Sunday, March 27, 2011
Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa
Four high-profile potential Republican presidential candidates told hundreds of conservative activists Saturday that most Americans agree with their values, and several insisted that opposition to President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul could help the GOP make historic gains in 2012.
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann got the noisiest reception when she told about 500 people gathered for the event in Des Moines that voters are ready to both overturn the health-care law and oust Obama during next year’s election.
“The ultimate arrogance, in my opinion, is Obama-care,” the congresswoman said. “That’s why I am so absolutely confident in 2012. Americans have made the decision that we’re going to take our country back.”
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain also spoke at the event organized by Rep. Steve King of Iowa, home to the nation’s first presidential caucuses.
The congressman, whose district is in western Iowa, said the gathering would help conservatives shape the debate as Republicans begin looking for a candidate to run against Obama.