Governor Branstad, Congressman King comment on debate

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad talks with reporters following the ABC/Iowa GOP debate

Des Moines, Iowa- After the debate Saturday, many different campaign representatives, elected officials, and other commentators gathered in the Debate Spin Room away from the debate hall to give statements after the debate. Branstad was the one of the first persons to arrive. “I think they all made good points but I think it’s really clear, the American people want a change. We can’t afford to continue to increase the national debt by a trillion dollars a year and have a President that’s gonna attack the people that we’ve got to count on to create the jobs and grow the economy.”

Branstad did not say whether he thought there was a winner but rather that he thought there was a loser in the debate. “I think that there was a loser and that was Barack Obama because clearly his policies have been a disaster and there’s a consensus we need to change directions, we need to spend less, we need to reduce the tax a regulatory burden, unleash the private sector. I think each of the candidates made good points and obviously there’s some difference among them, but the difference, the big difference, is the direction the country is going. We don’t want to be another Greece or Italy. We don’t want to have this massive debt and government regulations and taxes that burden down and prevent us from creating private sector jobs in this country.”

Branstad did seem to elude the question on if he would endorse anyone before the caucuses. “Listen, I think it’s up to the voters and the Iowa Caucuses to decide the candidate they think is the best. I have met with each and every one of them. I have respected and admire each of them. I appreciate their being here and debating the issues. I think it was a good, frank, open discussion and I would just encourage people to get out, participate in the Caucuses, let the people of Iowa decide who they think the strongest candidate of the Republican Party is to restore America.”

Congressman Steve King also spoke about the debate. ““I don’t think we can declare a big winner tonight. I went in there and I said I like all of these candidates, and I come out of there, I like them a little more. I think that Newt did a good job of deflecting with humor some of the things that might have otherwise turned the tone of the debate. He kept it very good and positive. I think that Mitt was nimble. I told him so during one of the breaks. He had good come backs for Newt and there was a good exchange there. I think they were all human and personable. And you know I can’t argue that Ron Paul isn’t entertaining. It is.”

King did not say if the debate performances would affect a potential endorsement from him. “Not tonight. I better sleep on that one.”