2016 Presidential Campaign Blog

Scott Walker Travels to Michigan on Monday, May 4, 2015

Gov. Scott Walker in Michigan on Monday
 
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker will travel to Michigan on Monday to meet with state legislators and activists, hold political meetings, and deliver remarks at two local Republican Party gatherings. While in Michigan, Governor Walker will continue to lay out the principles of Our American Revival (OAR), discuss the OAR issue platform, and share his message of big, bold reform.

Monday, May 4

Gov. Walker delivers remarks at the Ingham County GOP Luncheon
 
12:00 p.m. ET
 
R. E. Olds Museum
240 Museum Drive
Lansing, MI  48933
 
Gov. Walker delivers remarks at the Oakland County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner
 
7:00 p.m. ET
 
Suburban Collection Showplace
46100 Grand River Avenue
Novi, MI  48674

Ted Cruz to Deliver Remarks to SC GOP Silver Elephant Banquet Friday, May 1 and South Carolina GOP State Convention on Saturday, May 2, 2015

Ted Cruz to Deliver Remarks to SC GOP Silver Elephant Banquet Friday, May 1 and South Carolina GOP State Convention on Saturday, May 2, 2015

Friday, May 1, 2015

7:30 pm ET – Columbia, SC

Sen. Cruz to deliver remarks at SC GOP Silver Elephant Banquet

Columbia Ballrooms A-C
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Saturday, May 2, 2015

10:00 am ET – Columbia, SC

Sen. Cruz to deliver remarks at the South Carolina GOP State Convention

Exhibit Hall
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Rick Santorum Endorses David Vitter for Governor of Louisiana

Rick Santorum endorses David Vitter for Governor of Louisiana

VERONA, PA - Winner of the 2012 Louisiana Republican presidential primary, former U.S. Senator, and Chairman of Patriot Voices Rick Santorum today announced his endorsement of Senator David Vitter (R-LA) to be the next Governor of Louisiana.
 
Rick Santorum said: "I have known David Vitter for many years.  I was proud to serve with him in the United States Senate and I am even prouder to call David my friend.  No member of Congress has fought the monstrosity of Obamacare harder and no one has been a bigger advocate for Louisiana's energy and natural resources interests than David Vitter.  More importantly, David Vitter has not just said the right things, he has been an effective leader for the people of Louisiana.  I am confident that he will bring this same conviction and passion with him to Baton Rouge and he will be a great chief executive for the people of Louisiana."

DNC Statement in Recognition of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on AAPI Heritage Month

Washington, D.C. – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement today in recognition of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month:

“May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures that make up this vibrant community. For generations, AAPI Americans have faced and overcome adversity, and we appreciate the integral role they have played in shaping America into what it is today.

“The AAPI community is strengthened by the success of middle class economics. AAPI small business owners continue to thrive in an economy that has experienced 61 straight months of private sector job growth. AAPI families have benefitted from increased access to quality affordable health insurance, investments in education, and tax cuts for the middle class.

“The Democratic Party remains committed to fighting for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and we will continue to fight for commonsense policies that put the middle class first and give all AAPI families their shot at achieving the American dream.”

RNC Statement Commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

RNC Statement Commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement marking the  beginning of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:
 
“This month, we commemorate the countless contributions Americans of Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander descent have made throughout our nation’s history,” said Chairman Priebus. “During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we have the opportunity to recognize the rich and diverse traditions and backgrounds of our Asian Pacific American neighbors and friends. This month allows our country to recognize their impact on America and how they have contributed to the successes and richness of American history. As Chairman of the Republican Party, I’m grateful for the impact Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders have had and continue to have in our great party."
 
“Generations of Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants who have come to America were driven by the search for the American Dream,” said Co-Chairman Day. “Different countries, languages and backgrounds did not stop them from the pursuit of better lives for themselves and their families. As we continue to honor and celebrate the diversity of our Asian Pacific American communities, let us also continue our work to ensure our nation offers freedom and equal opportunity for all.”

RNC Chairman Announces Gerrit Lansing as Chief Digital Officer

RNC Chairman Announces Gerrit Lansing as Chief Digital Officer

WASHINGTON – Today Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus announced the hiring of Gerrit Lansing, who will serve as the RNC’s Chief Digital Officer. Lansing takes over for Mindy Finn, who has spearheaded the RNC's digital transition into 2016. Finn will remain as a senior advisor to the RNC.
 
“I am excited to welcome Gerrit to the team,” said Chairman Priebus. “His fresh perspective will add to a department that has already begun the hard work of expanding our digital capabilities as we move towards 2016.
 
“2014 marked the first time that the RNC completely integrated our digital, data, and technology capabilities to help us identify voters, volunteers, and donors. Gerrit’s depth of experience has given him valuable insight into the ever-evolving world of digital campaigning. We are fortunate to be able to take advantage of his unique knowledge.
 
“As the 2016 election cycle draws closer, the RNC remains committed to surpassing the extraordinary successes of 2014. With Gerrit joining our team, I am confident we are up to the task.”
 
“I’m thrilled to be joining the RNC’s digital operation, which has already taken such great strides towards victory in 2016,” said Lansing. “By expanding and adapting our digital capabilities, we will bring Republican values and ideas to more voters than ever before. I am proud to be a part of these unprecedented efforts.”
 
Gerrit Lansing joins the RNC from the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he served as Digital Director. Prior to joining the NRCC, Lansing worked as the Press Secretary for the House Budget Committee under Rep. Paul Ryan and as New Media Director for Rep. Peter Roskam. He began his career in Washington as the Feature’s Editor for the Heritage Foundation’s Foundry blog.  

Mike Huckabee Releases Announcement Video "Nailed Shut" That Will be Played Before Official Announcement in Hope, Arkansas on May 5, 2015

Huckabee releases announcement video "Nailed Shut"
Huckabee: "Any drunken redneck can walk into a bar and start a fight. A leader only starts a fight that he's prepared to finish."
 
Little Rock, Ark. - Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee released a video today titled "Nailed Shut" that will be used to introduce him at his official announcement in Hope, Ark. on May 5. The video highlights Gov. Huckabee's political record, which includes defeating the Clinton machine in Arkansas and governing effectively in an overwhelmingly Democratic environment.  "Nailed Shut" also reinforces Gov. Huckabee's commitment to defending Social Security and Medicare for seniors, helping every American earn his or her maximum wage, and leading with moral clarity.

Transcript of video is as follows:

 Rex Nelson, Arkansas Democrat Gazette:
"On his first day in office, Governor Huckabee's door was nailed shut."
"It was in Bill Clinton's Arkansas."
"You had huge Democratic majorities in the House, in the Senate..."
"You had all the apparatus of the Democratic party aligned against Mike Huckabee."
"And all of a sudden this Republican comes out of nowhere and wins."
Gov. Mike Huckabee:
"Every day of my life in politics was a fight and sometimes it was an intense one. But any drunken redneck can walk into a bar and start a fight. A leader only starts a fight that he's prepared to finish."
"As governor of Arkansas - I cut taxes and welfare, balanced the budget every year for ten years, and raised average family income by 50%."
 "We didn't slash, burn, hurt people, leave people impoverished. We empowered people to live a better life."
 "I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich, I'm a Republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me."
 "One thing that has to happen in America is moving the power away from Washington, where people are so disconnected from the way that so many ordinary Americans live. It's a disaster. Power needs to be local and limited, because the closer government is to the people, the more accountable it is to the people who are being governed."
 "Instead of fighting over the minimum wage, I'm going to focus on solutions to help every American earn his or her maximum wage."
"I'll protect Social Security and Medicare. Washington has done enough lying and stealing. I'll never rob seniors of what our government promised them and even forced them to pay for."
"And I'll lead with moral clarity in a dangerous world."
"There's a difference between right and wrong. There's a difference between good and evil."
"I'll keep all the options on the table in order to defeat the evil forces of radical Islam."
 "We believe in some things. We stand for those things. We live or die by those things!"
"Let's win the fight for what matters most."