2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rick Santorum Louisana, Puerto Rico, Missouri, & Illinois Schedule March 13-16, 2012 *Updated

RICK SANTORUM PUBLIC SCHEDULE

Please Note Several Changes In The Schedule
 
Verona, PA - Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum will hold the following events. All times are local.

Updates will be provided as events are added.

Wednesday, March 14:

11:30pm AST: Senator Santorum will hold a public photo opportunity with Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuno prior to a private meeting with the Governor.

Location:

La Fortaleza
Old San Juan, PR

2:00pm AST: Senator Santorum will hold a town hall meeting in San Juan, PR.

Location:

Grill 304
Ave. Ponce de Leon
AON Building
San Juan, PR

6:00pm AST:    Senator Santorum will meet with religious leaders and participate in an Ecumenical Service. Journalists who wish to attend will need to arrive by 4:30pm for security equipment clearance.

Location:

Sendero de la Cruz Church
Floral Park
Alhambra Street #63
Chile Sevilla Corner Hato Ray

Next to the Polytechnic Institute on Roosevelt Avenue

Senator Santorum will conduct interviews with local Puerto Rican television and radio stations throughout the day, with air times to be determined.

Thursday, March 15:

10:45am AST:   Senator Santorum will take part in a San Juan Street Parade in Old San Juan, PR.

Location:

Plaza de Armas (in front of San Juan City Hall)
Old San Juan, PR

Senator Santorum will conduct interviews with local Puerto Rican television and radio stations throughout the day, with air times to be determined.

Friday, March 16:

10:30am CT: Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Osage Beach, MO

Location:

Main Street Music Hall
5845 Osage Beach Parkway
Osage Beach, MO

2:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will address John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL.

Location:

John Hersey High School
1900 East Thomas Street
Arlington Heights, IL

7:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Arlington Heights, IL.

Location:

Christian Liberty Academy
502 West Euclid Avenue
Grace Gymnasium
Arlington Heights, IL

Saturday, March 17:

8:00am CT:   Senator Santorum will hold a meet-and-greet in Chesterfield Township, MO.

Location:

Westminster Christian Academy
800 Maryville Centre Drive
St. Louis, MO

9:15am CT:  Senator Santorum will hold a meet-and-greet in Wildhorse Township, MO.

Location:

Schnucks Wildwood Crossing Community Room
16580 Manchester Road
Wildwood, MO

2:00pm CT:  Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Effingham, IL.

Location:

John Boos & Company
3601 South Banker Street
Effingham, IL

5:00pm CT:  Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Location:

Mt. Vernon Airport
100 Aviation Drive
Mt. Vernon, IL

7:30pm CT:  Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Herrin, IL.
 
Location:

Herrin High School
700 North 10th Street
Herrin, IL

Ron Paul Endorsed Today by the Chairman of the Livingston Parish Republican Party, Jason Stern

Ron Paul Louisiana Team Welcomes Livingston Parish GOP Chair Endorsement
 
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul was endorsed today by the Chairman of the Livingston Parish Republican Party, Jason Stern of Walker.

Livingston Parish’s main population centers include Albany, Denham Springs, French Settlement, Killian, Livingston, Port Vincent, Springfield and Walker, comprising about 130,000 people.
 
In endorsing Ron Paul, Mr. Stern mentioned he was doing so as an individual and not on behalf of any organization or its members.  He issued the following statement:

“My family supports Ron Paul because throughout his career he has shown consistent regard for the Constitution and the God-given rights and liberties it protects. 

“Dr. Paul's pro-life, pro-family values are near and dear to our hearts and his no-nonsense approach to government and foreign policy are attractive qualities for the Executive Branch.

“If America is going to return to greatness, now is the day to act.  Electing another quasi-conservative whose goal is to ‘do big government better’ is a great reason to strongly support Dr. Paul's candidacy.”
 
Jason Stern is serving his second term as Livingston Parish Republican Party Chairman, is currently Vice President of the American Judicial Alliance, and a former Vice President of the Louisiana Family Forum.  Mr. Stern has been married to Andrea Rice Stern for over 14 years, and is active with their nine children in home education leadership as well as their church community.

