Iowa caucus

Pro-Perry PAC Survey: Texas Gov. Moves Ahead In Iowa

Kyle Leighton | August 25, 2011, 5:51PM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

Tex. Gov. Rick Perry's move from non-candidate to frontrunner in the GOP nomination process has been a big story, but a story driven largely by national polling. While Perry's starting to become the first choice of the national Republican electorate, the nomination process will go through Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, where other candidates had a head start. But according to two new polls, that advantage has been lost.

A pro-Perry PAC just released a poll of GOP caucus-goers showing him in the lead with 23 percent, followed closely by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) at 20 percent and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney at 16. The rest of the field is rounded out by Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) at 9 percent, businessman Herman Cain at 8, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (R) at 7, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 3 and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman at 2. The PAC also touts 30 percent support amongst self-described "very conservative" caucus-goers, which they say makes up 55 percent of that group.

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Herman Cain

Cain: If I Get 5th Place In New Hampshire, 'We Will Be Ecstatic' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 15, 2011, 11:33AM

Herman Cain came in fifth place in the Iowa straw poll -- two positions back from third-place finisher Tim Pawlenty, who then quit the race. But not only is he sticking with it, Cain said during an appearance Monday morning on Fox News that he is excited about fifth place.

"Before I let you go, what's your next marker?" asked host Martha MacCallum. "You know, in terms of you looking forward, at what point do you decide, 'I'm in or out based on this date, or this victory, or this place?'"

"I will finish at number five in Iowa -- that's right where we want to be.," said Cain. "If we finish in the top five in New Hampshire, Martha, we will be ecstatic, because we're gonna put the same type of on the ground effort in New Hampshire that we did in Iowa, and we're also working South Carolina simultaneously.

"All right," MacCallum responded, "a determined Herman Cain."

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2012

Mike Huckabee To Jam With Herman Cain At Ames

Benjy Sarlin | August 9, 2011, 5:05PM

Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee, who won Iowa in 2008, will join Herman Cain at his Ames Straw Poll booth this weekend to lay down some bass grooves behind Cain's gospel vocals.

While not billed as a formal endorsement, Huckabee's appearance is a major boost to Cain, who has been counting on a strong performance at Ames to rocket him into the top tier of GOP contenders.

"I am honored to have the Governor join me on stage for this historic event," Cain, who like Huckabee is a Baptist minister, said in a statement. "We share many commonalities, including the deepness of our Christian faith and our love of music. I am humbled by his graciousness to share his musical gifts with me and I hope Iowa voters will enjoy the show."

Cain will also appear on Huckabee's FOX show the day after the straw poll.

Iowa straw poll

Come To Ames -- For The 'Santorum Summer Dance Party'

Eric Kleefeld | August 8, 2011, 2:11PM

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)

Oh, Boy!

Rick Santorum is hoping to show Iowans a good time at the Ames Straw Poll: First with Santorum's homemade jelly -- and now, his campaign has announced, with musical entertainment from the late Buddy Holly's backup band the Crickets, plus the Big Bopper Jr.

Back in 1959, the 22-year old Buddy Holly and the 28-year old original Big Bopper, plus 17-year old Ritchie Valens, were killed in a plane crash -- in Iowa, during a Midwestern tour called the "Winter Dance Party."

As such, the name of the Santorum campaign event is the "Santorum Summer Dance Party."

"After three weeks of traveling across Iowa and meeting thousands of Iowans, we are excited to cap off our family trip with a day of fun in Ames," said Santorum in a press release. "We are all looking forward to eating, singing, and dancing along with the traditions that make summertime in Iowa the epitomizes the heart of the American experience."

Iowa caucus

Bachmann Slams Obama Birthday Party: I'll Cancel My Barbecue If Stocks Crash

Eric Kleefeld | August 5, 2011, 5:31PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann has joined the ranks of Republicans attacking President Obama for celebrating his birthday on Thursday, which coincided with the 512-point mega-drop in the Dow Jones stock index. And as Bachmann said, she would not "celebrate" the news as she accused Obama of doing -- she would have canceled the barbecue.

"The birthday present he got was huge drop of 512 points in the market and not only that, what was the president's response? He threw a barbecue last night at the White House to celebrate," Bachmann told an Iowa crowd, the Des Moines Register reports.

She added: "One thing I will guarantee you, President Bachmann will be canceling barbecues if we see the market go down and if we see the jobs report going down."

But wait a second: Wouldn't that sort of abrupt reduction in consumer spending result in layoffs of catering employees? That's not the kind of bold move that the ratings agencies are looking for.

Iowa caucus

Santorum Denounces 'Super-Right' Of 'Sexual Liberty,' And The 'Pursuit Of Pleasure'

Eric Kleefeld | August 5, 2011, 2:27PM

Rick Santorum at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's Spring Kickoff Event

Rick Santorum is continuing his staunch opposition to gay rights -- warning that courts have created a "super-right" to sex, which overrides the constitutional right of religious freedom.

In an interview with the Des Moines Register's editorial board, Santorum claimed that same-sex marriage was a threat to religious liberty, alleging for example that government could threaten the licenses of marriage counselors who don't treat gay couples.

"Religious liberty is now trumped because we have now created a super-right," said Santorum. "We have a right [in] the Constitution of religious liberty but now the courts have created a super-right that's above a right that's actually in the Constitution, and that's of sexual liberty. And I think that's a wrong, that's a destructive element."

Also, the paper reports: "Santorum says if 'pursuit of happiness' means 'pursuit of pleasure,' we won't be a country very long."

Iowa straw poll

Santorum To Give Out Free Jelly At Ames

Eric Kleefeld | August 3, 2011, 3:34PM

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)

Rick Santorum may not have raised a lot of money or attracted much support in the polls, but his campaign for the presidency will be trying a new tack for votes at the Ames Iowa Straw Poll: Some delicious homemade peach jam.

The Des Moines Register reports that Santorum told an Iowa audience on Tuesday that his family has fruit trees back home, and he and his children harvested peaches, peeled them, and made them into jelly. And now, they will be bringing 40 jars to Iowa.

"We are bringing them to the Straw Poll and we are going to give everybody a sample," said Santorum, dubbing the product "Pennsylvania Presidential Peach Preserves."

Don't count out this tactic completely. In the 1840 presidential election, one thing the opposition Whig Party did to cement its momentum from the economic depression was to mount a national effort of handing out hard cider at campaign events, tying it to the manufactured image of nominee William Henry Harrison as a rugged outdoorsman. Though come to think of it, 40 jars of peach jelly probably isn't as convincing as hard cider.

Iowa caucus

Santorum: Govt Pre-School Programs Want To 'Indoctrinate Your Children'

Eric Kleefeld | August 2, 2011, 6:13PM

Rick Santorum at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's Spring Kickoff Event

Rick Santorum fired a verbal salvo at early-education programs on Tuesday, telling an Iowa crowd that government pre-school programs are part of a hideous plot by the government to indoctrinate children.

"It is a parent's responsibility to educate their children. It is not the government's job. We have sort of lost focus here a little bit," said Santorum, the Des Moines Register reports.

"Of course, the government wants their hands on your children as fast as they can. That is why I opposed all these early starts and pre-early starts, and early-early starts. They want your children from the womb so they can indoctrinate your children as to what they want them to be. I am against that."

In order to shield his own family from indoctrination, Santorum and his wife have home-schooled their seven children through the eighth grade.

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Literally Phones It In For Iowa Campaign Event

Eric Kleefeld | August 1, 2011, 5:40PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann has temporarily left the campaign trail, staying in Washington to vote against the debt ceiling deal -- but she's still finding time to talk to her pre-scheduled events in Iowa. What's more, she is even sticking with her vigorous physical campaigning motifs, though it might not translate as well over the phone.

The Des Moines Register reports that Bachmann addressed a rally in Iowa today, speaking to supporters over the phone and the event's P.A. system.

"Let me ask you this question," said Bachmann. "Do you want me to vote 'No' on raising the debt ceiling? Raise your hands."

Of the 30-person crowd, a majority slowly raised their hands -- though Bachmann could not see them.

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Herman Cain

Cain Campaign: We 'Respect' Ames Straw Poll Ballot Decision

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 25, 2011, 5:44PM

GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain

Last week, Herman Cain's campaign was upset about the way the Ames Straw Poll ballot was coming together in Iowa. Now that the ballot's been set -- partially against Team Cain's recommendations -- the campaign says it "respects the decision" of event organizers.

The Republican ritual is seen as a test of a presidential candidate's strength -- as well as a candidate's campaign coffers. Team Cain was concerned that candidates who didn't pay the thousands of dollars required to get a space at the Ames straw poll would get on the ballot anyway. In the end, all the declared candidates in the race were put on the ballot (even the ones who didn't pay to play at Ames) and two of the biggest undeclared names, Rick Perry and Sarah Palin, were left off.

