2016 Presidential Campaign Blog

Gov. Scott Walker Announced as CT GOP Prescott Bush Awards Dinner Keynote Speaker

Gov. Scott Walker Announced as Bush Dinner Keynote Speaker

HARTFORD—Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr. announced today that Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin — the first Governor in American history to win a recall election — will keynote this year’s Prescott Bush Awards Dinner, the CT GOP’s largest annual event.

“I’m excited and honored to have Governor Scott Walker keynoting the 2013 Prescott Bush Awards Dinner. Governor Walker is a bold reformer who has righted the fiscal ship of state in Wisconsin without raising taxes,” State GOP Chair Jerry Labriola said. “As Governor, his efforts have saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 billion, leading to property taxes in Wisconsin declining for the first time in 12 years.

“There is a lesson in Governor Walker’s leadership for Governor Malloy and the Democrats in the Connecticut General Assembly,” Labriola said. “Can you wipe out a massive state deficit without layoffs and without increasing taxes? Yes, you can – Governor Walker did it, and I believe his accomplishments in Wisconsin reflect the kind of changes we need in Connecticut.”

The 35th Annual Prescott Bush Awards Dinner will take place Monday, May 20th from 6:00 to 9:00pm at the Stamford Hilton Hotel.

Background on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker:

Scott was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1993. While there, he authored important pieces of legislation including Truth-in-Sentencing, photo identification requirements to vote, and the elimination of the statute of limitations in sexual assault cases.

In 2002, Scott was elected Milwaukee County Executive to reform the scandal-ridden county government. The scandal rocked Milwaukee County to its core and left taxpayers on the hook for millions in pension obligations.

For eight years as County Executive, Scott faithfully kept his promise to spend taxpayer money as if it were his own. He cut the county’s debt by 30 percent, reduced the county workforce by more than 25 percent, and authored nine consecutive budgets without increasing the property tax levy from the previous year.

On January 3, 2011, Scott Walker was inaugurated as Wisconsin’s 45th Governor.

Since that day, the reforms he proposed have eliminated the state’s $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes and gave school districts and local governments the tools to balance their budgets without the massive layoffs seen in other states. To date, these profound changes have saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 billion which led to property taxes on a median valued home to go down for the first time in 12 years.

Governor Walker remains committed to helping Wisconsin’s private sector create 250,000 jobs by 2015. After years of record job loss, Wisconsin has gained jobs during the Walker administration. In an annual survey of job creators, 94 percent said Wisconsin is headed in the right direction — compared to just 10 percent who said the same thing in 2010.

On June 5, 2012, Scott Walker became the first governor in American history to win a recall election. He won the election with more votes and by a higher percentage than he had won in 2010.

Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds Highlight the Creation and Funding of University of Minnesota Alum Dr. Borlaug Statue for U.S. Capitol

Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds Highlight the Creation and Funding of Dr. Borlaug Statue for U.S. Capitol
 
(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds today highlighted the work progress of the seven-foot statue of Dr. Norman Borlaug being created by artist, Benjamin Victor, and announced the funding for the statue which will eventually be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

"Today, March 25th, would have been Dr. Borlaug's 99th birthday and his development of miracle wheat saved an estimated billion people around the world from hunger and starvation," Gov. Branstad said. "With the generous support of DuPont Pioneer and an anonymous individual, his statue will stand in honor representing Iowa in the U.S. Capitol building." 

"With the creation of the Dr. Borlaug statue, we are seeing history in the making," Lt. Gov. Reynolds said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I would like to thank the artist, Benjamin Victor, for sharing his tremendous talent with us to be enjoyed by the future visitors to the U.S. Capitol.”

“Dr. Borlaug was not only one of Iowa’s great innovators, but also one of the state’s greatest humanitarians,” said Paul E. Schickler, president of DuPont Pioneer. “It is my hope that the statue’s placement in the U.S. Capitol will inspire future generations to be a part of solving this extraordinary challenge of feeding the world.”

The Borlaug Statue Committee Chairman, Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, praised members of the Iowa legislature and Iowa's Congressional Delegation, of which Congressman Steve King and Congressman Tom Latham were in attendance, for their bi-partisan support of the Dr. Borlaug statue, noting they have been instrumental in facilitating communications with the Architect of the Capitol's office, which oversees the statues on display in the U.S. Capitol. 

The Borlaug Statue Committee, who selected the artist and organized fundraising efforts for this project, has the goal of installing the statue of Dr. Borlaug in the U.S. Capitol building on March 25, 2014, the centennial observance of Dr. Borlaug's birth. It will be one of two statues depicting notable citizens from Iowa. The Dr. Borlaug statue will replace the statue of U.S. Senator James Harlan, which will be returned to Iowa. The second statue representing Iowa is of Governor Samuel Kirkwood.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and George P. Bush to attend Republican Party of New Mexico Lincoln Day Dinner.

RNC CHAIRMAN PRIEBUS AND GEORGE P. BUSH TO ATTEND LINCOLN DAY DINNER

ALBUQUERQUE - On Saturday, March 23rd, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and George P. Bush will be special guests at the Republican Party of New Mexico Lincoln Day Dinner.