Santorum Names Veteran Campaign Strategist Brian Nutt As Pennsylvania State Campaign Director

SANTORUM NAMES VETERAN CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST BRIAN NUTT AS PENNSYLVANIA STATE CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR
 
Verona, PA - The Rick Santorum for President campaign is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Nutt as its Pennsylvania State Director.

Brian Nutt said: "I am honored to join the Santorum campaign. Rick Santorum has been a strong, consistent conservative leader for not just Pennsylvania, but our entire country. I have seen Rick Santorum's leadership first-hand. Senator Santorum stood up when many would back down. He is a fighter, and exactly what our country needs right now. I am excited to join his team and help him win his fifth race in Pennsylvania."

Rick Santorum said: "Brian will be a tremendous addition to our team. He was instrumental in helping Tom Corbett win three statewide races. There are few in Pennsylvania politics with Brian's resume, acumen, and skill. I am looking forward to working with him as we once again work to turn Pennsylvania from Blue to Red."

Brian Nutt has served as Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett's chief political advisor for nearly a decade. Nutt helped guide Corbett's successful Attorney General campaigns, as well as his successful 2010 gubernatorial campaign - where Corbett won election by a double digit margin. During Governor Corbett's transition to the Governor's Office, Nutt served as Corbett's Chief of Staff.

Ron Paul Endorsed By Louisiana GOP Central Committeeman Harold Williams

Ron Paul Endorsed By Louisiana GOP Central Committeeman Harold Williams

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul was endorsed today by Louisiana Republican State Central Committeeman Harold Williams of Baton Rouge.  Mr. Williams also is the former Chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Party, an area of about 440,000 Bayou State residents.

In publicly endorsing Ron Paul, Mr. Williams issued the following statement:
 
“I support Ron Paul because of his bold stance against overreaching government bureaucracies and his loyal opposition against unnecessary taxes.  Like Ron Paul, I too believe that every American is entitled to the fruits of their labor. 

“We need regulatory relief, real spending cuts and a balanced budget.  I am often reminded of quote from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, ‘Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.’

“Ron Paul is the only candidate that is effectively articulating that the real solutions to our problems will not be found in the halls of government, but rather with ‘We The People.’”
 
Harold Williams has been involved in leadership roles for many years, responsible for advocacy and consensus building within numerous civic organizations.  In addition, Mr. Williams became the first African American since Reconstruction to serve in the position of Chairman of the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish.
 
Harold has over 11 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur directing fiscal operations, supervising 16 employees, marketing company services, negotiating contracts, and profitably resolving problems to ensure repeat business and satisfied customers.  He also has managed the daily operations of a petroleum management firm engaged in national and international planning and development.
 
This announcement has been preceded by earlier declarations of support by Louisiana State Rep. Joel Robideaux and former state GOP Deputy Chair Charlie Davis.

Ron Paul to Campaign in Illinois and Missouri Ahead of Contests on March 14-15, 2012

Ron Paul to Campaign in Illinois and Missouri Ahead of Contests
Holds town hall meetings at college campuses in both states to accommodate crowd size

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul will campaign in Illinois and Missouri ahead of the states’ voting contests.
 
Dr. Paul’s visits to Illinois and Missouri, respectively, will occur on Wednesday, March 14th and Thursday, March 15th.  The Illinois primary will take place on Tuesday, March 20th.  The Missouri county caucuses begin today, with heavy activity on Saturday the 17th, and continue through Saturday the 24th.
 
Details of Dr. Paul’s Illinois and Missouri events are as follows.  All times Central.
 
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
 
7:00 p.m.
Ron Paul Campus Town Hall Meeting
University of Illinois – George Huff Hall*
1206 South Fourth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
 
[*Note: this is a new, larger venue than the one previously announced.]
 
Thursday, March 15, 2012
 
12:00 p.m.
Ron Paul Campus Town Hall Meeting
Carnahan Quadrangle - The South Quad
University of Missouri
Missouri Avenue
Columbia, MO 65211

U.S. Representative Tim Johnson of Illinois Endorses Ron Paul for President

Ron Paul Illinois Team Welcomes Endorsement from U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul was endorsed today by six-term U.S. Representative Tim Johnson of Illinois’ 15th Congressional District.
 
