Sunday, July 31, 2011

Gary Johnson talks straw poll, politics at RAGBRAI | Iowa Caucuses

Gary Johnson talks straw poll, politics at RAGBRAI | Iowa Caucuses, July 30, 2011:

"Gary Johnson knows Iowa. But he understands many Iowans don’t know him. So he’s not surprised he was left off the upcoming Ames Straw Poll ballot. He just thinks he should be included....

"'I’m being excluded. But I’m out here making the case that I should be a front runner,' he said, citing, among other things, his strong record of job creation in New Mexico. Though he’s quick to clarify he doesn’t think he created any jobs. He just created conditions that allowed the private sector there to flourish, he said.

He also made a prediction. 'They’re going to raise the debt ceiling,' he said. 'And our credit will still be downgraded.'

He also knows what he’d do in President Obama’s position. 'I’d veto it,' he said, of any legislation raising the debt ceiling.... And if congress overrode his veto? Johnson, who vetoed 750 bills during two terms as governor of New Mexico, says the U.S. would still end up with a more balanced budget than it would have without his veto."

http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/07/30/gary-johnson-talks-straw-poll-politics-at-ragbrai/

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Paul Splits Vote Versus Obama in New Poll

Ron Paul 2012 press release - July 27, 2011 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Ron Paul Splits Vote Versus Obama in New Poll

Gets 50 percent against President according to new Harris survey
LAKE JACKSON, Texas -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- According to a newly released survey from Harris Interactive, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul splits the vote in half versus President Obama, doing better than a majority of the other Republican contenders. The poll gives Paul 50 percent of the vote versus the president in a head to head match up.
“In poll after poll, Americans are eager for real change, they are sick of the status quo, and looking for a leader who stands for constitutionally limited government and individual liberty. Ron Paul is that leader.”
“Right now, the push for true leadership is gaining momentum,” said Ron Paul 2012 Campaign Manager John Tate. “In poll after poll, Americans are eager for real change, they are sick of the status quo, and looking for a leader who stands for constitutionally limited government and individual liberty. Ron Paul is that leader.”
Just last week, a Rasmussen survey showed Paul only 4 points behind Obama in a match between the two. In a similar head to head survey from last year done by Rasmussen, Paul actually drew a statistical dead heat with the president. And earlier this year in a survey by CNN he did the best out of the other Republicans put up against Obama in a head to head poll.
For more information on Congressman Ron Paul’s Presidential Campaign, visit www.RonPaul2012.com.

Contacts

Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee
Gary Howard, 1-855-886-9779

Friday, July 29, 2011

Club for Growth on Gary Johnson | United Liberty | Free Market - Individual Liberty - Limited Government

Club for Growth on Gary Johnson | United Liberty | Free Market - Individual Liberty - Limited Government:

"The Club for Growth notes that ... Gary Johnson received at 'B' on each of the Cato Institute’s biannual Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors (1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002). However, these scores don’t do him justice.

"Johnson’s record on taxes is described by the Club as 'excellent,' noting that he pushed back against all forms of tax hikes....

"Johnson earns the title of 'one of the most anti-spending governors in New Mexico history.' The Club notes that he vetoed 742 bills during his eight years....

"Johnson’s record on regulation is impressive. The white paper notes that he vetoed legislation to increase the minimum wage, which is often a barrier to employment, and deregulated New Mexico’s electric industry.... Johnson also opposed cap-and-trade and Net Neutrality.

"The Club also points out Johnson’s support for school choice, enacting tort reform and opposing barriers to political speech."

Read more: http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/8496-club-for-growth-on-gary-johnson

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Ron Paul raises most campaign cash from military workers- On Politics - USATODAY

Ron Paul raises most campaign cash from military workers- On Politics - USATODAY.com:

"GOP presidential hopeful Ron Paul consistently has said that the United States should get out of Afghanistan and Iraq and that American military bases around the world should be closed.

"In this campaign, Paul is getting more donations from people who work for the military than either President Obama or any of the other Republican presidential candidates.... This is a trend that also came up in the 2008 campaign. USA TODAY's Fredreka Schouten reported then that Paul and Obama got the most military donations in the last White House race, using an analysis by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.

"There's no way to know for sure whether the campaign donors who list the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and National Guard as their employer back Paul because of his stance on the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars or for his libertarian views on the economy and fiscal policy -- issues for which he is well known.

"Paul first mentioned the latest trend in a July 20 interview. Politifact went to fact check his comments and, using its own review of the campaign-finance reports for April through June, found they were true."

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/07/ron-paul-military-campaign-donations-/1"

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Iowa Polling to Test Paul’s Move to Mainstream - NYTimes.com

Iowa Polling to Test Paul's Move to Mainstream - NYTimes.com - Trip Gabriel, July 26, 2011:

"Paul’s libertarian views have moved from the fringe toward the mainstream of conservative thinking in the past several years, with his warnings about fiscal meltdown gaining new resonance and the 2008 financial crisis allowing him to press his longstanding critiques of the Federal Reserve.

"Now, as he again seeks the Republican presidential nomination, he is hoping to show that he can translate the new attention into votes. And his first test is the straw poll next month, where he is hoping he can organize his band of followers into a political machine capable of beating some or all of his brand-name rivals....

"His effort in Iowa is well financed. His latest online fund-raiser, 'Ready, Ames, Fire,' brought in $550,000.... The money has bought time for radio and television spots, for six paid staff members in the state and to fly in Mr. Paul by private jet (“Operation Top Gun”) for weekly rallies, including two he attended Monday here and in Ames."

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/us/politics/27paul.html

Another setback for Gary Johnson in the GOP presidential race - Watchdog.org

Another setback for Gary Johnson in the GOP presidential race - Watchdog.org - Rob Nicolewski, July 27, 2011:

"Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has been ... left off the official ballot for the Iowa straw poll, which will be held next month.

"Nine GOP candidates have been listed on the ballot, including three who have not officially declared themselves for the straw poll scheduled for Aug. 13 — Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich.

"Votes for write-in candidates will be counted, so Iowans who want to cast votes for Johnson can still do so, but being left off the ballot now raises another question for Johnson: does this mean Johnson will not get an invitation to appear on the Republican candidates debate, which will be televised by the FOX News Channel on Aug. 11 in Ames, Iowa?...

"Last week, Johnson talked to Capitol Report New Mexico and while he insisted his campaign will stay in the GOP race 'until the end,' he also admitted it’s been 'disheartening' that his campaign hasn’t attracted more attention from prospective voters. Click here to see Johnson talk about that … and a host of other topics."

Read more: http://newmexico.watchdog.org/8453/another-setback-for-gary-johnson-in-the-gop-presidential-race/

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Marijuana Ballot Measure? MyMotherlode

Marijuana Ballot Measure? MyMotherlode.com - B.J. Hansen, July 26, 2011:

"California voters may be asked once again whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use.... James P. Gray, William McPike and Steve Kubby have submitted the proper paperwork, and can now begin collecting the 505,000 needed signatures. A similar measure was voted down in 2010.

"[Kubby], a former Libertarian candidate for Governor, helped write [California's] medicinal marijuana law that was passed by voters in 1996.

"In the paperwork submitted to the state, the proponents ... cite the high costs to incarcerate marijuana offenders and the potential to receive tax revenues.... The group argues that pot growers should be treated the same as vineyard owners or microbrewers. Those who grow marijuana for their own use would not be taxed, but those who sell it would be regulated by the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control."

Read more:http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1338874/Marijuana-Ballot-Measure.html

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Gary Johnson launches new N.H. tour - Emily Schultheis - POLITICO.com

Gary Johnson launches new N.H. tour - Emily Schultheis - POLITICO.com July 21, 2011:

"Johnson said he’s placing 'all his chips' on winning the New Hampshire primary, criss-crossing the state this weekend with a packed schedule of fundraisers, meet-and-greets and even visits to two government classes at Dartmouth.

"Johnson said New Hampshire voters should prepare to see a lot of him in the coming months: he’s planning to visit the state at least 'once every couple of weeks.'

"Johnson has two full-time staffers in New Hampshire who started when he launched his campaign in April: state coordinator Brinck Slattery and state communications director Matt Simon."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59595.html#ixzz1T3fnSNa2

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Ron Paul polls just 4 points below Obama if the two ran head-to-head - latimes.com

Ron Paul polls just 4 points below Obama if the two ran head-to-head - latimes.com - July 22, 2011:

"Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), among the most conservative members of the House and for many a long shot in the 2012 presidential race, would be only a 4-point underdog against President Obama at this time, according to a poll released Friday.

"Rasmussen is reporting that Obama is in a virtual tie with Mitt Romney; the former Massachusetts governor is polling 1 point ahead of the president. In polling of Romney versus Obama, the president received 42% compared with Romney's 43%, a tossup considering the margin of error.

"But when Obama is placed next to Paul, the president receives only 41% support - the lowest number he would have against a Republican. Paul got just 37% support against Obama, but the longtime congressman's libertarian beliefs are still unknown to many American voters."

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/07/ron-paul-polls-just-4-points-below-obama-if-the-two-ran-head-to-head.html

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Presidential Twitter debate monitored in Concord, NH -- NECN

Presidential Twitter debate monitored in Concord, NH - July 20, 2011:

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Concord, NH) "Wednesday's presidential twitter debate included six of the 10 GOP candidates. Questions came from all over the country but it was moderated in Concord, New Hampshire.... The forum is the brain-child of local activist and political media consultant Andrew Hemingway who wanted to use Twitter to bring the Granite State's retail politics experience to the masses. This debate comes two weeks after President Obama's Twitter town hall meeting -- even though it was announced first.

"'There were some elements of our debate that we'd announced that they actually incorporated and used so, you know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,' says Hemingway....

"'"I wanna really commend the candidates that accepted because it takes a lot of courage to accept a new format like this," says [Todd Cefaratti of www.TheTeaParty.net]."

Read more: http://www.necn.com/07/20/11/Presidential-Twitter-debate-monitored-in/landing_scitech.html?blockID=542607&feedID=4213

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Two 2012 Hopefuls Among 9 Republicans Voting No on Cut, Cap, and Balance | CNSnews.com

Two 2012 Hopefuls Among 9 Republicans Voting No on Cut, Cap, and Balance | CNSnews.com:

"(CNSNews.com) - Some of the 9 Republicans joining 181 Democrats in voting against the 'Cut, Cap and Balance' bill Tuesday said the legislation didn't go far enough. Those nine include 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls Michele Bachmann (Minn.) and Ron Paul (Texas) ... the bill ultimately passed 234-190....

"Rep. Ron Paul said he voted against the bill because it only serves to sanction the status quo by putting forth a $1 trillion budget deficit.... Paul said it's 'impossible' to eventually balance the budget without cutting military spending, Social Security or Medicare.

"'These three budget items already cost nearly $1 trillion apiece annually,' he noted. 'This means we can cut every other area of federal spending to zero and still have a $3 trillion budget. Since annual federal tax revenues almost certainly will not exceed $2.5 trillion for several years, this Act cannot balance the budget under any plausible scenario," Paul said."

Six 2012 hopefuls confirmed for Twitter debate | Iowa Independent

Six 2012 hopefuls confirmed for Twitter debate | Iowa Independent - Lynda Waddington, July 20, 2011:

"Six GOP presidential candidates will clash Wednesday afternoon in a first-of-its-kind Twitter debate hosted by a national tea party organization.

"Participating candidates are U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, Atlanta businessman Herman Cain, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum....

"With conservative pundit and author S.E. Cupp moderating, the candidates will send an advance video message to viewers gathered in New Hampshire and will answer questions, posed by Twitter-zens, using their accounts. Candidates are allowed to use more than one tweet, limited to 140 characters. Rusty Humphries, a conservative radio host, will host the event....

"The debate, which is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CST, can be viewed at 140townhall.com, which features a proprietary streaming platform that isolates directed tweets of candidates and moderators. Twitter users can include @140townhall in tweets to join the debate."

Read more: http://iowaindependent.com/58678/six-2012-hopefuls-confirmed-for-twitter-debate

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Uncovered Politics » Johnson, Roemer and Karger Lag in Second Quarter Fundraising

Uncovered Politics » Johnson, Roemer and Karger Lag in Second Quarter Fundraising Darcy G. Richardson, July 17, 2011:

"According to their latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, Republican presidential hopefuls Gary Johnson, Buddy Roemer and gay activist Fred Karger are lagging far behind....

"Johnson, the libertarian-leaning former two-term governor of New Mexico, raised just $180,237 since declaring his candidacy on the steps of the state house in Concord, New Hampshire, on April 21.  The former governor had $6,007 cash on hand as of June 30, and reported a debt of $227,360....

"Longtime political consultant Fred Karger of Laguna Beach, the first Republican to formally declare his candidacy for the party’s 2012 presidential nomination, raised about $80,000 during the second quarter bringing his total campaign budget to $266,611. Karger’s fundraising figures include more than $230,000 of his own money."

Read more: http://www.uncoveredpolitics.com/2011/07/17/johnson-roemer-and-karger-lag-in-second-quarter-fundraising/

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Ron Paul ad expands its reach – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Rep. Ron Paul ad expands its reach – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs:

"(CNN)-Retiring Texas Rep. Ron Paul, an aspiring 2012 GOP presidential nominee, is expanding his campaign’s reach into early primary and caucus states.... An ad that began running Friday in the first-in-the-nation caucus and primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire will extend to Nevada, which comes third in the nation’s caucus calendar.... It is part of the biggest ad buy from any GOP presidential candidate thus far....

"Ron Paul announced a $4 million fundraising haul for the second quarter Friday and invested six figures of that sum in the spot, which touts Paul’s record of promoting a more limited federal government and explains his opposition to raising the debt ceiling."

