2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Tampa-St. Petersburg For 2012 Republican National Convention

RNC SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG FOR 2012 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee today announced that its Site Selection Committee has voted to recommend Tampa-St. Petersburg to host the 2012 Republican National Convention, pending the successful negotiation of the site city agreement. The full RNC will vote on the recommendation at its Summer Meeting in August, 2010. The convention will be held the week of August 27, 2012.

"We are honored and privileged to accept the bid from Tampa, Florida to host the Republican National Convention in 2012. The host committee’s hard work and dedication resulted in a tremendous bid that we are confident will produce a successful event. The Tampa area boasts state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention. We look forward to joining our compatriots in the Sunshine State for our convention in 2012," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

“We are very excited to accept Tampa’s bid for the 2012 Republican National Convention.  Tampa has put a great deal of effort into showcasing their city and what they have to offer.  We are looking forward to a successful convention in Florida,” said Site Selection Committee Chair Holly Hughes.

The Site Selection Committee reviewed bids from three cities: Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg and visited each city in March and April.

The committee's decision was based on an independent and objective scorecard that was reviewed thoroughly by committee members. The committee looked at a several factors including the number and proximity of hotels, capacity of the arena to hold the convention, transportation, security, media work space, convention office space, and the ability to finance the operation.

The Site Selection Committee is made up of thirteen RNC members. Two voting members and one alternate member are elected from each of the four regions and Michigan Committeewoman Holly Hughes chairs the committee.

Tim Pawlenty's Keynote Speech At The Tennessee Republican Party 2010 Statesmen's Dinner, June 25, 2010 To Be Held At The Nashville Convention Center #tpaw

Tim Pawlenty Keynote Speech At The Tennessee Republican Party 2010 Statesmen's Dinner To Be Held At The Nashville Convention Center

Tennessee Republican Party
2010 Statesmen's Dinner
Friday, June 25th

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Governor Tim Pawlenty, MN

Special Guests
Senator Lamar Alexander & Senator Bob Corker
Congressmen Marsha Blackburn, Jimmy Duncan, Phil Roe

Republican Candidates for Governor
Mayor Bill Haslam, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, Congressman Zach Wamp

Republican Members of the Tennessee General Assembly
Republican Candidates for State House and Senate

Receptions - 5:30 p.m.
Dinner & Program - 6:30 p.m.

Nashville Convention Center, 601 Commerce Street

South Carolina’s First In The South GOP Presidential Primary Status Recommended By RNC’s Temporary Delegate Selection Committee

South Carolina’s First in the South GOP Presidential Primary status carved out
RNC takes first step toward protecting state’s unique primary status.

Tuesday, May 11 – Washington, D.C. – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd today announced that a special committee of the Republican National Committee has recommended preserving the state’s First in the South Republican Presidential Primary status.

Today, the RNC’s Temporary Delegate Selection Committee issued a recommendation to carve out South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. The formal vote on those recommendations will be held later this year, but today’s action virtually ensures that South Carolina’s unique First in the South status will be preserved through the 2012 presidential election.

Since South Carolina’s First in the South Presidential Primary was begun in 1980, no Republican has been nominated for the presidency without first winning South Carolina. The event and the campaigning leading up to the vote are also an enormous economic boon to the state.

“South Carolina has a remarkable track record in putting forward a nominee to carry the Republican banner, and we’re pleased today that the Committee has recognized our unique and historic role in this important political process,” Floyd said. “What’s more, South Carolinians are some of the most eager in the nation when it comes to reversing the destructive path of debt and spending that the President has put our country on. While we are singularly focused right now on winning in 2010, keeping our First in the South status has been a top priority of my Chairmanship, and I want to thank the committee, and my fellow Chairmen in the other early states for working cooperatively on this endeavor.”

