2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowa PPP Poll-Romney 21%, Palin, Cain 15%, Gingrich 12%, Bachmann 11%, Pawlenty 10%, Paul 8%

Romney leads in Iowa, Cain surging

Mitt Romney has the lead in PPP's first Iowa poll since Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump exited the race, but with six different candidates polling in double digits it's clear this thing is wide open.

Romney polls at 21%. Sarah Palin and Herman Cain are tied for second at 15%. Newt Gingrich is 4th with 12%, Michele Bachmann 5th with 11%, Tim Pawlenty 6th with 10%, Ron Paul 7th with 8%, and Jon Huntsman 8th with 0% (only one respondent to the poll picked him.) 8% said they supported someone else or were undecided.

Cain and Palin have been the biggest beneficiaries in Iowa of Huckabee and Trump's decisions not to run. Cain is at 15% now despite not even having been included on our last poll. Palin's gained 7 points in the six weeks since our last poll compared to 5 point gains for Romney, Pawlenty, and Bachmann, a 3 point gain for Gingrich, and a 2 point bump for Paul.

Romney's leading in Iowa based on his strength with centrist and center right Republican voters. With moderates he's at 34% to 16% for Palin, 13% for Paul, and 11% for Gingrich. With 'somewhat conservative' voters he's at 24% to 15% for Pawlenty, 13% for Palin, and 12% for Gingrich and Cain. His strength with those two groups outweighs his continuing weakness with the furthest right group of voters in the state, which constitute the largest segment of the Republican electorate at 41%. With those 'very conservative' folks Romney can muster only a fourth place finish at 13%. Cain and Palin tie for the lead with that group of voters at 19% followed by Bachmann at 15%.

There's been a lot of speculation that the Republican race could eventually come down to Romney and a single more conservative alternative. Although this will likely not be the case when the voting in Iowa happens we tested several head to head match ups between Romney and other GOP contenders to see how they would come out. Pawlenty may actually be the strongest contender to become the 'anti-Romney' as he ties him at 41%. Otherwise Romney leads- 48-41 over Palin, 46-38 over Bachmann, and 48-34 over Cain.

Pawlenty doesn't poll the strongest head to head among Romney among 'very conservative' voters- he leads by 17 compared to a 21 point lead for Palin and a 24 point advantage for Bachmann with that group. But with center right voters- those calling themselves 'somewhat conservative'- Romney leads Pawlenty by just a single point while he has a 19 point advantage over Palin and a 22 point lead over Bachmann with that group. What that says to me is that many Republicans are looking for someone more conservative than Romney but someone who isn't bound to get creamed in the general election the way Palin, Bachmann, and Cain probably would. That's very good news for Pawlenty if it ever plays itself out in real life.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Will Attend Presidential Debate in New Hampshire

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Will Attend Presidential Debate in New Hampshire

Minneapolis – Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced today that he will attend the CNN/WMUR-TV/ New Hampshire Union Leader debate in Manchester, New Hampshire on June 13th.                                          

“I look forward to discussing my vision for growing our economy by cutting spending and unleashing America's job creators,” Pawlenty said. "We cannot wait to begin the campaign to defeat President Obama and discuss our records with voters. President Obama's policies have failed, and we need a new leader to tell the hard truths necessary to restore American prosperity. I look forward to sharing my vision and discussing my record in front of first-in-the-nation primary voters.”

Gov. Tim Pawlenty participated in the first GOP presidential debate in Greenville, South Carolina in May.  He announced his candidacy for president last week, and participated in 15 television and radio interviews during the week of his announcement to ensure that people had the opportunity to hear his message.

Ron Paul Speaks To Full House In Mason City, Iowa

Ron Paul Speaks to Full House in Mason City
Promotes Homeschool Freedom and Speaks Against "Obamacare"

ANKENY, IA – On Tuesday, Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul spoke to a standing room only crowd at the Mason City Rose Bowl bowling alley, in Mason City, Iowa. Approximately 150 people attended the event which featured a meet and greet, questions by supporters and brief interviews by the media. The visit was Ron Paul's fourth visit to Iowa in as many weeks.
 
“We were absolutely delighted with the turnout for Ron Paul's visit to Mason City," said Campaign Chairman Drew Ivers. "The middle of the day on a Tuesday can often be a difficult time slot to fill, however it was a standing room only crowd for Dr. Paul."
 
During the event Ron Paul focused on a few key topics, including the importance of reversing government mandated health insurance, known as "Obamacare," as well as Ron Paul's support for homeschool freedom.

"It is such a blessing to have a solid conservative Republican who is willing to speak out against forced government health insurance and support homeschool freedom within Iowa," said James Mills, Ron Paul's 4th District Co-Chairman. "We need a Republican who has been consistent on the issues important to Iowans and is not afraid to take a stand."

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Ohio Auditor Of State Dave Yost Endorses Governor Tim Pawlenty for President

Yost Endorses Governor Tim Pawlenty for President
Ohio Auditor is first statewide elected officeholder to endorse presidential candidate

Columbus – Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost today endorsed the presidential candidacy of former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.  Pawlenty announced his candidacy for president last week.                                                                            
“As governor of Minnesota, Pawlenty ran as a conservative and governed as a conservative in one of the nation's most liberal states. He balanced the state budget without raising taxes and cut taxes by nearly $800 million,” Yost said. "I'm impressed by his courage to tell the truth about the problems facing our nation and offer real solutions."

Pawlenty received an “A” from the Cato Institute in 2010 in its Fiscal Policy Report Card – one of only four governors to receive the highest grade.  He also led a series of market-based reforms to Minnesota’s health care system and passed the nation's first statewide performance-pay for teachers program. Pawlenty’s five appointments to the Minnesota Supreme Court transformed the court from moderate-to-liberal to conservative.

Yost, who served as a county auditor and a county prosecuting attorney before his election as Auditor of State, said Pawlenty is a proven leader.

“Tim Pawlenty is a proven leader, a steadfast conservative and a devoted husband and father. Moreover, his heartland roots will help him to succeed in Ohio, and I believe he is the right person to lead the Republican Party into next year’s critical presidential election.  He is the right person with the right background and experience to be our nation’s next president,” Yost said.

Rick Santorum To Make Major Announcement On June 6, 2011 In Somerset, Pennsylvania

Rick Santorum To Make Major Announcement On June 6, 2011 In Somerset, Pennsylvania
 
Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) will visit Somerset, Pennsylvania on Monday, June 6 at 11:00 AM ET for a major announcement regarding the 2012 campaign for President of the United States.  Details of the event are below:

Who: Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)

What: Major announcement regarding the 2012 campaign for President of the United States

Where:                

Somerset County Courthouse
111 East Union Street
Somerset, PA 15501

(located less than 1/2 mile off of the PA Turnpike)

When: Monday, June 6, 2011

11:00 AM ET

Following Senator Santorum's announcement in Somerset, he will fly to Iowa for events on June 7, and then New Hampshire for events on June 8 and the morning of June 9.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Makes Key 2012 Republican National Convention Announcements

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Makes Key 2012 Republican National Convention Announcements
 
WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus today announced new staff hires to manage the preparation and execution of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL. Bill Harris will serve as the Convention’s Chief Executive Officer, while Mike Miller will serve as Chief Operating Officer and Anne Stewart as Director of Delegate Services:
 
“I am pleased to announce these additions to our team in Tampa and look forward to working with them as we plan and execute the 2012 Convention,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “The planning and preparation for the Convention is already off to a great start under the stewardship of Chairman Alec Poitevint, and Co-Chairmen Mary Buestrin and Jan Larimer. Bill, Mike and Anne possess a wealth of experience and leadership that will put us one step closer to making Barack Obama a one-term president.”
 
“I am extremely proud to be part of this outstanding team announced by Chairman Priebus,” added Committee on Arrangements Chairman Alec Poitevint. “Recruiting leadership of this caliber will allow us to put on the kind of world-class convention our nominee and our Party can be proud of.”
 
Note: The Committee on Arrangements is responsible for planning and managing the 2012 Republican National Convention.  The committee is composed of an Executive Committee, as well as at least one National Committee Member from each state and territory, which are appointed by the RNC Chairman.
 
Bill Harris, Chief Executive Officer
 
Bill Harris has served in leadership roles in the previous two Republican National Conventions beginning as the Chief Executive Officer in 2004.  In this capacity he planned, organized, and conducted one of the most successful conventions in the history of the Republican Party. In 2008, Harris served as the Convention Director for the McCain-Palin Campaign where he coordinated all convention-related activities for the campaign, including Program, Political, Logistics, and Communications. Harris has assisted every Republican presidential campaign since 1972 and as Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee he was instrumental in winning the Republican majority in the United States Senate in 1994. Harris also served as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 1977- 1984.
 
Mike Miller, Chief Operating Officer

 
Mike Miller has held key positions in the past ten Republican National Conventions.  He was overall director of operations for the Conventions of 2008, 2004 and 1992 and was director of media operations for seven others.  He has served as a consultant to several site selection committees. Between Conventions, Miller manages his own consultancy, MVM Public Affairs, in the fields of public relations, media relations and major special events. Miller also served as editor of the President’s Commission report on the Pan Am 103 terrorist bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.
 
Anne Stewart, Director of Delegate Services
 
Anne Stewart is an RNC veteran with nearly a decade of experience in Republican campaign politics.  In 2008, Stewart served as Deputy Director of Delegate Services for the 2008 Republican National Convention, directing a three-person team responsible for hotel assignments for 30,000 convention guests and 15,000 national and international media members. Previously, Stewart was a Special Assistant in the White House Social Office where she planned and supervised four state dinners, dozens of foreign dignitary visits, 40 White House holiday parties, two Kennedy Center Honor receptions, and all private Bush family events. Stewart also served on President George W. Bush’s Presidential Inaugural Committee following the 2004 election and was also the Northeast Deputy Events Director for the Republican National Committee during the 2004 cycle.

Rick Santorum Unveils New Campaign Logo In Announcing Date, Time, And Place Of Upcoming 2012 Presidential Campaign

Please join me as I make a major announcement regarding the 2012 campaign for President!

- Monday, June 6, 2011, 11:00 am ET

Somerset County Courthouse
111 East Union Street
Somerset, PA 15501

God Bless,

Rick

https://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/rick-santorum/please-join-me-for-a-special-announcement/10150194592649440

Sue Dvorsky, Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Guest Column: No Off Year For Democrats, 2012 Iowa Caucuses

Sue Dvorsky, Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman

While the Iowa Legislature inches toward an end to this session, the 2012 Iowa caucuses are taking their place at the forefront of political discussion in the state. Once again we are already witnessing why Iowa is first in the nation: Iowans are becoming informed, involved and affirming their committed to a serious debate about the issues that shape our nation's future.

While Republican candidates are launching their campaigns and talking to caucus-goers, Democrats are doing just the same. It's this debate, on both sides of the political spectrum, which has made Iowa the proving ground for presidents of the United States.

In 2012 the Iowa Democratic caucuses will take place in every precinct across the state, and on caucus night, neighbors will stand with each other to support President Obama and the change he has brought to our country. Although we know who our nominee will be, the Democratic caucuses are the kickoff to the coming general election.

The Democratic caucuses are also an important tool for supporters to become engaged in local campaigns, and county Democratic Parties who work tirelessly to elect public servants at all levels. They're also the beginning of our party platform process. Democrats wishing to represent Iowa on the national stage as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., begin the delegate selection process during the precinct caucuses.

The conversations that take place in Iowa's coffee shops and doorsteps over the next nine months are the conversations that shape the debate for the rest of the election cycle. Since 1972, our state has been at the center of the nominating process. Iowans have been there to ask the tough questions and demand answers.

Caucus participation in 2012 sends a clear message that Iowans will not sit on the sidelines. With so much at stake, we will continue to talk to Democratic caucus-goers and supporters across the state as we prepare for the Iowa caucuses and beyond.

There is no off year when it comes to discussing the direction of our country and the Iowa Democratic Party is prepared for an aggressive 2012 Democratic caucus

Behind-the-scenes Video At Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Announcement In Des Moines, Iowa May 23, 2011

New Behind-the-Scenes Video of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Announcement in Des Moines, Iowa

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Pawlenty for President campaign released a new video of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from Governor Tim Pawlenty's official campaign announcement in Des Moines, Iowa last week.

The video is available here: http://www.timpawlenty.com/pages/announcement-iowa

Citing his record of tackling tough problems as governor of Minnesota, Gov. Pawlenty promised to tell the hard truths necessary to get America back on the right track.  The 3-minute video features remarks by Former First Lady Mary Pawlenty, interviews with Governor Pawlenty, and comments by Pawlenty aides and supporters at the announcement town hall.