GOP winners and losers have their say, set sights on New HampshireBy Amy Paulson/CNN
January 25, 2000
Web posted at: 12:50 a.m. EST (0550 GMT)
DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush pronounced himself the winner of the expectations game Monday night, thanking the supporters who brought him a victory in the GOP Iowa caucuses.
"Seven months ago I came to Iowa on a plane dubbed 'Great Expectations.' Tonight, Iowa has exceeded them," Bush said to a jubilant crowd in the Des Moines Marriott hotel ballroom.
After telling supporters and the Iowans who came out to vote for him that his victory "marks the beginning of the end of the Clinton era," Bush took his message to the rest of the country.
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Gov. George W. Bush
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"Our message is one that resonates beyond Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina and all across our great land," Bush said, referring to the next two GOP primary contests.
Restating his campaign pledges, Bush promised to make the tax code fairer for every American, and improve education.
"My priorities are to bring local control, high standards, character education to our public schools," he said. "My priorities would be to shape morale and restore a military of the future. My priority will be to continue our prosperity and make our tax code more fair by cutting rates for every taxpayer. To make America secure for generations next.
"As I travel this land I'm going to send this call to Americans: If you're tired of the bitterness of politics, come and join us. If you think the politicians should be less partisan and more result oriented, come and join us. If you're weary of scandals and posturing, come and join us."
Multi-millionaire publisher Steve Forbes, who spent more time campaigning in the state than any other candidate, sounded more like a winner than a runner-up Monday night.
"This is a great night," Forbes said to supporters in the ballroom at the Des Moines Marriott. Surrounded by his wife and three of his daughters, Forbes thanked his campaign staff, who "never paid attention to the polls." He also thanked the pundits who "knew that this was a campaign of ideas. Their faith has been vindicated tonight. Thank all of you and the people of Iowa."
Taking aim at the Washington establishment, Forbes said: "This is the real message to send to the Washington power brokers. Thanks to you they have finally met their match and they're going to get their ultimate comeuppance in the race in the weeks ahead as we the people take back the power."
As the crowd began chanting "New Hampshire," Forbes said: "I love it. What happened here tonight is what is going to happen in New Hampshire and the primaries."
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Steve Forbes
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"The American people respond positively and enthusiastically to the real principles of the Declaration of Independence, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," he said.
Speaking to CNN afterward, Forbes said that he "couldn't be happier" about his second place finish. "I think this portends very well for New Hampshire and subsequent primaries." What the vote indicated, he said, was that voters want "an independent outsider."
Alan Keyes, who placed third with 14 percent and whose rallies have drawn large crowds here in the final few days before t he caucuses, put out an "appeal tonight directly to every American."
Attributing his victory to God, Keyes said, "The fate of this nation lies in the hands of the decent people of this nation. I say, to all of them, what has started here can continue on to victory, if every person of good heart and conscience resolves that they will vote their heart and vote their conscience.
"Iowa represents something special -- a kind of independence , clear conscience I hope I can take what I have learned here and carry it to every state and every part of our great land," he said, adding, "We will not surrender until we achieve what He intends."
Across town, a somber Gary Bauer, who placed fourth with only 9 percent, told a small crowd, "I was convinced the candidacy was the right thing." During his short concession speech, Bauer said, "We will fight the good fight. We are going to build a team like this all around the country."
Speaking from GOP headquarters in Des Moines, Orrin Hatch, who came in last with 1 percent of the vote, said his campaign was "going to do everything we possibly can to put our best foot forward."
"I'll do what's best for this country," the Utah senator told reporters. "I love this country. We still have some votes here, don't count me out." However, Hatch called a news conference in Washington for Tuesday afternoon amid speculation he may drop out of the race.
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