Floyd pointed to a number of benefits to holding the presidential preference primary in South Carolina. South Carolina’s geographic area makes it possible for candidates to attend multiple forums and meet as many voters as possible. Also, the relatively low cost of running a statewide campaign in South Carolina allows candidates to save crucial resources for the real fight in November.

The Temporary Delegate Selection Committee approved the following language today:

“No primary, caucus, or convention to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to the first Tuesday in March in the year in which a national convention is held. Except Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada may begin their processes at any time on or after February 1 in the year in which a national convention is held.”

Ron Paul To Return To Iowa This Friday

Ron Paul To Return To Iowa This Friday

Iowa Campaign For Liberty is pleased to announce that 11-term U.S. Congressman and former presidential candidate Dr. Ron Paul (R-Texas) will make a visit to Iowa this Friday, May 14th.

Dr. Paul will be the keynote speaker at the Freedom Celebration on the opening night of the Campaign For Liberty Iowa Regional Conference and Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America. All events will take place at the Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. WHO Radio's Jan Mickelson is the first speaker and then Dr. Paul will take the stage around 8:00. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday's Forum on the Future of Conservatism will feature several national speakers who will clearly articulate the need to reduce the size of government, maximize freedom, and return to the Constitution. The Forum events (from 2-5 p.m. and 6:30-10 p.m.) are free and open to the public.

This is Congressman Paul's second visit to Iowa since his 2008 presidential campaign.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty Statement On Endorsement Of Tom Emmer For Governor

Governor Pawlenty Statement on Endorsement of Tom Emmer for Governor
 
St. Paul- The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty:

“This fall there will be a clear choice between continuing to keep a lid on taxes and spending and fighting for balanced budgets and returning to the high taxes and out of control spending ways of the past. As Minnesota’s next Governor, Tom Emmer will bring his common-sense, fiscally responsible approach to St. Paul.  I look forward to doing whatever I can to help elect him this fall.” 

Newt Gingrich Endorses Tom Emmer And Annette Meeks For Minnesota Governor

Newt Gingrich Endorses Tom Emmer And Annette Meeks For The Republican Nomination For Minnesota Governor

MAUI, Hawaii, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich issued the following statement endorsing the Tom Emmer and Annette Meeks ticket for the Republican nomination for Minnesota Governor:

"Last November, Republicans elected two great conservative governors: Bob McDonnell in Virginia and Chris Christie in New Jersey.

"They followed up with an earth-shattering election in Massachusetts, delivering Ted Kennedy's former seat to a conservative Republican.

"America wants to turn the tide on the unprecedented expansion of government they see on all levels.

"Minnesota has a great opportunity this fall to continue in that tradition by electing two principled conservatives in Tom Emmer and Annette Meeks.

"Tom Emmer is a citizen politician in the best tradition of American democracy.

"Annette Meeks has devoted her life to the advancement of our conservative movement.

"I'm proud to endorse the Emmer / Meeks ticket and look forward to helping elect them this fall."

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Book To Be Published By Tyndale. 2011 Memoir Will Reflect On His Life, Career, & Vision For America #tpaw

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Book to Be Published by Tyndale
2011 Memoir Will Reflect on His Life, His Remarkable Career, and His Vision for America

Carol Stream, Illinois – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has reached an agreement with Tyndale House Publishers to publish his new book. Known for publishing numerous biographies and memoirs that have achieved New York Times bestseller status, Tyndale plans to release Governor Pawlenty’s memoir in 2011.

“We are honored to publish this new book by Governor Tim Pawlenty, which will include his reflections on his life, his remarkable career, and his vision for America,” said Ron Beers, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher, Tyndale. The book is presently untitled.

Pawlenty was elected in 2002 to replace then-governor Jesse Ventura, and was re-elected in 2006, no small feat for a Republican in a state known for electing Democrats. Throughout his time as governor, Pawlenty has been gaining national recognition for his strong leadership and his purposeful commitment to service, fiscal restraint, and personal integrity.

