2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Mitt Romney Announces State Senator Alberta Darling As Wisconsin Campaign Co-Chair

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES STATE SENATOR ALBERTA DARLING AS WISCONSIN CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced State Senator Alberta Darling as Co-Chair of his Wisconsin campaign.

“It’s great to have the support of a distinguished leader like Alberta,” said Mitt Romney. “She has been a consistent fighter to cut spending, lower taxes, and empower job creators and small businesses. With Alberta’s help, I look forward to spreading my message of a ‘Simpler, Smaller, and Smarter’ federal government.”

“It’s a pleasure to stand with Alberta in support of Governor Romney,” said former State Senator Ted Kanavas, a Wisconsin Co-Chair. “It is clear that Wisconsin voters are looking for a conservative candidate who can beat President Obama and reverse his failed policies. Alberta and I will work tirelessly with Governor Romney to ensure that his conservative message is spread throughout the state.”

“President Obama’s policies have decimated the middle class,” said State Senator Alberta Darling. “Unemployment is on the rise; small businesses are being burdened by high taxes and overregulation; all while our children’s’ future is being mortgaged to China to pay for our staggering debt. We need a president who has signed both sides of a paycheck; one who knows how to create jobs and reduce the size of government. Mitt Romney is a conservative businessman who has a detailed plan to create jobs, grow the economy, and restore our country’s fiscal health. I am proud to support him and urge all those who want to turn this economy around to join me.”

Background On State Senator Alberta Darling:

Senator Darling Has Served In The Wisconsin State Senate Since 1992. She is the Co-Chair of the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. She previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

4President Alumnus Tommy Thompson Releases New Announcement Video

TOMMY THOMPSON RELEASES NEW ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO
“I’m Tommy Thompson. And I’ll fight to bring America back.”

[Madison, WI…] In conjunction with a formal announcement in his bid for U.S. Senate, former Governor Tommy G. Thompson today released a new campaign ad promoting his agenda of job creation, spending cuts, limited government, and market-based policy solutions to help bring America back.

Tommy Thompson, a trailblazing governor, ended welfare and the AFDC entitlement check altogether and replaced it with a new program based on work called Wisconsin Works, better known as W-2. The program became the model for welfare reform in America.

Thompson reformed Wisconsin’s education system, and implemented the nation’s first and largest school choice program: Parental School Choice Program. He expanded the private school choice program to include religious schools, which was another national first for Wisconsin.

Believing that families should keep more of what they earn, Thompson cut taxes 91 times and saved taxpayers $16 billion. He reformed the state’s tax code by cutting the income tax rate three times, eliminating the inheritance and gift taxes, making health care costs tax deductable, cutting capital gains taxes and abolishing the capital gains tax on the sale of a home, farm or business to an offspring, and refusing to adopt federal taxes on Social Security. He used his veto pen a record 1900 times to slash nearly $300 million in government spending and during his tenure the overall tax burden in Wisconsin went down.

Thompson’s tax cuts helped stimulate a faltering economy and create a positive economic climate. Under his leadership, more than 740,000 new jobs were created including more manufacturing jobs than any state in America with the exception of Texas. In addition, the state set all-time record low unemployment rate during his tenure.

Thompson’s list of supporters in the race for US Senate is unmatched. His endorsements include Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen; State Senators Cowles, Ellis, Harsdorf, Olsen and Schultz; U.S. Senators Alexander, Hoeven, Johanns and Risch; former DOA Secretary Jim Klauser; former U.S. Representatives Mark Green and Scott Klug; former Speaker John Gard; former State Treasurer Cate Zeuske; and former Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Rick Graber.

In addition, Thompson received the endorsement of Club for Growth Wisconsin founders Terry and Mary Kohler as well as former American Conservative Union President David Keene.

Tommy Thompson Files for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin

Tommy Thompson Files for U.S. Senate
Formal Announcement Tour In Development

Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson filed today a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) for the office of United States Senate.

Darrin Schmitz, consultant to the former governor, said a formal announcement tour is in development but the FEC filing was the next step in Thompson’s organizational efforts for a Senate campaign.

“As Wisconsin’s next Senator, Tommy Thompson will lead the fight for conservative, commonsense reforms to get America working again,” Schmitz said. “Thompson ushered in an era of prosperity through tax reforms and innovative solutions that empowered families and entrepreneurs. He’s committed to securing our nation’s future through fiscal accountability and job creation, and putting an end to the Obama/Reid big government agenda. Washington needs the kind of wake up call that Tommy Thompson can deliver.”

Thompson issued an e-mail to grassroots activists across the state to inform supporters of his FEC filing, and he shared with them his signed “Taxpayers Protection Pledge” from Americans For Tax Reform. Thompson said in the e-mail:
 
“In all, I cut taxes 91 times. And I’m extremely proud of the fact that I saved taxpayers more than $16 billion through my tax reform initiatives, and during my tenure as governor Wisconsin’s overall tax burden went down.

“But cutting taxes is just half the answer. I used my veto pen a record 1900 times to slash state spending by $287 million. None of my vetoes were overridden.

“Barack Obama and Harry Reid have a vastly different idea for your hard-earned money. They want more and more and more. But I will fight them every step of the way.”

As governor, Thompson blazed a trail for tax reformers by cutting taxes a total of 91 times, which saved taxpayers more than $16 billion. Thompson cut income tax rates three times, delivered a record $1.2 billion property tax cut, eliminated the inheritance and gift tax, made health care costs tax deductable, abolished the capital gains tax on the sale of a home, farm or business to an offspring, and refused to adopt federal taxes on Social Security.

Mitt Romney Announces Ted Kanavas As Wisconsin State Co-Chair

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES TED KANAVAS AS WISCONSIN STATE CO-CHAIR

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced that former Wisconsin State Senator Ted Kanavas will serve as Co-Chair of the Wisconsin campaign.

“I am proud to announce the endorsement of Ted Kanavas,” said Mitt Romney. “Ted shares my goals for Wisconsin and the rest of the country. We need to fundamentally change business in Washington in order to help small businesses grow and start hiring again. Ted has fought for this in Wisconsin and I look forward to working with him to bring jobs back to Wisconsin.”

Announcing his support Kanavas said, “Mitt Romney is the only candidate with a record of job creation in the private sector and as a governor. After three years of President Obama’s failed policies, it is clear that we need a president with experience working in the private sector, not another career politician. Wisconsin will be a critical state in this election. Mitt Romney is the only candidate who has the leadership experience Wisconsin voters are looking for and is the best candidate to beat President Obama in Wisconsin.”

Background On Ted Kanavas:

Ted Kanavas Was Elected To The Wisconsin State Senate In 2001. While in the State Senate, Kanavas was an advocate for job growth and economic development in Wisconsin. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Kanavas was an aide to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner. Kanavas is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Governor Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 115 to change Presidential Primary date to April 3rd

Governor Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 115 to change primary election date to April 3rd

Madison–This morning Governor Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 115, which changes the presidential primary election date in Wisconsin, into law as Act 45. The presidential primary will now take place on the same day as the spring general election. Wisconsin’s previous presidential primary date was in February, and with the signing of this law it will move to April.
 
“Holding Wisconsin’s presidential primary election on the same day as the routine spring elections will make the administration of our elections more cost efficient—saving valuable taxpayer dollars,” said Governor Walker. “I was pleased to sign a bill into law this morning that received support from Republicans, Democrats and the Legislature’s one independent member. Moving forward I am hopeful we can continue down the path of working together to help create an economic environment that allows the private sector to create 250,000 new jobs by 2015.”

Mitt Romney Announces Wisconsin Finance Committee

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES WISCONSIN FINANCE COMMITTEE

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced his Wisconsin Finance Committee.

“To beat President Obama, we will need the resources to go up against his $1 billion machine,” said Mitt Romney. “My Wisconsin Finance Committee will help raise the resources so that I can reach out to voters. I am proud to announce my team today.”

“To help get Governor Romney elected we must raise the necessary funds – this is the team that will do that in Wisconsin,” said Terry Dittrich. “As Mitt Romney reaches out to voters in Wisconsin and across the country, we will help him spread his pro-growth message.”

“After three years of failed policies, it is clear we need a change in the White House,” said Scott Beightol. “Mitt Romney is the only candidate with the necessary experience to get Wisconsin and the country on the right track again. Our team in Wisconsin is honored to help him in his efforts.”

“Wisconsin voters have seen the record of this White House and it is not a good one,” said Mike Jones. “It is clear that we need someone in the White House with experience working in the real economy, not another career politician. Mitt Romney’s record of results as a conservative businessman and successful governor is what Wisconsin needs to grow our economy and for businesses to start hiring again.”

Mitt Romney’s Wisconsin Finance Committee:

• · Helen and Ned Bechthold
• · David Beightol
• · Scott Beightol
• · Betsie and Bill Berrien
• · Bonnie Blair
• · Kelly Brown
• · Lori and Joseph Chrnelich
• · Michael Cudahy
• · Willie Davis
• · PJ DiStefano
• · Terry Dittrich
• · Jim Fitzgerald
• · Casey Fitz Randolph
• · John Hiller
• · Jay Hintze
• · Dan Jansen
• · Mike Jones
• · Jim Klauser
• · Tracey and Rick Klein
• · Elaine and Stephen Kraut
• · Helen Johnson Leipold
• · Craig Leipold
• · Scott Rackham
• · Richard Resch
• · Frank Romano
• · Brian Schroeder
• · Tracy Stefaniak Borgardt
• · Joe Sweeney
• · Ray Taffora
• · Jason Thompson
• · Jack Voight
• · Yash Wadhwa

Wisconsin Republicans Want Paul Ryan, Then Mike Huckabee For President In 2012

Wisconsin Republicans want Ryan, then Huckabee

If he decided to run for President Paul Ryan would be the strong first choice of Wisconsin Republicans. 30% say he'd be their pick for the party's nomination followed by Mike Huckabee at 17%, Newt Gingrich at 12%, Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney at 9%, Ron Paul at 5%, Tim Pawlenty at 4%, and Mitch Daniels at 3%.

It may seem unsurprising for a potential Presidential candidate to poll well in their home state. But that's actually been more the exception than the rule in our state by state 2012 GOP surveys so far. Mitt Romney at 47% and John Thune at 37% polled better in their respective home states than Ryan does. But Tim Pawlenty at 24% in Minnesota, Jim DeMint at 24% in South Carolina, Sarah Palin at 15% in Alaska, Gary Johnson at 13% in New Mexico, Rick Santorum at 11% in Pennsylvania, and Rick Perry at 9% in Texas all do worse. So grading it on a curve Ryan's numbers in Wisconsin are quite impressive.

Ryan is a rare House member who's as well known- and better liked- as any of the leading possible Presidential candidates. His favorability of 67/10 in the state tops Sarah Palin's 65/25, which is followed by Mike Huckabee at 58/18, Newt Gingrich at 54/23, and Mitt Romney at 49/25.

Ryan's numbers are interesting but a candidacy from him seems unlikely. If you take him out of the mix Huckabee leads with 23% to 15% for Gingrich and Palin, 12% for Romney, 10% for Pawlenty, 5% for Paul, and 3% for Daniels.

A few observations on these numbers:

-Romney's 12% here is one of the worst performances we've found for him anywhere outside the South. Pawlenty's 10% meanwhile is one of his best, probably owing to Minnesota being next door. It makes you wonder though- will a strong Pawlenty really hurt Romney's chances at the nomination- and keep either of them from winning it? I'm not sure how many Republican primary votes there are out there for comparatively moderate, bland former Governors of a Midwestern pedigree. If Romney and Pawlenty split the votes of folks who are in the market for a candidate like that it's going to make both of their roads pretty hard.

-The main reason for Romney's fourth place finish here besides Pawlenty's strength? He's at 7% with voters describing themselves as 'very conservative.' Poor performances with that group are nothing new for Romney, and they're probably his biggest obstacle to the nomination.

-Huckabee's shaping up to be the strongest Republican candidate in the Big Ten states- in addition to his lead on this Wisconsin poll, he's also led in every other every state we've polled in the region so far in 2011- Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Iowa. If Huckabee does end up running you're going to have his strength in the South and Midwest butting up against Romney's strength in the Northeast and West.

