2016 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowa GOP's Central Committee Votes to Proceed With Plans for Straw Poll

Iowa GOP's Central Committee Votes to Proceed With Plans for Straw Poll

DES MOINES - In an unanimous 16-0 vote, the Republican Party of Iowa's Central Committee today agreed to proceed with plans for a straw poll component at its traditional August fundraiser. Exact details of the event including time, location, and structure will be determined after today's vote.

Statement from Chairman Jeff Kaufmann: "In 2014, through extreme heat and cold, Iowans worked to elect the strongest Republican delegation we've sent to Washington in years. These are the same voters and volunteers who make our First-in-the-Nation Caucuses so special and who have traditionally made the August straw poll such an exciting experience. The Central Committee recognizes the straw poll fundraiser is not only an important organizing event for Iowa Republicans, but also provides the only opportunity during the Iowa Caucus process where candidates can speak to tens of thousands of voters in a single event. I look forward to working together with activists and candidates to ensure the 2015 Iowa Straw Poll fundraiser is a vibrant and mutually-beneficial event."

Background

The Iowa GOP has included a straw poll in its August fundraising event since 1979, when it was was won by George H.W. Bush. Past winners also include George W. Bush, Bob Dole, and Mitt Romney.

Iowa GOP Chairman Statement on the 2015 Iowa Straw Poll

Chairman Kaufmann's Statement on Saturday's Straw Poll Vote

DES MOINES - Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement regarding the future of the Iowa GOP's straw poll:
 
I recently had the honor of attending the swearing-in ceremonies for Iowa’s new Republican leaders in Congress. As Senator Ernst and Congressmen Blum and Young swore the oath to defend the Constitution as our voices in Washington, it was the culmination of the tens of thousands of volunteer hours contributed by Republican grassroots activists across the state.
 
These same activists are the lifeblood of the Iowa Caucuses. Regular citizens, without title or privilege, who are unafraid to look a powerful politician in the eye and ask tough questions. This is a process worth fighting for and preserving. A process that rewards retail campaigning, meeting Iowans in person and not through a television screen. And, for over three-plus decades, a process that includes a voluntary poll taken at a major Iowa GOP August fundraiser showcasing presidential candidates.
 
In recent months, speculation has grown that party rules passed since the 2012 Iowa Caucuses may prohibit presidential straw polls at fundraising events and possibly place Iowa’s protected First-in-the-Nation status in jeopardy.
 
Protecting Iowa and a process that gives regular citizens a voice in choosing our presidential nominee is job one. That is why during my recent visit to Washington, D.C., it was a priority to meet with Republican National Committee officials to resolve this speculation once and for all. In discussions with senior RNC officials, including legal counsel, it was crystal clear that the Iowa GOP’s inclusion of a straw poll in an August 2015 fundraising event does not violate those new rules, nor place in jeopardy our status as the lead-off state in the presidential nomination process.
 
I appreciate the RNC's hard work in preserving the integrity of the presidential nomination process, and I look forward to the State Central Committee's decision on the future of the straw poll this Saturday.

Background
 
The Iowa GOP's State Central Committee will vote Saturday, January 10, on whether to proceed with plans to include a straw poll in the Iowa GOP's August fundraising event. The Central Committee, which is comprised of 18 elected representatives from across the state, requires a simple majority to pass resolutions. The Iowa GOP has included a straw poll in its August fundraising event since 1979, when it was won by George H.W. Bush.

Mike Huckabee Holding Live Webcast On Sunday, February 8, 2015 From Little Rock, Arkansas

On the evening of February 8th I am hosting a live webcast to talk about my book God, Guns, Grits and Gravy ! I am encouraging conservatives nationwide to gather together with friends and family in their homes and churches to watch this broadcast where I will discuss my book and talk about the ways we can move America forward.

Nationwide Webcast, "America from Ordinary to Extraordinary" to be held at Church at Rock Creek

Little Rock, Ark. - Former Arkansas Governor, 2008 Presidential candidate and New York Times Bestselling author Mike Huckabee will wrap up his 14-state "God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy" book tour with a national simulcast to over 1300 venues this Sun., Feb. 8, at Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock, Ark.  Larry Gatlin will be a special musical guest.  

EVENT: Nationwide webcast, "America From Ordinary to Extraordinary"
TIME: 6:00 pm CT
LOCATION:  Church at Rock Creek
ADDRESS:  11500 West 36th ST, Little Rock, AR

The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation Announces Presidential Family Forum and Lecture Series in Iowa

The NW Iowa Family Leadership Regional Summit Postponed and Rescheduled for September
Governor Bobby Jindal, Governor Rick Perry, and Senator Rick Santorum Confirmed for SE Regional Summit

Urbandale, IOWA. – Due to multiple scheduling conflicts, the NW Family Leadership Regional Summit on Tuesday, March 24th at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for sometime in September.

Governor Bobby Jindal, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, and former Senator Rick Santorum are confirmed for the SE Family Leadership Regional Summit on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM at The Chapel on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, IA.  Founded in 1842, Iowa Wesleyan College is one of the oldest four-year coeducation, church-related liberal arts colleges west of the Mississippi River.  IWC has a rich history of innovation in education, pioneering in the sciences, and educational opportunities for women and service-learning.  From IWC emerged the nation’s first female attorney and the first female commander of the International Space Station. Iowa Wesleyan is also a 2013 – 2014 College of Distinction.

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 will feature state and national conservative leaders with the end goal of educating Iowans about the issues that impact their families.

The schedule* is as follows:
 
Thursday, April 9: SE Family Leadership Regional Summit (Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, IA)
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)
September (date yet to be determined): NW Family Leadership Regional Summit (Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA)
*Dates and locations subject to change.

The speakers invited to the Family Leadership Regional Summits include state and national leaders who will discuss and draw attention to issues that impact families in America.

Background: In 2011, The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation held its monthly Presidential Lecture Series; and the November 19th Presidential Family Forum moderated by Frank Luntz.  These events were designed to assist and serve Iowans by providing intentional avenues of access to help them vet prospective national conservative leaders regarding their foundational worldview and practical leadership application.  In addition, the annual Family Leadership Summit was added in August of 2012 and is held every year on the first Saturday of the Iowa State Fair.  

Bob Vander Plaats, President & CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER said, “We are thrilled to publish our signature events for the coming year and look forward to educating our significant statewide and national networks regarding our future leaders.  Due to Iowa’s pivotal first-in-the-nation caucus status, these events are sure to garner much media attention and pro-economic, pro-constitutional, and pro-family attendance.”  

Invited speakers to these educational events will include men and women of national leadership prominence and presidential hopefuls who meet certain criteria and qualifications that will be posted prior to the each event.

The primary purpose of the four regional Presidential Lecture Series is to provide national leaders with an opportunity to introduce themselves to Iowans and to give citizens from all areas of Iowa and beyond an opportunity to become better informed on the pro-family vision of each lecturer.  The lectures will be videotaped, emailed to our comprehensive database, and posted on www.TheFamilyLeader.com website to allow all interested citizens the opportunity to hear and watch the lectures.   

The purpose of The Family Leadership Summit is to make aware and to educate a broad base of attendees regarding national leaders’ foundational worldview and their view on issues that impact the family.  The Summit will provide guests the opportunity to hear top conservative national leaders, gathered together in one place, cast their leadership vision for advancing conservative principles.

The Presidential Family Forum serves as the culmination of The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation’s  educational initiatives for the 2016 Iowa caucuses.  This forum will purposefully examine and assess each candidate’s stated pro-family vision.  Observers will learn what candidates believe about an issue, why they believe that way, how their beliefs frame their ultimate vision for America, and the level of sincerity for implementing their stated vision.

Jeb Bush Right To Rise PAC Website

 

Founded by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the mission of the Right to Rise PAC is to support candidates who share our optimistic, conservative, positive vision for helping every American get ahead.

We support candidates who embrace policies that create strong economic growth for all and more opportunity for every American to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

We believe that free and fair opportunity for all is at the heart of what makes America exceptional, so we support candidates who will fight to expand economic freedom, improve education, free our children from onerous federal debt, put our nation’s fiscal house back in order and make government work again.

We embrace the guiding principle that a positive message about our conservative philosophy and policies can not only elect deserving leaders to office, but also bring reform to government at every level, which can free all of our citizens to truly rise, prosper and seize the American Dream.

Source: https://righttorisepac.org/

Jeb Bush Announces Right to Rise PAC with Posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Today we're launching the Right to Rise PAC! http://RighttoRisePAC.org

Gov. Huckabee Departs Fox News, Will Make Decision On '16 Campaign By Late Spring

Gov. Huckabee Departs Fox News, Will Make Decision On '16 Campaign By Late Spring

Huckabee: "As much as I have loved doing the show, I cannot bring myself to rule out another Presidential run." Little Rock - Governor Mike Huckabee will announce tonight on his Fox News show that he is leaving the network after six-and-a-half years as the host of "Huckabee."

To close out his final show, Gov. Huckabee said: "Tonight I will do more than just say goodnight. I will say goodbye. This is the last edition of 'Huckabee' on the Fox News Channel. It's been the ride of a lifetime, and I have never had so much fun in my life.

But I also realize that God hasn't put me on earth just to have a good time or to make a good living, but rather has put me on earth to try to make a good life. "There has been a great deal of speculation as to whether I would run for President.

If I were willing to absolutely rule that out, I could keep doing this show. But I can't make such a declaration. I won't make a decision about running until late in the spring of 2015, but the continued chatter has put Fox News into a position that is not fair to them nor is it possible for me to openly determine political and financial support to justify a race.

The honorable thing to do at this point is to end my tenure here at Fox. As much as I have loved doing the show, I cannot bring myself to rule out another Presidential run. So as we say in television, stay tuned!"