In the face of a massive, $4.8 billion budget deficit, Pawlenty balanced the budget, cut runaway spending, reformed health care, improved education, and created an improved job climate for his state—all without raising taxes.

The book deal was negotiated by Governor Pawlenty’s literary agent, Rick Christian, founder and president of Colorado Springs–based Alive Communications, and assisted by Alive agent Joel Kneedler.

 “Multiple publishers were interested in acquiring Governor Pawlenty’s book because it’s a great American success story of a leader who rose from the gritty streets of South Saint Paul to the highest office in his home state,” Christian said, noting that the memoir will detail the death of the Governor’s mother when he was just 16, to working his way through college and law school, to his successful strategy to balance a budget and rein in spending. “Tim Pawlenty will also share his unique perspective on our times, while taking readers back to values solidified during the Reagan-era foundation of his career in public service,” Christian said.

Tyndale House Publishers was founded in 1962 by Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor. Today Tyndale is one of the largest publishing houses in the country, with numerous New York Times bestsellers, including those written by Lisa Beamer, Tony Dungy, Deanna Favre, Joe Gibbs, Gracia Burnham, and others. Tyndale will also soon be releasing the memoir of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees. Tyndale House Publishers is owned by the Tyndale House Foundation. As a result, the company’s profits help underwrite charitable works around the world. Tyndale House is located in Carol Stream, IL.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Book to Be Published by Tyndale; 2011 Memoir Will Reflect on His Life, His Remarkable Career, and His Vision for America

Sarah Palin Endorses Tom Emmer For Governor Of Minnesota On Facebook

The Straight-talking “Hockey Dad” with a Message for ReformShare.

A patriotic fiscally conservative “hockey dad” who got his start in politics by serving on his local city councils is running for governor of the great state of Minnesota. His name is Tom Emmer, and I’m proud to support him.

Tom has based his campaign on three founding principles: “Honoring the Constitution, Expanding Liberty and Fostering Economic Freedom.”

Coming from a working class background, Tom is known as a straight-talker who is unafraid of taking on the challenge of reining in the size and scope of government. A proud father of seven, Tom is in this race for the right reasons – to provide bold, principled leadership that will leave Minnesota fiscally stronger for the next generation. He knows that government overspending is the real obstacle to reform. Tom says, “When a family experiences a change in its income, that family adjusts its budget accordingly. If they have less money, they spend less money. This simple form of money management is completely lost on state government.” It’s common sense statements like that which make Tom such an attractive candidate for Minnesotans who want real reform.

A family man who wants to leave his kids a better future, a “hockey dad” who once played for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, a patriotic commonsense conservative who wishes to serve for the right reasons – that’s Tom Emmer, and I ask you to join me in supporting him for governor of Minnesota.

Mitt Romney Leads 2012 GOP Presidential Race In Arizona @ppppols

Mitt Romney Leads 2012 GOP Presidential Race In Arizona
 
For our look ahead to the 2012 Presidential race in Arizona this week we added Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul to go along with our usual choices of Mitt Huckabee, Sarah Palin, and Mitt Romney. And although we'll certainly need to see polling from more states to confirm a trend, the numbers suggest a Gingrich candidacy could hurt Palin's prospects.

Mitt Romney leads the way with 27% to 19% for Gingrich, 13% for Palin, 12% for Huckabee, and 9% for Paul. When we had polled previously in the neighboring states of New Mexico and Colorado we found Palin in second place behind Romney. But in Arizona Gingrich emerges as the main conservative challenger to Romney, trailing him just 29-26 with those voters. Romney's broader overall lead comes because he's up 25-7 on Gingrich with moderates.

Palin and Gingrich both have a unique appeal to the most partisan of Republican voters, but it may be that they see Gingrich as a more substantive and 'Presidential' candidate. They could end up competing for the same pool of GOP partisans, and if they both run it may prove to be a good thing for Romney. We'll certainly keep an eye on this.