2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to Address Republican Midwest Leadership Conference Oct. 7-8, 2011

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to Address Republican Midwest Leadership Conference Oct. 7-8.
Gov. Branstad was a government reformer before it was cool, says MNGOP Chairman Sutton

St. Paul – The Republican Party of Minnesota announced today that Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa will be among the guest speakers at the Republican Midwest Leadership conference, October 7-8, 2011 at the Bloomington Double Tree by Hilton Hotel.

Gov. Branstad was Iowa’s longest-serving governor from 1983 to 1999. As the state’s chief executive, he lead the state’s resurgence to a booming economy in the ‘90s. At the end of his tenure, Iowa enjoyed record employment, an unprecedented $900 million budget surplus, and the enactment of historic government overhauls that led to greater efficiencies in state government. In October of 2009, sensing a need for change in the way state government operates and wanting to “lead Iowa’s comeback”, Branstad retired as President of Des Moines University.. He beat the Democrat incumbent by a nearly 10 percent margin and took office in January of this year.

“Terry Branstad was a government reformer before it was cool,” said MNGOP chairman Tony Sutton. “His impressive record resulted from making some hard decisions on government reforms and standing up to government unions. Having him back at the helm of our neighbor to the south at this critical time in our country’s history is good for the Midwest and the nation.”

“Gov. Branstad’s ‘then and now’ perspective of returning our states and nation to prosperity will be valuable for activists and policy makers moving forward,” Sutton added.

Gov. Branstad joins Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin as sitting governors who will address the conference.

The Midwest Leadership Conference will gather 1,500 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 trainings, and speeches by notable conservative leaders.

Newt Gingrich to Campaign in New Hampshire on Thursday, August 25, 2011

In NH, Gingrich to Highlight New Approach to Save Tax dollars
Continues to Offer Leadership Now for Debt Crisis

Atlanta, GA – On Thursday, Aug. 25, Newt Gingrich will visit the Manchester, New Hampshire production facility of Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies to observe how the company uses Lean/ Six Sigma processes in its manufacturing and business processes to improve quality, reduce waste and gain operational efficiencies. Gingrich is advocating Lean/ Six Sigma be applied to the federal bureaucracy to save taxpayers money and eliminate unnecessary waste and abuse.
 
Thursday, August 25th

1:00 p.m. ET - Participate in a plant tour and employee gathering at Freudenberg-NOK’s Manchester facility.  The company is located near the Manchester Airport at 50 Ammon Drive in Manchester.

Ron Paul Campaign Welcomes Bruce Fein as Senior Advisor

Ron Paul Campaign Welcomes Constitutional Law Heavyweight Bruce Fein as Senior Advisor
Commentator, analyst to consult on legal issues

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign announced today that constitutional and international law expert Bruce Fein will join the campaign as senior advisor on legal matters.
 
“Bruce Fein’s participation adds to our campaign’s already intellectual heft, enabling us to more broadly engage the conversation about constitutionality, civil liberties and the dangers to national security of an increasingly interventionist foreign policy,” said Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.
 
Mr. Fein served as associate deputy attorney and general counsel to the Federal Communications Commission under President Ronald Reagan.  He served as Research Director for Republicans on the Joint Congressional Committee on Covert Arms Sales to Iran, and on the American Bar Associations Committee on Presidential Signing Statements.  He has been a Visiting Fellow for Constitutional Studies at the Heritage Foundation and an adjunct scholar at American Enterprise Institute.  He has advised numerous countries on constitutional reform, including South Africa, Hungary and Russia.
 
Mr. Fein graduated from Harvard Law School with honors in 1972.  He has worked in and out of government in Washington, D.C. for 39 years, and penned a weekly column for The Washington Times for more than two decades.  He is a frequent witness before Congress.
 
Mr. Fein is the founding member of Bruce Fein & Associates, Inc., and is a principal of a public advocacy organization, The Lichfield Group.
 
He is the author of Constitutional Peril:  The Life and Death Struggle for our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire Before The Fall.
 
About his appointment, Mr. Fein stated:  “I am honored to advance the Republican presidential aspirations of Ron Paul.  He is the only candidate in the field who understands and practices the constitutional principles and philosophy of the Founding Fathers that made this nation a government of the people, by the people, for the people.  He is the only candidate who knows that limited government and war are antonyms, not synonyms.  He is the only candidate who repudiates aimless, endless wars at extravagant expense.  And Dr. Paul is the only candidate that recognizes that the glory of a Republic is liberty, not domination.”        

Rick Perry to Attend Polk County Republicans Summer Picnic on August 27, 2011

Rick Perry to Attend Polk GOP Picnic

Texas Governor Rick Perry, recently announced Presidential candidate,  will be saddling up to the Polk County  Republicans at their second annual Summer Picnic this Saturday,  at the Iowa State Fairgrounds’ Jalapeno Pete’s restaurant on Saturday, August 27,  5-7:30 p.m.
 
“This event promises to be lively,” said Kevin McLaughlin, Polk County Republican Chairman.  He noted that other U.S. Presidential candidates who just couldn’t get enough of the beautiful Iowa State Fairgrounds’ locale will include announced presidential candidates  U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter.  Former New York Governor George Pataki will also be speaking to the Republicans.
 
Other local officials at the picnic will include Iowa state senators Jack Whitver and Brad Zaun as well as state representatives Erik Helland, Kevin Koester and Scott Raecker.  Polk County Supervisor E.J. Giovanetti will make brief remarks.

Iowa Public Policy Polling. Perry 22%, Romney 19%, Bachmann 18%, Paul 16%

Perry takes the lead in Iowa
Rick Perry is the new leader in Iowa:

August 23, 2011

The race is pretty close four ways in Iowa but Rick Perry is the new favorite among Republican voters in the state. Among announced candidates he's at 22% to 19% for Mitt Romney, 18% for Michele Bachmann, and 16% for Ron Paul. Further back are Herman Cain at 7%, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum at 5%, and Jon Huntsman at 3%.
 
If you throw Sarah Palin into the mix the numbers are pretty similar with Perry at 21%, Romney at 18%, Bachmann at 15%, Paul at 12%, and Palin registering at only 10%.

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/08/perry-takes-lead-in-iowa.html

Governor George Pataki to Attend Polk County Republican Picnic

Governor George Pataki to Attend Polk County Republican Picnic

Des Moines, Iowa - 8/23/2011 - Former New York Governor George Pataki who is seriously considering a bid for President of the United States, will be one of the  featured speakers at the Polk County Republicans' Second Annual Summer Picnic at the Iowa State Fairgrounds' Jalapeno Pete's restaurant on Saturday, August 27,
5-7:30 p.m. 

Governor George Pataki will be joined by two U.S. Presidential candidates Thaddeus McCotter and Ron Paul as well as state and local officials.

A spokesman for Pataki says the Republican is taking a harder look at running for President, saying Democratic President Obama is faltering and the Republican field is thin."

Spokesman David Catalfamo says several factors are in play as the 66- year- old Pataki again considers a white house run."Among them are what Pataki considers Obama's lack of a serious plan to deal with the nation's debt."

As Governor of New York, he saw firsthand how a budget deficit can derail an economic recovery. Governor Pataki inherited a $5 billion budget deficit and turned it into a $2 billion surplus without raising taxes. Hewas able to cut 19 taxes 81 times. The results? A booming economy that added 700,000 private sector jobs.
 
Governor Pataki understands that an economic recovery requires tackling the debt head-on and making tough and decisive decisions. Governor Pataki never lost an election because voters rewarded him for balancing the budget every year, cutting taxes, and creating private sector jobs.

Jon Huntsman Web Video Titled, "Take It From Me."

Take It From Me: The President Failed

Over the weekend Governor Huntsman taped interviews on "This Week" with Jake Tapper filling in for Christiane Amanpour and Piers Morgan Tonight. Governor Huntsman reiterated what all Americans already know about the Obama Administration - it has failed.

We were so pleased with his performance that we released the following web video titled, "Take It From Me."

JHFP VIDEO: "Take It From Me"

RELEASED: 8/23/2011

TRT: 35 SECONDS

PUBLIC YOUTUBE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waZyWqGh0NI

SCRIPT:

JON HUNTSMAN:   Right now we’ve got people on the fringes; President Obama is too far to the left. [ABC's This Week, 8/21/2011]

CHYRON:   On Barack Obama…

JON HUNTSMAN:  Zero leadership on display in terms of the President, who should’ve used the bully pulpit well ahead of time.  [ABC's This Week, 8/21/2011]

CHYRON:   On Barack Obama…

JON HUNTSMAN: He should’ve walked away from the teleprompter. [ABC's This Week, 8/21/2011]

JON HUNTSMAN: He had two and a half years to do the most important thing demanded by the American people:  Fix the economy, create an environment that is conducive to job growth, and he has failed us. He is a good man, he is earnest, but he has failed us on the most important issue of our day. [CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, 8/22/2011]

CHYRON: Take It From Me...The President Failed.

Mitt Romney Travels To New Hampshire To Hold Town Hall Meetings And A Business Roundtable

Mitt Romney Travels To New Hampshire To Hold Town Hall Meetings And A Business Roundtable

Boston, MA – On Wednesday, Mitt Romney will travel to New Hampshire to hold two town hall meetings and a business roundtable.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Event: Mitt Romney Holds A Town Hall Meeting

When: 12:00 PM EDT

Location:                 

Keene Recreation Center
312 Washington Street
Keene, New Hampshire

Event: Mitt Romney Holds A Business Roundtable

When: 3:00 PM EDT

Location:                 

The Common Man
21 Water Street
Claremont, New Hampshire


Event: Mitt Romney Holds A Town Hall Meeting

When: 5:30 PM EDT

Location:                 

Lebanon Senior Center
10 Campbell Street
Lebanon, New Hampshire

Ron Paul and Thaddeus McCotter to Attend Polk County Republicans' Summer Picnic on August 27, 2011

Ron Paul and Thaddeus McCotter to Attend Polk County Republicans' Summer Picnic on August 27, 2011

Polk County Republicans Summer Picnic
 
Des Moines, Iowa - August 22, 2011 - Congressman and Presidential Candidate Ron Paul has confirmed his appearance and will be speaking at the Polk County Republicans' Summer Picnic on August 27, 2011 at Jalapeno Pete's at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Congressman Paul just confirmed his attendance at the event that will also be attended by fellow Representative and Presidential Candidate Thaddeus McCotter.

SC Labor Day Candidate American Principles Project Palmetto Freedom Forum Draws Top Republican Presidential Contenders

SC Labor Day Candidate Forum Draws Top Republican Presidential Contenders

U.S. Senator Jim DeMint Confirms U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, Businessman Herman Cain, U.S. Representative Ron Paul and Texas Governor Rick Perry WILL ALL appear in Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC – The Advisory Committee of the American Principles Project Palmetto Freedom Forum extended official invitations to the following top Republican contenders today: Minnesota U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, Businessman Herman Cain, Former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich, Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Texas U. S. Representative Ron Paul, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. All of these candidates were at or above the 5%
threshold in the realclearpolitics.com 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination RCP average at 1pm this afternoon, and therefore all qualified for invitations to the Labor Day afternoon event. Qualified candidates will have until Wednesday, August 24th at 5pm to confirm their
attendance with the Advisory Committee.

“I am very excited about the initial response and thrilled to be able to already announce that Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Ron Paul and Rick Perry have confirmed their attendance in Columbia for this important event. This forum will allow candidates to get past the 30 second
sound bites and have an open dialogue with concerned citizens. Hopefully, this event will be an important part of the process to choose the next President of the United States,” said U.S. Senator Jim DeMint.

The American Principles Project Palmetto Freedom Forum will follow a unique format, designed to allow invited candidates to engage in a thoughtful, substantive discussion of their stances on critical issues facing our country. Candidates will be on the stage one-at-a-time and will
participate in a question and answer session with three panelists: U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), U.S. Representative Steve King (R-IA), and Dr. Robert P. George, founder of the American Principles Project and McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University. The event will be moderated by David Stanton, a veteran of South Carolina presidential events and a well-known, respected former local news anchor.

This forum is being sponsored by the American Principles Project and will take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina on September 5th at 3pm. It is an invitation-only ticketed event, but South Carolina Educational Television has agreed to broadcast the event live, statewide on their South Carolina Channel.