The 2015 Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing was held on Saturday, October 31st from 9:30a to 5:30p at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center in Des Moines, IA (5000 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, IA 50322).
Three Republican presidential candidates: Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) spoke at the 2nd Annual Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing on Saturday at the Ramada Tropics Resort and Conference Center in Des Moines.
Jindal spoke first in the afternoon.
Huckabee addressed the group later in the afternoon.
Santorum was the 2nd to last speaker of the day and decided to use his time for Q&A.
In addition to the presidential candidates there were eleven other speakers addressing different policy issues present at the Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing.
Eric Goranson of Iowa Association of Christian Schools discussed school choice.
Brian Myers, senior contributor to Caffeinated Thoughts and co-host of Caffeinated Thoughts Radio, addressed the problem of judicial supremacy.
Mike Farris, founding president of Home School Legal Defense Association and co-founder of Convention of States, discussed what an Article V convention of states entails and why it is needed.
Lee Hieb, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and former Libertarian candidate for Governor of Iowa, discussed the ethics of government health care reform.
Rick Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government, also spoke at the event.
Erin Tuttle, co-founder of Hoosiers Against Common Core, discussed the Common Core State Standards and why they should be repealed in Iowa and every other state. (The video recording was started late.)
Justine Kyker had an abortion when she was 19 at a Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Clinic. She has since become a pro-life activist. She shared her story at the 2015 Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing.
Utah State Representative Ken Ivory, president of American Lands Council, discussed the problem of federal control of land that impacts the environment and economy.
Faith McDonnell, director of Religious Liberty Programs and of the Church Alliance for a New Sudan at the Institute on Religion & Democracy, spoke about the persecuted Church.
Pastor Rafael Cruz, father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), plugged his son’s presidential campaign and discussed the 2016 presidential race.
Shane Vander Hart, founder and editor of Caffeinated Thoughts and co-host of Caffeinated Thoughts Radio closed the day discussing the need for Christians to be salt and light in the world.
Congressman Steve King (R-IA) was unable to attend the event. He sent a video that was played during lunch.
Co-sponsors of the 2015 Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing were: