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Trump should stop insulting Iowans
Matt Windschitl
Aug. 11, 2023 7:13 pm
The Iowa State Fair is a cherished rite of passage for presidential hopefuls. Donald Trump's refusal to participate in the fair's signature campaign event shows his open contempt for Hawkeye State voters.
Our governor, Kim Reynolds, has extended invitations to all major 2024 candidates to join her for one-on-one “Fair-Side Chats.” These informal interviews give Iowans a chance to hear from candidates in an unscripted setting, while they're asked questions by a principled conservative leader.
Donald Trump declined this invitation. His absence speaks volumes about Trump’s view of Iowa, Iowans, our governor and our role in the primary process. Along with snubbing the Fair-Side Chat, Trump's mistreatment of Gov. Reynolds signals he has lost touch with the values and traditions that make Iowa unique.
A real leader would humbly engage with our state's people and our state's leaders. They wouldn't be afraid to answer our governor's questions. They wouldn't duck and cover from a "Fair Side Chat," where Iowans get to hear from a potential future president directly.
In other words: You don't win points with Iowans by phoning it in for the Iowa Republican caucus.
Trump's refusal to participate in the Fair Side chat comes on the heels of him berating the host. He's attacked Gov. Reynolds for supporting pro-life policies, and belittled her mercilessly for simply doing what a Republican leader in Iowa should do: Staying neutral as the primary moves forward, and allowing Iowa voters to decide their Republican Presidential nominee.
Let's put this bluntly: With such open hostility for someone so well regarded in our state, Trump revealed a petty vindictiveness unbecoming of a former president. It still is deeply disappointing to those of us who used to support him. He's attacking someone who has capably led this state, and in doing so, he's spitting in the faces of Iowa Republicans who have stood with him through thick and thin.
We take our role as the host of the first-in-the-nation caucus seriously, and we put candidates through the ringer because we believe in selecting a standard-bearer who has the grace, toughness, and conviction to lead the United States. Iowa's caucus traditions aren't just happy meet-and-greets; if you show up and tell your story and persuade our voters, you've shown that you have the mettle to go all the way.
Instead of doing that, Donald Trump has thumbed his nose at some of our proudest traditions, and insulted leaders and Iowans who have upheld those traditions with dignity and strength. His arrogant refusal to immerse himself in the Fair-Side Chat is simply another signal he's lost a step as a candidate — and that his streak of losing elections himself and bringing down the Republican Party is set to continue. Iowans support strong, mature leaders seeking to earn their vote, not fearful amateurs.
Put simply: If he's too chicken to talk to our Governor, how can he possibly win the presidency?
State Rep. Matt Windschitl serves as the Iowa House majority leader. He has endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.
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