Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson called for Iowans to pivot from President Donald J. Trump and instead support someone in the caucus who is a serious leader for a serious time.
That was essentially the theme of his 10-minute speech at Friday night’s Republican Party of Iowa Lincoln Dinner.
Hutchinson started by congratulating Iowa for passing the Heartbeat Bill once again earlier this summer. He said he would be a “pro-life” President if he is elected.
Having grown up on a farm, Hutchinson said one can only learn the value of work, the importance of faith, helping your neighbors and responsibility by learning them on a farm.
He called the current times “very serious” as the Biden Administration has given failed policies for the border, a struggling economy and a weak energy policy.
“They put all green above all of the above in energy resources,” he said. “We need to reverse that.”
There are also global threats that must be addressed.
“I believe in an America that needs to be strong. I believe in an America that needs to assert its leadership and that we should not yield to China’s leadership on the world stage,” he said.
Hutchinson called for “serious-minded leaders.” He went over his record — having served as the youngest US Attorney at 31 years old and assisted in the negotiation with an armed terrorist group in Arkansas. He served in Congress, served as head of the DEA and helped lead border security efforts after 9-11.
“I understand crisis and leadership during serious times,” he said.
Hutchinson admitted as governor he didn’t make every decision during COVID perfectly, but did make some good decisions. He said he kept schools open and in-person and never issued a shelter-in-place order.
“I’ve served in times of crisis and in serious times and I know what needs to be done,” he said. “We need to secure our border. We need to have a pro-growth energy policy that is emphasizing growth and meeting the needs of our economy and not the needs of some environmental concerns.”
Should he be elected, Hutchinson said he would reduce the non-defense workforce by 10 percent.
He pivoted into the importance of the 2024 Election for the Republican Party.
“The GOP is under threat today,” he said. “As it stands right now, you will be voting in Iowa while multiple criminal cases are pending against former President Trump. Iowa has an opportunity to say, we as a party, we need a new direction for America and for the GOP. We are a party of individual responsibility, accountability and support for the rule of law. We must not abandon that. We are the party of Abraham Lincoln. We are the party of Ronald Reagan. And it is a time for serious leaders to meet the serious challenges that we have.”
Hutchinson called on electing a President who will bring out the best of America and the goodness of America.
The microphone was cut off on Hutchinson as he reached the 10-minute mark.
