Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback today commended Iowa for its leadership in renewable fuels during a stump speech at the Iowa State Fair. He said renewable fuels are going to be an important part of the rural economy in the years to come.

Sam Brownback Eating Pork

Brownback pointed to a bale of straw at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox area and said that someday we'll even be making cellulosic ethanol fuels from straw. He said he likes to call it a "grass to gas" program, "and no, I'm not talking about marijuana," he said.

Brownback, one of many Republicans running for president, drew a much larger crowd than other GOP candidates who spoke at the State Fair earlier in the day. He hit on many of his main campaign themes during his speech, focusing on "returning to the basics" of family and cultural values. He also discussed agricultural policies during his speech.

More than once Brownback asked for the support of Iowans at the Ames Straw Poll on Saturday.  He is hoping to make a big impression at the Republican fund-raiser.

After speaking and taking questions from the crowd and reporters, Brownback walked up the hill to the Iowa Pork Producers stand and waited in line to buy a pork-chop-on-a-stick. He made sure to allow photographers plenty of opportunities to snap photos of him taking a big bite.

Brownback continued to munch on the chop  and sip a glass of lemonade as reporters and Iowans asked him questions.