Rep. Johnson’s district is located in East Central Illinois and contains the entire counties of Cumberland, Clark, Crawford, Edgar, Coles, Moultrie, Piatt, Douglas, Champaign, Vermilion, DeWitt, Iroquois, and Ford as well as parts of other counties.  The 15th C.D. spans roughly 10,000 square miles, from the Indiana border through the fields of Central Illinois.
 
In making his public endorsement, Rep. Johnson issued the following statement:
 
“I am honored to call Ron Paul my colleague and most importantly my friend.  I have always admired Rep. Paul but my respect for this great man's leadership grows more all the time.  He is one of the most principled men I have ever met. 

“Whether it be advocating for troop withdrawal, reducing the reach of our government or reforming the tax code and our health care system, Ron Paul has been unwavering and an ideological champion for all of us. 

“The Ron Paul Revolution has indeed taken hold in this country and I am proud to be able to stand with this great American.”
 
Rep. Johnson was elected for a sixth term in the House in November 2010.  He is a proponent of small government, reducing our national debt, and fighting for the agricultural community of Illinois.
 
For over 30 years, Rep. Johnson was an Urbana lawyer, small businessman, realtor, farm operator, and educator.  First elected to his district in 2001, Johnson had the unique capability to bring a variety of experiences to Washington, D.C.  Owning and operating small businesses and farms gives him an understanding of the challenges facing families and small businesses across communities throughout Illinois.
 
Rep. Johnson was born on July 23, 1946 in Champaign, Illinois.  He graduated from Urbana High School and continued his studies at West Point for a short time, before completing his degree in history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  In 1972, he graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law, elected to the National Legal Honor Society.  He has nine children and 11 grandchildren.  Currently, Rep. Johnson and his family reside in Urbana, Illinois.
 
Of those in the Congress backing Dr. Paul’s bid for the presidency, Rep. Johnson joins Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), his son Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and former Rep. Bill Sali (R-ID).

Ron Paul to Hold Town Hall Meeting at the University of Missouri

Ron Paul to Hold Massive Town Hall Meeting in Missouri
Holds voter outreach event at Mizzou with ‘Youth for Ron Paul’ as Show-Me State caucuses occur

ST. LOUIS, Missouri – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul will hold a giant town hall meeting in Missouri ahead of the state’s county caucuses that begin today and continue through Saturday, March 24th.
 
The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on the University of Missouri’s Mel Carnahan Quadrangle - The South Quad, located along Missouri Avenue in Columbia.  Doors open to the public at 11:30 a.m. CST.
 
The University of Missouri event is being organized by ‘Youth for Ron Paul’(YFP), an initiative of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign.  Since ‘Youth for Ron Paul’ launched in September, students nationwide have organized 583 chapters and recruited more than 46,000 people.
 
“Ron Paul continues to draw sizable crowds on college campuses across the nation because young people embrace his message of individual liberty, lasting prosperity, and a smart foreign policy that keeps America safe.  Last week in Kansas more than 2,100 attended a YFP-hosted town hall meeting, and I’m confident that Mizzou students will turn out in even greater numbers. Ron Paul is the sole candidate who generates enthusiasm among young people, and he's the only one who can challenge President Obama for this key demographic come November,” said Edward King, National Youth Director for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign.
 
“The tremendous support youth regularly give Ron Paul across America is the envy of every other campaign.  Dr. Paul succeeds in conveying that his message of fiscal restraint, constitutionally-limited government, and individual liberty is the only platform that resonates with younger voters and unites our country's next generation—the very people who will deal with today’s wasteful government overspending,” said Ani DeGroot, Midwest Regional Director for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign.
 
Details of the event are as follows.  Time is Central.
 
Thursday, March 15, 2012
 
12:00 p.m.
Ron Paul Campus Town Hall Meeting
Carnahan Quadrangle - The South Quad
University of Missouri
Missouri Avenue
Columbia, MO 65211
 
For a map of the location, please click here.

Mitt Romney Announces Agriculture Advisory Committee Including Chris Policinski, President and CEO of Land O'Lakes

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced his Agriculture Advisory Committee.

“Our country’s farmers and ranchers provide the most abundant, safest, and affordable food supply of any country in the world,” said Mitt Romney. “Not only do they feed our country, they also are responsible for feeding billions of people across the world. They provide jobs for millions of Americans and are an integral part of our economy. Along with these leaders in agriculture, I will work to ensure that our food supply will remain steady, safe, and affordable for our citizens.”

