JONI ERNST'S ROAST AND RIDE
HOEING FOR KOCH
The Roast and Ride fundraiser hosted by Senator Joni Ernst in Iowa was a hilarious event that attracted several GOP presidential hopefuls. The candidates tried to outdo each other with their leather vests, pork sandwiches, and metal hogs. The event featured a motorcycle ride, a barbecue, and speeches from the candidates and likely contenders for the 2024 nomination.
However, there was one person missing from the gathering: former President Donald Trump. Trump had visited the state two days earlier and held his own events with his loyal supporters. Apparently, he decided to skip the Roast and Ride and ride his own coattails instead.
The other candidates did not miss the opportunity to make their case to Iowa voters, who will be the first to cast their ballots in the caucuses next year. Here are some of the highlights from their speeches:
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who led the motorcycle ride with Ernst, tried to strike a balance between praising Trump and distancing himself from his controversies. He said he was proud of their administration's accomplishments but also acknowledged that "there were times when we didn't see eye to eye." He then quickly changed the subject to criticize President Joe Biden's policies on immigration, energy, and foreign affairs.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who recently announced his candidacy and has emerged as Trump's main rival, took a few subtle jabs at the former president, saying that "leadership is not about entertainment" or "building a brand" and that the GOP needed to "dispense with the culture of losing." He also defended his clash with Disney over its vaccine mandate for employees, saying that he stood for "the protection of our children" and would not compromise on his principles.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley focused on her foreign policy credentials and slammed Biden for his handling of Afghanistan, China, and Iran. She also touted her record as governor of South Carolina, where she said she cut taxes, created jobs, and removed the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott emphasized his personal story of rising from poverty to become the first black Republican senator from his state. He also stressed his bipartisan efforts on issues such as criminal justice reform and infrastructure while accusing Democrats of pushing a "radical agenda" that would undermine American values.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson appealed to the moderate wing of the party and urged Republicans to be more inclusive and respectful of different opinions. He also highlighted his achievements as governor on education, healthcare, and economic development.
The event was a showcase of Ernst's influence within the party and in Iowa, where she is one of the most popular elected officials. She said she was glad to see so many candidates attend her fundraiser and share their vision for the country.
"I know President Trump has a great base here," she said. "But I think it's important that we hear from all of our candidates."
She also joked that she had invited Biden to join the motorcycle ride, but he declined.
"He said he prefers trains," she quipped.
The Roast and Ride event was not only a platform for political speeches but also a source of entertainment. The sight of candidates in leather vests and helmets riding motorcycles was hilarious. The barbecue was also a source of amusement as candidates tried to outdo each other in their pork sandwich eating skills.
The absence of Trump did not dampen the mood of the event as other candidates took center stage with their funny speeches. Ron DeSantis' subtle jabs at Trump were particularly hilarious. He seemed to be saying that leadership is not about being a reality TV star or having a catchy slogan like "Make America Great Again."
Nikki Haley's foreign policy credentials were impressive, but her comment about removing the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds was funny. It was like she was saying "I removed a racist symbol from our state capitol grounds, what have you done lately?"
Tim Scott's personal story was inspiring, but his accusation that Democrats are pushing a "radical agenda" seemed like an exaggeration. It was like he was saying "Democrats want to turn America into a socialist hellhole where everyone is forced to eat tofu."
Asa Hutchinson's call for inclusiveness was refreshing, but his comment about being critical of Trump's role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot seemed like he was trying too hard to distance himself from Trump. It was like he was saying "I'm not like those crazy Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol, I'm a moderate who likes to eat tofu."
In conclusion, the Roast and Ride fundraiser hosted by Senator Joni Ernst was a funny and hilarious event that showcased the GOP presidential hopefuls' skills in pork sandwich eating and motorcycle riding. The absence of Donald Trump did not dampen the mood of the event as other candidates took center stage with their funny speeches. Iowa voters will have a tough time deciding which candidate to vote for in the caucuses next year.
A ‘Roast and Ride’ diary: Debate jitters, freebies and high demand for DeSantis - POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/03/roast-and-ride-iowa-gop-primary-00100095
Gov. DeSantis campaigns at Roast and Ride event in Iowa https://youtu.be/RWrcKuS8wsY via @YouTube