Governor Terry Branstad fires up local Republicans

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad on Wednesday afternoon in Decorah echoed many of the talking points made nationally by Republicans.

He criticized President Obama for "apologizing" for America and said the president won't even utter the phrase, "Radical Islamic terrorism."  ISIS has risen while Obama has been president, the governor pointed out, and said under the Democrats, "our allies don't trust us and our enemies don't fear us."

Branstad also defended the record of the Republicans in Iowa, noting the number of state employees has been reduced by 2,300 while he has been governor.  He also said, "We work to attract jobs," noting that the new fertilizer plant in Lee County was built in part because the new DNR permitting process is "efficient."   The project was awarded a half-billion dollars in local, state and federal tax breaks and has been controversial, most recently for layoffs among workers who had been constructing the plant.

Branstad also pointed out Republican Party support of the Sustainable Fuel Standard has led to the construction of 42 ethanol plants in Iowa.