2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

What They Are Tweeting About Jon Huntsman's Speech At The University Of South Carolina

What They Are Tweeting About Jon Huntsman's Speech At The University Of South Carolina

“Jon Huntsman Delivered One Hell Of A Commencement Address To Graduates. Lively, Interesting, Inspirational.” (@TravHaney, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Big Applause For Huntsman Following His Commencement Address.” (@suarezfjCBS, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Very Good Huntsman Speech. China Is Far From Being *Just* Foreign Policy. Stands In For Economic Worries (Jobs), Fears Of US Decline” (@OKnox, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“I Have Found The GOP's Nominee And His Name Is Jon Huntsman.” (@hakeemjefferson, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Had A Great Chat With Huntsman After Commencement. He Was Very Personal, Appreciative, And Humble.” (@taycain, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“I Really Like Jon Huntsman. To Me, He Isn't Just The Least Worst Pick.” (@RSH712, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“One Hell Of A Speech By Jon Huntsman. He Might Just Have A Shot At The GOP Nomination.”(@TayCain, Tweet, 5/7/11)

 “I Just Got To Yell "Kick Ass" At My Commencement. Here's To Senior Year! Here's To You, Jon Huntsman!” (@TayCain, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Huntsman Is Good.” (@hakeemjefferson, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Huntsman Wraps Up Commencement Address With "Go, Fight, Win #Gamecocks" In Mandarin Chinese. Lots Of Cheers!” (@UofSCnews, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Congratulations To The Class if 2011! And A Great Speech By Jon Huntsman” (@sarahkersting, Tweet, 5/7/11)

“Jon Huntsman Quoted @BenFolds "The Luckiest" In His Speech To Univ Of South Carolina Students. Guess I Have To Vote For Him.” (@CoryEuc, Tweet, 5/7/11)

Michele Bachmann Minnesota Tax Cut Rally May 7, 2011 Photos

Jon Huntsman Commencement Address At The University Of South Carolina Speech Excerpts

Jon Huntsman Commencement Address at the University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
May 7th, 2011

Excerpts

Your generation will have your own unique set of circumstances that make you feel like your future has somehow been derailed. Wars, economic recessions, social upheaval, revolutions around the globe...and yet, in each case, we recover, learn lessons and become ever more resilient.

I know there are many in China who think their time has come, that America's best days are over. And, there are probably some in this country who have lost confidence and think that China is the next big thing. But these people aren't seeing things from my earlier vantage point of 10,000 miles away.  The way I saw it from overseas, America's passion remains as strong today as ever. 

Hold on to that sense of optimism. Hold on to that belief in your future. Our free and open society that can respectfully embrace debate, coupled with a free market system that rewards risk and innovation, is still the envy of the world. We are still as full of potential as ever.

Just remember... When the oppressed are fighting autocratic regimes, they look to America for inspiration.

When overseas entrepreneurs build companies, they still look to U.S. practices as the gold standard.

When young people around the world want to attend the best colleges and universities they travel here.

When playwrights, filmmakers and the creative classes abroad dream, their imaginations are fueled by America’s example.

...

Our system needs new thinking. We need a fresh generation of innovators, leaders, risk takers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and activists -- That's you!

...

Give back. As much as you’re able. Work to keep America great. Serve her, if asked. I was, by a president of a different political party. But in the end, while we might not all be of one party, we are all part of one nation, a nation that needs your generational gift of energy and confidence.

...

Never forget how lucky you are to be sitting here in America today. Even with student loans, and maybe a little uncertainty about your future. We live in the greatest most freedom-loving place on earth. Embrace it.

...

One of my favorite bands is Ben Folds Five. I love this lyric: "I don't get many things right the first time. In fact, I am told that a lot. Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls brought me here. And I know that I am the luckiest."

Herman Cain To Announce Decision On Potential Presidential Campaign On Saturday, May 21, 2011 In Atlanta, Georgia.

HERMAN CAIN TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

(Stockbridge, Georgia)- Longtime corporate executive and conservative leader Herman Cain will announce his decision regarding a potential presidential campaign on Saturday, May 21, 2011 in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.

