2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Bachmann Kicks Off 99 County Tour in Iowa on Friday, Dec. 16

Bachmann Kicks Off 99 County Tour in Iowa on Friday, Dec. 16

Urbandale, Iowa – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann will launch her 99 county bus tour across Iowa on Friday, Dec. 16, making campaign stops in all 99 counties in 10 days. As her campaign continues to build momentum, Bachmann will speak with voters this weekend in nearly 30 cities across northwestern Iowa. The following events occur in Central Time.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Interview with Jan Mickelson on WHO Radio’s “Mickelson in the Morning”
9:05 am CT

Interview with Sam Clovis on KSCJ 1360AM Radio’s “Impact with Sam Clovis”
10:20 am CT
KSCJ Radio
2000 Indian Hills Drive
Sioux City, Iowa

Le Mars Family Table Restaurant Tour Stop and Remarks
11:30 am CT
Family Table Restaurant
511 Hawkeye Avenue Southwest
Le Mars, Iowa

Orange City Town Hall
12:45 pm CT
The Dutch Bakery
221 Central Avenue Northeast
Orange City, Iowa

Shari’s Kitchen & Catering Tour Stop
2:25 pm CT
Shari’s Kitchen & Catering
207 South Story Street
Rock Rapids, Iowa

 
Sibley Pizza Ranch Meet and Greet
3:45 pm CT
Sibley Pizza Ranch
316 9th Street
Sibley, Iowa

Primghar Pizza Ranch Meet and Greet
4:45 pm CT
Primghar Pizza Ranch
103 1st Street Southeast
Primghar, Iowa

Danny’s Sports Spot Tour Stop
5:50 pm CT
Danny’s Sports Spot
1013 South 2nd Street
Cherokee, Iowa

Grand Central Coffee Station Meet and Greet
6:45 pm CT
Grand Central Coffee Station
400 West 5th Street
Storm Lake, Iowa

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Hy-Vee Meet and Greet
9:00 am CT
Hy-Vee Deli Meeting Room
819 Grand Avenue
Spencer, Iowa

Hey, Good Cookies! Meet and Greet
10:00 am CT
Hey, Good Cookies! Espresso Café and Gift Shop
1310A 18th Street
Spirit Lake, Iowa

Cool Beans Coffee House Tour Stop
11:00 am CT
Cool Beans Coffee House
618 Central Avenue
Estherville, Iowa

Emmetsburg Pizza Ranch Tour Stop
12:00 pm CT
Pizza Ranch
2120 11th Street
Emmetsburg, Iowa

Chocolate Season Tour Stop
1:00 pm CT
Chocolate Season
16 East State Street
Algona, Iowa

Miller’s Landing Meet and Greet
1:55 pm CT
Miller’s Landing
600 13th Street Southwest
Humboldt, Iowa

Pocahontas Pizza Ranch Meet and Greet
2:50 pm CT
Pizza Ranch
211 North Main Street
Pocahontas, Iowa

Rockwell Pizza Ranch Meet and Greet
3:55 pm CT Pizza Ranch
102 Warner Street
Rockwell City, Iowa

Sac County Cattle Company Meet and Greet
4:45 pm CT
Sac County Cattle Company
508 West Main Street
Sac City, Iowa

Pizza Hut Tour Stop
6:00 pm CT
Pizza Hut
175 West Highway 59
Ida Grove, Iowa

Cronk’s Café Tour Stop
7:00 pm CT
Cronk’s Cafe
812 4th Avenue South
Denison, Iowa

Carroll Bowl Tour Stop and Remarks
7:50 pm CT
Carroll Bowl
23688 Highway 30
Carroll, Iowa

Jefferson GOP Tour Stop and Remarks
8:50 pm CT
Abundant Life Ministries Church
1308 West Lincolnway Street
Jefferson, Iowa

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Harvest Baptist Church Service
10:45 am CT
614 Second Avenue South
Fort Dodge, Iowa

Grid Iron Grill & Sports Lounge Meet and Greet
1:00 pm CT
1121 East 2nd Street
Webster City, Iowa

Clarion Pizza Ranch Tour Stop
2:15 pm CT
Pizza Ranch
102 South Main Street
Clarion, Iowa

