2016 Presidential Campaign Blog

Jeb Bush to Speak at the National Christian Hispanic Leadership Conference in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, April 29, 2015

JEB BUSH TO SPEAK AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN HISPANIC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
 
Tallahassee, FL – On Wednesday, Right to Rise PAC Honorary Chairman Governor Jeb Bush will deliver one of the keynote speeches at the National Christian Hispanic Leadership Conference in Houston.
 
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
 
Event: Governor Bush to speak at the National Christian Hispanic Leadership Conference
 
Location:      

Crowne Plaza – Main Ballroom
8686 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77054
 
Start Time: 12:15 PM CST

48th Annual South Carolina GOP Silver Elephant Dinner on May 1, 2015

48th Annual Silver Elephant Dinner w/ Priebus, Cruz, Perry, Santorum (May 1)

Who: RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. Rick Santorum, Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Tim Scott

What: S.C. Republican Party's 48th Annual Silver Elephant Dinner

When: Friday, May 1 (program begins at 7:30 PM

Where: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to keynote 48th Annual Silver Elephant Dinner in "First in the South" presidential primary state; dinner to honor the late Governor Jim Edwards

Cruz, Perry, Santorum, Haley, Graham, Scott to also speak

Columbia, S.C. - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus will keynote the S.C. Republican Party's 48th Annual Silver Elephant Dinner on May 1, 2015. The Silver Elephant Dinner, first held in 1967, is consistently the largest and most prestigious Republican gathering in South Carolina. Previous keynote speakers include governors, senators, and Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

"Chairman Priebus has done an incredible job remaking the RNC into an election winning machine by focusing on a 24/7/365 ground game and world-class technology," said SCGOP Chairman Matt Moore. "His record fundraising and political efforts directly led to Republicans winning the U.S. Senate in 2014. We look forward to hearing how Chairman Priebus and the RNC will partner with our 2016 Republican presidential nominee to defeat Hillary Clinton."

"It’s an honor to be a part of the historic Silver Elephant Dinner, and it’s always exciting to be in South Carolina, home of the First in the South presidential primary. I look forward to talking with South Carolina Republicans about how we will build on our victories in 2014 to win the White House in 2016," said Chairman Priebus. "I also look forward to highlighting the RNC’s work to improve our party’s presidential primaries and debates and to field the best ground game operation in history. Working together, we will make sure that Hillary Clinton is not elected to serve as President Obama’s third term-and that we elect a Republican president.”

This year’s dinner will also honor former State Senator, Charleston County GOP Chairman, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and South Carolina Governor Jim Edwards, who passed away in December.

Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum Confirmed to Speak at The FAMiLY LEADER Family Leadership Regional Summit on Monday, May 18, 2015 in Cedar Falls, Iowa

The FAMiLY LEADER’S NE FAMILY LEADERSHIP REGIONAL SUMMIT
MAY 18 IN CEDAR FALLS
Former Governor Mike Huckabee and Senator Rick Santorum Confirmed to Speak

Urbandale, IOWA – The FAMiLY LEADER (TFL) is hosting the second of four Family Leadership Regional Summits on the evening of Monday, May 18, at Cedar Falls High School at 1002 W. 1st St. in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The first Regional Summit, held in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, drew over 600 attendees and reporters from over a dozen news outlets.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Sen. Rick Santorum are confirmed speakers for the second, NE Regional Summit in Cedar Falls. Additional, nationally prominent speakers will be added in the coming weeks.

The Family Leadership Regional Summit is a multi-speaker policy/issues event, similar to TFL’s annual Family Leadership Summit held in Ames each year. The evening event (tentative start time at 6:30 PM) will feature state and national conservative leaders with the end goal of educating Iowans about the issues that impact their families.

Bob Vander Plaats, President & CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER said, “We are thrilled to bring our regional summit to Northeast Iowa. We look forward to assisting and serving Iowans by providing intentional avenues of education to help them learn about policies and issues that impact their families.”

