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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Gary Johnson

GOP Presidential Hopefuls Go To Ames, Gary Johnson Rides a Bike

Michael R. Corjulo | August 9, 2011, 1:47PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Governor Gary Johnson (R-NM)

While seven Republican presidential hopefuls will be competing in the Iowa Straw Poll this Saturday in Ames, candidate Gary Johnson will be in a slightly different kind of race. The former Governor of New Mexico announced Tuesday that he would be spending Saturday competing in a 100 mile-long mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado.

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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 straw poll

Hmm...Pawlenty Pulls Ads For Straw Poll Home Stretch

Eric Kleefeld | August 3, 2011, 6:44PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is now making an unusual move in the run-up to the politically crucial Iowa Straw Poll: Pulling his TV and radio ads for the 72 hours running up to the event next weekend, focusing instead on his on-the-ground turnout operation.

Politico reports that the Pawlenty campaign insists the redirection of funds is not because they might be short on cash, but is simply a matter of wanting to concentrate on their turnout operation. "It's such a small universe of people, we really want to focus on people we know are supporting us -- focus on turnout mode instead of name ID and recruitment," said campaign adviser Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Pawlenty had previously reserved $200,000 in TV and radio ads for the Des Moines-Ames media market, which is now being diverted. By contrast, his fellow Minnesotan (and apparent Iowa frontrunner) Michele Bachmann just launched a whole new ad, boasting of her vote against the debt-ceiling increase -- and asking viewers to head to the straw poll in Ames.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Pres '12

Romney Not Yet Committed To Iowa Straw Poll

Eric Kleefeld | May 27, 2011, 1:42PM

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)

Mitt Romney is poised to launch his campaign in Iowa on June 2 -- but interestingly enough, he's still not firmly committed to being in the state for its first major contest, the state GOP's non-binding straw poll in August.

The Des Moines Register reports:

Massachusetts Republican Mitt Romney said in Ankeny this morning he's not sure yet if he'll be in Ames for the Iowa straw poll in August.

But once he officially announces his bid for the White House next week, he'll talk about it with his strategy team.

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