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DES MOINES, Iowa — Utah Sen. Mike Lee took a step forward Saturday night as a potential leader of conservatives nationwide as he addressed the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, an important fundraiser in a politically important state.
The enthusiastic, warm reception Lee received was both for what he's done and what he said he wants to do — that is, to use conservative principals to unify and heal the Republican Party.
Lee's political debut in Iowa focused on filling a gap in the Republican Party to create solutions.
"To revive and reunify our movement we must fill that void with new and innovative policy ideas," he said. "Today, as always, the establishment is not likely to produce that agenda."
Lee urged conservatives to sharpen their pencils, not their knives, as he talked about creating the kind of government they want — not in a Boston Tea Party kind of way, he said.
"A harbor full of tea was never the vision of what America would become," Lee said. "Frustration is not a platform; anger is not an agenda."
To revive and reunify our movement we must fill that void with new and innovative policy ideas. Today, as always, the establishment is not likely to produce that agenda.
–Sen. Mike Lee
Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was more fiery when she talked about "Republicans in name only", who she said turned their back on conservatives.
"They threw under the bus the good guys who did stand up and fight for us: senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee," Palin said.
In the audience, most were unfamiliar with Lee but ended up liking what he said.
"He's right," said Terry Waterling. "You can't always be negative. We have to be positive."
"I was listening carefully because I'm not familiar with Senator Lee, until tonight," said Cathy Strahan. "But he makes me want to go to Utah."
"(He) kind of gave me hope that things will change, and change rapidly," John Phillips said.
Lee delivered his speech at a time when many conservatives feel a little down. If he keeps these speeches up, his political clout will build — even though he says that's not what he wants.