The regional summit schedule* is as follows:

Monday, May 18: NE Family Leadership Regional Summit (Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, IA)
Monday, June 15: SW Family Leadership Regional Summit (Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA)
Tuesday, September 1: NW Family Leadership Regional Summit (Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA)
*Dates and locations subject to change.

Governor Jeb Bush Town Hall Meeting at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday, May 16, 2015

Governor Jeb Bush Town Hall Meeting at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday, May 16, 2015
     
Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10:00am

Doors open at 9:00am
        
Loras College Alumni Campus Center
Ballroom A
1450 Alta Vista St
Dubuque, IA 52001

Town Hall meeting at Loras College hosted by the Loras College Republicans

Carly Fiorina Holds Several Events Across the State of New Hampshire from April 28, 2015 to May 1, 2015

Carly Fiorina Holds Several Events Across the State of New Hampshire from April 28, 2015 to May 1, 2015

Tuesday, April 28th

NH House Business Caucus Luncheon co-hosted with the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce

12-1pm ET
The Barley House
132 N. Main Street
Concord, NH

Meet and Greet hosted by Yvonne Dean-Bailey

7:30-8:45pm ET
Northwood Community Center
135 Main Street
Northwood, NH 03261

Wednesday, April 29th

Breakfast Meet & Greet with George and Sandy Lazarus
7:30-8:30am ET
Lazarus Residence

Business Roundtable Luncheon Hosted by Renee Plummer
Portsmouth, NH

Sen. Jeanie Forrester’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner
5:30-7pm ET
Horse Meadow Senior Center
91 Horsemeadow Road
North Haverhill, NH 03774

Thursday, April 30th

Contoocook Valley GOP Breakfast hosted by former Hillsborough County Sheriff Walt Morse, former Representative Mark Lindsley, and Bob Flanders
7:30-8:30am ET
Intervale Pancake House
931 Flanders Rd (Jct. Route 114 & Flanders Road)
Henniker, NH

Americans for Peace, Prosperity & Security National Security Forum
11:30am-1:15pm ET
UNH Manchester, Room 329
88 Commercial Street
Manchester, NH

Jaffrey-Rindge-Fitzwilliam Republican Committee Event
7-8:30pm ET
Home of Gillian and Alfred L'Eplattenier
Rindge, NH

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Announces Pablo Manriquez as Director of Hispanic Media

DNC Announces New Director of Hispanic Media
 
Washington, DC – Today, the Democratic National Committee announced Pablo Manriquez will join the organization as the Director of Hispanic Media for the 2016 cycle. Manriquez’s announcement comes as part of a series of hires within the DNC Communications department for the 2016 cycle.
 
“I am thrilled that Pablo will be joining us at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “Our building is working to show all communities that the Democratic Party is truly the party that has their backs, and Pablo is the right person to help us deliver that message. I am confident that Pablo’s press experience and communications relationships have given him the exact qualifications we need at the DNC.”
 
Manriquez comes to the DNC after serving as a Washington Correspondent for Fox News Latino.  He has also blogged extensively on Latino affairs on Huffington Post. During the 2010 midterm election cycle, he provided Hispanic digital and field outreach at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee after serving as a Midwest Digital Director and Latino outreach specialist in the 2008 Obama campaign. He has also served in a variety of governmental affairs and crisis communications roles in the private sector.  
 
DNC Communications Director Mo Elleithee said, “We have spent the past few months building the strongest possible department to help the DNC elect a Democrat as the 45th President of the United States. Pablo brings such a wide range of experience to the table, and I look forward to having him as part of our team.”
 
Alongside Manriquez on the DNC’s regional and constituency communications team, Michael Tyler serves as the Director of African American Media, Kristin Sosanie recently joined as the Southern Regional Press Secretary, Jason Pitt is the Midwestern Regional Press Secretary, Eric Walker joined as the Western Regional Press Secretary and Kaylie Hanson serves as the Northeast Regional Press Secretary and Director of Women’s media.

What They’re Saying About Bobby Jindal’s Trip to Iowa for the Faith & Freedom Summit on April 25, 2015

What They’re Saying About Bobby Jindal’s Trip to Iowa for the Faith & Freedom Summit on April 25, 2015

National Review: “Bobby Jindal Wows Iowa Evangelicals”

• National Review: “Jindal brought to the stage a fast-talking, folksy, preacher-like quality that immediately resonated with the crowd.”
• National Review: “Even after shifting from his own spiritual experience to the politics of religious liberty, Jindal kept the audience in rapt attention.”
• National Review: “Iowa City resident Patrick Nefzger, who called Jindal’s speech ‘wonderful,’ had a straightforward answer when asked when asked why Jindal’s poll numbers didn’t reflect the strong response he received Saturday night. ‘That’s because they don’t know who he is,’ he said simply.” 

Des Moines Register’s Kathie Obradovich: “Jindal, Who Says He'll Decide In June Whether To Run, Gave One Of The Best Speeches I've Heard From Him.” 

• Des Moines Register’s Kathie Obradovich: “He Brought Many In The Audience To Their Feet With A Passionate Argument For Protecting Religious Liberty. ‘The United States did not create religious liberty. Religious liberty created the United States of America,’ he said.”

Des Moines Register: “Jindal Won Some Of The Night's Biggest Cheers When Describing His Conversion To Christianity, His Commitment To Religious Liberty And His Indian Family's Embrace Of The United States.”

Des Moines Register: “[Jindal] took umbrage with Clinton, a Democratic candidate for president, who reportedly said this week that religious beliefs ’have to be changed’ to ensure women's access to reproductive health care. ‘I've got news for her: My religious beliefs are not between me and Hillary Clinton,’ Jindal said.”

Iowa Republican's Craig Robinson: “@Bobbyjindal Has Been The Strongest On Religious Liberty Tonight At #Iafaithforum”

Des Moines Register’s Brianne Pfannenstiel: “Bobby Jindal Killin' It At #Iafaithforum. First Standing Ovation Of The Night, Major Applause Lines.”

Bloomberg: “Jindal, The Louisiana Governor, May Have Helped His Standing With A Speech That Received One Of The Strongest Reactions Of The Night.”

Politico: “The Louisiana Governor’s Speech Was Interrupted Twice By Standing Ovations…”

• Politico’s James Hohmann: “Bobby Jindal Has The Crowd In Iowa Really Fired Up.”

Ottumwa Courier: “Jindal Brings Budding Campaign To Ottumwa …. Jindal said Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, and President Barack Obama share a vision that requires people to conform to society’s dictates on issues like religious views and personal freedom. ‘There was a time when liberals really did believe in First Amendment rights. That’s no longer the case,’ he said.”

The Washington Post’s Jose A. Delreal: “Standing Ovation For Bobby Jindal At The Iowa Faith And Freedom Coalition Spring Kick Off”

New York Times: “On the same night that leaders of the national press corps were dining in Washington with sundry entertainment celebrities, Mr. Jindal offered a message for ‘Hollywood and the media elite.’ ‘The United States of America did not create religious liberty; religious liberty created the United States of America,’ a line that earned a standing ovation.”

Des Moines Register’s Linh Ta: “One Of The Biggest Audience Responses So Far Is For Bobby Jindal.”

What They’re Saying About Scott Walker on Day Two of His Iowa Trip, April 25, 2015

What They’re Saying About Scott Walker on Day Two of His Iowa Trip, April 25, 2015

The Des Moines Register: “… Walker, despite speaking last, managed to get the crowd clapping and pounding their feet on the metal bleachers.” (Who stood out at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Forum?, Kathie Obradovich, April 26, 2015)

The Capital Times: “‘I really like him,’ said Michele Peters, who works at the Machine Shed restaurant where Walker spoke with U.S. Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, before headlining the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition spring kickoff that evening. ‘He's down to earth.’ … Peters has spoken with Walker on both of his trips to the Machine Shed this year, and hopes he'll come back to join the Westside Conservative Club — a group of conservatives living in Des Moines' western suburbs — at one of its meetings held at the restaurant. … Lee Stein, of Beaverdale, also posed for a photo with the governor, donning an Iowa State Cyclones cap. … ‘The more I've learned about him, the more impressed I am,’ Stein said. … ‘I think he hit all the right notes,’ said Tyler De Haan, chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party. ‘I think he's hitting much more on the emotional side of people. The first couple times I saw him speak, he was much more on the policy side. He ended on a very good note with the story about Independence Hall. That's the type of story that really inspires people, really gets them engaged.’” (In Scott Walker, Iowans see a straight shooter, Jessie Opoien, April 25, 2015)

The Des Moines Register: “‘You can see a good leader,’ Urbandale resident Leroy Nylen said ahead of the governor’s speech. “I was in the Navy in World War II. You could see who the leaders were right away. Enlisted men, officers, whoever they were — you could see who the leaders were.’ … After hearing Walker speak, Nylen said he thought he saw those qualities in Walker. … ‘He emanates leadership,’ he said. ‘He shows it, he talks it and he feels it.’” (At Scott Walker event, Iowans look for a leader, Brianne Pfannenstiel, April 25, 2015)

Omaha World-Herald: “Walker … spent a good part of his time touting his record in Wisconsin, where he survived a recall election after a very bitter fight with public employee unions. … ‘We need to take the power out of the special interests and put it back into the hands of the people,’ Walker said.” (9 Republican presidential contenders court evangelicals in Iowa, Robynn Tyvser, April 26, 2015)

Quad-City Times: “Gov. Scott Walker, who said he’s been sustained by prayer, touted Wisconsin’s defunding of Planned Parenthood, anti-abortion legislation and the ‘castle doctrine’ so citizens can defend themselves, their loved ones and property. He also talked about ending seniority and tenure so teachers can be hired and fired on merit and expanding school choice, balancing the budget and lowering unemployment. … He didn’t lay out his accomplishment to brag, Walker said, ‘but to tell you that if it can happen in a blue state like Wisconsin it can happen anywhere.’” (GOP hopefuls test messages at Iowa event, James Q. Lynch, April 25, 2015)

The Des Moines Register: “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Saturday he has prayed about making the right decisions as governor and he believes he has been successful because he has been more concerned about the next generation than the next election. … OTHER ISSUES: Government needs to get out of the way of business and tax burdens should made more competitive to bring back more jobs from overseas, Walker said. On immigration, the first priority should be American workers and American wages, he said. He also called for shifting many federal programs and money back to the states ‘and back in the hands of the American people again.’ … QUOTE: ‘If it can happen in a blue state like Wisconsin, it can happen anywhere in our nation.’ … BEST MOMENT: Walker got a strong response when he criticized President Barack Obama's foreign policy and warned that it's not a matter of if another terror attack will occur in the United States, but when. He said the nation needs a president who will say that Israel is an ally and will start treating it like one.” (Walker: Wisconsin's success can be repeated nationally, William Petroski, April 25, 2015)

The Hill: “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Saturday urged President Obama to abandon his tentative pact with Iran over its nuclear arms research. ‘We need to tell the president to back off from a bad deal,’ Walker said at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition summit in Waukee, Iowa.” (Walker tells Obama to ‘back off' Iran deal, Mark Hesch, April 25, 2015)

On the Twitters:

@jameshohmann

Scott Walker says he's gonna wrap up his speech soon so folks can get home to make sure they're at church on time tomorrow.