Garner Pizza Ranch Tour Stop
3:10 pm CT
Pizza Ranch
405 State Street
Garner, Iowa

Shooterz Sports Bar and Grill Meet and Greet
4:00 pm CT
Shooterz Sports Bar and Grill
1126 Highway 69 North
Forest City, Iowa

Thirsty Dog Lounge Meet and Greet
5:00 pm CT
Thirsty Dog Lounge
3594 Orchid Avenue
Manly, Iowa

Healthcare Summit
6:00 pm CT
Prime 'N' Wine Restaurant
3000 Fourth Street SW
Mason City, Iowa

Assistant Iowa Senate Leader Merlin Bartz Endorses Michele Bachmann #iacaucus

Assistant Iowa Senate Leader Merlin Bartz Endorses Bachmann

Urbandale, Iowa – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann today received the endorsement of state Sen. Merlin Bartz, an influential conservative leader from north central Iowa.

“Merlin Bartz has been a strong voice on the front lines to defend traditional marriage and family values,” Bachmann said. “He is a rock-solid conservative and I’m proud to have him standing up for our cause when it matters most – in these crucial weeks leading up to the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses.” 

Bartz is serving his fourth term in the Iowa Senate following one term in the Iowa House. He is the sixth Iowa senator to endorse Bachmann, joining Kent Sorenson of Indianola, Brad Zaun of Urbandale, Jack Whitver of Ankeny, Mark Chelgren of Ottumwa and Nancy Boettger of Harlan. 

A graduate of Luther College, Bartz farms in rural Grafton. He was elected to the Iowa House in 1990 and won his first Senate term in 1992. He served until 2002 when he was appointed Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment and Central Regional Assistant Chief for Natural Resources Conservation Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Bartz returned to Iowa in 2007 and was re-elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008. He and his wife, Lisa, have one son and two daughters.

Battle of the Buses on Saturday, December 17, 2011 in Algona, Iowa. Perry and Bachmann have events 15 minutes apart. #iacaucus

Battle of The Buses on Saturday, December 17, 2011 in Algona, Iowa. Perry and Bachmann have events 15 minutes and one mile apart.

Rick Perry

1:00 p.m. - Algona, Iowa

Meet and Greet
Chrome County Inn
Main Dining Room
211 Highway 18 East
Algona, IA 50511

Michele Bachmann

12:45 p.m. - Algona, Iowa

The Chocolate Season
16 East State Street 
Algona, IA 50511

Bachmann Announces Growing List of Tea Party Patriot Endorsements; Lowcountry, Midlands, and Upstate Tea Party Chairs

Bachmann Announces Growing List of Tea Party Patriot Endorsements; Lowcountry, Midlands, and Upstate Tea Party Chairs

Columbia, S.C. – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann today announced the names of 19 patriots who have joined her South Carolina Tea Party Coalition. These patriots join 37 others leaders who were announced last month.

Bachmann also announced three Tea Party regional chairmen, one from each region of the state, who will join state chairmen Kelly Payne and Javan Browder: Steve Rapchick from Mount Pleasant will serve as the Lowcountry chairman, former Perry supporter Preston Baines from Columbia will serve as the Midlands chairman, and Jonathon Hill from Anderson will serve as the Upstate chairman.

These leaders will help Bachmann rally her already strong Tea Party support in South Carolina.

“I once was a strong Perry supporter. Now, as we move closer to the election, I see that Michele Bachmann’s consistent conservative record is what our country needs. We don’t need more Washington-insiders or pretend conservatives like Newt Gingrich,” Preston Baines of Columbia said.

“We want a leader who has not flip-flopped on the most important issues facing our nation. South Carolinians are not swayed by the political winds and we demand a leader who has been a consistent constitutional conservative. Michele Bachmann is that leader,” Steve Rapchick, Leader of the Mount Pleasant 912 Project said.

“I was attracted from the start to Michele Bachmann because she is a fighter. These days, socialism is on the march and we've seen what a decade of good-old-boy Republican and Democrat politics has gotten us,” Jonathon Hill of Anderson said. “It isn't enough to have a good voting record anymore--we need fighters. Along with Jim DeMint, Michele Bachmann has been fighting for limited government, individual responsibility, free markets, and traditional values.”

The 19 new members of Bachmann’s S.C. Tea Party Coalition:
Steve Rapchick, Mount Pleasant
Preston Bains, Columbia
Jonathon Hill, Anderson
Jeff Diemier, Mount Pleasant
Robert Fry, James Island
Lynda Fry, James Island
Jim Hargett, Greenville
Rick Moesser, Fountain Inn
Scott Napier, Greer
Virginia Jelley, Taylors
Harold Blitch, Charleston
Gerald Addision, Berkley
Linda Addison, Berkley
Raye Chapman, Daniel Island
Tom Russo, Jr., Bluffton
Bob Mcewen, Savannah (former Cain supporter)
Austin Jones, Greenville (former Cain supporter)
Shelia Morgan, Hilton Head
Tom Morgan, Hilton Head

Peter Waldron e-Mail To Bachmann Supporters Links Her Faith To That Of Tim Tebow #iacaucus

Tebow and Bachmann share a secret

My dear friend,

Christmas blessings!

The Bible reads, "I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me."; again it is written, "Who always makes us to triumph in Christ Jesus." and finally, "all things are possible for one who believes."

Every sports pundit criticizes Brother Tebow and counts him out before the game begins. Then he walks off the field with another victory.

And most political pundits, pollsters, and talking heads count Michele Bachmann out until she wins the Straw Poll, challengers drop out, and she rises above others in the debates.

What is Tim and Michele's secret - Faith in God! Both do their very best and both depend upon the Lord for the outcome. To watch a video by a dedicated supporter detailing this shared faith, please visit this link.

There is a lesson in this for all of us.

Blessings,

Peter

Dr. Peter E. Waldron

Michele Bachmann to Visit Iowa's 99 Counties in 10 Days from December 16-23, 27-28, 2011

Bachmann to Visit Iowa's 99 Counties in 10 Days as Campaign Momentum Surges

Urbandale, Iowa - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann will launch a barnstorming bus tour across Iowa on Friday, making campaign stops in all 99 counties in 10 days as her campaign continues to build momentum leading to the state’s Jan. 3 first-in-the-nation caucuses.

“Michele Bachmann is determined to win the Iowa caucuses the same way she won the Republican Party of Iowa Straw Poll in August – she’s going to work harder than any other candidate in the race,” national campaign manager Keith Nahigian said. “Visiting counties over the course of 10 days will reflect her energy, enthusiasm and extraordinary work ethic as well as her commitment to representing the concerns of Iowa families who want a president that will put them first.”

Full details of the individual stops will be announced later in the week, but the bus tour begins Friday, Dec. 16 in northwest Iowa with stops in Sioux City, Le Mars, Orange City, Rock Rapids, Sibley, Primghar, Cherokee and Storm Lake. On Saturday, Bachmann will travel to Spencer, the Iowa Lakes region, Estherville, Emmetsburg, Algona, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Rockwell City, Sac City, Ida Grove, Denison, Carroll and Jefferson before ending the day with an appearance in Fort Dodge.

Bachmann is slated to make stops in Fort Dodge, Webster City, Eagle Grove, Garner, Forest City, Kensett and Mason City on Sunday.

The tour will continue through Thursday, Dec. 23, resume on Tuesday, Dec. 27 and conclude on Wednesday, Dec. 28, in central Iowa.

Michele Bachmann Campaign Statement on Tonight's ABC News Presidential Debate In Des Moines, Iowa

Bachmann Proves to be Only Consistent Conservative at Debate
Bachmann: “So if you want a difference, Michele Bachmann is the proven conservative, it’s not Newt Romney.”

Des Moines, Iowa – At a fiery debate hosted by ABC News and Yahoo!, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann proved this evening that she is the only candidate in the race that is a true consistent conservative. Highlighting her record as a contrast to her fellow candidates, Bachmann focused on the issues of healthcare mandates, cap-and-trade and the TARP bailouts.

Dubbing Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich as “Newt Romney” for their support for a healthcare mandate, cap-and-trade and the TARP bailouts, Bachmann drew a clear distinction between her stance and those of her colleagues.

Bachmann said, “If you look at Newt Romney, they were for Obamacare principles. If you look at Newt Romney, they were for cap-and-trade. If you look at Newt Romney, they were for the $700 billion bailout. […] So if you want a difference, Michele Bachmann is the proven conservative, it’s not Newt Romney.”

“You’ve got to have our nominee who has a stark, distinct difference with President Obama, who will go toe-to-toe and hold him accountable,” Bachmann said. “President Obama knows me in Washington D.C. I’ve taken him on issue after issue; our nominee has to be willing to not agree with Barack Obama on these issues, but stand 180 degrees opposite.  Of all the candidates on this stage, I’ve been fighting President Obama for every year that I’ve been there.  And I’ve taken him on and I will take him on at the debate and I will defeat him.”

As her record shows, Bachmann fought against all three of these issues from the beginning, warning these radical and irresponsible policies would bankrupt the nation. Bachmann called for policies that would spur economic growth. She, a successful businesswoman and job creator herself, offered three strategies to spur economic growth and job creation for Americans – abolish the tax code in order to replace it with a system that's flatter, fairer, and simpler; legalize American energy production and eliminate strangling regulations and mandates found in federal laws like Obamacare and Dodd-Frank. She asserted that with these changes millions of job would be created within the first four years of a Bachmann administration.

Bachmann made it clear that job creators are looking for real solutions, not the temporary gimmicks offered by President Obama. “We have to recognize we can’t spend money we don’t have and that’s why Barack Obama is trying to do – temporary gimmicks, not permanent solutions,” Bachmann said.

Bachmann acknowledged businesses, as well as the American people, are ready for a president who will lead and she recognized the financial hardships families are currently facing are not far from her own story. Bachmann said, “I was born here in Iowa to a middle class family, but my family went through a tragedy that millions of families go through - my folks got a divorce.  My mom found herself a single mom who had been a full-time homemaker.  […] We went to below poverty overnight and when I was 13 I had [to get] a job to help out the family.”    

She continued, “We are still coupon clippers today; we still go to consignment stores today.  We get what that feels like.  And I think it’s important for the next President of the United States to be in touch with what real people struggle with across the country.  And I have.” 

“As President of the United States, my proven consistent record will be that I will take on every special interest, I will take on K Street […] and I will make sure that I help elect 13 more Republican U.S. senators so we have 60 senators, a full complement in the House, and I won’t rest until I repeal Obamacare.”

Bachmann Campaign Announces 91 County Chairs and Precinct Leadership in all 99 Iowa Counties #iacaucus

Bachmann Campaign Announces 91 County Chairs and Precinct Leadership in all 99 Iowa Counties

Urbandale, Iowa – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann today announced her Iowa campaign has county chairs in 91 of the state's 99 counties and precinct leadership in every county.  The announcement is further evidence of Team Bachmann's exceptional grassroots organizational strength, one of which has been gaining significant momentum as the Iowa caucuses near. 

"I'm honored to have the support from committed conservatives across Iowa," Bachmann said. "There's always been the argument that the presidential battle is waged in Iowa's 18 urban counties and that the 81 less-populous, rural counties don't matter as much. Every voice, every voter counts, and with a win in Iowa, I intend to take those voices with me to the White House."

The Bachmann for President campaign announced the following county chairs:
Adair, Lynn Burgmair
Allamakee, David Johnson
Appanoose, Jill Seibert
Audubon, Ronda Anthofer
Benton, Jerald Bronemann
Black Hawk, Dean Smith
Boone, Debby Johnson and Paul Dayton
Bremer, Erik Vance
Buchanan, Jared Abry
Buena Vista, Melva Urban
Butler, Jeanne Tocco
Calhoun, Phil and Jane Cline
Carroll, Ben Kolars
Cedar, Shirley Giedelmann
Cerro Gordo, Tim King and Audrey Moor
Cherokee, Dewayne Diamond
Chickasaw, Kevin Bee
Clarke, Scott MacLin
Clay, Curt Langner
Clayton, Bob Sipe
Clinton, Dianne Koczinski
Crawford, Paul Rehm
Dallas, Vicki Crawford
Davis, Brenda and Randall Burns
Decatur, Terry Taylor
Delaware, Robb Harter
Des Moines, Brad Cranston
Dickinson, Matthew Lueck
Dubuque, Russell Riesling
Emmet, Kim Hageman
Fayette, Tim Butikofer
Floyd, Mark Tlusty
Franklin, Jerry Passehl
Fremont, Rob Vermillion
Grundy, Bill Hoffman
Guthrie, Byron Sheeder
Hamilton, Steve Fisher
Hancock, John Wacker
Hardin, Mark Carpenter
Harrison, Alan Ronk
Henry, Tonya Campbell
Howard, Sam Kramer
Humboldt, Mike and Barb Adams
Ida, George and Carol Remer
Iowa, Brad Sherman
Jackson, Bob Koontz
Jasper, Norm Rozendaal
Jefferson, David Eastburn
Johnson, Randy Crawford
Jones, Debra Anne Berberich
Keokuk, Kathy Workman
Kossuth, Joyce Macek
Lee, Dan and Donna Holman
Linn, Althea Hasse
Lucas, Leslie Fee
Lyon, Jennifer Vande Griend
Madison, Ken Crow
Mahaska, Pat Scanlon
Marion, Gary Hummel
Marshall, Thomas Moore
Mills, Katie Marvel
Mitchell, Les Hardy
Monroe, Wanda Crosson
Montgomery, Kailon Goettsche
Muscatine, Gina Chesling
O'Brien, Mary Berkenpas
Osceola, Darlen East
Page, Iris Morrison
Palo Alto, Sam Hankelvig
Plymouth, Rob Nason
Pocahontas, Norma Halverson
Polk, Brad Zaun
Pottawattamie, Lenny Scaletta
Poweshiek, Jill Hollingsworth
Ringgold, Rebecka Strait
Sac, Caleb Hedeen
Scott, Bernadette Linehan
Shelby, Nancy and Dave Boettger
Sioux, Tammy Kobza
Story, Debby Johnson and Jason and Amanda Kramer
Tama, Kelly Jantzen
Union, Frank Kinkade
Van Buren, Dan Cesar
Wapello, Jane Hodoly
Warren, Jim Fehl and Evelyn McCoy
Washington, Marie Kerr
Wayne, Ken Halfhill
Webster, Kelly Bradley
Woodbury, Julie-Marr-Potter
Worth, Stan Lucas
Wright, Paul Bubeck

In Strategy Update, Keith Nahigian, Bachmann Campaign Manager Promises 99 County Chairs In Iowa #iacaucus #ia99

In Strategy Update, Keith Nahigian, Bachmann Campaign Manager Promises 99 County Chairs In Iowa

Michele Bachmann Iowa Schedule December 8-10, 2011

Bachmann Returns to Iowa, Energizes Supporters for Jan. 3 Caucuses

Washington, D.C. – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann returns to Iowa tomorrow to energize supporters in the Hawkeye State. Bachmann will stress her conservative credentials during her visit, emphasizing the need to reduce the size of government, lower taxes, shrink the deficit and protect America's boarders.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Interview with Fox New Channel's "FOX & Friends"
7:15 am ET

Quad Cities Media Availability
1:00 pm CT
Quad Cities International Airport,
Visitors Center
2200 69th Avenue
Moline, Ill.
 
Quad City Times Editorial Board Meeting
NOTE: This event is closed to press.
1:45 pm CT
Quad City Times
500 East 3rd Street
Davenport, Iowa
 
Cedar Rapids Gazette Editorial Board Meeting
NOTE: This event is closed to press.
4:30 pm CT
Cedar Rapids Gazette
500 3rd Avenue Southwest
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
 
Five Seasons Republican Women Meet & Greet
6:00 pm CT
Cedar Rapids Country Club
550 27th Street Drive SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
 
Friday, December 9, 2011

Nationwide Insurance Employee Town Hall
2:00 pm CT
Nationwide Insurance, 2nd Floor Cafeteria
1100 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Veterans' Issues Forum
2:30 pm CT
Varsity Theatre
1207 25th Street
Des Moines, IA
 
ABC News Republican Presidential Debate
8:00 pm CT
Sheslow Auditorium - Drake University
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa