2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

RNC Chairman Priebus Statement on New Hampshire

RNC Chairman Priebus Statement on New Hampshire

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement regarding tonight’s New Hampshire primary election:
 
“Tonight New Hampshire voters went to the polls to cast a ballot against four more years of Barack Obama. The energy and excitement for taking our country in a new direction is proof yet again that the electoral momentum is firmly on the Republican side for 2012.
 
“I want to congratulate Mitt Romney on his win tonight as well as all of our candidates for their efforts in New Hampshire and for their work to make Barack Obama a one-term president.
 
“New Hampshire is a true swing state, critical to Barack Obama’s path to 270 electoral votes. Current polling suggests, however, that the Granite State could likely be as a granite roadblock on Obama’s road to re-election. His approval rating is below 40 percent and even lower, at 35 percent, with youth voters and independents—two keys segments of Obama’s coalition. It’s no surprise, considering 47 percent of New Hampshire residents say their household is in worse financial shape than just a year ago.
 
“In yet another sign of Republican momentum, the GOP has completely eliminated what was a Democrat registration gap in New Hampshire. Today, Republicans are ahead by 8,500 registrations, giving us a critical advantage as we work to ensure this swing state goes red on Election Day.”

Gov. Rick Perry on New Hampshire and South Carolina

Gov. Rick Perry on New Hampshire and South Carolina

LEESVILLE, S.C. - Gov. Rick Perry tonight issued the following statement:

"Tonight's results in New Hampshire show the race for 'conservative alternative' to Mitt Romney remains wide open. I skipped New Hampshire and aimed my campaign right at conservative South Carolina, where we've been campaigning hard and receiving an enthusiastic welcome. I believe being the only non-establishment outsider in the race, the proven fiscal and social conservative and proven job creator will win the day in South Carolina.

"South Carolina is the next stop. I have a head start here, and it's friendly territory for a Texas governor and veteran with solid outsider credentials, the nation's best record of job creation, and solid fiscal, social and Tea Party conservatism."

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on New Hampshire Primary Results

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on New Hampshire Primary Results

Manchester, New Hampshire – Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the results of tonight’s Republican primary in New Hampshire:

“Mitt Romney may have won in New Hampshire tonight, but he can't run from the fact that his support was rapidly eroding before any vote was even cast.  Over the course of the last few months Romney had the support of as much as 45 percent of the primary electorate – at one point boasting a nearly 30 percent lead over the rest of the GOP field.  But tonight he fell far short of meeting expectations – especially in a state where he’s a part-time resident, which is next door to his home state of Massachusetts, in the same media market. He fell short next to a state where he raised a family and served as Governor, and where he’s been running on and off for political office over nearly two decades and for president for seven years. 

“But what’s more troubling for Mitt Romney is the fact that the premise of his candidacy is unraveling.  He leaves here wounded by a series of episodes that made it clear to voters – both in New Hampshire and for those watching across the country – that he is completely out of touch with the concerns of America’s working and middle-class families.  Romney disingenuously claimed just a few days ago that he once feared getting a pink slip when in fact his campaign can’t offer any examples of when that might have been the case.  Yesterday, he went as far as saying that he enjoys being able to fire people.  He continues to call himself a job creator, but his accounts of creating 100,000 jobs at Bain Capital have been knocked down across the board.  Even worse, as one of his colleagues said, he never considered what they did at Bain Capital as job creation. What they did was make a profit while companies were sometimes driven to bankruptcy, workers were laid off, and jobs were sent overseas.  These revelations have led to a precipitous drop in Mitt Romney’s support – and his failure to perform better in the Granite State is a significant setback for both his campaign and his candidacy for president.”

Mitt Romney Remarks As Prepared For Delivery In Manchester, New Hampshire On Tuesday, January 10, 2012 #fitn

MITT ROMNEY DELIVERS REMARKS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today delivered remarks in Manchester, New Hampshire. The following remarks were prepared for delivery:

Thank you, New Hampshire! Tonight, we made history!

This state has always been a special place for our family.  Ann and I made a home here and we’ve filled it with great memories of our children and grandchildren.  And this Granite State moment is one we will always remember.

Tonight, we celebrate.  Tomorrow, we go back to work.

We remember when Barack Obama came to New Hampshire four years ago. 

He promised to bring people together.

He promised to change the broken system in Washington.

He promised to improve our nation.

Those were the days of lofty promises made by a hopeful candidate.  Today, we are faced with the disappointing record of a failed President.  The last three years have held a lot of change, but they haven’t offered much hope.

The middle class has been crushed. Nearly 24 million of our fellow Americans are still out of work, struggling to find work, or have just stopped looking.  The median income has dropped 10% in four years.  Soldiers returning from the front lines are waiting in unemployment lines.  Our debt is too high and our opportunities too few. 

And this President wakes up every morning, looks out across America and is proud to announce, “It could be worse.”

It could be worse? Is that what it means to be an American? It could be worse? 

Of course not.

What defines us as Americans is our unwavering conviction that we know it must be better.

That conviction guides our campaign.  It has rallied millions of Americans in every corner of this country to our cause. 

Over the last six months, I’ve listened to anxious voices in town meetings and visited with students and soldiers.  In break rooms and living rooms, I’ve heard stories of families getting by on less, of carefully planned retirements now replaced by jobs at minimum wage.  But even now, amidst the worst economy since the Great Depression, I’ve rarely heard a refrain of hopelessness.

Americans know that our future is brighter and better than these troubled times.  We still believe in the hope, the promise, and the dream of America.  We still believe in that shining city on a hill. 

We know that the future of this country is better than 8 or 9% unemployment.

It is better than $15 trillion in debt.

It is better than the misguided policies and broken promises of the last three years – and the failed leadership of one man.

The President has run out of ideas.  Now, he’s running out of excuses.  And tonight, we are asking the good people of South Carolina to join the citizens of New Hampshire and make 2012 the year he runs out of time.

President Obama wants to put free enterprise on trial. In the last few days, we have seen some desperate Republicans join forces with him. This is such a mistake for our Party and for our nation.  This country already has a leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy. We must offer an alternative vision.  I stand ready to lead us down a different path, where we are lifted up by our desire to succeed, not dragged down by a resentment of success. In these difficult times, we cannot abandon the core values that define us as unique -- We are One Nation, Under God.

Make no mistake, in this campaign, I will offer the American ideals of economic freedom a clear and unapologetic defense.

Our campaign is about more than replacing a President; it is about saving the soul of America.  This election is a choice between two very different destinies.

President Obama wants to “fundamentally transform” America. We want to restore America to the founding principles that made this country great.  

He wants to turn America into a European-style entitlement society.  We want to ensure that we remain a free and prosperous land of opportunity.

This President takes his inspiration from the capitals of Europe; we look to the cities and small towns of America.

This President puts his faith in government.  We put our faith in the American people.  

He is making the federal government bigger, burdensome, and bloated.  I will make it simpler, smaller, and smarter.

He raised the national debt.  I will cut, cap, and balance the budget.

He enacted job-killing regulations; I’ll eliminate them.

He lost our AAA credit rating; I’ll restore it.

He passed Obamacare; I’ll repeal it.

When it comes to the economy, my highest priority as President will be worrying about your job, not saving my own.

Internationally, President Obama has adopted an appeasement strategy.  He believes America’s role as leader in the world is a thing of the past.  I believe a strong America must – and will – lead the future.

He doesn’t see the need for overwhelming American military superiority.  I will insist on a military so powerful no one would think of challenging it.

He chastises friends like Israel; I’ll stand with our friends.

He apologizes for America; I will never apologize for the greatest nation in the history of the Earth.

Our plans protect freedom and opportunity, and our blueprint is the Constitution of the United States.

The path I lay out is not one paved with ever increasing government checks and cradle-to-grave assurances that government will always be the solution. If this election is a bidding war for who can promise more benefits, then I’m not your President.  You have that President today.

But if you want to make this election about restoring American greatness, then I hope you will join us.  

If you believe the disappointments of the last few years are a detour, not our destiny, then I am asking for your vote.

I’m asking each of you to remember how special it is to be an American.

I want you to remember what it was like to be hopeful and excited about the future, not to dread each new headline.

I want you to remember when you spent more time dreaming about where to send your kids to college than wondering how to make it to the next paycheck.

I want you to remember when you weren’t afraid to look at your retirement savings or the price at the pump.

I want you to remember when our White House reflected the best of who we are, not the worst of what Europe has become.

That America is still out there.  We still believe in that America.

We still believe in the America that is a land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom.  We believe in the America that challenges each of us to be better and bigger than ourselves.

This election, let’s fight for the America we love.  We believe in America.

Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.

 

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule January 11-16, 2012

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Monday, Jan. 16

On Sunday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry began a campaign tour across the state of South Carolina. Destinations are listed below. Event details are subject to updates.

All events listed in Eastern.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

9:00 a.m. - Lexington, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Lizard's Thicket
4616 Augusta Road
Lexington, SC 29072

1:10 p.m. - Columbia, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Doc's Barbecue and Southern Buffet
1601 Shop Road
Columbia, SC 29201

3:30 p.m. - Aiken, S.C.

Main Street Walk

The Gun Rack
213 Richland Avenue West
Aiken, SC 29801

*NOTE: The walk will begin at The Gun Rack and end at Lionel Smith Ltd.

4:30 p.m. - Aiken, S.C.

Townhall Meeting

Municipal Building Conference Center
215 The Alley
Aiken, SC 29801

6:15 p.m. - North Augusta, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Al's Family Restaurant
611 Atomic Road
North Augusta, SC 29841

Thursday, Jan. 12

9:00 a.m. - Blythewood, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Lizard's Thicket
711-1 University Village Drive
Blythewood, SC 29016

12:00 p.m. - Orangeburg, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Duke's Barbecue
789 Chestnut Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115

2:00 p.m. - Summerville, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Murphy Law Firm
136 West Richardson Avenue
Summerville, SC 29843

*NOTE: The walk will begin and end at Murphy Law Firm.

4:00 p.m. - Walterboro, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Coffeehouse Books
213 East Washington Street
Walterboro, SC 29488

*NOTE: The walk will begin at Coffeehouse Books.

5:00 p.m. - Walterboro, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Fat Jack's Grillin' and Chillin' Restaurant
308 Ivanhoe Drive
Walterboro, SC 29488

Friday, Jan. 13

9:00 a.m. - Hilton Head, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Hilton Head Diner
6 Marina Side Drive
Hilton Head, SC 29928

12:30 p.m. - Bluffton, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Squat 'N' Gobble
1231 May River Road
Bluffton, SC 29910

5:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Charleston Crab House
145 Wappoo Creek Drive
Charleston, SC 29412

Saturday, Jan. 14

9:00 a.m. - Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Page's Okra Grill
302 Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

12:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

Townhall Meeting

College of Charleston
Sottile Theatre
44 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401

Sunday, Jan. 15

8:30 a.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Faith and Freedom/SCGOP Event
2101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

2:00 p.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

South Carolina Tea Party Convention

Springmaid
3200 South Ocean Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Monday, Jan. 16

9:00 p.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

FOX News Debate

Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

*NOTE: Additional dates and details of the tour are forthcoming.

Setting The Stage–Iowa Caucus Night

Rick Santorum South Carolina Schedule January 11-12, 2012

Rick Santorum South Carolina Public Schedule For January 11 - 12
 
Charleston, SC - Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum will return to South Carolina this Wednesday in the lead-up to the First-in-the-South Primary of South Carolina. All times are local.

