2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Endorses Rick Perry for President

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Endorses Perry for President
 
TAMPA, Fla. - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal today endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry for president, praising the candidate’s unmatched record of job creation, lower taxes and smaller government.
 
“Rick Perry is the candidate who can lead our party to victory in 2012,” said Gov. Jindal. “His record on job creation simply cannot be beat, and the one million jobs he’s helped create as governor is a stark contrast to the 2.4 million jobs lost on President Obama’s watch. President Obama promised hope, but he simply hasn’t delivered. Rick Perry will bring our country more than hope – he’ll get America working again.”
 
As Governor, Rick Perry has helped build the nation’s top economy. Since June 2009, Texas is responsible for nearly 40 percent of the net new jobs in America.
 
“I truly appreciate Gov. Jindal’s endorsement because he is a leader who knows what it takes to rebuild an economy and restore people’s confidence,” said Gov. Perry. “His efforts to cut taxes and reduce unreasonable regulations are helping the Louisiana economy grow, and that is exactly what I aim to do for America. I look forward to continuing to work with him throughout this campaign, and with his help, we’ll get America working again.”

Karl Rove to address Republican Midwest Leadership Conference Oct. 7-8.

Karl Rove to address Republican Midwest Leadership Conference Oct. 7-8.

“The Architect” will share with conference attendees lessons learned from his “life in the conservative fight”

St. Paul - The Republican Party of Minnesota confirmed today that Karl Rove, Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, will address attendees of the Republican Midwest Leadership Conference, October 7-8, 2011 at the Bloomington Double Tree by Hilton Hotel.

“One is tempted to introduce Karl Rove with the cliché ‘a man who needs no introduction,’” said MNGOP ChairmanTony Sutton, “but that would do Karl a grave injustice. Even his critics tend to underestimate the extent of his accomplishments and his influence on American politics.”

“People tend to view Karl as if he were suddenly dropped out of the sky as a political superstar,” said Sutton. “The fact is, like the activists attending the Midwest Leadership conference, Karl got his start working for candidates up and down political tickets. What he learned, what he will share with conference attendees, has provided conservative Republicans with a blueprint for winning elections and pullingAmericaback on course.”

Before Rove became known as “The Architect” of President Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns, he was president of Karl Rove + Company, an Austin-based public affairs firm that worked for Republican candidates, non-partisan causes, and non-profit groups. His clients included over 75 Republican U.S. Senate, Congressional, and gubernatorial candidates in 24 states and the Moderate Party of Sweden.

Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. At the White House he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process. Today he retains his influence as a Fox News contributor and a Wall Street Journal columnist. He authored the New York Times Bestseller, “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight.” He has written for various publications, including The Daily Beast, Financial Times, Forbes, FoxNews.com, HumanEvents.com, Newsweek, The Times, Washington Post, and The Weekly Standard.

Rove joins a speaker lineup that includes Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, syndicated talk show host Jason Lewis, and political commentator Michael Reagan.

The Midwest Leadership Conference will gather Republican leaders and activists from Republican National Committee's Midwest Region - Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota -and around the nation. The conference includes speeches by GOP presidential hopefuls, activist training sessions, and speeches by notable conservative leaders.

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Ron Paul to Hold Town Halls in Council Bluffs, Sioux City and Spencer, Iowa on September 20, 2011

Ron Paul to Hold Town Halls in Council Bluffs, Sioux City and Spencer, Iowa on September 20, 2011
Also appears live in-studio on WHO Radio

ANKENY, Iowa – The Iowa component of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign announced today that Dr. Paul will return to Iowa for a series of town hall events on Tuesday, September 20th.
 
During the daylong visit, Dr. Paul will first appear live in-studio with WHO Radio’s Jan Mickelson before holding public events.
 
Details of the events are as follows.  All times Central.
 
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
 
10:00 a.m.
Appears live in-studio w/ Jan Mickelson
WHO Radio              
2141 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312
 
12:00 p.m.
Council Bluffs Town Hall Meeting
Iowa Western Community College
Looft Hall Auditorium
2700 College Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
 
2:00 p.m.
Sioux City Town Hall Meeting
River's Bend Convention Center (Salon C)
Stoney Creek Inn
300 3rd Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
 
4:00 p.m.
Spencer Town Hall Meeting
Clay County Regional Events Center (Rooms A & B)
800 West 18th Street
Spencer, IA  51301

Mitt Romney Endorses Orrin Hatch In Utah Senate Reelection Bid

Mitt Romney Endorses Orrin Hatch In Utah Senate Reelection Bid

SALT LAKE CITY, UT/WASHINGTON, DC – Mitt Romney today announced that he is backing U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in his bid for reelection to the United States Senate.
 
"Orrin is a committed public servant who always puts the people of Utah first," said Romney. "America faces tremendous challenges. But I know that with Orrin Hatch at the helm of the Senate Finance Committee, we can chart a better course for our country built on strong pro-growth policies of low taxes, robust economic growth and much-needed jobs. I couldn't be prouder to endorse him in his reelection bid."
 
"I'm deeply humbled by Mitt's support. He is a man I deeply admire and whom I know would lead our nation out of the economic mess we are in today," said Hatch. "As Chairman of the Finance Committee, I'm going to bring common-sense Utah values of hard work, thrift and limited government to put America back on track."
 
Hatch is currently the Ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee that has jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, pensions, and tax policy. If Republicans take back the Senate in 2012, Hatch would become Chairman.

Bachmann to Appear on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" Tonight Following the CNN-Tea Party GOP Presidential Debate

Bachmann to Appear on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" Tonight Following the CNN-Tea Party GOP Presidential Debate

Tampa, Fla. – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann will appear on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" on Monday, September 12 at 10 pm ET following the CNN-Tea Party Debate in Tampa, Florida. With show host Greta Van Susteren, Bachmann will discuss the GOP debate and President Obama's jobs plan.

Monday, September 12, 2011

EVENT: WHEN: WHERE:	CNN-Tea Party GOP Presidential Debate 8:00 pm ET Florida State Fairgrounds – Expo Hall 4800 US Hwy 301 N. Tampa, Fla.
EVENT: WHEN:	Post-debate interview with Greta Van Susteren 10:00 pm ET (Please check local listings for airtimes.)

CPAC Florida Schedule Announced. Michele Bachmann Will Speak At 9:45am on September 23, 2011

CPAC Florida Schedule of Events

Time
Room
Event

7:00 AM
Rosen Centre Hotel
ACU Chairman’s Breakfast
Keynote Speaker: Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the
U.S. House of Representatives (R-GA)
Please note: this is a private, ticketed event

8:30 AM
Main Stage
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation
National Anthem: Lou Galterio

8:45 AM
Main Stage
CPAC FL Welcome
Al Cardenas, American Conservative Union, Chairman

9:00 AM
Main Stage
Wayne LaPierre, National Rifle Association,
Executive Vice President

9:15 AM
Main Stage
David Bossie, Citizens United, President

9:30 AM
Main Stage
Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts Governor

9:45 AM
Main Stage
Michele Bachmann, U.S. Congresswoman (R-MN)

10:00 AM
Main Stage
Thaddeus McCotter, U.S. Congressman (R-MI)

10:15 AM
Main Stage
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the US House of
Representatives (R-GA)

10:30 - 11:30 AM
Breakout Room 1
Panel Discussion: An Inconvenient Truth? Can We Balance Our Energy Needs with Environmental Stewardship in a Post-BP Spill World?
• James Taylor, The Heartland Institute, Senior Fellow
(Moderator)
• Dean Cannon, Florida Speaker of the House
• Myron Ebell, Competitive Enterprise Institute,
Director of the Center for Energy and Environment
• Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

10:30 - 11:30 AM
Breakout
Room 2
Panel Discussion: Freedom, Competition & Schools:
How Florida is Leading the Next Generation of Bold
Education Reform
• Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of former
Gov. Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education
and the Foundation for Florida’s Future
• John Thrasher, Florida State Senator
• Will Weatherford, Florida Speaker Designate

10:30 - 11:30 AM
Training
Room 1
Americans for Prosperity: New Media Training
Social Media 101
Refreshments will be provided

10:30 - 11:30 AM
Training
Room 2
Americans for Prosperity: New Media Training
Using Humor for Effective Content
Refreshments will be provided
Main Stage
Breakout Room 1
Breakout Room 2
Training Room 1
Training Room 2
Citizens United Movie
September 23, 2011
Schedule subject to change

10:45 AM
Main Stage
Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator (R-FL)

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Citizens United Movie
Fire From The Heartland: The Awakening Of The Conservative Woman Starring Rep. Michele Bachmann

11:15 AM
Main Stage
Florida U.S. Senate Republican Primary Straw Poll Forum
Invited Participants:
• Adam Hasner, former State House Majority Leader
• George LeMieux, former U.S. Senator
• Mike McCalister, retired U.S. Army Colonel
• Craig Miller, former Ruth Chris’ Steak House CEO

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Breakout Room 1
Panel Discussion: Consent of the Governed:
The 2012 Political Landscape
• Bob Adams, League of American Voters,
Executive Director (Moderator)
• Tony Fabrizio, Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates,
Founding Partner
• Charlie Gerow, Quantum Communications, Owner
• David Keene, National Rifle Association, President and
former Chairman of the American Conservative Union
• Adam Smith, The St. Petersburg Times, Political Editor

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Breakout
Room 2
Panel Discussion: Florida’s Property Insurance “Reform”?
• Eli Lehrer, The Heartland Institute, Vice President
• Alan Hays, Florida State Senator
• Garrett Richter, Florida State Senator

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Training
Room 1
Americans for Prosperity: New Media Training
Importance of State & Local Journalism
Refreshments will be provided

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Training
Room 2
Americans for Prosperity: New Media Training
Creating & Maintaining an Effective Interactive Website
Refreshments will be provided

12:00 PM
Main Stage
Panel Discussion: Controlling Government Spending:
Would a Balanced Budget Amendment Work?
• Colin Hanna, Let Freedom Ring, President (Moderator)
• Dick Armey, FreedomWorks, Chairman
• Jeff Atwater, Florida Chief Financial Officer
• Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform, President

1:00 PM
Main Stage
Rick Perry, Texas Governor

1:15 PM
Main Stage
Gary Johnson, former New Mexico Governor

1:30 PM
Main Stage
Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA)

1:45 PM
Main Stage
Ron Paul, U.S. Congressman (R-TX)

2:00 PM
Main Stage
Herman Cain, Businessman

2:15 PM
Main Stage
Jon Huntsman, former Utah Governor

2:15 -
3:30 PM
Breakout Room 1
Panel Discussion: Defending Defense vs. Isolationism:
What is the Price of Freedom in the 21st Century?
• Jim Talent, The Heritage Foundation, Distinguished Fellow
and former U.S. Senator (R-MO)
• Donald Devine, Ph.D., American Conservative Union,
Vice Chairman
• Bill Kristol, The Weekly Standard, Editor

2:15 -
3:30 PM
Breakout
Room 2
Panel Discussion: The State of the Conservative Union:
The Present & Future of the Conservative Movement
& the Tea Party
• Matthew Spalding, The Heritage Foundation, Director of the
Center for American Studies and author of We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future (Moderator)
• Amy Kremer, Tea Party Express, Co-Chairman
• George Nash, Author and leading expert on the history of the conservative movement

2:15 -
3:15 PM
Training
Room 1
The Leadership Institute: Grassroots Activist Training
Building Coalitions & Recruiting Volunteers
Presented by Ryan Rhodes

2:15 -
3:45 PM
Citizens United Movie
Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny
Hosted By Newt & Callista Gingrich

2:45 PM
Main Stage
Rick Scott, Florida Governor

3:00 PM
Main Stage
Panel Discussion: Our Enduring Values – Faith, Family & Freedom: Should There Be a Truce on Social Issues
in 2012?
• Ralph Reed, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Chairman
(Introduction)
• John Stemberger, Florida Family Policy Council,
President (Moderator)
• Anitere Flores, Florida State Senator
• Niger Innis, Congress of Racial Equality,
National Spokesperson
• Jim Martin, 60 Plus Association, Chairman

3:15 -
4:15 PM
Training
Room 1
The Leadership Institute: Grassroots Activist Training
Organizing Successful Events
Presented by Nancy Bocskor

3:45 -
4:45 PM
Breakout Room 1
Panel Discussion: Health Care Freedom & Constitutionalism:
Reining in the Rogue Federal Government
• Jordan Sekulow, American Center for Law & Justice, Executive Director and national conservative radio host (Moderator)
• Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General
• Mike Haridopolos, Florida Senate President
• Bill McCollum, former Florida Attorney General
Schedule subject to change

3:45 -
4:45 PM
Breakout
Room 2
Panel Discussion: Recruiting the Next Generation of
Conservative Activists: Are Youth Awakening from an
Obama Hangover?
• Francisco Gonzalez, James Madison Institute,
Director of Development (Moderator)
• Patrick Coyle, Young America’s Foundation, Vice President
• Harold Hedrick, Florida Federation of College Republicans, Chairman
• Jeffery Nelson, Intercollegiate Studies Institute,
Executive Vice President
• Peret Pass, Florida Federation of Young Republicans, Chair
• Alex Schriver, College Republican National Committee,
National Chairman

4:00 PM
Main Stage
Luis Fortuño, Puerto Rico Governor

4:15 PM
Main Stage
Jennifer Carroll, Florida Lt. Governor

4:15 -
5:15 PM
Training
Room 1
The Leadership Institute: Grassroots Activist Training
GOTV: Planning Your Ground Game

4:30 PM
Main Stage
Results Announcement
Florida U.S. Senate Republican Primary Straw Poll

4:45 PM
Main Stage
Panel Discussion: The Lightning Round! Politics & Punditry
from Washington to Orlando
• Genevieve Wood, Heritage Foundation, Vice President -
Leadership for America Operations (Moderator)
• S.E. Cupp, Best-Selling Author, Columnist and Culture Critic
• Bill Kristol, The Weekly Standard, Editor

5:00 -
5:45 PM
Breakout Room 1
Panel Discussion: In the Grips of Communism:
Freedom of Expression in Cuba
Panelists for this discussion are To Be Announced

5:45 PM
Main Stage
Ann Coulter, Bestselling Author and Conservative Pundit

6:15 PM
Main Stage
CPAC FL Closing
Al Cardenas, American Conservative Union, Chairman

6:30 -
8:30 PM
3rd Floor Atrium
VIP Reagan Reception
Please note: This is a ticketed event

Mitt Romney Announces Labor Policy Advisory Group

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES LABOR POLICY ADVISORY GROUP

North Charleston, SC – Today, Mitt Romney announced that Peter Schaumber and William Kilberg will serve as Co-Chairs of his Labor Policy Advisory Group. The group will help Mitt Romney formulate pro-growth policies that promote the interests of workers and businesses by protecting the principles of free enterprise, free choice, and free speech. Romney discussed his vision for the future of labor policy, and its role in economic growth and job creation, today in North Charleston, South Carolina.

“Employees must have the freedom to choose whether or not to support a union, and business owners must have confidence that new investments and hiring will be profitable,” said Mitt Romney. “President Obama has pursued policies that benefit his Big Labor political allies at the expense of the economy. The valuable counsel from my Labor Policy Advisory Group has helped shape the policies I am proposing to return power from the labor bosses to the workers and businesses that can get our economy going again. I look forward to working with this team to further develop and introduce policies that will create the right environment for economic growth and job creation.”

“Mitt Romney’s extensive private sector experience has given him a unique understanding of the needs of both employees and employers, and the damage that unwise labor policy can do to that relationship,” said former NLRB Chairman Peter Schaumber. “The policies that he proposes will make significant strides in protecting the rights of workers while fostering a pro-growth environment that will create jobs.”

Background On The Co-Chairs Of Mitt Romney’s Labor Policy Advisory Group:

Peter Schaumber Served As The Chairman Of The National Labor Relations Board From 2008 To 2009. Schaumber was a member of the Board from 2002 to 2010. Prior to his service on the Board, Schaumber was a labor arbitrator serving on numerous industry panels and national arbitration rosters.

William Kilberg Served As The Solicitor Of Labor From 1973 To 1977. Kilberg is a member of the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Executive Committee and is the most senior partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Law practice. He is currently lead counsel for Boeing in a complaint brought by the NLRB challenging Boeing’s decision to open a new plant in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Tim Pawlenty: “My Endorsement: Mitt Romney For President”

TIM PAWLENTY: “MY ENDORSEMENT: MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT”

“My Endorsement: Mitt Romney For President”

By Tim Pawlenty

National Review Online
September 12, 2011
http://www.nationalreview.com

Great crises often produce great leaders. Unfortunately, sometimes the timing isn’t right, and neither is the leader.

Barack Obama came into office in the midst of a great economic crisis. Although hopes were high, he did not rise to the occasion. Now that the clouds of enthusiasm and excitement have parted, we see he was obviously unsuited for the task at hand.

President Obama has failed to meet America’s economic challenges.

His three years of spending, regulating and taxing have not restarted the economy. Unemployment remains at a shocking 9.1 percent. Economic growth is hovering on the edge of a renewed recession.

Abroad, the standing of the United States appears uncertain and adrift under the failed leadership of a president who prefers chastising allies to condemning foes.

Fortunately, America may get a second chance: Mitt Romney is running for president, and I am proud to endorse him.

Alone among the contenders, he possesses the unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament. His abiding faith in our country’s exceptional historical position as a beacon of freedom will make him the most important leader in a world that depends upon a strong America to stay at peace.

Having served as governor of Massachusetts, he turned that state’s budget around from deficit to surplus while simultaneously cutting taxes, but that is not the full measure of what he will bring to the presidency. His time in government was a moment of service — a way to give back to our country — following a distinguished career in the private sector, where he launched companies and turned around troubled ones.

When the 2002 Winter Olympics were on the verge of collapse thanks to a bid-rigging scandal, Romney was asked to take over. The attacks of September 11 created a security nightmare. Romney presided over a highly complex security mobilization, addressed the management troubles plaguing the games, and staged one of the most memorable competitions ever seen on American soil.

Romney is running for president because he is deeply committed to our country, troubled by its current condition, and I believe he can turn it around.

He’s formulated an economic plan — a set of alternatives to the government-oriented programs that Barack Obama has put in place — that is unparalleled in the history of American electoral campaigns. By pressing for fundamental change in the way that Washington taxes and spends, issues regulations, uses energy, interacts with our major trading partners, and deals with our labor force, he fully envisions a way to place America back on the path toward rapid economic growth and full employment.

And at his core, Mitt Romney is a man of great character. He and his wife Ann have been married for more than four decades. She is the love of his life. Together, they have five sons and 16 grandchildren.

But he’s not only a family man, he is a man of principle. He believes in the bedrock conservative ideals of limited government and free enterprise. He will stand up for America’s allies when they are threatened, with fortitude. And he will face down our adversaries. He is a formidable person, and he will certainly be a formidable president. Our allies can count on it, and our enemies should expect it.

Crises indeed produces great leaders. Sometimes it just takes awhile.

Mitt Romney Announces Tim Pawlenty As National Co-Chair

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES TIM PAWLENTY AS NATIONAL CO-CHAIR

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced that former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will serve as a National Co-Chair of his campaign.

To Watch Governor Pawlenty Endorse Mitt Romney On “Fox And Friends” This Morning Please See: http://mi.tt/rjY01x

“It is an honor to have Governor Pawlenty’s support,” said Mitt Romney. “Tim will be a trusted adviser as I move forward with my campaign. Tim has always been an advocate for lower taxes, reduced spending, and an environment where jobs can be created. It is an honor to have him serve as Co-Chair to my campaign for the presidency.”

“Mitt Romney is fighting for the same things I fought for as governor and during my campaign for president,” said Governor Pawlenty. “As a former blue state governor, I appreciate what Mitt was able to do in Massachusetts. He created jobs and balanced his budgets without raising taxes – even with an over eighty percent Democrat legislature. That ability to get things done is what we need in our nominee. In addition, he has a background which is unmatched – his understanding of the private sector proves he knows how jobs are created which will be critical in turning our economy around. I am proud to endorse his candidacy for president of the United States.”

McCotter Issues Statement on September 11th Anniversary

McCotter Issues Statement on September 11th Anniversary

Plymouth MI - Today, Presidential candidate and U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter issued the following statement on the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter made the following statement:

"Today, as every day, we remember and mourn our murdered fellow Americans; we pray with and for and support their loved ones who bear the ache of unfathomable loss; and, we reaffirm our devotion to the moral imperatives of defeating terrorism, defending life and advancing freedom."