2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

McCotter S&P Downgrade Statement

McCotter S&P Downgrade Statement

U.S. Representative and Republican Presidential candidate Thaddeus McCotter made the following statement on the downgrade of America’s credit rating:

Des Moines, IA – “The S&P downgrade blemishes our free Republic's revolutionary experiment in liberty and self-government; consequently, it heartens tyrants and terrorists.

“We must reject recriminations; and unite to squarely face and fully conquer the fiscal challenge that threatens our prosperity and security.

“For as this downgrade underscores, only by restructuring Big Government into citizen-government will we keep our nation the world's leading economy and affirm American Exceptionalism throughout the 21st Century.”

Santorum Comments on Downgrade of U.S. Debt

Santorum Comments on Downgrade of U.S. Debt
 
Urbandale, IA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) made the following statement in response to S&P's decision to downgrade U.S. debt from AAA Rating.

"If this downgrade holds, then it's another example in a long line of examples of the President's failure of leadership. Is anyone surprised at this point? There are 14 million people out of work and looking to the White House for answers - but they are receiving nothing but a blank stare.  The markets are scared and the credit downgrade has happened because the President and this Congress continue to address the symptoms and not the disease.  This nation is spending more money than it takes in and the world knows it - now, it's time to show the world that the United States has the fortitude and resolve to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to stop out of control spending and shrink the scope of government once and for all. The deal the President cut with Congress was supposed to avoid this downgrade but all it did was once again kick the can down the road. 
 
President Obama and his Administration have been a failure.
 
I understand the US Treasury is going back to Standard and Poors to say that a two trillion dollar mathematical error by S&P contributed to the downgrade. So, in addition to blaming President Bush for all of its problems, now the White House is blaming S&P - but this happened on the President's watch - and he has to deal with it. I guess President Obama is left to cling to the "hope" that a mathematical error caused this. Is that the "hope" the President was talking about?
 
Folks, an AA rating should be so far in our rear view mirror that no mathematical error should affect it. 
 
Tonight, I'm saddened for the millions out of work - but I'm hopeful that I will replace Barack Obama as President and get this country and its economy moving again."

Ron Paul Issues Statement on S&P Downgrading of U.S. Credit Rating

Ron Paul Issues Statement on S&P Downgrading of U.S. Credit Rating
“Washington must take heed, and act to restore America”

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Today, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul issued a statement in response to the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s decision to downgrade the United States’ credit rating from AAA for the first time in history. The ratings agency has removed the United States government from its list of risk-free borrowers, citing concern about the rising burden of long-term federal debt.
See comments below.

“We have just learned that for the first time in our history, the United States’ top credit rating has been downgraded by credit rating agency S&P.

“We were told by proponents of increasing the debt ceiling that a credit downgrade would come if we didn’t raise the limit, but the opposite was true.

“The ratings agencies had been warning us for some time that it is imperative upon the U.S. government to get its fiscal house in order and tackle its debt and deficit problem by taking serious steps.

“Unfortunately, the game in Washington has been one of partisan blaming and bipartisan out-of-control spending.

“America has been dealing with this severe economic crisis for years because the Washington establishment failed to focus on the true issues at hand: a declining dollar and out-of-control spending.

“Last November, millions of frustrated Americans let it be known that they wanted our debt crisis solved and our spending problem to end. They sent a group of new lawmakers to Washington to end business as usual.

“But the old crowd of elites still refuses to budge on doing everything it takes to get us out of this hole they’ve dug. Instead of real substantial budget cuts, we get minor or ‘fake’ cuts and budget tricks that may or may not happen far off into the future. We get a Congress that abdicates its responsibility to an unconstitutional ‘Super Congress’ with the power to make things worse than they already are.

“The American people realize that our nation can no longer afford to stay on this same path of reckless spending and follow the status quo of Washington. They will not tolerate any further ineffective stimulus schemes that do nothing to help our economy and actually do the opposite to the tune of trillions of dollars in money being spent and printed, and millions of people remaining unemployed and without much economic stability or security.

“If Washington refuses to take heed, there is little cause for optimism.

“Growing inflation, rising gasoline and food prices, and trillion-dollar budget deficits will all soon seem like minor issues if our nation does not immediately change our monetary and spending policies.

“We must take bold actions to reduce out-of-control government spending, and get the federal government out of the way of small business and entrepreneurs so that they can start hiring again.

“If elected President, I pledge to veto any unbalanced budget and to balance the federal budget in the first year of my term. I will fight to reduce taxes and remove unconstitutional regulations so that businesses can hire, Americans can get back to work, and our economy can truly recover.”

Cain Responds to Credit Downgrade

Cain Responds to Credit Downgrade

(Stockbridge, GA)- Republican presidential candidate and renowned business leader Herman Cain issued the following statement in response to the Standard & Poor downgrade of U.S. credit from AAA to AA+ saying:

On Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner promised that America faced "no risk" of a credit downgrading. Less than six months later, he is proven shamefully wrong. As I have feared for months, the S&P has chosen to downgrade America's credit rating from AAA, which we have always enjoyed, to AA+.

Perhaps this is because the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats never once demonstrated a willingness to propose its own ideas for meaningful spending cuts, something credit agencies signaled were necessary to redeem America's financial standing in the world.

As a corporate executive, I've rescued companies from the brink of bankruptcy and returned them to profitability. That involved balancing budgets or even creating them in the first place, something that the Democratic leadership in Congress hasn't done for 828 days. If I couldn't run companies without budgets, how can the government?

I also had to make tough budgetary cuts to save companies. Leadership is about doing what's right, even when it's difficult. But somehow, that sort of idea was never floated among those within the Obama Administration.

Now, Americans are fearful for their retirements and for their children's educational savings. This is a country known for dreamers and innovators, for thinkers and doers. And now, we are a nation living in fear.

This is a sad day for America. Such a rating is unfitting of the greatest and most prosperous nation the world has ever known. And such a weak leader is, as well.

Bachmann Comments on Standard & Poor's Decision to Downgrade the U.S. Credit Rating

Bachmann Comments on Standard & Poor's Decision to Downgrade the U.S. Credit Rating
Calls on the President to fire Geithner and submit plans to balance the budget

Dexter, Iowa - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann issued the following statement in light of Standard & Poor's (S&P) decision to downgrade the U.S. credit rating for the first time in U.S. history:

“Tonight’s decision by S&P to downgrade our credit rating to AA+ is a historically significant and serious event for the United States. The United States has had a AAA credit rating since 1917. That rating has endured the great depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. This President has destroyed the credit rating of the United States through his failed economic policies and his inability to control government spending by raising the debt ceiling.

“We were warned by all of the credit agencies that a failure to deal with our debt would lead to a downgrade in our credit rating, but instead he submitted a budget that had a $1.5 trillion deficit and then requested a $2.4 trillion blank check. President Obama is destroying the foundations of the U.S. economy one beam at a time. I call on the President to seek the immediate resignation of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and to submit a plan with a list of cuts to balance the budget this year, turn our economy around and put Americans back to work."

Gary Johnson For President Campaign Announces That They Will Not Participate In The Ames Straw Poll.

JOHNSON CAMPAIGN: AMES STRAW POLL NOT WHAT WE ARE ABOUT

August 5, 2011, Manchester, NH -- The Gary Johnson for President campaign announced today that Governor Johnson will not be traveling to Iowa next week and will not participate in the Ames Straw Poll.

Announcing the decision, Ron Nielson, senior campaign advisor, said,  “Governor Johnson  is currently campaigning hard in New Hampshire.  Last week we doubled the size of our staff operation in the Granite State, and we are making a strategic decision to spend our resources and time doing retail politics in New Hampshire. 

"The Johnson campaign is not abandoning Iowa, as only last week Governor Johnson participated for his second year in RAGRRAI activities.  That, however, is a very different thing than participating in a straw poll, months before the caucuses.  The Ames Straw poll has much more to do with organizing bus loads of supporters than it does with ideas and solutions to our country's economic problems, or the even the electability of candidates.

“We certainly don’t begrudge the Iowa GOP for sponsoring what has become a very successful fundraising activity, but we simply cannot and will not buy into an event  that has been granted far more status in the nomination process than it should have.  Our campaign is about ideas and providing real solutions.   We are giving a voice to Republicans and Independents who aren’t satisfied with politics as usual, whether they are in Iowa, New Hampshire, California, or wherever.  Asking supporters in Iowa to buy tickets and show up for an event six months before the caucuses is just not a part of providing that voice – or our campaign.

“Governor Johnson is in New Hampshire meeting with voters, visiting workers and sharing his ideas for turning the country around.  That is, and will continue to be, his focus, and a pay-to-play straw poll is really not part of that agenda.

Mitt Romney Statement On S&P Downgrade

MITT ROMNEY STATEMENT ON S&P DOWNGRADE

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today released the following statement on Standard & Poor’s rating downgrade:

“America’s creditworthiness just became the latest casualty in President Obama’s failed record of leadership on the economy. Standard & Poor’s rating downgrade is a deeply troubling indicator of our country’s decline under President Obama. His failed policies have led to high unemployment, skyrocketing deficits, and now, the unprecedented loss of our nation’s prized AAA credit rating. Today, President Obama promised that ‘things will get better.’ But it has become increasingly clear that the only way things will get better is with new leadership in the White House.”

Jon Huntsman Statement Regarding the S&P Downgrade

Jon Huntsman Statement Regarding the S&P Downgrade

Orlando - Jon Huntsman issued the following statement regarding the S&P downgrade:

"Out-of-control spending and a lack of leadership in Washington have resulted in President Obama presiding over the first downgrade of the United States credit rating in our history. For far too long we have let reckless government spending go unchecked and the cancerous debt afflicting our nation has spread. We need new leadership in Washington committed to fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget, and job-friendly policies to get America working again."

Rick Santorum Iowa "Courage to Fight for American Values" Public Schedule August 6-13, 2011

Rick Santorum Iowa "Courage to Fight for American Values" Public Schedule August 6-13, 2011

Saturday, August 6th

10:00AM – 11:00AM
 
Altoona Town Hall Mtg
Location: Hy-Vee, 2nd Floor Mtg Room
108 8th Street Southwest, Altoona

4:00PM – 6:00PM

Road to Ames Barn Bash
3275 400th St, Roland, Iowa

Sunday, August 7th

10:00AM – 12:00PM
 
Speak at Cornerstone Worldwide Outreach
1625 Glen Ellen Road, Sioux City

5:00PM – 6:30PM
 
Algona House Party
Location: Home of Jim and Sheila Black
1603 200th Street, Algona, IA

Monday, August 8th

8:00AM – 9:00AM
 
Ames Town Hall Mtg
Location: Café Diem, Main Street Ames

10:15AM – 11:15AM
 
Webster City Town Hall Mtg
Location: Whoop-Ti-Doos & La-Ti-Daas
626 2nd Street, Webster City
 
12:00PM – 1:00PM
 
Iowa Falls Town Hall Mtg
Location: HY- VEE Deli, 632 S Oak Street, Iowa Falls
 
2:30PM – 3:30PM

Mason City Town Hall Mtg
Location: Mason City Public Library
EMN Class Room, 225 2nd Street, SE, Mason City, IA

4:30PM – 5:30PM
 
Charles City Town Hall Mtg
Location: Floyd County Historical Museum
Conference Room, 500 Gilbert Street, Charles City

6:30PM – 7:30PM
 
Waverly Town Hall Mtg
Location: Waverly Public Library
Bremer Room, 1500 W. Bremer Avenue, Waverly

Tuesday, August 9th

8:00AM – 9:00AM
 
Cedar Falls Town Hall Mtg
Location: PIPAC Centre
1521 Technology Pkwy, Cedar Falls, IA

10:00AM – 11:00AM
 
Independence Town Hall Mtg
Location: Independence Senior Center
Main Dining Area, 400 5th Ave NE, Independence, IA

12:00PM – 1:00PM
 
Oelwein Town Hall Mtg
Location: Oelwein Public Library
201 E. Charles, Oelwein, IA

1:30PM – 2:30PM
 
Strawberry Point Town Hall Mtg
Location: Franklin Hotel
102 Elkader Street, Strawberry Point

3:30PM – 4:30PM
 
Manchester Town Hall Mtg
Location: Pizza Ranch

5:00PM – 5:30PM
 
Visit "Field of Dreams" Movie Site
Location: 28995 Lansing Road, Dyersville, IA

6:30PM – 7:30PM
 
Dubuque Town Hall Mtg
Location: Clarke College, Atrium Conference Room
1550 Clarke Drive, Dubuque, IA

Wednesday, August 10th

8:15am CT: Senator Santorum will take part in the FRC Action Bus Tour Stop in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Location:

Cedar Rapids Marriott
1200 Collins Road NE
Cedar Rapids, IA

10:00am CT: Senator Santorum will host a town hall meeting in Anamosa, IA.

Location:

Lawrence Community Center
600 East Main Street
Anamosa, IA

2:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will host a town hall meeting in Hiawatha, IA.

Location:

Hiawatha Public Library
Glenn Schminke Community Room
150 West Willman Street
Hiawatha, IA

Thursday, August 11th

10:00am CT: The Santorum Family will eat breakfast at the Machine Shed in Urbandale, IA.

Location:

Machine Shed Restaurant
11151 Hickman Road
Urbandale, IA

12:00pm CT:  Senator Santorum will be the featured guest at a lunch hosted by Brown Winick Law Firm in Des Moines, IA.

Location:

Brown Winick
666 Grand Avenue, #2000
Des Moines, IA

8:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will take part in the FOX News/Washington Examiner Republican Presidential Debate in Ames, IA.

Location:

Stephens Auditorium
Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Friday, August 12th

9:00am CT: Senator Santorum will take part in a candidate meet-and-greet in Des Moines, IA.

Location:

Botanical Center
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, IA

10:30am CT: Senator Santorum will a guest live with Jan Mickelson on WHO Radio from the Iowa State Fair. Please listen live at www.whoradio.com.

11:30am CT: Senator Santorum will take part in the Des Moines Register Candidate Soapbox from the Iowa State Fair.

Location:

The Des Moines Register Service Center
Iowa State Fair Grounds

1:30pm CT: Senator Santorum will visit the Republican Party of Iowa's fair booth at the Iowa State Fair.

Location:
Republican Party of Iowa's Booth
Iowa State Fair Grounds

3:15pm CT: Senator Santorum will take part in the FRC Action bus stop in Boone, IA.

Location:

Pizza Ranch
1703 South Story Street
Boone, IA

5:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will take part in the FRC Action bus stop in Marshalltown, IA.

Location:

Susie Sower Park
60 North 2nd Street
Marshalltown, IA

Saturday, August 13th

8:30am CT: Senator Santorum will take part in PURSE PAC IOWA's breakfast in Ames, IA.

Location:

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Drive
Ames, IA

10:00am CT: Senator Santorum will take part in the Ames Straw Poll festivities in Ames, IA.

Location:
Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa GOP Outlines Voting Rules and Procedures for the Iowa Straw Poll #iacaucus #iastrawpoll

Iowa GOP Outlines Voting Rules and Procedures for the Iowa Straw Poll
Strawn: Straw Poll Voting More Secure than State Elections

DES MOINES- Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn today detailed the voting rules and procedures for the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll. Strawn said the Iowa GOP worked in conjunction with Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Story County Auditor Lucy Martin to create a voting experience that mirrors any state or municipal election. Additionally, the Iowa GOP will require Straw Poll attendees to provide a photo identification by providing an Iowa Driver’s License/Identification Card to ensure that only Iowans participate in the election.

Voting for the Iowa Straw Poll will take place in both Hilton Coliseum (north side entrance) and the Scheman Building (south side entrance) from 10am-4pm on Saturday, August 13. Those eligible to vote shall be Iowa residents who are registered voters or an eligible registered voter who will be 18 years of age on or before November 6, 2012. Only ticket holders who present photo identification of the following type will be allowed to vote: current and valid Iowa Driver’s License or non-operator ID, Military ID or Student Photo ID from an Iowa College/University. Those attendees with Military ID, student ID, or Passport will be required to re-register to vote before receiving their ballot. ID’s will be checked at voting areas. After casting a ballot, voters will mark their index finger with indelible ink.

Voting equipment for the Straw Poll was rented from the Story County Auditor’s and is the identical equipment used in state and municipal elections. Candidates will be listed on the voting ballot in randomized, rotating order according to last name. Write-in ballots will be tabulated in compliance with Iowa Code and will be reported individually by volunteers from the Secretary of Schultz Office . All results will be certified by Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz.

Campaigns who reserved space at the Iowa Straw Poll are allowed to have one representative to observe the voting process per voting location, and up to two representatives to observe the tallying process.

In addition to Secretary Schultz and Auditor Martin, members of the Office of the Secretary of State and county auditors from across the state will help administer and oversee the election. All equipment and time was paid for by the Iowa GOP and the Iowa Straw Poll will be conducted at no taxpayer expense.

“The Iowa Straw Poll is the first measurable proving ground for our Republican candidates for President. The Iowa GOP is leading by example in establishing voting procedures that would stand up to the highest level of scrutiny," said Strawn nothing the addition of voter ID ensures the security and integrity of straw poll voting.

Secretary of State Schultz noted Iowa's position as the 'First in the Naiton' caucus state.

“I am excited to be a part of this effort to promote voter ID and Iowa’s First-in-the-Nation status," Said Schultz.

“The Story County Auditor’s Office has a long tradition of supplying voting equipment for the Straw Poll,” said Story County Auditor Lucy Martin. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate on voter education and demonstrate to the nation the efficiency, knowledge and expertise of Iowa’s election process.”