@jessieopie

Possibly @ScottWalker's biggest applause line: Need a prez that recognizes Israel as an ally and treats it as such #IAFaithForum

@McCormickJohn

Hour is late in Waukee, but @ScottWalker is holding audience, with very few heading for exits #IAFaithForum

What They’re Saying About Scott Walker on Day One of His Iowa Trip, April 24, 2015

What They’re Saying About Scott Walker on Day One of His Iowa Trip, April 24, 2015

ICYMI:

Interview with KMEG: http://bit.ly/1z3cImr

Interview with KTIV: http://bit.ly/1PxXjyp

Interview with WHO 1040: http://bit.ly/1z3fKaw

Through Our American Revival, Governor Walker wrapped up a successful first day in northwest Iowa this evening talking about his issues platform of big, bold reforms and winning record to help Republicans everywhere.  As he started his IA swing for the Faith and Freedom Coalition spring kickoff, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Daniel Bice and Annysa Johnson today shed some light on the role Gov. Walker’s faith plays in his life.

The Des Moines Register: “He said priorities for conservatives in Washington should be growth, reform and safety. Conservative leaders don’t have to shift to the center, he said. .. SETTING: A fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Rod Blum was held in a small meeting room at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel with seating for 63. … CROWD: About 180 people attended the event, leaving more than 100 people standing to hear his remarks.” (Scott Walker touts local ties in Iowa stop, Brianne Pfannenstiel, April 24, 2015)

The Capital Times: “‘… He's the one people around here say they want to see the most,’ Tracee Knapp, Ringgold County (Iowa) GOP secretary, told the Des Moines Register.” (Scott Walker to return to Iowa leading GOP in polls, Jessie Opoien, April 24, 2015)

The Gazette: “‘I like his approach,’ Gary Frederick of Marion said. ‘He wants to build people up rather than this trickle-up poverty’ of the Obama economy. … ‘He wants to give people help, but not as a lifestyle,’ he said.” (Growth, reform, and safety frame Walker message in Cedar Rapids, James Q. Lynch, April 24, 2015)

CNN: “Walker sought to paint himself as a Republican coalition builder, saying he garnered support from a wide swath of Republicans in his state -- from the Chamber of Commerce to the tea party and ‘everyone in between,’ he said. … As he typically has done when he's visited Iowa, Walker talked about his roots in the state, dating back to when he lived in Plainfield as a kid in the 1970s. He referenced going to Happy Chef when he was younger, a breakfast chain that can be found throughout the Midwest. And he told a story about his grandparent's tire coming off their car in Dubuque, located on the state's eastern border.” (In appeal to Iowans, Walker says path to presidency runs through Midwest, Ashley Killough, April 24, 2015)

On the Twitters:

@wpjenna

Scott Walker in Cedar Rapids: “It’s great to be back in Iowa.” (Gives shoutout to favorite childhood spot, Happy Chef.)

@KilloughCNN

In Iowa, Walker says he's coming back in May to ride his Harley around the state with Joni Ernst. pic.twitter.com/WbVs4zI2j6

@McCormickJohn

Pretty good midday crowd of about 200 for @ScottWalker in Cedar Rapids.

@kakukowski

Great morning in Davenport, just wrapped event for @BlumforCongress in Cedar Rapids, next stop Sioux Center pic.twitter.com/ujOrLxNN3b​

Ben Carson in West Des Moines, Iowa on May 4, 2015 *Canceled

*Canceled* Ben Carson will be in West Des Moines Iowa on May 4th at 5:00 pm.

The Iowa Clinic West Lakes Campus
5950 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266
           
Monday, May 4, 2015 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (CDT)

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-ben-carson-tickets-16753723839?aff=rss

"My friends in Iowa who I was so hoping to see tonight in Des Moines, I am afraid I must cancel our rally tonight at the Iowa Clinic. I will instead fly to be with my mother one last time. Please continue to pray for my family." Ben Carson