-This is a bit of a broken record but still an important point: Republican voters love Sarah Palin but don't want her to be their Presidential candidate. She has the highest favorability of the GOPers besides Ryan, 7 points higher than Huckabee's and 11 points higher than Gingrich's. But she still runs 8 points behind Huckabee on Presidential nomination choice and just ties with Gingrich. Liking someone and thinking they should occupy the White House are two very different things.

Obama Weaker Than 2008 But Still Solid In Wisconsin

Obama Weaker Than 2008 But Still Solid In Wisconsin

Wisconsin is one state where Barack Obama definitely seems to be weaker than he was in 2008, but he would still win it comfortably if he had to stand for election today if not quite by the lofty margin he did last time around.

Obama's approval rating in the state is 49% with 45% of voters disapproving of him. The Democratic base stands pretty universally behind him at 89% approval and independents break slightly in favor of him by a 49/43 spread. Holding him below 50% is that he has virtually no support from Republicans, only 10% of whom approve of his job performance.

Obama's approval spread may only be +4 but his leads over all of his prospective Republican opponents exceed that. He's up 7 points on Mike Huckabee at 48-41, 9 points on Paul Ryan at 49-40, 10 on Mitt Romney at 48-38, 12 on Newt Gingrich at 51-39, and 19 on Sarah Palin at 54-35.

Ryan's performance is noteworthy. It might seem unsurprising for a native son candidate to do better than most of the rest of the Republican field in his home state, but for the most part we've found second tier candidate possibilities doing worse than Romney and Huckabee on their home fronts. So by that measure Ryan's performance is decent.

Ryan is the only one of the Republicans we tested who has a positive favorability number, at 36% rating him positively and 35% with a negative opinion. Beyond him only Huckabee even comes close to breaking even at a 34/37 spread. Romney comes in at 30/41, Gingrich at 26/49, and Palin at 32/60. This makes Wisconsin yet another on the list of swing states where voters dislike all of the potential GOP Presidential candidates.

Obama took Wisconsin by 14 points in 2008, so his margins over Huckabee, Ryan, Romney, and Gingrich all represent a tightening from his victory over John McCain. Still he appears to be on much more solid ground in the state than Democrats were in 2000 or 2004. As for Palin Wisconsin makes for another of her 'Goldwater' states- her 19 point deficit would be the biggest loss for a Republican in the state since the party lost by 24 points in 1964.

Tim Pawlenty Statement In Support Of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Tim Pawlenty Statement in Support of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

"Governor Scott Walker is making tough choices needed to avoid financial ruin. The nation's governors don't need a lecture from a President who has never balanced a budget. All levels of government need to bring public employee compensation in line with the private sector.  The gig is up for public employee groups who demand better benefits than the taxpayers who are paying the bill.  I'm confident Governor Walker's reforms will succeed in Wisconsin. Stand strong, Scott -- average taxpayers everywhere are rooting for you."

The Republican Governors Association Congratulates Governor-Elect Scott Walker Of Wisconsin

RGA Congratulates Governor-Elect Scott Walker

The Republican Governors Association congratulates Governor-elect Scott Walker on his election as governor of Wisconsin.  Scott Walker succeeds Democratic governor Jim Doyle.  The Republican Governors Association was a key investor in Scott Walker’s victory spending a total of $5 million.

“Scott Walker had a clear message of bringing fiscal sanity to Wisconsin.” said RGA chairman Haley Barbour.  “Wisconsin voters recognized that Scott is someone who not only talks the talk of fiscal responsibility, he walks the walk.  That’s why he won and why he’ll be a great governor.”

The Republican Governors Association was a key investor in Scott Walker’s victory spending a total of $5 million on the race. The RGA ran a comprehensive campaign including TV and internet ads and direct mail. The series of ads were devastating to Tom Barrett as they outlined Barrett’s record of more taxes and less jobs and that he would be like a third term for Jim Doyle, only worse.  All told, RGA ran 8 TV ads and sent 8 pieces of mail for absentee, early voting, and GOTV, totaling 2.9 million mail pieces.