A Democratic 2020 Presidential hopeful was in the process making stops across southwest and central Iowa today. Maryland Sixth-District Congressman John Delaney visited Corning earlier this (Thursday) morning, and was scheduled to stop in Atlantic and eventually to Des Moines, for an appearance on the Des Moines Register’s Soap Box at the Iowa State Fair. On his way to Atlantic, Delaney spoke with KJAN News about what he’s hearing from Iowans, as he makes his 14^th trip to the State, encompassing over 80 counties and attending dozens of events. He says voters are focused on pocket book issues, the “terrible experiment” with Medicaid privatization in Iowa, and opportunities for their kids in the future.

MD-6 Democratic Pres. candidate John K. Delaney.

Delaney, a three-term Congressman, is also a businessman and an entrepreneur who built two business from scratch. He says he’s “A different kind of Democrat, and has a track record of “getting things done,” providing “real leadership,” which is something he says President Trump has failed at doing. He said Trump “Is a divider, not a unifier.” When asked if America is ready for another Democrat in the White House in 2020, he said yes, but with an exception. And that is “Provided the Democrats are actually committed to trying to bring the country together and get things done, because the American people are tired of the fighting and lack of progress. He says he offers the chance to focus on things that need to happen for the American people. He says “Bipartisanship is important, but it’s actually just a means to an end. What we really are doing with public service and leadership, is actually working to get real things done for people.”

He says “The country is totally ready for a Democrat, provided it’s the right type of Democrat. Someone who can actually not only capture [the Democratic vote] but also Independents and even Republicans who don’t support the President.” Delaney describes himself as a “Centrist,” who can unify. He says Americans are tired of the “extremes” in politics holding them hostage.The great American middle, which is most of the county, actually just wants them [Congress and the President] to get things done.”

Delaney says a President should add an additional oath to the office when he’s sworn-in: He said “The oath should be that they promise never to divide the country. That doesn’t mean they don’t stand up for hate and bad behavior when they see it, but as it relates to leadership in the country, I do think that the tone at the top matters, and I do think that a President that doesn’t talk about half the country as if they’re entirely wrong about everything they believe.”[A person] “Who is actually trying to appeal to the ‘better angels in all of us.” Delaney says Trump doesn’t believe in any of those things, and that he doesn’t have a “Moral compass.”

When asked if the American people are tired for people running for office in an election that just followed an election, but he says things are different right now, and in his opinion, the President is “undermining our democracy,” and having a conversation about the future of this country, “It’s not too early to do it.” Delaney thinks also his campaign can sustain its growing momentum leading up to and beyond the Presidential primaries in 2020.