Des Moines Register - McCotter Outlines his Five Core Principles

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U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan realizes as he rolls out his presidential campaign that most Americans know little about him.

Yet, he sees that as a plus.

"I'm the one you've never heard of, which given the current condition of the field, might not be bad," he told about 60 people at a Clay County GOP dinner Monday night.

McCotter announced his candidacy July 2 at a rock festival in Michigan.

The five-term congressman has gained publicity as a recurring guest on "Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld," a late-night comedy talk show on Fox News.

Earlier Monday, McCotter viewed flood damage in Sioux City and met with locals in Le Mars and Orange City.

McCotter outlined five core principles to the audience:

- Liberty is from God, not the government.

- Our sovereignty is in our souls, not a senator or king.

- Security is from strength, not surrender.

- Prosperity is from the private sector, not the public sector.

- Truths are self-evident, not relative.

"As I like to tell my liberal friends, and I do have some … if you have any problems with these five principles, you can take it up with the founders," McCotter said.

Unlike some Republican presidential candidates, McCotter didn't define himself as a social or fiscal conservative.

He said simply, "I'm running … I'm a Republican, and I'm running."

McCotter also said the federal government must be restructured.

"Within the economy itself, the No. 1 pressing issue of the day, the two biggest obstacles we face are the big government and the big bailout banks on Wall Street," McCotter said.

Shortly after speaking, McCotter left to fly back to Washington, D.C., for a House vote on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act, scheduled for today. The act would cut next year's spending and would cap spending as a percentage of gross domestic product over the next 10 years. Congress would also pass a balanced budget constitutional amendment and submit it to the states for ratification.

Other speakers at the dinner included state Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, and state Reps. Royd Chambers, R-Sheldon, and Jeff Smith, R-Okoboji.

Straw poll results from likely caucusgoers showed Rick Perry, who has not declared his candidacy, in the lead with 15 votes.

Michele Bachmann had nine votes, Rick Santorum eight, Ron Paul six and Herman Cain five. Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty and McCotter tied with four. Sarah Palin, also not a declared candidate, and Newt Gingrich had two votes each.

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