“The staff, officers and I are excited to have such prominent and strong leaders as our special guests for the Lincoln Day Dinner,” said RPNM Chairman John Billingsley. “This is a great opportunity for New Mexico to come out and show their support for the growth of our party, and for them to hear from two outstanding conservative leaders.”

Rand Paul to Headline Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner on Friday, May 10th in Cedar Rapids

Rand Paul to Headline Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner
Continues tradition of high-profile speakers at Iowa GOP events

DES MOINES, Iowa- Today, Iowa GOP Chairman A.J. Spiker announced that United States Senator Rand Paul will be the featured speaker at the Republican Party of Iowa’s annual "Lincoln Dinner." The event will be held on Friday, May 10th in Cedar Rapids at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and program lasting from 7-8pm. A private sponsors reception will take place prior to the dinner.

“Senator Rand Paul’s 13 hour filibuster earlier this month caught the attention of Republicans across the nation who are seeking GOP leaders who will stand up to Barack Obama." said Spiker. "As the ‘First in the Nation’ state, we immediately extended an invite to Senator Paul to allow him to introduce himself to Iowa Republicans.”

The appearance of Rand Paul, who is rumored to be mulling a run for President, is the latest in a long line of political leaders the Iowa GOP has hosted during Spiker's leadership of the party.

“As Chairman, I've made it a priority to deliver committed and high-profile Republican leaders to speak at our events. Senator Paul’s appearance in May is just the most recent instance of the Iowa GOP providing value to its activists, donors and supporters.”

Grassley & King to Speak at Lincoln Dinner
Join Rand Paul for Iowa GOP Event in Cedar Rapids

DES MOINES, Iowa- Today, the Republican Party of Iowa announced Senator Chuck Grassley and Congressman Steve King had been confirmed to speak at the Iowa GOP's Lincoln Day Dinner in Cedar Rapids on Friday, May 10th. Earlier in the day, the Iowa GOP announced Senator Rand Paul would serve as the keynote speaker for the annual dinner.
 
“We are ecstatic to confirm Senator Grassley and Congressman King as speakers at our Lincoln Dinner," said Chairman AJ Spiker. "Both of these men are leaders in Washington and well respected by Iowans."
 
Chuck Grassley is one of the longest serving Senators in the country, serving for more than 30 years. Steve King is rumored to be considering a run for Senate.

Minnesota GOP Chairman Pat Shortridge Statement Regarding Growth & Opportunity Project

MNGOP Chairman Pat Shortridge Statement Regarding Growth & Opportunity Project

St. Paul –Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Pat Shortridge issued the following statement regarding the release of the RNC’s Growth and Opportunity Project recommendations today:

“The Growth and Opportunity Project’s recommendations represent an important step in learning from our mistakes and moving the Party forward. Chairman Priebus showed real leadership in looking at everything, not glossing over problems or leaving sacred cows in place.

“Having participated in the process and offered some candid advice, I’m particularly glad to see that the report focuses on strengthening state Republican parties. It just doesn’t make sense for the RNC to focus on 10 ‘battleground’ states every four years while ignoring the other 40. I’m pleased to see that this failed approach will be jettisoned as the Party seeks to win votes among more people in more places.

“Finally, we have to make sure that we don't confuse tools and tactics with fundamentals. We can get all the technical aspects right, but if we keep trying to beat something with nothing, we’ll keep losing.

“The report spends quite a bit of time focusing on our most important problem, which I can boil down to this: We have to explain in personal terms how our ideas and solutions will make people's lives better – easier for them to get a job, keep their money, educate their kids, afford health care, buy a house, save for retirement –in all the things that really matter most.

“We have better ideas and better solutions than the Democrats. The problem is, too many voters like Republican ideas, they just don’t like Republicans. That’s a problem we can and must fix in order to win elections and solve the serious problems facing Minnesota and America.”

RNC Growth & Opportunity Project Primary Process (Debates and The Primaries)

RNC Growth & Opportunity Project Primary Process

Debates

1. The number of debates should be reduced by roughly half to a still robust number of approximately 10 to 12, with the first occurring no earlier than September 1, 2015, and the last ending just after the first several primaries (February-March 2016).

2. After the first several primaries (February-March 2016), candidates themselves should decide whether they want to accept or decline additional debates. In the event the Party is in a position similar to the Democratic primary of 2008, the candidates and the GOP may gain by holding additional debates. At that stage, it should be up to the candidates to decide. The Party’s limits will not apply after that time.

3. In addition, we urge the Party to give consideration to alternative and additional means to make certain the number of debates does not grow out of hand. These could include:

• An announcement by the RNC in late 2014 or early 2015 of the exact dates, locations, and sponsors of the sanctioned debates in 2015 and 2016.

• The possibility of penalizing candidates and/or state parties (perhaps through the RNC rules process) through the loss of delegates to the convention if they do not abide by the potential new debate structure.

