Romney will not attend Iowa GOP dinner

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will not be attending the Iowa Republican Party’s annual Ronald Reagan Dinner, a source confirmed to NBC News.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Ron Paul, Gov. Rick Perry, and former Sen. Rick Santorum will be in attendance.

Romney’s absence appears consistent with the campaign’s strategy in the Hawkeye State thus far – he has only made three trips here this cycle.

During the 2008 campaign where Romney staked his campaign on the state, he also did not attend the Reagan Dinner. The dinner, a GOP fundraiser, will be held Nov. 4 at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines. More than 1,000 people attended the dinner last year to hear former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speak.

Discuss this post

Ha Mitt is smart enough to avoid a food fight in Iowa.

  • 5 votes
#1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:54 PM EDT

He'll be going to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in LA instead.

  • 4 votes
#1.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:58 PM EDT

Good God Bev, you really need to get your head out of that rascist hole that you live in.

That is what you got from comment?

You have really gone around the bend.

  • 3 votes
#1.3 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:27 PM EDT

Ha, ah come on WCA how long before someone at that Republican dinner in Iowa tells Cain they love his Rice, but never cared for his Cream of Wheat.

  • 3 votes
#1.4 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:43 PM EDT

See Bev, now Forrest's comment is blatantly rascist.

Please note the difference. It is also not the first time Forrest has made a comment like that, attributing it to some imaginary person.

Says something about the way a mind thinks to come up with stuff like that.

But I guess that's OK since he is a liberal. eh?

  • 2 votes
#1.5 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:49 PM EDT

I'll bet Bev knows what is still true in the world, and that Bev knows I make more of a comment on racism by way of a joke, and that I myself personally am not a blatantly racist person, making a blatantly racist joke to hurt a black persons feelings. My mind might think differently at times how would I know, I made some decent coin as a patented inventor, so maybe you have something there about my mind working a little different, but I was always told the problem was my mouth not my mind.

  • 1 vote
#1.6 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:04 PM EDT

WCA don't you know if the comment is about a Black Republican its not racist.

    #1.7 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:06 PM EDT

    Hey, Forrest- What's white, and crawls up your leg"

    "Uncle Ben's Perverted Rice".

    • 2 votes
    #1.8 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:06 PM EDT

    Thats funny stuff DBO.

    • 1 vote
    #1.9 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:12 PM EDT

    Yea and Verily, Forrest, but not nearly as funny as the right wing posters these days.

    Seems something has 'em a little nervous and jerky.

    • 2 votes
    #1.10 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:19 PM EDT

    I think your right DBO, and I think it is two black guys that has them nervous, one named Obama and one named Cain.

    • 1 vote
    #1.11 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:28 PM EDT

    What do you call people that annoy you??? N_ggers.

    • 1 vote
    #1.12 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:33 PM EDT

    I got to leave and put some work in, I will catch you later DBO, I am interested to find out if Bev (or anybody else besides WCA) thinks I am a racist. Got to run for now, thanks it's been fun.

    • 1 vote
    #1.13 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:35 PM EDT

    Aa DBO often says, "Show me where I called you a racist Forrest"

    Never did, but if that's how you interpret it, that's your problem.

    Please note this started with Bev asking me if I was making a "stereotypical"(Rascist) comment about Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

    Funny, I have eaten there and it was pretty good.

    Though I see she has flown the coop, since I called her on it.

    Uh Oh, I hope that doesn't make me a chiken bigot.

    • 1 vote
    #1.14 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

    "What do you call people that annoy you??? N_ggers."

    "N o good tea ba ggers"? Yes- I must agree.

    • 1 vote
    #1.15 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:57 PM EDT

    Well WAC you say my comment is blatantly racist and that I have said things before like that and you even question how my mind works to think of such comments, so if you don't directly call me a racist your sure come close and you sure as hell most definitely implied that I am. But that's OK, I say stuff, people interpret it as they see fit, especially if that is the only post they read, the bottom line is I am not racist, and people like yourself that have read my posts over time probably can determine that. I'm rude, and maybe crude sometimes, but I am not a racist, WCA. I'm not voting for Obama because he is black I'm voting for him because he is the best candidate in the race.

      #1.16 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:08 PM EDT

      The Iowa Republicans are to blame, scheduling their annual Reagan dinner on the same night as the Battlestar Galactica convention in Salt Lake City.

      • 2 votes
      #1.17 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:55 PM EDT
      Reply

      Why that's a crying shame!

      Ya think anyone will miss Mittens?

      • 7 votes
      Reply#2 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:54 PM EDT

      Ha I beat ya!

      • 5 votes
      #2.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:57 PM EDT

      Maybe Mittens is watching his cholesterol.....fried butter, fried everything!

      Will the Wasilla Village Idiot be there again?

      • 4 votes
      #2.2 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:00 PM EDT

      Ha I beat ya!

      LOL!!!

      Well spank my a@@ & call me Sally.... ;o))

      • 8 votes
      #2.3 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:04 PM EDT

      Psssssst Feisty...You're turning SOB on with that kinda talk!

      • 4 votes
      #2.4 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:18 PM EDT

      For Mitten not to be there means there are no shinny object to go for.

      • 2 votes
      #2.5 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:32 PM EDT

      Not a bit.... hes a weirdo !

        #2.6 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:31 PM EDT
        Reply

        Face it, when was the last time Iowa picked the next president anyway? And if you've got plenty of money in the bank, you can afford to step on a few Hawkeye toes!

        • 4 votes
        Reply#3 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:59 PM EDT

        When he gets his ass kicked there, he can say he could of done better if he'd tried, but chose to invest elsewhere.

        • 2 votes
        #3.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:14 PM EDT
        Reply

        Looks like obama continues to going neck and neck with Carter for the all time worst.....yikes

        President Obama’s average approval rating sank to a new low of 41% in the 11th financial quarter of his term, according to a new analysis of Gallup’s daily tracking poll.

        That number is down six percentage points from Obama’s 10th quarter average, and is the lowest 11th quarter average posted by a sitting president since Jimmy Carter, who lost his reelection bid in 1980. (Carter’s approval average that quarter was 31%.)

        Obama’s average approval rating over his entire term is now 50%.

        Gallup’s Jeffrey M. Jones notes that while the 11th quarter was so far Obama's worst, the 12th- and 13th- quarter averages will be better indicators of his reelection prospects. Those averages historically “give a strong indication of whether he will win a second term,” Jones wrote in a summary of Gallup’s findings.

        Of 262 presidential quarters in which Gallup has calculated average presidential job approval ratings, the 11th quarter of Obama’s term ranks 220th.

        • 3 votes
        #4 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:11 PM EDT

        Obama has a ways to fall to hit Reagan's first term's lowest approval rating of 35%.

        Then again, wouldn't it be nice to match George W. H Bush's 70% approval rating...which Bush SR. hit shortly before he lost his bid for re-election.

        • 3 votes
        #4.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:20 PM EDT

        Rob you know these numbers are meaningless..Obama compared to: (you fill in the blanks):

        The rest of the republican field___________

        The republican house___________

        The entire congress_________

        How bout K street_________

        Maybe Spankster with that big lawyer brain can assist you.

        • 2 votes
        #4.2 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:25 PM EDT

        Obama is no Ronald Reagan and for that matter is no George W. H. Bush.

        Obama's name does belong on the same page let alone sentence as Reagan and Bush.

        Carter/Obama seem more like twins (in terms of results)

          #4.3 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:27 PM EDT

          Torpedo,

          Poll numbers are far from meaningless.

          If Obama stood at 65% approval do you really think he would have so much trouble getting his jobs act through?

          The other day you said you are not in lock step with progressives. They won't admit it but maybe you will -- His jobs act has to be sliced and diced now because theres a lack of democratic support. Democrats are wary of being tied to obama because of his low approval rating.

          Isn't that so?

          • 1 vote
          #4.4 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:33 PM EDT

          Rob in ma-3189632

          On Reagan, I disagree. On Bush I agree with you.

          Obama like ST Reagan want to raise taxes. ST Reagan did that successfully 11 times. He also raised taxes in Cali.

          Obama want the rich to chip in more just like ST Reagan asked the millionaires to pay there fair share.

          Obama/Reagan

          • 1 vote
          #4.5 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:41 PM EDT

          I will hold my nose when I vote for this President in 2012..The jobs act should have been "sliced and diced" from the beginning. His approach to the foreclosure crisis has been dismal and has only served the big banks which are the sole source of the current recession which is NOT of his making personally. This recession was created by laws enacted in the late 90's at the behest of Wall Street. Whether this President is elected or not in 2012 is of no consequence. If he is then he will most likely deal with a republican congress which will send the country into the sewer. If we have a republican President and Congress in 2012 then K street will effectively be running the country and the America will slide into a depression opening the door for a third party in 2016. mark it! You heard it here first.

          • 2 votes
          #4.6 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:45 PM EDT

          Rob in ma-3189632

          Looks like obama continues to going neck and neck with Carter for the all time worst.....yikes

          President Obama’s average approval rating sank to a new low of 41% in the 11th financial quarter of his term, according to a new analysis of Gallup’s daily tracking poll.

          1. No president since FDR has won with a high unemployment rate. FDR won reelection when the unemployment rate was greater than "7 percent.".

          Ronald Reagan won, despite 7.2 percent unemployment in November 1984, because the rate was falling and voters decided he was fixing the problem

          No president since FDR has won with a high unemployment rate because no president since FDR has had to govern at a time of a global economic crisis like the Great Depression or the Great Recession. The U.S. has seen plenty of downturns over the last eight decades, but financial collapses are fairly rare, produce far more severe conditions, and take much longer to recover from. In other words, Obama has a good excuse


          http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_06/presidents_unemployment_rates029975.php

          ==================================================

          2. When President Obama wins against this crop of greedy, kleptomaniacal, candidates; not to mention how lunatic, they all are; you can throw all your calculations out the window.

          Even Pat Robertson is predicting you're gonna lose.

          Pat Robertson: GOP Base Too Extreme

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TyQ7LaaZsds

          Obama/Biden 2012

          We Can do more

          http://ametia.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/obama-biden-2012.jpg?w=150

          • 1 vote
          #4.7 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:54 PM EDT

          Milli Vanilli is such a horrible President, I hear they are planning on adding President Carter to Mount Rushmore.

            #4.8 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:09 PM EDT

            "If Obama stood at 65% approval do you really think he would have so much trouble getting his jobs act through?"

            Not sure. When he took office, his approval was WAY up there, higher than 65%. Yet......the GOP was already publicly stating he had to go. He had to be MADE to be a 1-term president.

            Remember?

            Of course, you do.

            • 1 vote
            #4.9 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:09 PM EDT

            Bev....This President is no FDR or Truman for that matter. He is firmly in the pocket of Wall Street...If he wasn't then he would have pushed "Cram Down Legislation" to the hilt allowing BK judges to modify mortgages in 2009. He didn't! Face it..He sold out and the mortgage crisis got worse AND the wall street bankers got wealthier. All you have to do is look at his cabinet appointments. Do you really think they are interested in middle class relief from Wall Street fraud? Do you remember when a mortgage was a 3 page document? I do.

            • 1 vote
            #4.10 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:14 PM EDT

            DBO....

            When Obama came into office with huge approval ratings he also had both the house and senate under democrat control.

            That's just more to the point of how big a failure he is. How do you squander such largese?

            hint - partly by letting pelosi write a national healthcare law

              #4.11 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:39 PM EDT

              "How do you squander such largese?"

              Uh....via RECORD use of filibusters?

              Nice try, tho'.

              • 1 vote
              #4.12 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:59 PM EDT

              I would say by the most incompetent use of the bully pulpit.

              filibuster??? I guess those must have got invented in 2008

                #4.13 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:04 PM EDT

                "filibuster??? I guess those must have got invented in 2008"

                ...conveniently misssed the word 'RECORD', huh?

                • 1 vote
                #4.14 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:07 PM EDT

                [...he also had both the house and senate under democrat control.]

                Is Raab pushing that "super-majority" bul@!$%# again?

                Raab...didn't I shut you down on that crap two weeks ago?

                C'mon...give it up...you know it's a lie.

                • 1 vote
                #4.15 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:10 PM EDT

                that's as lame as "bush's fault"

                good luck with that

                  #4.16 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:25 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  Hey look Elizabeth Warren created the OWS!

                  Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren claims much of the credit for the Occupy Wall Street protests sweeping the nation.

                  "I created much of the intellectual foundation for what they do.

                  Isn't that special. A foundation of rape, drugs, public urination/defecation, trespass and overall nastiness.

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#5 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:16 PM EDT

                  Warren is an idiot. I'm not even sure she will get the nomination up here.

                  • 2 votes
                  #5.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:19 PM EDT

                  Rob in ma-3189632

                  It takes one to know one.

                  • 1 vote
                  #5.2 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:10 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  Well it looks like the "Romulian" will not be going to Iowa. He could not get a parking space for his Romulian Bird Of Prey. Maybe the US Air Force threatened to shoot down his Romulian Bird Of Prey if it enter the air space over Iowa. "Romulian Romney" just will not make up his mind of what he wants for dinner, and he just keeps on flip-flopping over everyother issue. Now that is funny America!

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#6 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:23 PM EDT

                  For Pete's Sake Mitt is coming unglued.

                  He probably is in a state of shock over the latest post-debate numbers showing him in a national survey of likely GOP Primary and Caucus voters falling behind Herman Cain. Poor Mitt. Guess he lost his appetite for the Reagan dinner.

                  The CBS/NEW YORK TIMES poll was conducted between Oct. 19 and Oct 24 - after the debate and the Cain Piers Morgan interview. Looks like the debate squabbling between For Pete's Sake and Scary Perry hurt them both - and helped the "Cain Train" surge ahead!

                  The results - BTW - why aren't you posting these, First Read??? It is on all of the other political sites!!

                  HERMAN CAIN - 25%

                  MITT ROMNEY - 21%

                  RICK PERRY - 6%

                    Reply#7 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:41 PM EDT

                    Romney/Rubio 2012

                    Wow, got say Rubio was very impressive on Bill O'Reilly's show last night. Rubio stood his ground saying he would say 'no' to the VP spot if offered but by the time O'Reilly was finished it was clear to me that Romney will have no problem getting him on the ticket.

                    Hallelujah!

                    They will make a VERY POWERFUL TICKET!!!!!!!!

                      Reply#8 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:47 PM EDT

                      Rob in ma-3189632

                      Your bet is on a none flip flopper and liar? Hallelujah......Allah w Akbar

                      • 1 vote
                      #8.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:53 PM EDT

                      Beats leading from behind.

                        #8.2 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:11 PM EDT

                        Your bet is on a none flip flopper and liar?

                        My money is on a very effective former governor of my state and a very dynamic senator from Florida.

                        And without Florida (where obama's polling horribly) obama is toast!

                          #8.3 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:11 PM EDT

                          Rob in ma - keep telling yourself that Rob....don't underestimate President Obama. He's formidable and he has the power of the incumbency.

                          • 1 vote
                          #8.4 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:22 PM EDT

                          JFK2112

                          "Beats leading from behind".

                          WHICH IS CLEARLY WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR PLANTED!

                          • 1 vote
                          #8.5 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:30 PM EDT

                          Laurie, at the end of the day Obama has to run on his record. Healthcare, Economy, Jobs...he has done absolutely nothing except extend the misery with his failed stimulus packages. You do realize that his jobs plan is entirely devoted to public sector union jobs...after a year the money is gone and then what?

                            #8.6 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:32 PM EDT

                            laurie-480643

                            "Rob in ma - keep telling yourself that Rob....don't underestimate President Obama. He's formidable and he has the power of the incumbency."

                            Exactly right, Laurie, and it makes him (Rob) get on here ALL DAY and try to pursuade us Obama's no good.

                            But see, we know better. Don't we, Rob?

                            • 1 vote
                            #8.7 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:02 PM EDT

                            "...his jobs plan is entirely devoted to public sector union jobs."

                            And union folks with jobs don't , you know- consume goods and services??

                            • 1 vote
                            #8.8 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:03 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            I'm really tired of this plastic candidate. He doesn't have a formulated opinion on any subject. He just rolls with the change in the wind. He may be for it today and against it tomorrow if he see an advantage to him. What a disgusting person and certainly not the type of person anyone should want for a president Republican or Democratic. So Romney will wait for the results of the ballet question and then he'll be on the side that he thinks will garner him the most votes. He's the ultimate opportunist followed closely by hang 'em high Rickie P....

                            • 2 votes
                            Reply#9 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:18 PM EDT

                            Laurie your kidding right? Here are just some of Obama's promises...

                            I will protect federal whistleblowers who expose government waste, fraud, and abuse I will recognize the Armenian Genocide
                            I will have transparency-generals must sign secrecy oath
                            I will cut the deficit in half by doubling spending–say what I will change the Washington culture of corruption
                            I will reach across the isle (I’m ready to fight Republicans)
                            I will have no earmarks in stimulus, there are 9000
                            I will have transparency in White House emails except mine
                            I will demand human rights for China and Tibet
                            I will put legislation on Internet for all to read before votes
                            I will have honest advisers, except those who take free rent
                            I will have my administration pay their fair share of taxes
                            I will eliminate rendition of terrorist combatants
                            I will have a transparent admin. with the media
                            I will bring charges against Bush admin. war crimes
                            I will have new blood in admin. but names Panetta to CIA
                            I will have a transparent government
                            I quite smoking (admits to bumming cigarettes)
                            I will apply windfall taxes on big oil companies
                            I will change US Foreign Policy, appoints Hillary Sec. State
                            I will change the defense department, YET keeps Gates
                            I will close Guantanamo
                            I will sit down with dictators with no pre-conditions
                            I will stop waterboarding and CIA interrogation techniques
                            I will use federal campaign funds
                            I will get US troops out of Iraq in 16 month
                            I will change Washington with new faces
                            I will not hire lobbyists, hires lobbyist Daschle (he's out but here are the others) I will be non-partisan. Hires highly partisan Emanuel
                            I will eliminate Bush tax cuts
                            I will dump Patriot Act wire tapping
                            I will eliminate tax breaks for wealthy

                              Reply#10 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:44 PM EDT

                              I quite smoking (admits to bumming cigarettes)

                              JFK's right. We need to impeaach this guy right now!

                              • 1 vote
                              #10.1 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:05 PM EDT

                              Who said anything about impeaching the guy. I was just pointing out promises made/broken. Beside I have no problem with Obama personally, I just think he's a godawful President. Love to have a beer with him and talk politics.

                                #10.2 - Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:44 PM EDT
                                Reply
                                You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
                                As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.