Signs like this from the DREAM Action Coalition await GOP hopefuls in Iowa.
The GOP presidential contest will unofficially kick off Saturday under the watchful eye of Rep. Steve King at the Iowa Freedom Summit. And King hopes to be Kingmaker,
reports Benjy Sarlin.
“This is the beginning of the selection process for the planks of the platform for the next president of the United States,” King told msnbc in an interview on his flight to Des Moines. “The speeches they give – some of that will live to and through the general election.”
You can say that again. Mitt Romney visited Iowa during the 2012 primary and assured voters he would veto the DREAM Act as president. That absolutely lived on through the general election.
Progressive groups and immigration activists will also be out in full force, documenting the potential candidates' every move. Here's James Hohmann of Politico:
American Bridge 21st Century, the liberal group that monitors all public utterances of the 2016 candidates, will swarm the event with trackers. Three years ago, a videographer for the group captured King on video saying that screening immigrants allowed into the United States is like the process of breeding dogs.
King set the tone for the event earlier this week when he referred to a Dreamer who watched the State of the Union address from the First Lady's box as
"a deportable." Dream activists have already
prepped signs reading, "DEPORTABLE? Do potential presidential candidates agree with Rep. Steve King?"
Mitt Romney, once burned, had the good sense to find a scheduling conflict—as did Jeb Bush and even Marco Rubio. But for some inexplicable reason Chris Christie and Scott Walker have decided to join the event alongside elements like Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Donald Trump and his rug.
As we noted yesterday, wooing Iowa's right-wing voters has become the kiss of death for GOP candidates. Get out the popcorn, folks. Entertainment is coming your way.
