January 25, 2000

Forbes gets 30 percent in Iowa,
looks to New Hampshire

By Chris Belts
CyberCaucus 2000 News Service
Drake University

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Supporters for publisher Steve Forbes are ecstatic about their second place finish in the Iowa Republican caucus, insisting that voters will now view Forbes as the true conservative. Forbes received 30 percent of the caucus vote, trailing Texas Gov. George W. Bush by 11 percent.

The Forbes' faithful -- crowded into West Des Moines Marriott's ballroom --were in a frenzy Monday night well before Forbes made his first appearance shortly before 9 p.m.

"We go into New Hampshire now with two moderates, (John) McCain and Bush, and we are the Reagan conservative," said Jim Miles, Forbes supporter and South Carolina secretary of state.

Forbes exceeded the pre-caucus goal of achieving percentage points in the mid-20s, Miles said.

"Steve Forbes is the social conservative candidate. He is the social conservative here in Iowa, in New Hampshire, in South Carolina, in Michigan and New York, and in California," Miles said. "I believe the candidate who is the recognized conservative candidate in the race is going to do very, very well."

This will bring needed momentum to New Hampshire in the Feb. 1 primary, Forbes spokesman Keith Appell said.

"We shattered the expectations," Appell said. "Steve Forbes proved tonight that he can go all the way."

The addition of Sen. McCain as a serious threat in New Hampshire and Bill Bradley's loss to Vice President Al Gore helps Forbes, Appell said

"Bush is still the frontrunner until somebody beats him. McCain takes votes away from Bush, they're both moderate establishment Republicans. With Bill Bradley not doing well tonight, you might see a situation where we might even take second and knock Bush down to third in New Hampshire. It blows the race wide open," Appell said.

Forbes will have to sway the 274,000 independents in New Hampshire, who outnumber registered Republicans by 9,000. Miles is unsure how independent moderates will react to Forbes' strong social conservative message. Forbes has stressed his anti-abortion stance in recent weeks, trying to establish himself to the right of Bush.

"It might, it might, but this is who he is, so he is not going to shy away from what he is and what he stands for," said Miles on Forbes' conservative message. "We don't know what New Hampshire voters are going to favor, but they now have a clear choice."

Ken Blackwell, Forbes' national chairman, said Forbes will attempt to unite social and economic conservatives.

Forbes said this is part of his broad campaign message.

"I am going to push this broad-based message, the life issue, the tax issue, health care, education and Social Security," Forbes said. "I got a bold, positive message."

Forbes said he believes his victory proves Republicans are ready for a true conservative.

"I think the Republican party members are speaking, what they are saying is they want strong conservative principle and polices. They don't want mush, they don't want muffled debate," Forbes said.

Forbes said that questions concerning his foreign policy knowledge are ridiculous.

"I think I got an understanding of America's unique place in the world. I also have an understanding of international economics, which he (Bush) lacks. For example, I want to get rid of the International Monetary Fund," Forbes said.

Blackwell is also confident of Forbes' foreign policy knowledge.

"He is very well rehearsed in foreign policy," Blackwell said.