Des Moines’ Taylor thinks he can

Maurice Taylor, Jr., CEO of Titan Tire in Des Moines, has companies all over the Midwest, but he has chosen Des Moines to be the headquarters for his run at the Republican presidential nomination.

“The importance of the Iowa caucuses and having a plant in Des Moines are two reasons Taylor chose the city for the national headquarters,” said Bill Nelson, national organizational leader for Taylor’s campaign.

Taylor’s interest in Iowa isn’t only the plant in Des Moines.

“He is very aware of the agricultural economy in Iowa,” said Burt Southard, Taylor’s deputy campaign manager.

“He has strong support for the use of ethanol because it not only benefits Iowa, but it’s a great national energy source.”

Taylor doesn’t have any political experience, but the people running for the Republican nomination have “no experience in business,” Southard said.

“Anybody who has a chance to win has to run on a ticket,” he said. “Since Taylor has lived the American dream, he wants to give back and the only way to do that is to run for president.”

With the threat of budget cuts Taylor is very upfront about where he would cut.

Some of the cuts may come from welfare and the Department of Education if Taylor is elected, Southard said.

“There are over 75 departments that deal with welfare that could be pressed into something smaller,” he said.

Making the tax process much easier for the individual is another issue Taylor believes is important, Southard said. The strong ties with the business community would enable him to help build the economy. The presidency would give Taylor the opportunity to help produce and increase jobs for this country.

Many people are hoping for the Republican nomination, but Taylor sets himself apart from the others because, “he wants to slash bureaucracy by one third,” Nelson said.

When Taylor takes over a company, he removes middle management. “He cares about the people who produce the product,” Nelson said.

Nelson said that although Taylor is often compared to Ross Perot, the two are different.

“He [Taylor] believes in the two-party system,” Nelson said. “This sets him apart from Perot.”

Whatever the final decision may be for the Republican nomination, Taylor will provide “whole-hearted support,” Southard said.