Terry Branstad’s repeated success in elections is due largely to his accessibility to the people of Iowa. The governor visits all 99 counties every single year. He is also makes it a point to spend a lot of time talking to Iowans at the State Fair.

“I think Iowans appreciate having a governor and lieutenant governor that stay in touch and go all over the state,” Branstad told TheIowaRepublican. “I’ve been to 80 counties already this year. I went to all 99 last year, so we’re well ahead of schedule, but the Iowa State Fair is a great place to see people from all over Iowa too. So I’m here just about every day, not all day, because I’ve got other work to do, but it’s just a fun and a festive place to be and I really enjoy the opportunity to visit with people here at the Iowa State Fair.”

Governor Branstad accompanied GOP vice-presidential hopeful Paul Ryan at the fair on Monday and introduced him to a throng of thousands at the fair’s soapbox. Branstad believes Ryan a great running mate for Mitt Romney.

“I was really honored to introduce Congressman Paul Ryan the other day,” Branstad said. “He’s the one person in Congress that’s put together a plan to get this federal deficit under control. You can’t afford to spend $1 trillion more than you’re taking in every year. Forty cents of every dollar the government’s spending is borrowed money. I’m proud to say in Iowa, we’re only spending 97% of revenue and we’ve got a sustainable budget. The country needs to do that. Quit following the Illinois example.”

Photo by Chad Airhart