Perry Says Americans Fed Up with DC

Joanna Schroeder

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry’s main message on the Des Moines Register soapbox at the Iowa State Fair this week was about getting America back to a constitutional country. Citing the 10th amendment, he stressed that power and decision making needs to go back to the state and to the people, as intended by our founding fathers, and taken away …

Agribusiness, Audio, politics

Kasich Supports #Ag But Rubio Stays Silent

Joanna Schroeder

During the question portion of Ohio Governor John Kasich‘s time on the soapbox during the Iowa State Fair he stressed that he supports agriculture. Due to rain, Florida Senator Marco Rubio cut his remarks short and did not directly address the topic. Ohio Governor John Kasich shared his “bootstrap” story and shared other antidotes rather than really hitting hard on …

Agribusiness, Audio, politics

#Ag Not on Republican Soapbox Agenda

Joanna Schroeder

Apparently agriculture is not a main agenda item during the Iowa State Fair for many Republicans. During the Des Moines Register’s Soapbox series speeches, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham failed to discuss any ag issues in detail and only Walker and Fiorina made comments but only when answering crowd questions. I …

Agribusiness, Audio, Biofuels, Environment, Ethanol, politics

Debt was Focus for Carson and Pataki in Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

Republican presidential hopefuls Dr. Ben Carson and former New York Governor George Pataki took the Des Moines Register Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair Sunday with a common message of reducing America’s debt. Dr. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, focused much of his remarks on personal stories yet engaged the crowd with lessons learned. For example, he said, “The person who …

Audio, politics

No #GetYourAgOn From These Candidates

Joanna Schroeder

There are a lot of candidates vying to be the next president of the United States floating around the Iowa State Fair, but for being in Iowa, many are missing the boat on two very important issues to the state – energy and agriculture. This weekend, presidential candidates Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator of Pennsylvania (Republican); Lincoln Chafee, former Governor …

Audio, politics

Jeb Bush Touts #Ag Support at Iowa State Fair

Joanna Schroeder

Republican Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and presidential hopeful, kicked off his time on the Presidential Soapbox promoting his support of agriculture and renewable energy. Florida has a huge agriculture community. In fact, the state ranks second in value of vegetable production, just behind California, is the first in production value for oranges, grapefruit, watermelons, and more and is …

Agribusiness, Audio, Energy, politics, Water

Democrats Webb, O’Malley Tout Support for Ag, Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Democratic hopeful presidential candidates Jim Webb and Martin O’Malley touted their support for ag and energy yesterday during their speeches from the Des Moines Register’s Presidential Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. They have some fundamental issues in common, including the need for better education and to bring the American dream back to Americans through a stronger economy and better wages. …

Agribusiness, Audio, Energy, Ethanol, politics

Huckabee Gets His #Pork On at Iowa State Fair

Joanna Schroeder

Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey is encouraging everyone, including presidential candidates, to #GetYourAgOn at the Iowa State Fair. Well Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 winner of the Iowa Republican Caucuses, is definitely getting his #GetYourAgOn with his love of pork. He kicked off his Des Moines Register Presidential Soapbox speech saying, “Porkchop on a stick. …

Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Ethanol, politics, Pork

Candidates at Iowa State Fair

Cindy Zimmerman

The Republican candidates may not have addressed any agricultural issues during the debates last week, but they might during appearances at the Iowa State Fair which begins this week. A majority of the presidential candidates from both parties have confirmed they will speak at The Des Moines Register’s Soapbox during the fair. A total of 14 Republicans and four Democrats …

politics