Announcing the formation of the Romney Agriculture Advisory Committee, Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns said, “As a former Secretary of Agriculture, I know the important role of our farmers and ranchers in maintaining both a healthy economy and an affordable food supply. Governor Romney understands that agriculture is a key source of strength and stability for our economy, and he is committed to maintaining our country’s strong farming heritage. The advisory committee looks forward to providing counsel in this area in the coming months and to welcoming a new era of agricultural policy under a new president.”

Romney For President Agriculture Advisory Committee:

Co-Chair, Senator Mike Johanns- U.S. Senator from Nebraska (2009-present); Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (2005-2007); Governor of Nebraska (1999-2005).

Co-Chair, Commissioner Adam Putnam- Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture (2011-present); U.S. House of Representatives from Florida (2001-2011).

Greg Ibach- Director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture (2005-present); Owner/Operator of GTI Inc., a cow/calf and diversified crop farm in central Nebraska (1984-present).

Chuck Conner- President and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (2009-present); Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Indiana Farmer.

Bill Even- Co-owner, Even Family Farms; South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture (2007-2010); Director, South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (2006-2007).

Randy Russell- President, The Russell Group, formerly Lesher and Russell (1986-2011); Chief of Staff to Secretary of Agriculture John Block (1985); Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture (1984); Vice President for Agriculture and Trade Policy, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (1982-84).

AG Kawamura- Founding member, Orange County Produce, LLC; Co-Chair, Solutions From the Land Dialogue; Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture (2003-2010).

 

Katie Smith- Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture (2007-2008).

Al Montna- Chairman U.S. Rice Federation (2006-2008); President, California State Board of Food and Agriculture (2003-2010); Owner, Montna Farms.

Chris Policinski- President and CEO, Land O'Lakes; National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (2005-present); National Milk Producers Federation (1999-present); Grocery Manufacturers Association (2005-present).

Tom Nassif- President and CEO, Western Growers (2002-present); Reagan Administration:  Deputy Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State (1981-1983); Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near East and South Asian Affairs (1983-1985); United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco (1985-1988).

*Company/business names are provided for identification purposes only.

Rasmussen Reports 2012 Texas Republican Primary: Romney 32%, Santorum 30%, Gingrich 19%, Paul 9%

Rasmussen Reports 2012 Texas Republican Primary: Romney 32%, Santorum 30%, Gingrich 19%, Paul 9%

A new telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Texas finds Romney earning 32% support to Santorum’s 30%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich picks up 19% of the vote, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul runs fourth with nine percent (9%).

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/texas/2012_texas_republican_primary

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Casts His Vote For Rick Santorum

ALABAMA GOVERNOR ROBERT BENTLEY CASTS HIS VOTE FOR RICK SANTORUM

Verona, PA - The Rick Santorum for President campaign is proud to learn that it has received the vote of the Governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley. On the nationally syndicated radio show, "Rick and Bubba Show," Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt made the following announcement:

Congressman Aderholt said: "He and his wife will be voting for Rick Santorum for President. I was very excited to hear our Governor felt his values were in line with Rick Santorum... He has told people that he is voting for Senator Santorum and he holds the values and principles he believes in."

Rick Santorum said: "I am honored to have Governor Bentley's support.  Governor Bentley is a true public servant who goes to work each day fighting for Alabama and her people.  He understands what small business owners and entrepreneurs are facing, and he has applied those principles day-in and day-out.  That is the mindset we need in Washington, one that doesn't represent 1%, 95%, or 99% of Americans - but all Americans.  I am committed to doing just that, representing all Americans and with support of great Americans like Governor Bentley, I am confident we have taken one more big step toward realizing that opportunity."

Governor Robert Bentley was elected to the governorship in 2010 promising to "put Alabamians back to work" and committed that he would not accept a salary as Governor until Alabama reaches full employment.  Governor Bentley previously served two-terms in the Alabama House of Representatives and was a small business owner, founding the Alabama Dermatology Associates - which grew to be one of the largest dermatology practices in the southeast.  Governor Bentley currently chairs the Appalachian Regional Commission and is a member of the Economic Development and Commerce Commission with the National Governors Association.