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2012

Bachmann Slams Pawlenty, Compares Ex-Gov To Obama

Benjy Sarlin | July 25, 2011, 9:29AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann's migraines may be under control, but she's doing her best to pass them on to Tim Pawlenty instead. The Tea Party icon slammed the former Minnesota governor in a series of statements on Monday, comparing his policies to President Obama's.

"Actions speak louder than words," she said. "When I was fighting against the unconstitutional individual mandate in healthcare, Governor Pawlenty was praising it. I have fought against irresponsible spending while Governor Pawlenty was leaving a multi-billion-dollar budget mess in Minnesota. I fought cap-and-trade. Governor Pawlenty backed cap-and-trade when he was Governor of Minnesota and put Minnesota into the multi-state Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. While Governor Pawlenty was praising TARP -- the $700 billion bailout in 2008 -- I worked tirelessly against it and voted against it."

Bachmann's outburst did not come out of the blue: Pawlenty has been baiting her for weeks with a series of attacks aimed at knocking her off her frontrunner perch in must-win Iowa. While his criticisms primarily focused on her lack of accomplishments in Congress and her dearth of executive experience, Pawlenty upped the ante last week by becoming the only presidential candidate to suggest his rival's chronic migraines -- a very sensitive subject for Team Bachmann -- were potentially disqualifying. He has since walked those comments back somewhat.

In her statement, Bachmann explicitly rebutted Pawlenty's claims that his record as governor made him the more qualified candidate.

"Executive experience is not an asset if it simply means bigger and more intrusive government," she said. "Governor Pawlenty said in 2006, 'The era of small government is over... the government has to be more proactive and more aggressive.' That's the same philosophy that, under President Obama, has brought us record deficits, massive unemployment, and an unconstitutional health care plan."

Politically, it's not clear what Bachmann's going for. Pawlenty has barely registered in polling so far and by unleashing her full clip at the governor, she elevates him as a legitimate contender right as we was starting to fade from view. Bachmann's campaign manager Ed Rollins suggested that Pawlenty may have simply pushed her too far, telling the Washington Post she "just [got] tired of [Pawlenty] taking cheap shots... Even if he's at 2 percent in the polls, we are not going to let anyone take free shots at us."

2012

God, Guns, And Hockey: Pawlenty Attacks Iowa From All Angles

Benjy Sarlin | July 22, 2011, 2:37PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty TV Ad

Tim Pawlenty's presidential dreams are on the line in Iowa, where the candidate has struggled to find his footing since launching his campaign. Now, with the Ames Straw Poll only weeks away, the candidate is relaunching with a new message and a major push to regain momentum before it's too late.

Pawlenty put a reported $1 million into organizing for Ames, a major sum when you consider he raised $4.2 million over the entire last quarter. While Pawlenty's aides have consistently lowered expectations, saying even finishing above sixth or seventh might be progress, the resources dedicated to the straw poll clearly indicate that the campaign is banking on an impressive showing. Indeed, Pawlenty recently expressed the hope that after a fair Ames Poll showing "you'll see our campaign make very good progress between kind of back-of-the-pack status to something closer to front-of-the-pack status." As a tune up, Pawlenty ran away with the much smaller Dallas County "jar poll" at their local fair.

The candidate has retooled with a new message as well, portraying himself as a tough underdog who can't be counted out. His latest ad, "American Comeback," features footage from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" US hockey team (Pawlenty often cites his own enthusiasm for the game).

The hockey image also complements Pawlenty's sometimes awkward efforts to convey a tougher persona. He's been arguably the most active candidate on offense, repeatedly going after rival Michele Bachmann's thin legislative record and recently telling Iowans that their credibility as the first-in-the-nation caucus could suffer if they pick a candidate with little chance of winning the presidency. But he also stumbled by suggesting Bachmann's migraines were a legitimate issue and pointing out presidents need to do their job "all of the time" only to walk back his remarks and dismiss the entire issue as a "sideshow."

In addition to his broader come-from-behind reboot, Pawlenty's upped his game in courting religious and socially conservative voters, a group that's disproportionately active in Iowa's GOP caucuses and has been a boon to Bachmann thus far. Recently Pawlenty released a video discussing his faith with his wife and told a voter that he counted Jesus among his favorite "political heroes." He also showcased his 2nd Amendment cred by firing a Glock 9 mm at a range this week and will later attend a rally of gun rights activists.

Iowa caucus

Pawlenty Getting Cease-And-Desist For 'Miracle On Ice' Ad

Eric Kleefeld | July 21, 2011, 6:15PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty TV Ad

Tim Pawlenty is getting a very special reaction to his new TV ad, in which he calls on Iowa voters to "prove the experts wrong" and give his struggling campaign an underdog's victory: A cease-and-desist letter from ABC Sports. They're going after him for unauthorized use of sports footage from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. hockey team.

"It's a violation of our copyright and exclusive proprietary rights," said Louise Argianas, director of rights and clearances for ABC Sports, the Des Moines Register reports.

"And they used our announcer's voice which they are not allowed to do either," Argianas added "Which I'm going to have to call his agent about."

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Iowa caucus

Pawlenty Tells Iowa: Don't Pick A Candidate 'Who Can't Really Run The Country'

Eric Kleefeld | July 19, 2011, 11:58AM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty has a message for Iowa Republicans: Seriously, do not nominate a bad candidate, or you could blow the whole election.

"Barack Obama has no clue. His numbers nationally for reelection aren't very good," Pawlenty told an audience in Iowa on Tuesday, the Des Moines Register reports. "His numbers in the key states that are actually going to decide the election are awful."

However, Pawlenty continued: "If you serve up to the country a candidate who is not ready to be president, who can't really run the country...Iowa will do a disservice to the process."

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2012

Tim Pawlenty Goes All-In On Iowa

Benjy Sarlin | July 18, 2011, 9:41AM

Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is dropping big money in Iowa, confirming that the caucus is still his top priority despite a weak start in the polls and recent quotes downplaying the state's importance.

The ex-Minnesota governor recently booked $200,000 in TV ad time, according to the AP, and is on pace to spend $430,000 by mid-August. The Ames Straw Poll, a traditional test of candidates' organizational strength, is August 13. Pawlenty has spent the most on ads so far as the race's money leader, Mitt Romney, has sat out the air wars.

In addition to the new TV buy, recent FEC filings show Pawlenty spent the most on Iowa vendors of any candidate: about $200,000.

The big challenge for Pawlenty in the short term is stealing some of Minnesota rival Michele Bachmann's thunder, who is currently leading multiple polls in the state.

Iowa caucus

Herman Cain Not Signing 'Marriage Vow' Either

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 6:39PM

Herman Cain

Yet another Republican presidential candidate is declining to sign the controversial "Marriage Vow" pledge put forward by the Iowa conservative group Family Leader: Herman Cain.

"While I commend their intent regarding the pledge, I believe my stated position encompasses their values without the need to sign the pledge," Cain said, the Des Moines Register reports. He also added: "I am, and will continue to be, an ardent defender of traditional marriage and will work to preserve and protect the sanctity of human life, which I believe begins at conception."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmmentum Is Real? Michele Up 13 On Mitt In New Poll

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 13, 2011, 3:50PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) the strong frontrunner in the first contest of the Republican 2012 presidential nomination race? Believe it, baby.

A new poll of likely caucus goers in Iowa by the Republican-leaning Magellan Strategies shows Bachmann with 29% of the vote. Next place finisher Mitt Romney has 16%. The Magellan field did not include Jon Huntsman, who is skipping Iowa, or the (so far) non-running Sarah Palin, Rudy Giuliani or Rick Perry.

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Iowa caucus

Pawlenty: 'I Respectfully Decline' To Sign 'Marriage Vow'

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 3:17PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is the newest Republican presidential candidate to refuse to sign an Iowa religious right group's "Marriage Vow" pledge -- but he's being really nice about it.

"I deeply respect, and share, Bob Vander Platts' commitment to promoting the sanctity of marriage, a culture of life, and the core principles of the Family Leader's Marriage Vow Pledge," Pawlenty said in a statement. "However, rather than sign onto the words chosen by others, I prefer to choose my own words, especially seeking to show compassion to those who are in broken families through no fault of their own."

The "Marriage Vow" involved a candidate pledging personal fidelity to his or her spouse, that he or she would change divorce laws to make "quickie divorces" more difficult, and would oppose gay marriage, pornography, and "Sharia Islam," among other things. Two Republican candidates, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum, signed the pledge, and then immediately encountered controversy due to the resolution's original preamble language on slavery -- which has since been edited out -- stating, quite contrary to the facts, that African-American families were more secure under slavery than they are today, under an African-American president.

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Iowa straw poll

Pawlenty Shows Off His Christianity For Iowa Voters (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 2:20PM

Tim and Mary Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty has a radio ad and Web site, PawlentyFaith.com, and an accompanying Web video with a simple message: Iowa straw poll-goers should know that he is a committed Christian.

Pawlenty is running behind in the polls in Iowa, where the current frontrunner is his fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann -- a candidate who campaigns naturally through the religious right, and has in the past credited her political career to direct, divine communication. Now, Pawlenty is showing his own religious bonafides.

"How well do you really know the presidential candidates that are asking for your vote?" the announcer says in the radio ad. "Tim Pawlenty and his wife Mary have a video in which they discuss their faith experience and their values. Watch the Pawlenty video at PawlentyFaith.com."

The Web site advertises the August 13 straw poll in Ames, Iowa, with a video of the Pawlentys discussing their commitment to their religious beliefs. The video is entitled "Aspirations of a President" -- which might be getting just a bit ahead of the curve, as in fact Pawlenty has the aspirations to become president.

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Iowa caucus

Romney Campaign Slams 'Undignified And Inappropriate' Marriage Pledge From Iowa Group

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 10:12AM

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney is further distancing himself from the GOP's religious right base in Iowa, by refusing to sign a social conservative group's controversial "Marriage Vow" pledge -- with his campaign going the extra mile by excoriating the pledge itself.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet The 2012 GOPers: Mitt Romney]

The "Marriage Vow" involved a candidate pledging personal fidelity to his or her spouse, that he or she would change divorce laws to make "quickie divorces" more difficult, and would oppose gay marriage, pornography, and "Sharia Islam," among other things. Two Republican candidates, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum, signed the pledge, and then immediately encountered controversy due to the resolution's original preamble language on slavery -- which has since been edited out -- stating, quite contrary to the facts, that African-American families were more secure under slavery than they are today, under an African-American president.

As the Associated Press reports, Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul bluntly declared that the pledge "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign."

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2012 elections

Gingrich Seeking To Tweak 'Marriage Vow' -- From Iowa Conservative Group

Eric Kleefeld | July 11, 2011, 6:31PM

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich has decided not to sign -- at least, not sign as of yet -- an Iowa conservative group's controversial 'Marriage Vow' pledge for Republican presidential candidates to personally and publicly uphold heterosexual monogamy and sexual morality.

"We're happy to work with you to sharpen it so people understand where we're going with it," Gingrich told Family Leader head Bob Vander Plaats, according to Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond, in a National Journal report. "It's not there yet."

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2012

Inflammatory Social Conservative Pledge Trips Up GOP Contenders

Benjy Sarlin | July 11, 2011, 3:30PM

Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum are taking heat for signing onto a group's pledge suggesting African-American families were better off in some ways under slavery.

The two most prominent social conservatives in the 2012 field signed onto "The Marriage Vow - A Declaration of Dependence upon Marriage and Family," by The Family Leader, a Christian group. According to the pledge, "Slavery had a disastrous impact on African-American families, yet sadly a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA's first African-American President."

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Iowa caucus

Poll: Bachmann Now Leading In Iowa

Eric Kleefeld | July 11, 2011, 9:31AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

A new poll, commissioned by The Iowa Republican, shows Michele Bachmann leading among Republicans in the key first caucus state, with the insurgent Tea Partier edging out national frontrunner Mitt Romney.

The numbers: Bachmann 25%, Romney 21%, Pawlenty 9%, Cain 9%, Paul 6%, Gingrich 4%, Santorum 2%, and Huntsman 1%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: The Year Of Michele Bachmann]

The poll was conducted by Voter/Consumer Research, a Republican firm headed up by Jan van Lohuizen, who was previously President George W. Bush's pollster for primaries. The survey of 500 likely caucus-goers was conducted from June 26-30, and has a ±4.4% margin of error.

2012

Tim Pawlenty Ominously Downplaying Iowa

Benjy Sarlin | July 9, 2011, 10:47AM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty and his top staff are increasingly downplaying the importance of Iowa in interviews, a strange turn given its central importance to his campaign so far.

Pawlenty told reporters that "this week is the first time that I've campaigned in earnest in Iowa," according to the Des Moines Register despite the fact that he's been pouring huge amounts of time and resources into the state for months.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet the 2012 GOPers: Tim Pawlenty]

Earlier this week, top aide Vin Weber lowered expectations for the campaign by labeling Pawlenty's rival Minnesotan Michele Bachmann the frontrunner, who has been surging in the polls.

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2012 elections

Pawlenty: Obama 'Like A Manure Spreader In A Windstorm'

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2011, 5:40PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty has brought on his latest trash-talk against a political rival -- going for some down-home, rural, scatological humor against President Obama.

"Anybody can stand up here and flap their jaw and give a speech," Pawlenty told a crowd of about 70 people in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Des Moines Register reports.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet the 2012 GOPers: Tim Pawlenty]

"We've had Barack Obama campaigning to be president for the better part of three years, with all of his soaring rhetoric, with all of his broken promises, with all of his nonsense. I mean, he's like a manure spreader in a windstorm."

Ah...but would he say that to Obama's face?

2012 elections

Bad Romance? Tim Pawlenty Talks About His Favorite Lady Gaga Songs (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2011, 1:58PM

Tim Pawlenty and Lady Gaga

Tim Pawlenty is reaching out to the youth vote -- and showing how much he knows about Lady Gaga.

During an interview in Iowa, with the Washington-based pop culture blog Glittarazzi, Pawlenty was asked about his favorite musicians, which include the likes of Bruce Springsteen and various country singers. Pawlenty then actually brought up the subject of Lady Gaga. "But I've got a question for you guys?" said Pawlenty. "Are you ready: What's your favorite Lady Gaga song?"

After they listed their favorites, Pawlenty discussed his own, showing off his Gaga knowledge. "Well you know, in terms of the beat, I like 'Bad Romance,'" Pawlenty said. "I gotta say, even though she's a little unusual, 'Born this Way' has got some appeal. Now, she's actually very talented. If you go to the end of the HBO special, the Lady Gaga HBO special, and you watch her sing a cappella, 'Born This Way,' she can sing. She can definitely sing -- she's talented -- and she does it a cappella.

"So, you know, interesting, talented -- a little weird. But you know, if you had to limit your artistic choices to just conservatives, we wouldn't have a lot of choices. You've gotta be willing to tolerate different politics."

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2012 elections

GOP Candidates To Be Served With 'Marriage Vow' Pledge In Iowa

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2011, 10:16AM

Republican presidential candidates going through Iowa will now be asked to take new marriage vows -- that is, a pledge to uphold traditional marriage.

David Brody at the Christian Broadcasting Network reports, the actual title of the document is "The Marriage Vow -- A Declaration of Dependence Upon Marriage and Family." It is being put forward by the social conservative group the Family Leader, headed up by 2010 gubernatorial candidate and 2008 Huckabee state campaign chair Bob Vander Plaats.

Among the points for candidates to pledge are personal fidelity to his or her spouse, opposition to gay marriage and support in legal fights for the Defense of Marriage Act, opposition to sex trafficking and pornography, and opposition to "anti-women" Sharia Islamic law.

Hmm...a strict Sharia adherent would also oppose gay marriage and pornography, and likely demand the legal defense of DOMA. Oh well.

Iowa caucus

Bachmann Ad: I'm From Iowa, And I Won't Increase The Debt Ceiling (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 7, 2011, 9:12AM

Michele Bachmann's TV Ad "Waterloo"

Michele Bachmann has her first TV ad up in Iowa, further reminding Republican voters in the first caucus state of a theme she has been stressing throughout her new presidential campaign -- that the congresswoman from Minnesota is originally from Iowa. Also, she is with them on issues of spending, taxes and the debt.

"As a descendant of generations of Iowans, I was born and raised in Waterloo," Bachmann says. "As a mom of five, a foster parent, and a former tax lawyer, and now a small-business job creator, I know that we can't keep spending money that we don't have. That's why I fought against the wasteful bailout, against the stimulus.

"I. will. not. vote. to increase the debt ceiling. I'm Michele Bachmann, and I approve this message."

Read more »

Iowa straw poll

Pawlenty Recruits Mike Huckabee's Daughter For Iowa Campaign

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2011, 3:06PM

Mike Huckabee and Tim Pawlenty

The Pawlenty campaign has announced a new senior political adviser in Iowa, with an important connection to the winner of the state caucuses from the last cycle.

Republican strategist Sarah Huckabee Sanders, daughter of Mike Huckabee, is joining the Pawlenty camp's Iowa headquarters, and will lead the campaign's effort for the Iowa Straw Poll this August.

The elder Huckabee, of course, won the 2008 Iowa Republican caucuses with 34% of the vote in an upset, ahead of the previous frontrunner Mitt Romney who had 25%. After working on that campaign, Sarah Huckabee Sanders went on to become campaign manager for the 2010 Senate campaign of John Boozman in Arkansas, who defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln in a landslide.

Iowa caucus

New Ad: 'Pawlenty Won' In Govt. Shutdown, Union Strike (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 5, 2011, 10:33AM

Tim Pawlenty TV Ad: "Results, Not Rhetoric"

Tim Pawlenty has a new ad up in Iowa, boasting of his performance in a 2005 Minnesota government shutdown -- just as his state finds itself in the middle of a new government shutdown.

"Minnesota, gripped by one of the longest transit strikes in history," The announcer says. "Why? Because Governor Tim Pawlenty refused to cave in to government unions. Result? Pawlenty won. Minnesota government shut down. Why? Because Tim Pawlenty would not accept Democrats' massive tax-and-spending demands. Result? Pawlenty won. Tim Pawlenty -- results, not rhetoric."

Minnesota is now trying to find its way out of budget gridlock, due to disagreements between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republican-led legislature over how to fix the deficit they inherited from the previous mirror-image administration of GOP Gov. Pawlenty and a Dem-led legislature.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann At Iowa Church: 'Turn Away From Our Wicked Ways' And God Will 'Heal Our Land'

Eric Kleefeld | July 4, 2011, 12:39PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann courted evangelical Christian voters in Iowa over the weekend, urging a church congregation to pray for God to heal the country from its sins. It seems, then, she's presenting herself as the sort of religious-based candidate who could be a good fit for a state where former governor and minister Mike Huckabee won the Republican caucuses in 2008.

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Iowa caucus

Cain To Visit John Wayne's Hometown In Iowa (The Actor, Not The Serial Killer)

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2011, 1:04PM

Herman Cain and John Wayne

Hmm, is Herman Cain trying to take the spotlight back from Michele Bachmann?

Cain is set to make a campaign stop this Sunday in a special town: Winterset, Iowa, the hometown of actor John Wayne -- whose name has suddenly re-entered the American political psyche, thanks to a gaffe during Bachmann's campaign rollout.

And that's not all: Cain will be visiting a Godfather's Pizza restaurant -- the corporation that he used to head up -- on John Wayne Drive in Winterset.

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2012 elections

Tom Petty Tells Bachmann: Stop Draggin' My Songs Around

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2011, 5:24PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Tom Petty

Michele Bachmann might be a proud "American Girl" -- but she can't blast it over the P.A. systems anymore.

Rolling Stone has confirmed reports that after Bachmann's campaign played Tom Petty's song "American Girl" at her campaign announcement rally in Waterloo, Iowa, Petty's management sent her a cease-and-desist letter for her unauthorized use of his music.

For a presidential candidate who warns that President Obama is allegedly destroying the private-sector economy, this treatment of other people's intellectual property might not be the best way to start off the campaign.

This is not Tom Petty's first run-in with Republican politicians purloining his music. Back in 2000, the George W. Bush campaign played his song, "I Won't Back Down" -- and were quickly told to, well, back down. At the request of Petty's management, the song's official publisher told the Bush camp to stop, saying that the use of the song "creates, either intentionally or unintentionally, the impression that ... [the Bush] campaign have been endorsed by Tom Petty, which is not true."

Iowa caucus

Bachmann Confuses John Wayne With John Wayne Gacy (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 27, 2011, 3:08PM

Actor John Wayne, presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, and serial killer John Wayne Gacy

The Bachmann campaign staff might want to double-check their Google searches. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who on Monday launched her presidential campaign in her original hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, appears to be just a bit confused about the town's history of favorite sons.

In an interview with Fox News, Bachmann boasted: "But what I want them to know, just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa, that's the kind of spirit that I have, too."

About that spirit of "John Wayne" in Waterloo...

In fact, the actor John Wayne (real name, Marion Morrison) was from Iowa, but not from Waterloo -- he was from Winterset, Iowa, about 120 miles away. But as it turns out, there was another "John Wayne" with some history in Waterloo: Serial killer John Wayne Gacy, known as the "Killer Clown," who raped and murdered over 30 young men before he was finally incarcerated and put to death.

Though if it helps Bachmann at all, Gacy is not known to have committed any murders when he lived in Waterloo, though he was imprisoned for a sexual assault case that was committed there.

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2012 elections

Bachmann To Announce Presidential Campaign (Again!)

Eric Kleefeld | June 27, 2011, 8:50AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Monday is a big day for the presidential race, with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) set to officially launch her presidential campaign in Waterloo, Iowa, the town where she was born, at 9 a.m. CT -- well, launching her campaign after she had already participated in a debate, announced her candidacy at that debate, and was also welcomed at a rally in Waterloo Sunday evening, addressing more than 700 people.

Bachmann now enters the race in a position that much of conventional wisdom would not have expected: As a top-tier candidate, running in a dead heat with Mitt Romney in the latest Iowa polling.

Before she launched her campaign, Bachmann had been saying that she would announce her 2012 decision in Waterloo. Instead came the announcement during the debate two weeks ago, followed that night by a pre-recorded video announcement on YouTube. With that said, she's now making it up with Monday's kickoff in Waterloo -- on top of Sunday night's "Welcome Back to Waterloo" event that was advertised on local radio Friday.

Bachmann has already been making a splash in the race, attacking frontrunner Mitt Romney on abortion, and possibly already starting to emerge as a major threat to him -- especially if Sarah Palin does not run. (And of course, she has also had some of her signature blatant errors of fact of history.) So a key thing to look out for is how this national Tea Party movement star pitches her candidacy today -- as a positive, favorite daughter of Iowa, or a fire-breathing conservative activists, or perhaps all at once.

2012 elections

Huntsman Skipping Iowa Caucus -- But Not Skipping Iowa Debate

Eric Kleefeld | June 23, 2011, 9:52AM

Jon Huntsman

Jon Huntsman has previously declared that he will skip the Iowa caucus, choosing not to compete in the key early contest due to his opposition to ethanol subsidies. But it turns out he will make at least one visit to the state -- for a nationally televised debate on Fox News in August.

The Des Moines Register reports:

Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman will make his first Iowa stop when he flies in for the GOP debate here on Aug. 11.

A spokesman for Huntsman said this morning that the candidate will participate in the Republican Party of Iowa/Fox News/Washington Examiner debate in Ames two days before the straw poll there.

2012 elections

Bachmann To Embark On Announcement Tour Next Week In Key States

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2011, 4:41PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann's campaign has now announced the dates for their formal kickoff tour next week -- with her making stops in three of the big early primary and caucus states.

Bachmann made the interesting move of announcing her much-expected candidacy during last week's debate -- though of course, her very participation in the debate was itself an act of running for president. However, that act did seem to be a departure from her previous statements that she would announce her decision in Waterloo, Iowa, the town where she was born.

Now, her campaign announced via press release, she will be making it up with a formal kickoff event on Monday at 10 a.m. CT, in Waterloo -- an event that the campaign press couldn't escape if they wanted to.

Then on Tuesday, she will hold a 9 a.m. ET backyard event at a private residence in Raymond, New Hampshire, and then visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with an event at 5:30 p.m. ET. She will then make a full-day swing through South Carolina on Wednesday, with stops in Charleston, Lexington, Greenville, and Rock Hill.

2012 elections

Pawlenty Kicks Off Ad Season In Iowa (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2011, 9:45AM

Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is now on the air in the key first caucus state of Iowa, the first candidate to launch such an ad this cycle.

"A lot of candidates will come to Iowa and say the same things. The question is: Have they done it?" Pawlenty says to the camera. "In a liberal state, I reduced spending in real terms for the first time; took on the government unions -- and won; appointed a conservative Supreme Court; and passed health care reform the right way -- no mandates, no takeovers.

"If I could do it in Minnesota, we can do it in Washington. I'm Tim Pawlenty, and I approved this message."

The Des Moines Register reports that the ad buy cost just under $50,000, and was taken out for Fox News programs in media markets in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Rochester, Minn. The ad will run through July 3.

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Iowa caucus

Still No Iowa Staff For Gingrich

Eric Kleefeld | June 20, 2011, 1:30PM

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)

Newt Gingrich's campaign appears to still be reeling from the mass resignation of many top staffers a week and a half ago. As the Des Moines Register reports, Gingrich has yet to put in place new staff in the key caucus state of Iowa.

Gingrich's entire paid Iowa staff were among the mass resignations. Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond told the Register that the campaign is searching for a new staff, but declined to discuss any specifics.

Meanwhile, the paper had trouble finding any prominent evidence of the staff search -- and instead found evidence that key Iowa GOP activists are not taking the campaign seriously.

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Iowa caucus

Huntsman Slams Iowa, And Iowa Returns The Favor

Eric Kleefeld | June 6, 2011, 2:14PM

Jon Huntsman

Former Utah Governor and Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman now says he will not compete in Iowa for his potential presidential run -- and leaders in Iowa aren't thrilled by his open snubbing of the state.

As ABC News reported over the weekend, Huntsman spoke to a crowd in New Hampshire:

"I'm not competing in Iowa for a reason. I don't believe in subsidies that prop up corn, soybeans and ethanol,"Huntsman said, according to multiple news sources at the event.

Huntsman, the former ambassador to China, continued, "I think they destroy the global marketplace.... We probably won't be spending a whole lot of time in Iowa. I guess I understand how the politics work there."

Now, the Des Moines Register reports, Iowa Republicans are firing back.

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