2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Herman Cain Iowa Straw Poll Photos #iacaucus #iastrawpoll #2012tweets #cain2012

Herman Cain Responds To Ames Straw Poll Results

Cain Responds to Ames Straw Poll Results

(Ames, IA)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain responded to the results of the Ames Straw poll, saying:

We are very pleased with the outcome of the Ames Straw Poll yesterday. Our campaign spent significantly less than those who spent millions, and we still finished in the top half of the field. While some spent weeks on television and radio using paid media, we spent exactly $0 on either and still performed quite well.

We are encouraged by the outpouring of support during our bus tour throughout the state of Iowa. We drove more than 1,800 miles in less than a week and at each stop, the crowds grew bigger and bigger.

I would like to congratulate Congresswoman Bachmann for her impressive victory in the straw poll. Her message is an important message for the conservative movement, and I am honored to be competing with her for the Republican nomination.

I also wish Governor Pawlenty the very best. He was a formidable competitor and truly a fine man. I enjoyed getting to know him and will forever consider him a friend.
 
I appreciate the hospitality from the great folks in Iowa who I enjoyed visiting for the 27th time since the beginning of this year. This is just the beginning of our efforts in Iowa, and I look forward to spending more time here in the months leading up to the caucus.

This election is about 'we the people,' not 'we the political class.' As such, I will continue to champion the people's interests.

Iowa GOP Releases Iowa Straw Poll Candidate Speaking Schedule

Iowa GOP Releases Iowa Straw Poll Candidate Speaking Schedule
All Times Are Approximate and Subject to Change

DES MOINES- The Iowa GOP today released the approximate speaking schedule for the Iowa Straw Poll program set to take place at noon on Saturday, August 13. Each candidate will have 15 minutes of total stage time that includes any introductions or introductory videos/music. Campaigns selected their speaking positions based on an order determined at a June 23 campaign meeting held at Iowa GOP headquarters. Only candidates who reserved space are provided the opportunity speak during the program. The speaking order below includes candidates and elected leaders and does not represent a comprehensive breakdown of the program.

Iowa Straw Poll Speaking Schedule:
Noon- Program Begins
12:15- Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn delivers remarks
12:20- Governor Terry Branstad delivers remarks
12:30- Chairman Strawn welcomes all candidates on stage (press shot)
12:40- Senator Rick Santorum delivers remarks
1:00- Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds delivers remarks
1:15- Congressman Ron Paul delivers remarks
1:40- Congressman Steve King delivers remarks
1:50- Governor Tim Pawlenty delivers remarks
2:10- Senator Chuck Grassley delivers remarks
2:20- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann delivers remarks
2:40- Congressman Tom Latham delivers remarks
2:50- Congressman Thaddeus McCotter delivers remarks
3:15- Herman Cain delivers remarks

Straw Poll voting closes at 4pm. Chairman Matt Strawn will deliver the Straw Poll results on stage immediately after they’ve been tabulated.

Herman Cain Announces Ames Iowa Straw Poll Entertainment Including Mike Huckabee and Krista Branch #iacaucus #iastrawpoll

Herman Cain Announces Ames Iowa Straw Poll Entertainment Including Mike Huckabee and Krista Branch

(Ames, IA)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain today announced the entertainment for his booth at the Ames straw poll festivities on Saturday, August 13, 2011.

Cain will join Governor Mike Huckabee at noon at the Friends of Herman Cain tent to share their musical talents with straw poll attendees.

"I am honored to have the Governor join me on stage for this historic event," Cain said. "We share many commonalities, including the deepness of our Christian faith and our love of music," Cain said. "I am humbled by his graciousness to share his musical gifts with me and I hope Iowa voters will enjoy the show."

Both Cain and Governor Huckabee are supporters of the Fair Tax and both are Baptist ministers. Cain appeared on "Huckabee" on Saturday, May 28, 2011 on the FOX News Channel. He will appear on "Huckabee" again following the straw poll Saturday.

Straw poll goers will also enjoy fresh slices of pizza from Godfather's Pizza. Cain served as the President and CEO of Godfather's Pizza and, after a dramatic financial turnaround of the company, led his management team in a buyout of the restaurant chain.

"Godfather's is a true American success story. With the right leadership, we were able to take the company from the brink of bankruptcy to profitability in just 14 months," Cain said. "With 116 locations in Iowa alone, Iowans have come to know and love Godfather's as an institution in the state."

"While many candidates will bring in outside entertainment and food, I have chosen to create a personal experience for straw poll goers," Cain said. "Both music and Godfather's have been essential components in the achievement of my American Dream, and I am honored to share them with thousands of friends at Ames."

Former American Idol contestant and Tea Party singer Krista Branch will also perform at the Friends of Herman Cain tent, singing her singles "I Am America," "Foreign Land," "Remember Who We Are," among others. Local Iowa bands, Kat Daddy 55 and One Way Quartet will also perform.

Cain Responds to Credit Downgrade

Cain Responds to Credit Downgrade

(Stockbridge, GA)- Republican presidential candidate and renowned business leader Herman Cain issued the following statement in response to the Standard & Poor downgrade of U.S. credit from AAA to AA+ saying:

On Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner promised that America faced "no risk" of a credit downgrading. Less than six months later, he is proven shamefully wrong. As I have feared for months, the S&P has chosen to downgrade America's credit rating from AAA, which we have always enjoyed, to AA+.

Perhaps this is because the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats never once demonstrated a willingness to propose its own ideas for meaningful spending cuts, something credit agencies signaled were necessary to redeem America's financial standing in the world.

As a corporate executive, I've rescued companies from the brink of bankruptcy and returned them to profitability. That involved balancing budgets or even creating them in the first place, something that the Democratic leadership in Congress hasn't done for 828 days. If I couldn't run companies without budgets, how can the government?

I also had to make tough budgetary cuts to save companies. Leadership is about doing what's right, even when it's difficult. But somehow, that sort of idea was never floated among those within the Obama Administration.

Now, Americans are fearful for their retirements and for their children's educational savings. This is a country known for dreamers and innovators, for thinkers and doers. And now, we are a nation living in fear.

This is a sad day for America. Such a rating is unfitting of the greatest and most prosperous nation the world has ever known. And such a weak leader is, as well.

Inaugural "CainCast" To Premiere Sunday Evening

Inaugural "CainCast" to Premiere Sunday Evening

(Stockbridge, GA)- "CainCast," a weekly Internet radio show offering an inside look at Herman Cain's presidential campaign, will premiere at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

"CainCast" will be hosted by Friends of Herman Cain Communications Director Ellen Carmichael and Director of New Media Michael Johnson. The hosts will be joined by special guests, and the program will run for 30 minutes. Listeners can submit questions through the "chat-room" function.

"Our aim is to be an extension of Mr. Cain using a dynamic platform that engages supporters and press," Johnson said. "This is yet another fun and innovative approach to utilizing new media in our campaign."

This week's "CainCast" will broadcast live from Sioux City, Iowa, as the Herman Cain campaign prepares to embark on its "Common Sense Solutions" bus tour throughout the state, leading up to the FOX News debate and straw poll in Ames. Listeners can tune in Sunday evening by visiting http://www.blogtalkradio.com/caincast.

Herman Cain Responds To Debt Ceiling Increase

Herman Cain Responds to Debt Ceiling Increase

(Stockbridge, GA)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain responded to today's debt ceiling vote, saying:

The American people are not so easily fooled. They have seen the president as a man who has clung to bitter partisanship instead of earnest cooperation and whose speechifying has replaced mature leadership. This failure to lead has further impaired the financial markets and, as one source put it, 'chipped away at the global authority of President Obama.'

Despite knowledge of this deadline for more than a year, the Obama Administration continued to blow taxpayer money like spending addicts, focusing their attention on Obamacare, bailouts and stimulus packages, all of which have not produced the type of results the American people need and deserve. Instead of cutting up the nation's credit card and supporting programs to stimulate private sector growth through encouraging production and trade and relaxing regulations, the President and his Democratic colleagues are simply asking for a credit line increase. And they wonder why we're broke?

While both parties can claim some political victory in this compromise, the American people got short-changed. The debt ceiling will be raised, opening the door for further debt ceiling and tax increases with no sign of treatment for the addiction to spending in Washington.

I would like to congratulate the concerned Americans who through their unified voice were able to prevent tax hikes from being passed, despite the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats' wishes. The consideration of a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution is also a step in the right direction to restoring fiscal sanity to government.

Unfortunately, as we have seen with the handling of the 'debt ceiling crisis,' America is on the wrong track with this leadership.

Herman Cain Announces Stops Of "Common Sense Solutions" Bus Tour in Iowa August 8-13, 2011 *Revised

Cain Announces Stops of "Common Sense Solutions" Bus Tour in Iowa

(Stockbridge, GA)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain will embark on his "Common Sense Solutions" bus tour throughout the state of Iowa leading up to the FOX News debate and the Ames straw poll beginning Monday, August 8, 2011.

Bus schedule (all times CDT):
PLEASE NOTE UPDATED TIMES FOR SOME STOPS.

Monday, August 8, 2011

11 a.m. Eldon's Restaurant
3322 Singing Hills Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City Jewish Coalition meeting

2:45 p.m. Cronk's Cafe'
812 4th Ave. South, Denison, Iowa

5:15 p.m. Bayliss Park
530 1st Ave., Council Bluffs, Iowa

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

8:30 a.m. Masonic Temple
511 East 65th Street, Davenport, Iowa

11:30 a.m. African American Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa
55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

3 p.m. Park Place Center
1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls, Iowa

6 p.m. Kennedy Park
1415 Nelson Ave., Fort Dodge, Iowa
Webster County GOP Picnic

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

8:30 a.m. City Park Bandshell
1st Ave. South & South 4th Street, Clear Lake, Iowa

3 p.m. Forster Building
404 1st Ave., Rock Rapids, Iowa

5:30 p.m. Parks Marina- Barefoot Bar
24457 Stakeout Road, Okoboji, Iowa
Dickinson County GOP Picnic with Congressman Steve King

Thursday, August 11, 2011

8 p.m. FOX News/ Republican Party of Iowa Debate
Lincoln Way & University Blvd., Ames, Iowa

Friday, August 12, 2011

7:45 a.m. Downtown Des Moines Hotel
700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA
National Foundation for Women Legislators meeting

10 a.m. Iowa State Fair
3000 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa
Cain will spend 20 minutes on the Des Moines Register's "Soapbox" between 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

12:45 p.m. Town Square
South Clinton Ave. & Benton Ave., Albia, Iowa

3:15 p.m. Town Square
101 South Main Street, Sigourney, Iowa

Saturday, August 13, 2011

8:30 a.m. Gateway Hotel
2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, Iowa
PURSE PAC Breakfast

10 a.m. Ames Straw Poll
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa

Pottawattamie County GOP Chairman Jeff Jorgensen Endorses Herman Cain

Pottawattamie County GOP Chairman Jeff Jorgensen Endorses Cain

(Council Bluffs, IA)- Pottawattamie County GOP Chairman Jeff Jorgensen announced today that he will endorse Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain and vote for him in the Ames straw poll on Saturday, August 13, 2011.

"In the current field of Republican presidential candidates, there is only one candidate who is not a politicians and is not encumbered with political concerns," Jorgensen told the Des Moines Register Sunday. "This candidate has offered true capitalist, free market, common sense solutions to our problems, not political solutions. His name is Herman Cain."

Jorgensen will join Cain's "Common Sense Solutions" bus tour at its Council Bluffs stop on Monday, August 8, 2011 to formally announce his endorsement. Further details about this and other bus tour stops will be released early this week.

Herman Cain to Embark on Iowa Bus Tour August 4,8-13, 2011

Herman Cain to Embark on Iowa Bus Tour August 4-13, 2011

(Stockbridge, GA)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain will embark on his "Common Sense Solutions" bus tour throughout the state of Iowa leading up to the FOX News debate and the Ames Straw Poll.

Thursday, August 4, 2011: Des Moines, Oskaloosa, West Des Moines
Monday, August 8, 2011: Sioux City, Denison, Council Bluffs
Tuesday, August 9, 2011: Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Fort Dodge
Wednesday, August 10, 2011: Clear Lake, Rock Rapids, Okoboji
Thursday, August 11, 2011: Ames
Friday, August 12, 2011: West Des Moines, Des Moines, Albia, Sigourney
Saturday, August 13, 2011: Ames

"After 24 visits to the great state of Iowa, I have enjoyed getting to know the people, listening to their ideas and sharing with them my common sense solutions for America," Cain said. "I hope to see the thousands of friends I've made throughout my many visits during this bus tour, at the FOX News debate and at the straw poll in Ames."

Additional stop details, including time and location, will be released prior to the tour. All events are open to the public and the press.