Presidential hopefuls mix with rural Nevada Republicans

GARDNERVILLE — Four Republican presidential hopefuls shook hands, endured countless photos and mingled with hundreds of party faithful in this rural Northern Nevada town Saturday.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, California businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Dr. Ben Carson and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker worked the crowd of 1,500 at the Corley Ranch as the aroma of chorizo and Basque fry stew wafted over the barnyard and pasture where the event was held.

All were preaching to a choir of conservatives in the heart of Republican territory, trying to gain recognition and support leading up to February and Nevada's first-in-the-West presidential nominating process that can energize a candidate's momentum or cause it to sputter.

Former New York Gov. George Pataki did not attend the event as planned.

Shade was minimal at the outdoor barbecue, where cowboy hats, boots, blue jeans and big belt buckles were on abundant display. But those in attendance were eager to hear the candidates speak, braving a blistering sun and temperatures in the mid-90s.

It was a uniquely Nevada affair, with the foothills of the Sierra Nevada towering across the valley to the West. Other GOP presidential front-runners on Saturday were in Iowa, another early make-or-break caucus state, trying to garner support from conservative and evangelical voters.

The Nevada audience was a solidly "red" conservative base. Any mention of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, brought loud and predicable "boos" from the crowd.

Many here said they haven't decided who among the 17 GOP contenders they will back in the Nevada caucus, but all gave high marks to the event organized by state Attorney General Adam Laxalt's Political Action Committee, Morning in Nevada, PAC.

A first for Nevada

The menu featured a Basque chorizo sandwich and lamb fry stew — the "fry" being lamb testicles. The inaugural event was a nod to Laxalt's grandfather, Paul Laxalt, the son of a Basque immigrant sheepherder, a former Nevada governor and U.S. senator who hosted similar dinners for decades in Washington, D.C.

It's unknown whether any of the candidates tasted the stew, but others were curious.

"Honey, are we going to try to lamb testicle stew?" one woman inquired of her husband as they waited in a long chow line.

It was a first-of-its-kind presidential contest forum held in Nevada, where every GOP candidate was invited to talk with voters one-on-one.

"I think it's great. I decided that I'm going to listen to everybody," said Carol Swanson, 69, of Carson City, adding she hasn't made up her mind on who she supports.

"I love Carly Fiorina," she said of the former Hewlett-Packard CEO.

Swanson was more sure of who she doesn't favor.

"I do not want to support Jeb Bush," she said. "He's too establishment."

Others shared her sentiment.

"I'm never going to vote for another Bush," said Jeffrey Joyce. But he and his wife, Jessie, said the "field is too wide" at the moment.

"We have to listen," Jessie Joyce said.

Candidates' spiels

The GOP presidential hopefuls addressed the crowd throughout the afternoon, each receiving applause as they talked about faith, humble beginnings, as well as disdain for the Obama administration and a government they argued is bloated and weak.

"We are in the process of giving away all of our values … for political correctness," Carson, a renown retired neurosurgeon, told the crowd.

He spoke of being raised in a large family by a single mother, growing up poor, and how his mother's faith kept her going.

Carson said his campaign has raised money "by the buckets-full," from small donors, and pledged, "I will never go and lick the boots of rich people or special interest groups."

His message resonated with more than a few voters.

"I think he's very level headed and down to earth. That's what it's going to take," said Bonnie Robinson of Carson City.

Her husband, Mark, agreed. "He speaks of morals and values," he said.

But they, too, said it was too early to commit.

Both also were impressed with Walker. "But definitely not (Donald) Trump," Mark Robinson said, referring to the outspoken New York billionaire who rocketed in the polls despite acidic comments that have deeply divided Republican voters.

Fiorina proves popular

Fiorina drew some of the biggest applause of the day, giving a feisty speech denouncing the Obama administration on foreign policy, veterans' services, taxes and economic policies. She touted her business experience at the helm of Hewlett-Packard, where the company laid off tens of thousands during her tenure.

"In tough times sometimes you have to make these tough calls," she said.

"I got fired in a boardroom brawl by a bunch of guys who didn't want to change the status quo," she said.

She slammed the nuclear deal with Iran, pledged a tougher stance in the Baltic region to deter Russia and said she would hold a summit with Arab allies if elected.

"The world is a dangerous place when you are not leading," Fiorina said. "I will lead."

Cruz railed against the federal government, the nuclear deal with Iran, the health care reform law, and Common Core education standards.

He called for simplifying taxes so they can be filed on a postcard. "And when we do that we should abolish the IRS," he said.

Cruz also denounced "campaign conservatives" who "don't walk the walk" after being elected.

The remark drew groans of "Sandoval" from the crowd. Gov. Brian Sandoval, a moderate Republican elected to a second term in November, is a frequent target of conservatives. Sandoval pushed through a record $1.4 billion tax package during the 2015 Legislature to fund an ambitious education agenda.

Cruz told the crowd he would "bring power back to the people," and asked for their support with campaign contributions and in the caucus.

"Come out and caucus for Ted," he said.

Walker does some bragging

Walker, who survived a recall in his home state, highlighted budget cuts and his tough stance against unions. He minced no words why he was in Nevada.

"I'm Scott Walker. I'm running for president and I want your vote," he said.

He said his administration "took power out of the hands of unions," and "defunded Planned Parenthood more than four years ago, before there were videos.

"We require a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin," he said to cheers.

Walker also denounced the Iran nuclear deal and said he would repeal the federal health care law.

He said the greatest threat to future generations is Islamic terrorism and pledged a strong military.

"The rest of the world must know there is no greater friend nor greater enemy than the United States of America," Walker said.

Walker said he would not talk about other Republican candidates.

"There's a real battle ahead and … it's with Hillary Clinton," he said.

Acknowledging Nevada's standing in the presidential contest, Walker said, "We know this state is going to help elect the next president of the United States."

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb