2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Sam Brownback To Announce January 20th In Kansas

Brownback to move on presidential bid
By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Sen. Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican and favorite son of the religious right, will officially enter the presidential race later this month in his home state.

"He will be fully announcing on January 20 in Topeka, Kansas," Brian Hart, the senator's spokesman, said Friday. The move was expected even though Brownback set up an exploratory committee in December to gauge whether he had enough support for a full-blown campaign.

Yahoo News AP Story

Brownback Expands Exploratory Committee in Iowa and Kansas

BROWNBACK EXPANDS EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE
Kevin McLaughlin of Iowa and Dave Mugler of Kansas Sign On

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today announced that Kevin McLaughlin of Des Moines, Iowa, and Dr. Dave Mugler of Manhattan, Kansas, have joined his presidential exploratory committee.

"Kevin and Dr. Mugler bring experience and ideas to the table," said Brownback. "Kevin's leadership on tax reform in Iowa speaks to a broader need for federal tax reform, and Dr. Mugler's extensive knowledge of agricultural issues will be crucial as we face changes and opportunities in agriculture and energy."

Kevin McLaughlin was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and has worked in the financial services and investment industry for 30 years. In 1996, he served as the Polk County Chair for Steve Forbes' presidential bid, and in 2000 as the Iowa Vice Chair for Forbes.

"Senator Brownback understands the critical need for tax, Social Security, and health care reform," said McLaughlin. "Anti-growth taxes and the massive cost increases predicted for entitlement programs represent the greatest threat to the well being of young generations of Americans and our future economic health."

"Senator Brownback grew up on a farm and understands firsthand the issues that farmers are facing," said Mugler. "As new opportunities in energy and agriculture bring on the largest changes to farming in a generation, Senator Brownback has the background to embrace the future while respecting the past."

Brownback Adds Two To Exploratory Committee

BROWNBACK ADDS TWO TO EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today announced that Dr. Jerry Zandstra of Michigan and former Miss America, Angela Perez Baraquio of Hawaii have joined his presidential exploratory committee.

“Senator Brownback is a Ronald Reagan Republican who can help us return to basic conservative principles,” said Zandstra. “Senator Brownback has the consistency and credibility to unite the Republican Party and win Michigan.”

“As a teacher, I understand the importance of building character in our youth,” said Baraquio. “Senator Brownback is a leader of impeccable character who can show the way with strength, integrity, compassion, and wisdom. As a Catholic, I am proud to support this wonderful man who believes in the sanctity of every human life.”

“I’m honored that Angela will bring her experience in education and childhood development to our team,” said Brownback. “Angela understands that character and education are crucial in building a culture of success that gives our children the environment they need to thrive. I’m thrilled that Dr. Zandstra has joined my team, as Jerry’s Michigan ties and his commitment to renewing the family and culture makes him a valuable asset.”

Sam Brownback Files Paperwork With The Federal Elections Commission

BROWNBACK FOR PRESIDENT
Filed paperwork to form exploratory committee today

TOPEKA, Kan. – Senator Sam Brownback today filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission establishing a presidential exploratory committee.  Forming an exploratory committee is the first formal step to run for president of the United States.

“I have decided, after much prayerful consideration, to consider a bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency,” said Brownback.  “There is a real need in our country to rebuild the family and renew our culture and there is a need for genuine conservatism and real compassion in the national discussion.  I look forward to traveling the country to listen to Americans about the ideas and issues facing this great nation.  I hope to raise the level of discussion about issues of life at home and abroad; renewed fiscal restraint, tax reform, and economic growth; and a vigorous yet compassionate and consistent foreign policy.”

Sam Brownback is the senior senator from Kansas, having succeeded Bob Dole in 1996 after serving in the House of Representatives.  He was previously the youngest Kansas Secretary of Agriculture in Kansas, a White House Fellow, a broadcaster, a teacher, an attorney, and an author. Brownback was born and raised in Parker, Kansas, where his father and brother still farm and lives in Topeka, Kansas, with his wife Mary and their five children.

Brownback continued, “Ours is an exceptional nation united by our ideals. But we are a great nation because of our goodness. If we ever lose our goodness, we will surely lose our greatness.  We have been given so much and should be hopeful for our future and thankful for the many blessings.  But so much is required; we need a culture that encourages what is right and discourages what is wrong—and has the wisdom to understand the difference.  But we can achieve much if we pick up the torch with courage, generosity, and realism. We must meet and fulfill the job we are called to accomplish and the time to act to insure our future as a nation is now.”

Brownback also announced select members of his exploratory advisory committee: (Organizations are listed for identification purposes only and do not infer organizational endorsement)

Tom Monaghan, Chancellor of Ave Maria University
Bowie Kuhn, former Major League Baseball commissioner

Brownback will travel to ten states over the next month to meet with state and local leaders, visit with voters and share his ideas for the future and build his exploratory team.  He will be in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tomorrow.

New Sam Brownback For President Website

Sam Brownback announced that he is considering a bid for the Republican nominaton with this statement on his new Presidential Exploratory Committee website.

"I have decided, after much prayerful consideration, to consider a bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency.

I am running to spread hope and ideas. We are a blessed nation at an important crossroads. War, corruption, disintegrating families, and for some, hopelessness, tear at the American Dream. We need hope and ideas.

I am running for America…to be of service in a crucial time of trial.

Ours is an exceptional nation. A nation between two oceans made up of people from every nation on earth. A great nation united by our ideals. But we are a great nation because of our goodness. If we ever lose our goodness, we will surely lose our greatness.

We believe in a culture of life—that every human life is a beautiful, sacred, unique child of a loving God.

We believe in justice for all—at all times.

We believe in liberty.

But the central institutions that best transmit these values—the family and the culture—are under withering attack.

We must renew our families and rebuild our culture!

We need to revitalize marriage, support the formation of families, and encourage a culture of commitment.

We need a culture that encourages what is right and discourages what is wrong—and has the wisdom to understand the difference.

Each generation of Americans is called upon to carry the torch of virtue during its brief season. If one generation lets the torch fall, its light is extinguished for all future generations. That’s a big responsibility, but we can achieve it if we pick up the torch with courage, generosity, and realism. We must meet and fulfill the job we are called to accomplish in our day. The time to act to insure our future as a nation is now.

Problems abound. The federal government wastes and spends too much. We lack compassionate yet practical programs to help the poor here and around the world. We need energy independence and alternative, clean-burning, domestic-grown fuels. The scourge of cancer has killed too many and must be stopped. We need term limits for judges and members of Congress like we have for the President. We need a flat tax instead of the dreadful, incomprehensible tax code we now have.

And we need humility.

While I am proud to be an American, when I consider my citizenship and the responsibilities it carries today in the light of eternity, I am more humbled by it. We have been given much and will be held to account for what we have been given.

I ask mostly for your prayers. Pray for America, that our division as a people might end and that our land be healed.

Thank you for your interest and support. Thank you for your prayers. Please join our campaign of national renewal and hope for the future!

God Bless you, and God Bless this nation we love so dearly"