clinton said it was “crazy for us to walk away” from tax breaks for renewable energy, including the wind production tax credit that Republican Mitt Romney would let expire.
“Iowa now generates 20 percent of its electricity from wind on a good day when all the politicians are talkin’ and the wind’s blowin’,” Clinton said, and the crowd laughed. “Texas, where they can really talk, is at 25 percent on a windy day.”
Clinton touched on the same themes he sounded during his speech last month at the Democratic National Convention, suggesting the math on a variety of Republican proposals doesn’t add up.
“What a bunch of hooey,” Clinton said.
Clinton touted the changes made in government-guaranteed student loans.
“On this issue alone Barack Obama should be reelected president of the United States,” Clinton said.
Clinton wrapped up his half-hour pep talk by listing the Democrats who’re on the top of the ballot in the Council Bluffs area.
“I urge you, go out and tell people this and bring this election home — bring it home for Senator Gronstad. Bring it home for Leonard Boswell and bring it home for Barack Obama,” Clinton said.
Clinton combined the first part of Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal’s name with the last part of Governor Terry Branstad’s.
Clinton will speak at a rally in Mason City this afternoon and in Waterloo this evening.
A spokesman for Romney’s Iowa campaign issued a statement in response to Clinton’s remarks in Iowa, without mentioning Clinton. “President Obama is playing defense in states like Iowa that he won in 2008,” Shawn McCoy said. “…On November 6, voters across the country will choose (Mitt Romney’s) positive agenda over President Obama’s increasingly desperate attacks.”
A senator from a neighboring state is campaigning in Iowa today on Romney’s behalf. South Dakota Senator John Thune will meet with campaign volunteers in Sioux City early this afternoon. Tomorrow Vice President Joe Biden will campaign in Muscatine and Fort Dodge. On Friday afternoon, GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan will headline a rally on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. President Obama will make a campaign stop in Dubuque on Saturday.
(This story was updated at 2:16 p.m. with additional information.)