09 November 2009 // 09:12 am // Comments Closed
Governor candidate Fong: Be the party of big, bold ideas
Read the full article at the Des Moines Register
Christian Fong, the youngest of the GOP field at 32, talked about his father’s immigration from China, in search of the American dream.
Fong said he’s proud to be the son of an immigrant, quickly emphasizing his father was a legal immigrant.
Fong has followed his own Iowa dream, he said, growing up in a poor family, but going on to graduate from college and earn an MBA from Dartmouth. Today, he’s managing director of capital markets with AEGON USA.
He talked of helping lead flood-recovery efforts in Cedar Rapids, saving hundreds of jobs. He also jabbed at Gov. Chet Culver’s record of saving and creating jobs. He said his record on that score was better.
He is pro-life, he said, noting that he was born after the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. A third of his generation is missing, he said.
He also supports traditional marriage, between a man and a woman, he said.
The Republican Party needs to be the party of “big, bold ideas,” he said. Then he ticked off several goals: By 2020, all of Iowa’s counties can grow in population and jobs. By 2020, Iowa can reverse the brain drain, keeping more young people in the state. By 2020, the state can fully eliminate the income tax.
Make the future now, he appealed to the audience. Don’t wait four or eight years.
