In Iowa City, Fiorina vows she’ll be ‘fearless leader’

IOWA CITY — Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina offered herself as a 'fearless leader' who will stand with citizens to take back their government from bureaucrats and crony capitalists.

The 2016 election — and, by extension, the Iowa precinct caucuses — is a 'fight for the future of this nation,' Fiorina said Tuesday at a campaign stop at he University Club in Iowa City.

'We have an avowed socialist leading in the Democratic Party,' she said, referring to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. 'Think about that.'

The problems facing the country aren't new, but elected officials mostly have talked about solving them rather than solve them, Fiorina told more than 100 people at her town hall meeting.

'We can fix our problems … but not if we keep doing the same things over again,' she said. 'It's not going to be quick and easy, but it can be done.'

First, however, Fiorina acknowledged she has to win. Polling at 1 percent, Fiorina is a long shot at Monday's precinct caucuses.

She wasn't without fans Tuesday, even if they're not fully committed yet.

'I'm still making up my mind — a typical Iowa caucusgoers,' said Donna Trolliet of Iowa City. With her breadth of experience, Fiorina would bring something lacking to the White House, Trolliet said.

'She knows how to get things done,' added Janet Rudolph of Coralville.

'The things she wants to get done are pretty much the things I want to see done.'

That was part of the argument Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard CEO, made. The country needs someone who understands leadership, 'someone who can make the tough call in tough times.'

There are people running for president who have never made a tough call, she said.

'Making a tough vote is not the same as making a tough call,' Fiorina said.

Ted Moennich of Homestead said he is registered 'no party' but may support Fiorina.

'Basically, I agree with her stance on everything — at least, more so than any of the other candidates,' he said.