Nov. 7. 1999
By
Katie Weeks
CyberCaucus 2000 News Service
Drake
University
DES MOINES, Iowa--Steve Forbes stuck his head and both arms out the bus window waving his arms spastically as the bus pulled to a stop. Patriotic music blared from the loudspeakers atop the bus, as Forbes, Republican presidential nominee, brought his three-day Iowa bus tour to an end outside the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.
A group of 75 supporters in neon-orange T-shirts shouted in sync, "We believe in SteveÉWe believe in Steve!" as they held up Forbes 2000 signs and moved toward the bus to hear their presidential hopeful.
Forbes delivered a brief speech promoting his run and shook hands with supporters.
"This is a good precedent as to what is going to happen on Jan. 24 -the day of the Iowa Republican Caucuses," Forbes said. "ÉThis is what the American people want, and they want more of it."
Although Forbes' visit lasted only about 15 minutes, he managed to make at least two attacks on Republican front-runner George W. Bush.
"People don't know where Governor Bush is coming from on the issues," Forbes said. "They have not been made knownÉThat's why I want to debate Bush."
When asked a question regarding foreign relations, Forbes did not miss the chance to point out that Bush recently failed to name the leaders of four countries -a subject that has been highly covered in recent news.
Between directing negative publicity toward his opponents, Forbes squeezed in a short list of foreign-relations ideas. He said he thought aid ought to be cut off from Russia and that the United States needs a "real" relationship with China.
"A lot has to be done in foreign politics," Forbes said.
Forbes' tour began Thursday, Nov. 4, and ended Saturday, Nov. 6. While on the campaign trail last weekend, Forbes made eight stops beginning with Dubuque, Clinton, Davenport, Muscatine, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown and Des Moines.
During his Des Moines stop, Forbes attended a fundraising dinner in his benefit where over 500 attended. Forbes' Iowa Press Secretary Mike Riley said all of the Iowa visits had suprisingly large crowds.
"It completely exceeded any and all expectations we had," Riley said. "The crowds demonstrated that the grass roots support for Steve Forbes in Iowa is real.
"He has always been the most appreciative candidate we have ever worked for," Riley said. "We are working as hard as we can to make sure he is a candidate and in the White House to shape America for the twenty-first century."