The event will be a free rally open to the public.

Cain is widely believed to have been the winner of the first 2012 Republican candidate debate Thursday evening in Greenville, SC, and has steadily gained grassroots and financial support across the U.S. He is best known for his executive positions in many major American corporations, including Godfather's Pizza, Pillsbury and Burger King. He also served as the President of the National Restaurant Association and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Missouri.

What They Are Saying: Tim Pawlenty At The First Republican Presidential Debate, Greenville, South Carolina Part II

What They Are Saying:

Governor Pawlenty Shines at First GOP Presidential Debate

“Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the other big winner last night. He clearly had the most stature and took the opportunity to introduce himself to voters as the product of a blue-collar family who understood the pressures that a tough economy can impose on families.”                                                                             

- John Fund, Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703859304576307192424551976.html

“…on questions about terrorism and health care he delivered emphatic answers that drew applause. Pawlenty was at his best though when he drew on his personal story — he twice mentioned he came from a meat-packing town— to connect with average voters worried about their economic futures.”                                               

- Chris Cillizza, Washington Post

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/what-we-learned-from-the-republican-presidential-debate/2011/05/05/AF1Vr06F_blog.html

“ as pollster David Palelologos at Suffolk University told USA TODAY before the debate: ‘Pawlenty is the one who could be a dark horse’ in early states such as New Hampshire…One sign that Pawlenty was the biggest fish on Thursday night: The Democratic National Committee sent out its first three news releases during the debate…”

- Catalina Camia, USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/05/tim-pawlenty-presidential-debate-south-carolina-/1

“He was the calmest and most leader-like of those on the stage. He didn’t wink or quip. He was pleasant without being funny…And perhaps that was a smart way to go about wooing a GOP primary electorate that’s anxious to oust Obama, but wary of the flawed, big-name Republican candidates said to be seeking the nomination.”                                  

- Jay Newton-Small, Time

http://swampland.time.com/2011/05/06/the-gops-first-2012-debate-pawlenty-gets-heard/

“Pawlenty seemed the most polished of all the candidates. His attack on the National Labor Relation Board’s ‘preposterous’ decision to keep Boeing out of South Carolina was a particularly strong moment.”                        

- Jennifer Jacobs, Des Moines Register

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/05/05/debate-cain-pleases-focus-group-but-punts-on-afghanistan

Santorum Statement On Nation's Rising Unemployment Rate

Santorum Statement on Nation's Rising Unemployment Rate
 
Columbia, SC - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) issued the following statement regarding this morning's release of monthly employment data:

"After two and a half years of President Obama's failed big government agenda, we learned today that unemployment is again on the rise - now at an unacceptable 9%.  Rather than continuing down the failed path of intrusive stimulus and mandates that have done nothing but explode our deficit, we need to reduce the tax and regulatory burdens that are hindering individual freedom, and allow the American entrepreneur to flourish on their own merits rather than having the government pick and choose who wins and who loses.  That is the tried and true prescription for economic growth, and it is time for the President to believe in the American people again."

Media Coverage Of Herman Cain At The FOX News/ South Carolina GOP Presidential Debate

Media Coverage Of Herman Cain At The FOX News/ South Carolina GOP Presidential Debate

It is often said that "if you hear Herman Cain once, you'll never forget him." Apparently, several million Americans agree.

Last night, Herman appeared at the FOX News/ South Carolina GOP presidential debate, the first of its kind for the 2012 presidential election.

Here's just some of the media coverage about his performance at the debate:

Human Events: "Cain's outsider status, his clarity in his responses, and his successful past as a businessman who turned around companies that were failing, resonated with an audience that previously did not know much about him."

CBS News: "Based on the Fox News focus group conducted immediately following the event, Herman Cain is about to run away with the GOP nomination."

National Journal: "An African-American newcomer who brags about his lack of Washington experience bests a field of more seasoned pols. Nope, we're not talking about Barack Obama. We're talking about former pizza king Herman Cain, who dominated the first presidential debate of the 2012 campaign last night in South Carolina..."
 
Even The Huffington Post agreed that Herman "sent shockwaves" at the debate.

Frank Luntz conducted a focus group immediately following the debate, and he was in awe of their response: “I have never had this kind of reaction until tonight,” Luntz said. “Something very special happened this evening.”

Additionally, the term "Herman Cain" trended worldwide on Twitter and became the #2 most searched term on Google in the past 24 hours. Clearly, it's true: "if you hear Herman Cain once, you'll never forget him."

Ron Paul To Announce Iowa Field Staff At New Iowa Office In Ankeny On Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Ron Paul to Hold Press Conference at New Iowa Office
Announces Iowa Field Staff

ANKENY, IA –On Tuesday, May 10th at 2:00 p.m., Republican Congressman Ron Paul will hold a press conference at his new Iowa office and introduce members of the Iowa field staff for his Presidential Exploratory Committee. The announcement will also feature Paul taking questions regarding the first GOP Presidential debate held Thursday May 5th and that day’s successful fundraiser.
 
This will be Ron Paul’s third visit to Iowa in the past month. On his last trip to Iowa, Dr. Paul introduced the Presidential Exploratory Committee Leadership team of Chairman Drew Ivers and Vice-Chairmen David Fischer and A.J. Spiker. All three men currently serve on the Iowa GOP State Central Committee, the 17-member governing board of the Republican Party of Iowa.
 
“We are excited to have Ron Paul back in Iowa introducing the new Iowa field staff who will help him reach out to Iowa voters,” said Chairman Drew Ivers. “In addition to being solid conservatives, all staff members have a wealth of experience in grassroots organizing."
 
While in Iowa, Ron Paul will meet with Iowa Republican legislators at the Capitol and appear in-studio with Simon Conway on his WHO radio program from 5 to 6 p.m.
 
On Thursday Ron Paul raised more than one million dollars in 24-hours with a grassroots-led online fundraiser. The fundraising push comes the same day a national CNN/Opinion Research poll listed Ron Paul as the Republican candidate Americans believe would fare best in a head to head matchup against Barack Obama.
 
“It is clear from his fundraising success that Ron Paul is a strong contender in the 2012 Republican primary for President.” said Ivers. “His strong fiscal conservatism and traditional values make him very attractive to Iowa voters.”
 
The press conference will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 10th. The office is located at 207 NE Delaware Ave. Suite 21, Ankeny, IA 50021. The office can be accessed by exiting off I-35 at First St. and turning right on Delaware Ave.

Ron Paul To Announce Iowa Field Staff At New Iowa Office In Ankeny On Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mitt Romney Statement On April Unemployment Numbers

MITT ROMNEY STATEMENT ON APRIL UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

Today, the Romney for President Exploratory Committee released the following statement from Gov. Romney on April's unemployment numbers.

"Today's disheartening unemployment increase is another reminder of the failure of President Obama's economic policies. We are in the third year of unemployment above 8%. This figure is not just a statistic – 20 million Americans are out of work, underemployed, or have stopped looking for work. The cost of the President's inexperience and failed liberal policies is borne by families across the country. To get people back to work will take experienced economic leadership, a commitment to rein in government, and a credible plan to make America the best place in the world for growth and jobs."

CNN To Make Presidential Debate Footage Available Without Restrictions

CNN to Make Presidential Debate Footage Available without Restrictions

As previously announced, CNN will team up with Hearst-Argyle’s WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader to host a GOP primary debate in America’s first primary state. The debate featuring Republican candidates will be held at Saint Anselm College on June 13 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Due to the historical nature of presidential debates and the significance of these forums to the American public, CNN believes strongly that the debates should be accessible to all viewers.
 
The presidential debates are an integral part of our system of government, in which the American people have the opportunity to make informed choices about who will serve them.  Therefore, CNN debate footage will be made available without restrictions upon the conclusion of each live debate.
 
This decision will apply to all of CNN’s primary presidential debates, beginning with the upcoming New Hampshire debate on June 13.
 
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.