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Brownback Speaks At Ames Straw Poll

Brownback Speaks at Ames Straw Poll
Calls to rebuild the family, renew the culture and revive the economy

AMES, Iowa – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican candidate for president, will speak today at the Ames Straw Poll at approximately 3:15 p.m. in the Hilton Coliseum.

The full text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below:

First, I want to thank the Republican Party of Iowa for putting together this wonderful event. In a very real way, the race for the White House in 2008 begins in Iowa and begins here today in Ames. You, the people of Iowa, know that elections and the future of our country are based on principles not on personalities.

Today, here in Ames, I have a message of hope. You, the people of Iowa, will send a message to our party and to our country: we win when we stand on principle not when we abandon it. Because of America's commitment to principles, the principles I carry can flourish. And the son of a Kansas farmer can still grow up to be President.

I want to make one point with this speech. We must rebuild our families, renew our culture and revive our economy if we are to sustain and grow ourselves during this long-term battle we are in with militant Islamists.

The first principle, upon which our entire vision is based, is the dignity of each and every human life. Every person, everywhere, is a beautiful, precious, unique, child of a loving God. It is message that will unite us and a message that we should not shy away from.

It is the America we all know is possible. It is the America where the strong protect the weak. It means first that we are willing to fight for the child in the womb, the most vulnerable among us. We know that America is better than abortion on demand. You know, as I do, that 45 million children killed since Roe v. Wade is a sin not worthy of this great land.

You know that of course it does not end there. Our concern for the dignity of each and every human life means that we fight also for the child in Darfur. we fight for the woman in poverty and the man in prison. We are willing to fight for every life, everywhere.

We are pro-life and whole-life. That is the vision of our party and our people. It is a vision that is expansive and inclusive, and it is the foundation of my vision for America.

We also need to revive our economy. I am pro-growth. As president, I am committed to grow the economy, save social security, and provide more choices and coverage in health care.

I have never voted for a tax increase, and I would certainly never sign one. I think we're taxed to the max. We need to balance the budget and control spending, not raise taxes.

We should have a commission report on wasteful government spending every year and then require a vote of Congress whether to eliminate the whole package or not, deal or no deal.

We need a different taxation system. I support an optional flat tax, that lets the people choose to pay one low, flat rate between 15 to 20 percent or stay in the current system if you want.

These ideas will provide growth!

The strength of America is not in its government, but in the goodness of its people. The American people are made strong by strong families. We need more and stronger families in this country. Families are the leading place where we learn about character and values and virtue.

Yet, 36 percent of our children are born out of wedlock. The number is 56 percent in Washington, DC. It is too high.

You can raise a good child in a single parent environment and we should celebrate when it happens, but it is more difficult. The best place to raise a child is between a Mom and a Dad bonded together for life. We know this from all the social data, and we know it in our heart.

If you have weak families, more government will be created to make up for the loss of family. But the government has stiff arms and a cold heart. Woe to the person hugged by the government.

The best way to reduce poverty in America is to have stronger families!

The best way to reduce crime in America is to have stronger families!

The best way to improve education in America is to have stronger families!

As president, I will rebuild the American family!

Make no mistake: we need to invest in our schools, in law enforcement and prison reform. But unless we address the fundamental problem of the breakdown of the family, we are only taking a band-aid approach addressing the symptoms and not the problem itself.

In Iraq, our military is performing brilliantly. We will set no timetables to leave. A timetable is a timetable to defeat. But we also need to push aggressively a political solution in Iraq. I have put forward a bipartisan resolution for a federalized system in Iraq: three states, one country, a loose confederation with Baghdad as the federal city and a way of sharing oil revenue. Iraq is really more three groups, Kurds, Sunnis, and Shias, held together by exterior forces than anything else. We need a political solution to match our military commitment. We must have a "political surge" which is the only way to reach a long-term, durable solution to this difficult conflict.

Furthermore, we need to be energy secure at home. We have got to rely more on the Midwest for our energy than the Middle East. We must expand our use of ethanol, upping our blends of ethanol in gasoline.

Ensuring our nation's security also means ensuring the security of our borders. We need to fund and build a fence on our border, and we need do more enforcement at the work site.

We also need to encourage faith, not litigate it out of existence! We should be able to say "one nation under God" in our flag salute without someone threatening to sue us. Faith is a good thing, not a bad thing.

I don't know how you understand America without understanding faith. Study the Founders, they were people of faith. Abraham Lincoln was a man of faith. Martin Luther King was a man of faith. Faith is what powered them.

I met Mother Teresa once, just months before she died. As I put her in her car to leave, she grabbed my hand, stared me in the eyes and said three words, four times: "All for Jesus, All for Jesus." Hers was a simple faith that worked through her to help millions.

Part of being a strong nation is to be a rule of law nation. I am committed to appoint strict constructionist judges who will stand by the Constitution, not rewrite it. I want to be the president to appoint the justice who will provide that fifth vote, to overturn Roe vs. Wade and end this night of wrong.

America is best when she is looking up. Let us lift our heads up and see how blessed we are. We are a great land of many people, diverse, beautiful, full of hope.

Hope for the future is inherently part of who we are. Let us never lose our hopefulness, nor our goodness. Let us always practice justice and righteousness. With goodness the guide for our greatness, let's be the "shining city on a hill."

Statement on Status of Carol Paul

Statement on Status of Carol Paul

AMES, IOWA – Carol Paul became ill this morning and was taken to an area hospital. She appears to have stabilized and is awaiting treatment. Dr. Paul is with her and will arrive at the Straw Poll when the situation permits.

Mitt Romney Ames Iowa Straw Poll Preview

Giuliani Announces North Dakota State Chairman

Giuliani Announces North Dakota State Chairman Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer Opens State Campaign Headquarters 

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the endorsement of North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer, who will serve as the campaign’s North Dakota State Chairman.  Cramer was also on hand to help open Rudy’s North Dakota campaign headquarters in Fargo earlier today.  

“Rudy’s strong leadership and record as a problem solver resonates with North Dakotans,” said Commissioner Cramer. “I am proud to join the growing team of supporters in our state and help promote Rudy’s 12 Commitments to the American People.”

“Commissioner Cramer’s endorsement demonstrates our strong support in North Dakota,” said Giuliani’s National Political Director Mark Campbell. “He is a great addition to our efforts and will help us strengthen our team.” 

The announcement of Cramer as North Dakota State Chairman follows the recent endorsements of Bismarck Mayor John Warford and fellow State Public Service Commissioner Susan Wefald. 

American Solutions Outlines High Tech Plan For Iowa Straw Poll

American Solutions Outlines High Tech Plan for Iowa Straw Poll
Offers ‘YouTube Upload Station’ to submit solutions

WASHINGTON, DC -- American Solutions for Winning the Future announced today plans for incorporating cutting edge technology and social networking at the Ames Iowa Straw Poll on August 11.

“We recognize that the only way to build a true citizen-centric grassroots movement is by adopting the latest technology,” said Dave Ryan, a former Microsoft employee and American Solutions’ executive director. “We are thrilled to bring the latest technology to the Straw Poll and build out one of the core reasons why people visit www.AmericanSolutions.com: to contribute and collaborate on ideas and solutions.”

Most prominently at Ames, American Solutions will offer a “You Tube Upload Station” for all citizens to share their solutions to the most pressing challenges facing America. They will also be able to ask questions via YouTube to presidential candidates from both parties. American Solutions will use technology to bring the Straw Poll activities to the computer of those unable to attend.

Along with live blogging from the American Solutions booth, American Solutions will provide periodic photo updates on www.flickr.com and YouTube video updates from former Speaker of the House and American Solutions General Chairman Newt Gingrich. Video from the six solutions-oriented policy workshops hosted by American Solutions will be posted on the internet after the Straw Poll concludes.

The Ames workshops will be a preview of the nationwide “Solutions Day” workshops on September 27 and 29. Straw Poll attendees – and every American - can sign up for Solutions Day by texting “Newt” to 66937. For more information about the workshops visit www.AmericanSolutions.com.

American Solutions for Winning the Future is a new, non-partisan organization built around three goals: to defend America and our allies abroad and defeat our enemies, to strengthen and revitalize America’s core values, and to move the government into the 21st Century. Its General Chairman is former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Statement from the IDP Regarding the South Carolina Republican Party’s Primary Date Change Announcement

Statement from the IDP Regarding the South Carolina Republican Party’s Primary Date Change Announcement

Des Moines – Below is a statement from the Iowa Democratic Party’s Carrie Giddins, Communications Director, regarding today’s announcement by the South Carolina Republican Party’s primary date change:

“The South Carolina Republicans won’t dictate what Iowa does. The Iowa Democratic Party, our Chairman and our State Central Committee, will make a decision regarding the date of our caucuses with Governor Chet Culver, Senator Tom Harkin and other political leaders that protects Iowa’s interests.

The Iowa Caucuses are scheduled for January 14th, 2008 and we are moving forward with plans for that date. Iowa will hold the first in the nation caucuses.”