Republicans hopefuls make nice with each other, rip Obama

TIFFIN - Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama shared the spotlight last night at a five-county fundraiser that attracted 400-some Republicans and four 2012 GOP presidential hopefuls.

The candidates - Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum and Thaddeus McCotter - praised Reagan as their model, and, for the most part, adhered to his 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.

The candidates saved that for Obama, who was on the receiving end of their criticism and the butt of their jokes.

McCotter, probably the least-known among the Republican presidential hopefuls, was the leadoff speaker and pulled off one of the biggest laugh lines of the night.

The Michigan congressman, a self-described “simple country lawyer from Detroit,” referred to President Obama as “nothing more than Jimmy Carter in a better suit.”

However, Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, defended his fellow Georgian.

“Jimmy Carter wore very good suits. He wore slightly strange sweaters, but he wore very good suits,” Gingrich said.

Reagan and Obama weren't the only ones not present, but with a presence at the gathering.

Supporters wearing Americans for Rick Perry T-shirts worked the crowd. Or, as April Linder said, the crowd worked them. It was easy work, said Linder, of West Des Moines.

“They approach us. We don't have to approach people,” she said. “It's that way wherever we go.”

Most people wanted to know when the Texas governor will get into the race. Linder said she can't answer that question, but like many who approached her, she hopes it is soon.

Most Iowans are familiar with Perry's record on job growth, she said.

“If he can create 45,000 jobs in his state during a recession, I'd like to have him bring that to my country,” Linder said.

Americans for Rick Perry is encouraging Republicans to write in Perry's name at the Ames Straw Poll on Aug. 13.

“We don't have a candidate or a campaign, so we don't have any expectation,” she said.

The candidates in Tiffin had an expectation for Iowan Republicans, though.

“This is your moment, Iowa,” Santorum said. “Iowa Republicans need to find the antidote to the virus Iowa Democrats gave the country four years ago - Barack Obama.”

Pawlenty also laid blame on Iowa Democrats for Obama. He said they were mesmerized by his soaring speeches, but it would have been nice if they had nominated someone who had done something, who had a record.

Pawlenty emphasized his “record of results” as a conservative governor in Minnesota, a state that produced liberals like Sens. Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Al Franken.

For the most part, the candidates ripped Obama for his handling of the economy.

Gingrich called

9 percent unemployment “very, very destructive” and warned that a major shock from Europe or the Middle East could drop the nation into a deeper depression.

“We already are in the Obama depression,” Gingrich said.

Santorum, who didn't talk about economic issues, said the issue is who can win in 2012.

“It's great if you can lead, if you can govern, but can you win?” he asked.

He can, Santorum insisted, ticking off a list of three incumbent Democrats he knocked off in campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate.

Sure, he lost in 2006, Santorum said, “but so did just about everyone else in Pennsylvania. It was a bad year.”

Pawlenty sounded a similar theme, saying all of the candidates sound pretty much alike. They're all for reducing spending, cutting taxes, education reform, public employee compensation reform, appointing conservative judges, they're pro-life and pro-traditional marriage, and want to do health care the right way, Pawlenty said.

“Any bottlehead can stand up here and give you the Republican line,” he said, “But after Barack Obama, I hope you'll ask: Did you do it?”

He called for “strong leaders who not only give speeches, but get the job done.”