2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Hogan Gidley, Rick Santorum National Communications Director Statement on Tonight's Debate in Sioux City, Iowa

SANTORUM - READY AND ABLE WHEN THE 3AM PHONE CALL COMES
Rick Santorum Stands Alone As The Only Candidate Prepared To Deal With Any And All Threats Facing America
 
Sioux City, IA - This evening Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum showed he is the one candidate ready, willing, and able to lead America from day-one in the Oval Office.

Hogan Gidley, National Communications Director, said: "Rick Santorum is not 'pretty conservative,' he's a conservative to the core. He has never 'changed when conditions change,' he has stood tall in good times and in bad. And not only has he consistently fought for conservative principles, but he's fought and won for conservatism. Rick Santorum is the one candidate with the plan to bring back manufacturing jobs, the one candidate prepared to deal with the rising threat of a nuclear Iran, and the one candidate prepared to reinsert American influence in our hemisphere."

SANTORUM SAID:

On Winning Iowa:

"I am counting on the people of Iowa to help my campaign catch fire. Our plan from day-one was to go to all 99 counties. We've had 350 town hall meetings. We have a clear message and we present a clear contrast that no one else does. I have been a strong, conviction conservative. I've been there and we've done it. We've led. When you had an issue, you came to Rick Santorum. I had conservatives knocking down my door because I was the effective advocate for the principles they believed in. I was the guy fighting for conservative causes. Contrast that with Speaker Gingrich who had a conservative revolution against him."

On Inspiring The American People:

"You need to do what leaders do - you remind the American people who we are. In 2008, people wanted a President they could believe in, but today they are looking for a President who believes in them."

On Revitalizing Manufacturing:

"I've proposed my "Made in the USA" Plan, bring that money back from overseas at a 5.5% rate, but put in place a special rate of 0% if reinvested in plant & equipment here in America. I've traveled to Iowa towns like Sidney and Hamburg and Newton who have lost manufacturing jobs because we are not competitive. Businesses need capital and we need to cut the corporate tax to 0% for manufacturers. There is a 20% cost differential between the U.S. and our top 9 trading partnerships. And I promise to repeal every Obamacare regulation and every Obama Administration regulation that costs businesses more than $100 million. I cannot repeal laws, but as President I can repeal regulations to get business back in America."

On The Supreme Court and Favorite Justices:

We have a lot of people talking about taking on the court, but I've actually done it. I was the only one on this stage to come and campaign against the judges in Iowa who redefined marriage. When the Partial Birth Abortion ban was struck down, we went back and passed another bill and told the court why they were wrong. We can talk about reform or you can actually go out and make it happen... And my favorite justice is Thomas.

On Iran:

Iran is continually looking to attack us. Just recently they tried to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador on U.S. soil. Iran has been at war with us since 1979... Mutually assured destruction will not work (with Iran). Mutually assured destruction would not be any kind of prevention; it would be an inducement to war. Iran's object is to create a calamity. It is what their theology teaches. They don't hate us because of our policies; they hate us because of who we are. We should be working with Israel, doing covert activities, and planning a strike. If Iran won't shut down their nuclear facilities, we'll shut them down for them."

On Fast and Furious and Dealing With Central & South America:

"I would fire him (Attorney General Holder), I wouldn't ask him to resign - I'd fire him. He shouldn't have started it (Fast & Furious) in the first place. I have said this for many years, we need to pay more attention to our own hemisphere. There are flights from Caracas to Tehran transporting Jihadists. There are Jihadist training camps in Central and South America planning assaults on the United States. The President has ignored this threat - he has embraced Chavez and Ortega in Central and South America. We need an initiative in that region that will promote our interests."

On Marriage and Governor Romney:

"Governor Romney was faced with a Supreme Court decision that said traditional marriage was unconstitutional. In that decision the court said they did not have the authority to change the marriage laws, only the governor and legislature could change the definition of marriage. Governor Romney sided with the court and changed the definition of marriage, and he took it one step further and issued gay marriage licenses. I have had a strong consistent track record and I too had a non-discrimination policy. But we are not talking about non-discrimination policies, we are talking about the basic building block of society."

Huntsman Campaign Manager Matt David Statement On This Evening's Debate In Sioux City, Iowa

Huntsman Shows He's The Consistent Conservative Voters Can Trust

Manchester, NH - After tonight's Fox News Presidential Debate, Huntsman Campaign Manager Matt David released the following statement:

"This evening in Sioux City, Jon Huntsman demonstrated that he is the consistent conservative who has the broad appeal needed to defeat Barack Obama next November.

"His message of restoring trust in Washington, reforming our tax code to end crony capitalism and make us more competitive, and ending bailouts for too-big-to-fail Wall Street banks is continuing to resonate with voters who are fed up with politics-as-usual in Washington.

"Recent polls show Governor Huntsman continuing to steadily rise in New Hampshire and across the nation. As we near election day, more and more voters will turn to Jon Huntsman as the principled leader who is best-equipped to defeat Barak Obama."

Iowa State Representative Renee Schulte Statement on Tonight’s Debate in Iowa

IA REP. RENEE SCHULTE: ROMNEY THE RELIABLE LEADER WE NEED IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Boston, MA – Iowa State Representative Renee Schulte made the following statement on tonight’s debate in Iowa:

“Mitt Romney won tonight’s debate by again proving that we need a president from outside Washington with private sector experience, not another Washington insider. Throughout his life, Mitt Romney has demonstrated the leadership experience required of the president; Newt Gingrich has proved time and again that he is an unreliable leader. Speaker Gingrich’s recent attacks on Paul Ryan’s plan and the private sector are prime examples of why he is not trusted by conservatives. We need a president who has experience creating jobs, not someone who only has theories about how to create them.

Former Iowa Senate President and Ambassador Mary Kramer Statement on Tonight’s Debate in Iowa

AMBASSADOR MARY KRAMER: “ROMNEY HAS DISPLAYED THE STEADFAST LEADERSHIP NEEDED TO FIX THE ECONOMIC MESS”

Boston, MA – Former Iowa Senate President and Ambassador Mary Kramer made the following statement on tonight’s debate in Iowa:

“Mitt Romney showed again tonight that he has the conservative record and experience that Iowans and voters across the country are looking for in our nominee and president. Throughout this campaign and throughout his life, Mitt Romney has displayed the steadfast leadership needed to fix the economic mess that President Obama has created. Whether it is on creating jobs, the top concern facing our country, or keeping America strong overseas, Mitt Romney’s record and policies stand head and shoulders above the rest of the field.”

Statement From Jon Huntsman Campaign: A Consistent Conservative

Jon Huntsman: A Consistent Conservative

"Jon Huntsman is the same conservative he was when he worked for Ronald Reagan 3 decades ago. He is running for President on his consistent record of cutting taxes, balancing the budget, passing health care reform without a mandate, and protecting the right to life. Republican voters can trust Jon Huntsman to implement the same conservative policies in the White House that he did as governor."
- Tim Miller, December 15, 2011

Gov. Huntsman Is A Strong Believer In The Sanctity Of Life:

“As Governor, Huntsman Signed A Bill To Criminalize Second Trimester Abortion, As Well As A Measure That Allows The State To Tell Women Seeking Abortions That The Fetus Can Feel Pain.” (Juana Summers, “Huntsman Pushes Conservative Creds,” Politico, 6/3/11)

Gov. Huntsman Also Signed A New Law In Utah That Requires Teenage Girls To Get A Parent’s Permission Before Having An Abortion. “Teenage girls in Utah would have to get a parent's permission to have an abortion, under a bill that gained a Senate committee's unanimous support on Friday.” (Jennifer Dobner, “Measure Requiring Parental Consent For Abortions Advances,” The Associated Press, 2/10/06)

Gov. Huntsman Supported A “Trigger” Bill In Utah That Would Have Banned Abortions If The Supreme Court Struck Down Roe V. Wade. “Huntsman said he likes the so-called ‘trigger’ bill that would ban abortions in the state if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court…” (Lisa Riley Roche, “Huntsman Says Utah Should Fund A Primary,” Deseret Morning News, 2/22/07)

Gov. Huntsman Is A Strong Supporter Of Second Amendment Rights:

Gov. Huntsman Is A “Strong Supporter Of Gun Owners’ Rights.” “Huntsman boasts the most foreign policy experience of any of the likely GOP candidates, and would be a formidable entry to the unformed GOP field. He had a fiscally conservative record as governor, opposes abortion and is a strong supporter of gun owners' rights.” (Mike Allen, “Jon Huntsman Resigns, May Run,” Politico, 1/31/11)

Gov. Huntsman Received A Concealed Carry Permit After Taking A Course Offered To Utah Policymakers. “A state legislator is setting up free concealed weapon classes for policy-makers and their families this summer, while at the same time formulating a proposal to make it easier for Utahns to secretly carry a firearm.  Clearfield Republican Rep. Curtis Oda says the sessions are aimed at educating lawmakers and debunking gun-control advocates' criticism of Utah's gun laws. The first two students were Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert. Since then, 12 legislators and eight other elected officials have taken the free gun-handling classes. And Oda has another 25 legislators interested, with the next class scheduled for July.” (Matt Canham and Rebecca Walsh, “Who's The Capitol's Top Gun?” The Salt Lake Tribune, 6/11/05)
Gov. Huntsman Has Pledged To Veto An Assault Weapon Ban. HUNTSMAN: “I would absolutely veto the [assault weapons] ban.” (Hugh Hewitt, “Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.,” Hugh Hewitt’s Blog, 6/8/11)

Gov. Huntsman’s “Unimpeachably Conservative Record” In Utah Included Signing Bills To “Encourage Gun-Ownership.” “Yet in most respects Mr Huntsman has an unimpeachably conservative record. He presided over the biggest tax cut in Utah’s history. He instituted health-care reforms of a much less meddling sort than those embraced by Mr Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts. He signed various bills designed to discourage abortion and encourage gun-ownership.” (“Picture Perfect,” The Economist, 5/26/11)

In 2009, Gov. Huntsman Signed Two Bills That The National Rife Association Called “Critical Self Defense Legislation.”   “Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R) announced today that he signed important National Rifle Association-backed legislation into law that will protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Senate Bill 78 will protect the right to lawfully transport and store firearms in privately-owned, locked motor vehicles that are parked in a publicly accessible parking lot controlled by a business.’ Governor Huntsman and the Utah legislature have taken an important step toward reinforcing self-defense laws in Utah," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. … In addition to signing Senate Bill 78, Governor Huntsman also signed House Bill 357. Existing Utah law requires a person to have a concealed weapon permit to carry concealed in or on their own property. HB357 fixes this problem. Now law-abiding individuals will be able to carry a concealed firearm in their own residence, on their own property, or in their place of business without a concealed carry permit. HB357 also clarifies current law with respect to firearms in vehicles, to allow law-abiding citizens the choice of how they would prefer to carry a handgun for self-defense (open, concealed, unloaded or loaded).” (National Rifle Association, “Critical Self Defense Legislation Signed In Utah,” Press Release, 3/31/09)

In 2008, Gov. Huntsman Signed Legislation That Would Prohibit Government Officials From Confiscating Weapons In Times Of Emergency. “If a disaster happens in Utah, cops won't be able to take away anyone's gun unless that person is breaking the law. The Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that says in a declared emergency the government can't confiscate weapons. Senate Bill 157 passed in the House, 70-2. It now goes to Gov. Jon Huntsman for his signature.” (“Legislature Says Emergencies Are No Reason To Confiscate Guns,” The Associated Press, 3/6/08)

Gov. Huntsman Saved Taxpayers Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars By Enacting The Largest Tax Cut In Utah History:

Gov. Huntsman’s Tax Cuts Saved Utah Taxpayers $400 Million. “He oversaw a reduction in the sales tax on food and revamped the tax structure to create a flatter tax; the overall savings to taxpayers was $400 million.” (Erin McPike, “Huntsman Seeks To Run On His Record,” Real Clear Politics, 3/22/11)

Gov. Huntsman Used His Political Capital To “Negotiate The Largest Income-Tax Cut In Utah History” And Cut Sales Tax On Food. “In his first term as governor, Huntsman tapped his political capital to resuscitate the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium, negotiate the largest income-tax cut in Utah history, broker a deal to end months of litigation stalling the construction of Legacy Highway and coax the Legislature to repeal a portion of the sales tax on food.” (Robert Gehrke, “Huntsman's Unfinished Legacy,” The Salt Lake Tribune, 8/8/09)

Cato Institute Called Gov. Huntsman’s Tax Reform Plan “Very Reaganesque.” “Former Reagan staff assistant Jon Hunts- man Jr. ran for governor of Utah in 2002 at least in part on a very Reaganesque platform: reforming the state’s ‘dilapidated and anachronistic’ tax system.” (Stephen Slivinski, “Fiscal Policy Report Card On America's Governors: 2006,” Cato Institute, 10/24/06)

In 2007, The Utah Taxpayers Association Awarded Gov. Huntsman The Taxpayer Advocate Award. (Utah Taxpayers Association Website, www.utahtaxpayers.org, Accessed 3/25/11)

In 2006 & 2008, Cato Institute Gave Gov. Huntsman An “A” Grade And The Highest Score Among All Governors For His Tax Policies. (Stephen Slivinski, “Fiscal Policy Report Card On America's Governors: 2006,” Cato Institute, 10/24/06; Chris Edwards, “Fiscal Policy Report Card On America’s Governors: 2008,” Cato Institute, 10/20/08)

Under Gov. Huntsman, Utah Was Ranked The Best-Managed State In The Nation:

According To A 2008 Study From The Pew Center, Utah Was Ranked The Best-Managed State In The Country. “Utah is the best-managed state in the country, based on a report card of state governments released Monday. The Pew Center on States Government Performance Project for 2008 gave Utah an overall ‘A minus’ for how the state government manages information, people, money and infrastructure. Virginia and Washington also received high scores, but Utah came out on top.” (Suzanne Struglinski, “Utah Earns No. 1 Spot For Government Management,” Deseret Morning News, 3/4/08)

Pew Report: “Utah manages all facets of state government well, emphasizing long-term goals and performance outcomes.” (The Pew Center On The States Website, www.pewcenteronthestates.org, Accessed 3/25/11)
The Pew Center Report Honed In On Utah’s Decision To Put Money Aside For State Employee Post-Retirement Health Care And The State’s Real-Time Tracking System For The Use Of Taxpayer Dollars. “The report honed in on the fact Utah puts money aside for state employee post-retirement health care, while other states seem to be ignoring the problem. It also mentioned the state's real-time financial tracking system that supplies up-to-the-minute data on where taxpayers' dollars go.” (Suzanne Struglinski, “Utah Earns No. 1 Spot For Government Management,” Deseret Morning News, 3/4/08)

Mitt Romney Holds Town Hall Meetings in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday, December 17, 2011

Mitt Romney Holds Town Hall Meetings in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday

Boston, MA – On Saturday, Mitt Romney will hold town hall meetings in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Event: Mitt Romney Holds a Town Hall Meeting

When: 9:15 AM EST

Location:                 

Memminger Auditorium
56 Beaufain Street
Charleston, South Carolina
 
Event:  Mitt Romney Holds a Town Hall Meeting        

When: 2:20 PM EST

Location:                 

Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Grand Strand Campus Conference Center
743 Hemlock Avenue
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Ron Paul Iowa Team Names New ‘Veterans For Ron Paul’ Coalition Members

Ron Paul Iowa Team Names New ‘Veterans For Ron Paul’ Coalition Members  
Hawkeye State heroes hail from Hamilton, Henry, and Pottawattamie Counties

ANKENY, Iowa – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today new members of its “Veterans for Ron Paul” nationwide coalition.
 
Ron Paul, himself a veteran, believes national defense is the single most important responsibility the Constitution entrusts to the federal government.  His national defense policy of keeping America strong, secure, and respected has garnered the support of veterans in Iowa and nationally.
 
The new “Veterans for Ron Paul” coalition members hail from Hamilton, Henry, and Pottawattamie Counties.
 
Iraq War veteran Ryan Cook of Mount Pleasant proudly served in the United States Army for more than four years.
 
Drawn to Congressman Paul’s foreign policy positions Mr. Cook said, “Ron Paul understands that nation-building abroad is devastating in both human and financial costs.  We have lost over 4,000 American fathers, brothers, and sons after a decade overseas.  We have spent billions of American taxpayer dollars.  American families and taxpayers can no longer afford it.  Ron Paul understands that.”
  
Another supporter, retired Army Captain Gary Bruns, served more than six years in the military following the end of the Vietnam War.
 
“As an Air Force Veteran, Ron Paul took an oath to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  Dr. Paul’s record is clear – for decades he has supported a strong national defense.  I know he will represent me and veterans across the nation when he becomes president,” said Bruns, who resides in Council Bluffs. 
 
Finally there is Ray Frye, a U.S. Army veteran living in Williams. 
 
“Ron Paul has a pro-American foreign policy and believes in the values our nation was built upon.  He also understands that we need to end the kind of nation-building that increases our debt and sacrifices American lives,” said Mr. Frye.