Wednesday, January 11:

2:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold a meet-and-greet in Ridgeway, SC.

Location:
YesterYears Restaurant
140 South Palmer Street
Ridgeway, SC

7:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold a "Faith, Family and Freedom" Town Hall Rally in Columbia, SC.

Location:
Historic Springdale House & Gardens
3150 Platt Springs Road
Columbia, SC

10:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will appear on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" on FOX News.

Thursday, January 12:

10:00am ET: Senator Santorum will hold a "Faith, Family and Freedom" Town Hall in Sun City, SC.

Location:
Magnolia Hall
114 Sun City Lane
Sun City, SC

12:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold a campaign rally in Hilton Head, SC.

Location:
Westin Hilton Head
2 Grasslawn Avenue
Hilton Head, SC

3:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold a "Faith, Family and Freedom" Town Hall in Beaufort, SC.

Location:
Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club
30 Yacht Drive
Beaufort, SC

7:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold a "Faith, Family and Freedom" Town Hall in Charleston, SC.

Location:
The Daniel Island School Multi-Purpose Room
2365 Daniel Island Drive
Charleston, SC

Newt 2012 Releases New Television Ad: Changed?

Newt 2012 Releases New Ad: Changed?

Changed? Script
 
"What happened after Massachusetts moderate Mitt Romney changed his position from pro-abortion to pro-life?" a female narrator asks as a picture of an unhappy-looking Romney fills the screen and spooky music plays. "He governed pro-abortion."
 
"Romney appointed a pro-abortion judge, expanded access to abortion pills, put Planned Parenthood on a state medical board but failed to put a pro-life group on the same board. And Romney signed government-mandated health care with taxpayer-funded abortions. Massachusetts moderate Mitt Romney: He can't be trusted."

Ron Paul Campaign Statement on Mitt Romney Misquote Abuse

Ron Paul Campaign Statement on Mitt Romney Misquote Abuse

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign released the following statement in response to the feigned controversy surrounding out-of-context exploitation of Mitt Romney’s “I like to fire people” statement.  Below please find comments from National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton:
 
“Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, and Newt Gingrich are once again proving why they are unfit to be President and why this has become a two man national race between Mitt Romney, the candidate of the status quo, and Ron Paul, the candidate of real change.
 
“Two important issues that should unite Republicans are a belief in free markets and an understanding that the media often use ‘gotcha’ tactics to discredit us.  Rather than run against Governor Romney on the issues of the day Santorum, Huntsman, and Gingrich have chosen to play along with the media elites and exploit a quote taken horribly out of context.  They are also using the language of the liberal left to attack private equity and condemn capitalism in a desperate and, frankly, unsavory attempt to tear down another Republican with tactics akin to those of MoveOn.org.
 
“Santorum, Huntsman, and Gingrich are employing leftist tactics because they can't run on their questionable records and can't distinguish themselves from Romney.  Like Romney, they all supported bailouts, big spending, deficits, and individual healthcare mandates.  And, all three have disqualified themselves from the race for President of the United States, first with their records, then with their inability access major state ballots, and finally with these desperate and deplorable tactics.
 
“Dr. Paul is committed to running the kind of substantive, issues-based campaign the American people deserve.  Our campaign will talk about real issues – real spending cuts, a sound monetary policy, protecting individual liberties, and promoting a pro-American foreign policy.  We will win what is now a two-man race on these issues, the issues of grassroots America.”

Buddy Roemer New Hampshire Public Schedule for January 10, 2012

Buddy Roemer New Hampshire Public Schedule for January 10, 2012
 
Manchester, NH – Governor Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer's campaign released the following media appearances and New Hampshire events. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated. All times are local:
 
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Poll Standing and Sign Wave with Gov. Roemer

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Londonderry High School
295 Mammoth Road
Londonderry, NH 03052

Election Watch Party with Gov. Roemer

7:30pm - 11:00pm
JW Hill's Restaurant
795 Elm St.
Manchester, NH 03101