Walker Says Iowa Key To GOP Claiming White House

A standing-room only crowd was on hand Friday morning at Tom and Tiff’s restaurant in Glenwood to greet Wisconsin Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker.

Walker, currently running in second place behind Donald Trump in Republican tracking polls, spent more than an hour shaking hands, posing for photos and engaging in conversation as he made his way through the restaurant. Walker’s appearance was strictly a “meet and greet” with no formal speech.

While many in the crowd had encouraging words for Walker, some had questions about specific issues - ranging from the fight against terrorism, to immigration and his plan to unite a politically-divided country.

The crowd included a handful of state employee union members from Iowa and Nebraska. Walker gained national notoriety in 2011 when he took controversial action as governor to restrict, and in some cases eliminate, the collective bargaining rights of thousands of state employees in Wisconsin.

Walker spoke briefly with members of the news media before leaving Glenwood and moving on to campaign stops in Fremont and Montgomery counties.

Walker said Iowa will be a key state in electing the next president. President Barack Obama won Iowa’s electoral votes in 2008 and 2012.

“We think Iowa’s incredibly important, not just because we want to do well in the caucuses. We’re hoping people will caucus for us, but we believe it’s also important in the fall of 2016.” Walker said. “I believe we’re going to elect a Republican president. The pathway to electing that Republican president is going to come through the Midwest.”

Walker spent much of his time with reporters sharing his views on the fight against terrorism and  the Islamic State. He declined to say if he believes additional “boots on the ground” are needed in the Middle East, but called for “more bombing.”

“Like a general recently told me, it’s like a drizzle. We need a thunderstorm raining down on ISIS and their affiliates there,” Walker said. “What I’ve said repeatedly throughout this campaign, I’m not going to signal to our enemies as to how far we’re willing to go or how many troops we’re going to put on the ground. We’ll do what’s in the best interest of the American people.”

Walker said he is friends with many of the other Republican presidential hopefuls, but considers himself to be the most qualified.

“Some in the race are good fighters, but they’ve yet to win those fights. Others are good winners, but they’ve yet to take on the fights,” Walker said. “I’m the only one in this race who’s done both – I’ve fought and I’ve won. Peoples’ lives are better because of it.”

Walker said in the coming weeks and months of the campaign, he intends to present a “positive message” to potential voters.

“I think Americans want to vote for something and for someone,” he said. “So, out here on the campaign trail and next Thursday in the debate, we’re going to tell people what we’re for. We’re for reform, we’re for growth and we’re for safety. I think Americans are hungry for positive leadership moving forward.”