Rick Santorum Releases First Iowa Statewide TV Advertisement, "Sing, Sing, Sing"

SANTORUM RELEASES STATEWIDE IOWA TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT TO BEGIN AIRING TONIGHT

Urbandale, IA - Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum released his first Iowa statewide TV advertisement, "Sing, Sing, Sing," focusing on Senator Santorum's commitment to traditional American values, his successes in fighting for conservative causes, and his commitment to protect America. This advertisement will begin airing across Iowa on Thursday.

TRANSCRIPT OF "SING, SING, SING":

He's Rick Santorum.

A loving husband, a devoted father, homeschooler and a man of deep faith.

He wrote the law that banned partial birth abortions.

Overhauled America's welfare system.

And no one has done more to protect America from Iran's growing threat than Rick Santorum.

It's no wonder Palin, Beck and Huckabee are singing his praises.

Now it's your turn to join the fight.

I'm Rick Santorum and I approve this message.

Ron Paul Endorsed by Mayor-Elect Shawn Dietz of Hampton, Iowa #iacaucus

Ron Paul Endorsed by Mayor-Elect Shawn Dietz of Hampton
Franklin County Tea Party co-founder and county GOP vice chair calls Paul “honest and consistent”

ANKENY, Iowa – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today that Mayor-Elect Shawn Dietz of the City of Hampton, located in Franklin County, has endorsed Ron Paul for the presidency.
 
In making his endorsement, the mayor-elect cited Paul’s ‘Plan to Restore America,’ as well as a full complement of issue stances that distinguish the 12-term Congressman from Texas from other Republican competitors.

“We’re pleased that incoming Mayor Dietz has endorsed Ron Paul, and has done so with such conviction,” said Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Chairman Drew Ivers, referring to the mayor-elect’s attached letter.  “Endorsements by Iowa’s political, faith and civic leaders are what promise to propel us to a strong top-three showing in the caucus.”
 
Mayor-Elect Dietz is co-founder of the Franklin County Tea Party, and Vice Chair of the Franklin County Republican Central Committee.  A former factory worker who was laid off due to 2008 government-imposed economic collapse, he also is a husband and father of three children.
 
The full text of Mayor-Elect Dietz’s letter to Iowans follows:
 
To my fellow Iowans:
 
With our nation's founding principles in jeopardy of extinction, elections at all levels of government are increasingly more imperative to the survival of our Republic; none more visible and important than that of the office of President of the United States.
 
Only one Republican Presidential candidate has provided a detailed plan of how he proposes to make major Federal Government spending cuts, $1 Trillion in his first year as President.
 
Only one Republican Presidential candidate has presented logical plans to address important issues to my family, my neighbors, and myself; such issues as national security, illegal immigration, life, monetary policy, foreign policy, debt, and ending overseas nation building.
 
Only one Republican Presidential candidate has been honest and consistent in his positions for 30+ years.
 
Only one Republican Presidential candidate continues to fight unapologetically for the restoration of American Government to the United States Constitution.
 
Only one Republican Presidential candidate unconditionally supports our troops by promising to immediately bring them home to their families where they belong.
 
Only one politician in my lifetime, and likely for many generations, has so accurately and passionately represented the self-evident Truths laid out in the Declaration of Independence; "...that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..."
 
I’ve asked myself this question, WHY do I love this country? The answer was simple. Liberty. The next question was who to support for President in 2012. Today it is with great pride as a co-founder of the Franklin County Tea Party, as the Vice Chair of the Franklin County Republican Central Committee, and as the Mayor-Elect of the City of Hampton, Iowa that I officially announce my endorsement of the Champion of the Constitution, Texas Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul for President in 2012. Please join me at the January 3rd Iowa Caucus and vote to Restore America Now with a vote for Ron Paul…
 
For Liberty!
 
Shawn Dietz
Mayor-Elect
Hampton, Iowa

Statement From Herman Cain In Response To Continued Media Enquiries

Statement From Herman Cain

In response to continued media enquiries Herman Cain released the following statement:

“I am no longer a candidate for elected office, nor have I been since suspending my campaign almost two weeks ago. Having millions of Americans supporting my candidacy and solutions for our country was humbling and immensely gratifying”, said Herman Cain. “Though my candidacy has ended, I continue debating the appropriate role of government in society and fighting for more fiscal discipline and solutions to America's problems.”