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ALTOONA, Iowa – After an emotional roundtable discussion, six Republican presidential candidates put on their party hats and headed to Adventureland to kiss the ring of the don of Iowa politics.
Cliff Owen/AP
Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad takes part in the Health and Human Services Committee meeting at the National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Gov. Terry Brandstad celebrated his 65th birthday tonight, and five candidates – Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul – stopped by to celebrate and address the nearly 300-person crowd.
Newt Gingrich was the only candidate to attend the Family Leader Thanksgiving Forum but not speak at the birthday party.
The former House speaker did show up late, however, and apologized to the governor for his tardiness, explaining he needed to fulfill an obligation he made with Fox News.
Perry, the Texas governor, was first to take the stage at Adventureland Palace Theater just outside Des Moines.
With his wife, Anita Perry, by his side, he joked, "We just got through with a little debate downtown and she asked me -- she said, ‘Where do you want to go,’ and I said, ‘Let's go to Adventureland.’”
Cupcakes bearing the Iowa governor’s likeness – with a special emphasis on his signature mustache -- were served up as dessert.
Bachmann, the Republican Minnesota represtnative, said, "I bought my own mustache and so because there's cameras here, I won't put it on. But just to let you know, I'm for you Terry Branstad, happy birthday!"
The candidates weaved between doling out Brandstad birthday wishes and giving abridged versions of their stump speeches in front of a crowd filled with many likely caucus voters.
Embed Alex Moe recaps two big GOP events in the Hawkeye State Saturday night: a Thanksgiving Forum and the Governor's birthday party both attended by 6 presidential candidates.
The two noticeable candidate absences tonight were Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Speaking to reporters, Brandstad made it clear he did not approve of Romney missing out on his party.
“I think they made a mistake by not being here,” said Brandstad of Romney’s absence. “I hope they'll spend a lot more time between now and January 3rd here is Iowa.” (Romney plans to be there Wednesday.)
Still, the night was not all politics and at times resembled a roast of the longest serving governor in Iowa history.
"I was a little surprised,” Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, joked, “last I heard he was 39 and now all of a sudden he is 65. How did that work out?”
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The last time Bachmann wished somebody Happy Birthday he had been dead for 30 years, I would be a just little nervous if I was the Governor
Haaaaaaaaaaa !!!
So Newter is in bed with Rupert Murdoch as well as Grover Norquist.
Not the type America needs in the White House, obviously! Too many "obligations" to entities other than the United States of America.
That is not a pretty picture
The don of Iowa politics was not pleased that Romney wasn't there to kiss his ring?
Now I think I know my "don" movies pretty well, and it's never a good idea to make a don unhappy.
Sure this is only Iowa, but a don is a don, whether it's Brooklyn or Adventureland.
Sounds like a lovely evening. I'm sure Romney is sorry he missed it. Maybe he sent something.
Don't you just love the song Layla by Eric Clapton?
In Iowa this must be Don Cornyougrowme of the MGA the Mafia Growers Association
How appropriate that a group like that would get together at a place called Adventureland.
Jist sayin'
Forrest Grump, that is so funny. The only thing missing from this photograph is the don holding a cat as he listens to the baker.
Hey Mitt, look what I found! Courtesy of The Obama Diary:
On GPS, Defense Minister Ehud Barak of Israel says PRESIDENT OBAMA IS EXCELLING IN HIS SUPPORT FOR THE SECURITY OF ISRAEL.
YOUR PAPERS PLEASE
Washington Post:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A German manager with Mercedes-Benz is free after being arrested for not having a driver's license (his papers) with him under Alabama's new law targeting illegal immigrants, authorities said Friday, in an otherwise routine case that drew the attention of Gov. Robert Bentley.
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Welcome to the new south. Same as the old south. Or if you like, the same as other parts of the world in the 1930's. This surely must have creeped the German citizen out I would imagine. Considering the history of Germany.
Well, that's okay. Now he knows how President Obama feels with the birth certificate thingy.
America the Beautiful.
Republicans should be happy. Remember a few years ago when we were all up in arms when we realized Fox News was parroting White House republican talking points during the GWB Administration?
It's still going on. Only now the entire mainstream media is in on it. Democrats are only on tv to listen to GOP talking points constantly by the hosts. Republican supporters just want the media to lie about President Obama and the Democrats.
No problem. They have it.
We've gotten no where. Another reason why Republicans should be happy. The Super Congress will not get its deficit deal in order because?
Well, because they won't raise taxes on the rich, that's why. They refuse.
Well anyway, thank you Senator Kerry. And Mr. Emanuel.
Michael Moore it appears is a liar regarding OWS? Could that be true? The true blue working class guy who didn't hire union workers for his movie?
Nah, that can't be true!
Here you go Herman Cain.
This is the latest terrorist caught in Libya:
Abdullah el-Senussi, former head of internal security under Muammar Gaddafi, his brother-in-law. Captured by NTC forces in the desert town of Sabha hundreds of miles south of Tripoli.
-Supplying money and weapons to the terrorists who attacked the Rome and Vienna airports in 1985, killing 18 people and maiming over 100.
-Personally ordering the murder of American hostage Peter Kilburn in Beirut in retaliation for the 1986 bombing raids on Libya.
-Recruiting the Lockerbie bomber al-Megrahi to murder 270 people, including 190 Americans...the worst terror attack on American civilians other than 9/11.
With his capture, and yesterday's arrest of Saif al Islam, the last major figures of the Gaddafi regime have been accounted for. This is a feat we cannot even claim for Iraq as high-level Baathists have remained fugitives...including Saddam's own version of Senussi in Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri. And a feat we certainly can't claim of the Taliban regime, as Mullah Omar and most of the Quetta Shura Council remain at large.
______________________
Courtesy of DailyKos.
Thanks Pat, I'm glad you enjoyed that, the whole idea of the Iowa Mob kind of tickled me. I have never seen a Mobster wearing a John Deere cap. We have had the Dapper Don, the Teflon Don, but not the Soybean Don.
God bless the good farmers of Iowa, I mean no harm, I'm just having a little fun.
kinda wonder what Mrs bachmann is implying here?
Bachmann, the Republican Minnesota represtnative, said, "I bought my own mustache and so because there's cameras here, I won't put it on. But just to let you know, I'm for you Terry Branstad, happy birthday!"
oh and as an iowain I can assure you bransteads a moron
The video of her playing the role of water server was just strange. But, she had fulfilled her duty and made sure the men were properly served. I have this vision of her as president, holding a state dinner with foreign dignitaries, filling everyone's water glasses while they discuss politics. How stately!
Did Herman Cain do his CAIN DANCE?
Yes Newt, definitely fulfill your obligation to FAUX News because for reasons that defy the intelligence of normal people, they have a following.
Man oh man, the holy...... roly..... right. Oreiley admits he sexually harased that woman some years back, which he couldn't deny, they had him on her answering machine. He blows it off by saying "I am stupid, men are stupid." The network pays out millions in the suit, and he is still on the air. THE MORAL MAJORITY at its best. sheeeesh!
What more can be said? "shrug"
By all means fulfill your "obligation" to FOX Newt. These Republican candidates are such a tired bunch. Where did their party go? The Political right as a whole is like a legion of the undead. They ignore everything they are told to and they are so manageable by the Party Political Machine that boadcasts it's wishes from the control room of FOX NEWS. Now, all you basically hear is a never ending spray of reckless hatred.
I had my 65th birthday in October. At least I think I did. There was not celebration, a couple of phone calls and a gift card for $25. I guess I'm just not rich enough to contribute to campaign coffers, famous enough to jig swigger, (or is it swig jigger) anyone into voting for a particular candidate or powerful enough to influence anything. I'm so freaking happy not to be one of those people I can hardly stand it. I am so sad that all of them presume to be able to tell me how to live and even sadder that one of them might be put in a position whereby they will be able to tell me how to live. (I am also infected with terminal cynicism-worse ways to go, I could by a part of the established order/disorder.)
Happy Birthday Paul I wish you many more to come! Personally I am glad God does not talk directly to me as he seems to do with the Republican candidates, actually I'm afraid if he does talk to me he might say "see you soon Forrest".
Gingrich attended a "Family Day" celebration?
Seriously?
Nobody celebrates "family" values better than a guy who has concentrated on spreading his sperm all over Washington with as many little trollips as he could.
And nobody does irony better than the GNOP/tea baggers.
I think you see here,the first of many headlines to come with the words GOP and toast in them....
Well played Cowboy,....well played!!
They all do it...they take all their baggage and moral shortcomings and spew Jesus and family. The only thing that would be more entertaining than watching these people beat each others brains in,would be to be a fly on the wall when they arrive for their judgement day...they got some splainin' to do....
so, six co@ksuckers join up in Iowa to posture for a bunch of fat white people.
Gee, maybe kow-towing to a self-absorbed blowhard isn't high on their list of priorities.
"Kyl on Occupy: People think money grows on trees....." Well with the way Policitians blow our money is it any supprise..... Rep's Raise Taxes - Dem's cut Programs..... The Bush Tax Cuts have to be restored..... TSA has to be abolished..... Also you both have to quit this GRANT give-away..... Your giveaway money we do not have.....
There's been so much negative commentary posted on the internet about Hermie Cain lately that I'm having a difficult time keeping up with the rest of the news; "…I got all this stuff twirling around in my head…" I recently read something about the "Cain camp saying it raised $9 million…" and that this would supposedly keep his OWS camp from being torn down and evicted from "Zucatti Park". Then I read something about the Egyptian forces burning protesters tents; was the article referring to the Cain camp? I only read part of the title and didn't read the article at all; there's so much to read; so much information to digest; it's actually giving me a migraine. Now I know how Michelle Bachmann feels. Then I read a couple of articles on Newt Gingrich who reinforced my disdain for the Republican Party. Having nothing better to do, I read one of Rick Perry's quotes: "My hope is that that person will come forward that can win the presidency that we can all get behind." Then I thought to myself; you know Rick you're right; America is still waiting for that person to come forward. It's obvious that the majority of the Republicans presently in the presidential race come from the same town that our nation's village idiot, George W. Bush comes from; they have no clue as to what's going on in America.
The town I'm referring to in my post above is WASHINGTON, D.C.; must be something in their water.
Jobs? Boy i am glad Obama is working jobs and gaining global partners. something that hasn't already been decided by the Supreme Court.
The 6 Republican't s celebrating with Iowa's Dagwood Bumstead--I mean Brandstad. He's a Repuke also-birds of a feather. All 7 put together wouldn't have half the brain that Forrest Gump had............btw-I'm from IOWA