4. To help determine the best structure and approach for the staging of the 2016 debates, we recommend test runs of this debate structure be conducted in 2014 in prominent statewide primary races.

The Primaries

1. The Republican Convention should be held earlier in the summer. It should be moved to late June or sometime in July, allowing our nominee more time to begin the general election phase. (Note: The 2016 Olympics will be held August 5-21.)

2. Because the nominee will still need an estimated 60-90 days to prepare for the Convention, changes will need to be made to the primary calendar. If the Convention were to be held in July, the last primary would need to be held no later than May 15. If the Convention were to be held in late June, the final primary would need to be held no later than April 30.
Moving primaries up will require states and state parties to cooperate.

3. We take no position on whether a contest should be winner take all or proportionate.
The fact is, both methods can delay or speed up the likelihood of a nominee being chosen.
It all depends on who is winning and by what margins in each primary or caucus election.

4. To facilitate moving up primary elections to accommodate an earlier convention, the Party should strongly consider a regional primary system or some other form of a major reorganization instead of the current system. The current system is a long, winding, often random road that makes little sense. It stretches the primaries out too long, forces our candidates to run out of money, and because some states vote so late, voters in those states never seem to count. Such a change would allow for a broader group of Republicans to play a role in selecting our nominee.

5. Recognizing the traditions of several states that have early nominating contests, the newly organized primaries would begin only after the “carve-out” states have held their individual elections. It remains important to have an “on ramp” of small states that hold unique primary days before the primary season turns into a multi-state process with many states voting on one day. The idea of a little-known candidate having a fair chance remains important.

6. We also recommend broadening the base of the Party and inviting as many voters as possible into the Republican Party by discouraging conventions and caucuses for the purpose of allocating delegates to the national convention. Our party needs to grow its membership, and primaries seem to be a more effective way to do so. The greater the number of people who vote in a Republican primary, the more likely they will turn out and vote again for the Republican candidate in the fall election.

ACU Announces Results Of The Washington Times-CPAC 2013 Straw Poll (2016 GOP Presidential Nominee)

ACU ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES-CPAC 2013 STRAW POLL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC 2013) concluded with Senator Rand Paul winning the CPAC Straw Poll. The Straw Poll was sponsored by The Washington Times and conducted by Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates.

Today’s 40th Annual National CPAC was a high-energy three-day conference bracketed by dynamic remarks by top regional and national conservative leaders.

In first place, Rand Paul secured 25% percent of the vote by registered CPAC attendees, followed by Senator Marco Rubio at 23% percent.  Former Senator Rick Santorum received 8% percent of the vote, closely followed by Governor Chris Christie with 7% percent and Representative Paul Ryan with 6% percent.

A total of over 60 names were either listed or written in.  The top two names received nearly 50% of the vote.

“We convened thousands of energized conservatives today at this 40th Annual National CPAC 2013 from across the entire country,” said ACU Chairman Al Cardenas. “It’s been a long-standing and fun tradition at CPAC National as well as our regional CPACs to poll the attendees and get their opinion on a number of important issues.”

“The Washington Times is honored to partner with CPAC to measure the pulse of conservatives at this key moment in the movement,” said Larry Beasley, President and CEO of The Washington Times.

The Washington Times-CPAC 2013 Straw Poll results help benchmark how conservatives perceive key issues and their preferred candidates heading into the next election.

Every year, the ACU brings thousands of grassroots conservatives and conservative leaders together in Washington, D.C., and now in regional conferences comprising blockbuster speeches, policy discussions and networking opportunities – all celebrating the shared principles of smaller government, a strong national defense and traditional values.  The next CPAC event will be March 6-8, 2014.

Statement from the Vice President on His Holiness Pope Francis

Statement from the Vice President on His Holiness Pope Francis

Jill and I want to offer our congratulations to His Holiness Pope Francis, and extend our prayers as he takes on this holy responsibility. I am happy to have the chance to personally relay my well wishes, and those of the American people, when I travel to Rome for his Inaugural Mass. The Catholic Church plays an essential role in my life and the lives of more than a billion people in America and around the world, not just in matters of our faith, but in pursuit of peace and human dignity for all faiths. I look forward to our work together in the coming years on many important issues.

Santorum Praises Selection of New Pope

Santorum Praises Selection of New Pope
 
Verona, PA - Former Republican presidential candidate and chairman of Patriot Voices Rick Santorum issued the following statement upon learning of the selection of the 266th Pope:

"Habemus Papam!  We have a Pope!  Karen and I share our excitement over the selection of  Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope.  We stand with open hearts to embrace our new spiritual father, the successor of St. Peter, and pray for the Church and its faithful around the world. 

"And as I watched today's events unfold and the white smoke rise from the chimney of the Vatican, I couldn't help but be struck by such an awesome celebration of faith in the public square."

Statement from the President on His Holiness Pope Francis

Statement from the President on His Holiness Pope Francis

On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy.  As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years—that in each other we see the face of God.  As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day.  Just as I appreciated our work with Pope Benedict XVI, I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith.  We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church in our modern world.