Walker vows toughest foreign policy since Reagan

The Mason City Globe Gazette ^ | July 18, 2015 | Bret Hayworth, The Sioux City Journal 

SIOUX CITY - Pointing to his experience as Wisconsin's chief executive, Gov. Scott Walker on Saturday vowed he would establish the toughest foreign policy since Ronald Reagan if he wins the presidency in 2016.
Walker, a Republican, told a crowd of 200 in Sioux City that he would steer the nation away from Democratic President Barack Obama's failed, inadequate defense of longtime ally Israel and ensure that sanctions remain on Iran, a nation that is suspected of wanting to develop nuclear weapons.
A 60-day period for Congress to review Obama's deal to lift sanctions on Iran is underway.
"Iran is not a place we should being doing business with," Walker said.
Walker spoke for 20 minutes outside a Republican Party office downtown on a sunny day. He didn't take questions from the crowd.
He came through the city as part of a six-state, 16-city swing after launching his campaign Monday in Wisconsin. He plans to visit 10 Iowa counties through Sunday, traveling in a Winnebago motor home.
Walker noted that he lived as a young boy in Plainfield, Iowa, in the 1970s before his minister father moved the family to Wisconsin. He peppered his remarks with statements about living in Iowa, Big 10 Conference sports and shopping for bargains at Kohl's.
When he turned to policies, Walker said he would boost the economy by reducing harmful federal regulations on business, decreasing tax rates and ensuring that all types of energy be used nationally.
"I am for building a better economy, where everyone can be lifted up and get their piece of the American Dream. And I am for protecting your children and grandchildren from the threats of radical Islamic terrorism and other threats like that in the world," Walker said.
As for his Wisconsin accomplishments, Walker pointed to education reform, lowering property taxes and reducing benefits to state employee union members in 2011.
Walker said in becoming the first Republican governor in Wisconsin since 1984 he has demonstrated the mettle needed to win a bruising presidential election next year.
"I am going to come back and play to win in Iowa," Walker said of the state that is among roughly 10 battleground states that could decide the presidency.
Walker has led the broad Republican field in Iowa polls for many months, even though he wasn't officially a candidate until this week.
Sandy Sievers of Sioux City said Walker is among her current five top choices for president. She also likes former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Marco Rubio of Florida and U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Lindsay Graham, of South Carolina.
"I am checking Walker out thoroughly," Sievers said. "He is with my philosophy on foreign affairs. We do need to support Israel. We have kind of left them to sink or swim."
Jim Lewis of Sioux City has Walker and Perry in his top tier of candidates.
Lewis said the fact that Walker prevailed after an election to remove him from the governor position is impressive.
"He is coming from a blue (Democratic-leaning) state. He won the election on the recall even more than he won the first time. To me, that shows he is doing the right thing," Lewis said.