Iowa Caucuses: The Best Lines From Citizen Speeches

February 1, 2016 9:41 PM EST

One of the charming things about the Iowa caucuses are the speeches given by ordinary Iowans on behalf of their preferred candidates.

Some Iowa residents are chosen by the campaign to speak on their behalf, while others take it upon themselves to endorse a candidate publicly.

Almost all are rough-hewn versions of the more polished campaigns’ own speeches, but that lends them an authenticity.

Here are some of the best lines from Iowa caucus speeches, as recorded by journalists and bystanders on Twitter.

"In Iowa we have the privilege of being the first in the nation. We don't follow the polls, we set them." - Campaign speaker at #iacaucus
— Rachel Kagay (@RachelKagay) February 2, 2016

Hillary supporter takes the mic: "How would you like to go down in history as electing the first woman president?" #iacaucus
— Dorsena Drakeford (@dorsena_news) February 2, 2016

OH WOW: Man speaking for Ben Carson "When you think he's stroking out, he's thinking about 10,000 possibilities..."
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) February 2, 2016

Fiorina speaker at #iacaucus : "I have no objections to a woman in the White House, as long as it's not Hillary."
— Molly Ball (@mollyesque) February 2, 2016

Someone was just promised a beer if they'd switch to O'Malley so he can get enough votes to remain viable. @scj #iacaucus
— Nick Hytrek (@SCJNickH) February 2, 2016

Trump speaker is "just tired of it all". That was his speech. Seriously. 30 seconds tops.
— Doug McHone - CoffeeSwirls on Gab ☧ (@dougmchone) February 2, 2016

"You must have 15% to be viable, so all of you are...about to die." Speaker to undecided at caucus. This just escalated. Quickly.
— Bridie Nixon (@bridienixon) February 2, 2016

Speaker for @tedcruz is from Texas. Says he's not your man "if you want someone who will go along to get along." #IAcaucus
— carolhunter (@carolhunter) February 2, 2016

One speaker at this caucus is a pro-Hillary immigrant from Denmark, who assures us that socialism works but Bernie can't win
— David Weigel (@daveweigel) February 2, 2016

Santorum speaker is pastor from Dallas, Texas who just had a harrowing Uber ride:

"I think he may have been on meth, but we survived that."
— Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) February 2, 2016

Speaker for @gov_gilmore in Waukee: “Slow and steady wins the race, and no one has started slower than Jim Gilmore."
— Leigh Munsil (@leighmunsil) February 2, 2016

Carson speaker: "If Carson could speak like Marco he’d be at 80 percent. Maybe Marco could be his VP or his spokesman."
— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) February 2, 2016

Caucus chair: You guys want speeches?

Crowd: NOOOOO!!!!

Chair: I didn't think so.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) February 2, 2016

My favorite campaign speech of the night from 6-year-old Taylor in Greenfield IA #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/mbvLwgm2kg
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 2, 2016

Here Are the Best Lines From Everyday Iowans’ Caucus Speeches

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