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/16/rep-ron-paul-ad-expands-its-reach/

Friday, July 15, 2011

Johnson: Vander Plaats knows who I am now | Iowa Independent

Johnson: Vander Plaats knows who I am now | Iowa Independent - Lynda Waddington, July 14, 2011:

"Refusal of an Iowa-based social conservative pledge was swift work for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson‘s presidential campaign. And pledge sponsor Bob Vander Plaats was just as swift in his dismissal of Johnson.

Vander Plaats, chief executive of the religious conservative organization The Family Leader unveiled the pledge, entitled “The Marriage Vow,” during a press conference at the Iowa Capitol late last week. Johnson, who was campaigning in Las Vegas, Nev., quickly issued a blistering statement that referred to the document as both 'unrepublican' and 'offensive'.... he didn’t hesitate to refer to Vander Plaats and other staffers at The Family Leader as 'a small group of self-appointed "traditional family" advocates' offering a 'judgmental and intolerant agenda.' But behind the rhetoric was also a caution by Johnson that Republican candidates should keep their focus on fiscal issues and preservation of individual liberties."

Read more: http://iowaindependent.com/58456/johnson-vander-plaats-knows-who-i-am-now

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

“Family Leader” Pledge: 2 Candidates Pledge, 1 Shreds | Race 4 2012

“Family Leader” Pledge: 2 Candidates Pledge, 1 Shreds | Race 4 2012:

"The 'Family Leader' organization’s 'Marriage Pledge,' which they are asking presidential candidates to sign, ... lumps homosexuality in with polygamy, polyandry, and adultery ... claims that homosexuality is a public health risk ... requires presidential candidates to affirm that sex is more enjoyable after marriage ... advocates a ban on pornography ... and implied that blacks were better off under slavery (a blurb that was removed from the pledge and apologized for, a matter of hours ago).

"Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum both eagerly signed on to it within a matter of hours.... Huntsman says he’s not signing any pledges whatsoever ... Paul said he had 'reservations' about it, Pawlenty said he needed more time to review it, and Romney, Gingrich, Cain, and Obama are all ignoring it.

"Gary Johnson released a statement saying, 'The Republican Party cannot be sidetracked into discussing these morally judgmental issues — such a discussion is simply wrongheaded.... This "pledge" is nothing short of a promise to discriminate against everyone who makes a personal choice that doesn’t fit into a particular definition of "virtue".'”

Read more: http://race42012.com/2011/07/10/family-leader-pledge-2-candidates-pledge-1-shreds/

Saturday, July 9, 2011

HuffPo Ties John Birch Society to Ron Paul

HuffPo Ties John Birch Society to Ron Paul - Thomas R. Eddlem, New American, July 9, 2011:

"'Rep. Paul's ideas are so extreme that no sensible voter would give him a second look if it wasn't for the Uncle Fuzzy persona,' HuffPo columnist Andrew Reinbach warned his readers in a July 5 article.... Reinbach then listed some of Rep. Ron Paul's substantial economic libertarian and constitutionalist credentials.... 'Where did Rep. Paul get these ideas? Well, mostly from the seed bank of the John Birch Society. While he's not a member, he's been close to it since at least the 1970s.'...

"The genesis of this kind of left-wing partisan alarmism ... is a burgeoning movement among peace-loving Democrats and liberals of the Dennis Kucinich stripe who are flirting with voting for Ron Paul in 2012.... A new "Democrats for Ron Paul" Facebook page has even been created, in part as a reaction to Obama not fulfilling his promises as the peace candidate in 2008."

Read more: http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/8153-concerned-about-dem-support-for-ron-paul-huffpo-ties-birch-society-to-paul

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Ron Paul Wins Texas GOP Poll | The State Column

Ron Paul Wins Texas GOP Poll | The State Column - July 7, 2011:

"Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, won a poll of 882 'highly active' Republican voters in Texas. Paul won the poll with 22 percent of the Republican vote. Texas Governor Rick Perry grabbed second with 17 percent of the Republican vote, while pizza magnate He rman Cain took third with 14 percent of the vote....The poll was conducted by the Azimuth Research Group and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 points. Participants were polled between May 29th and June 3rd, 2011.

Paul also beat out New Gingrich, who grabbed 11 percent of the Republican vote. Other Republican candidates, including Gary Johnson, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum finished with less than 10 percent of the Republican vote."

Read more: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/capitol/ron-paul-wins-texas-gop-poll/

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

POTUS candidate campaigns for poker player vote

Presidential Candidate Openly Campaigning for Poker Player Vote | PokerNews:

"For the first time, a presidential candidate is openly campaigning for the poker-player vote. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has set up a Web page targeting poker players.... The Republican candidate for 2012 asks players to 'participate in your freedom' by pledging $25, $50 or $100 to his campaign by clicking on images that look like poker chips.

"'He cares about this issue,' said Poker Players Alliance executive director John Pappas, who had lunch with Johnson in Washington, D.C., last month. 'He also realizes there is a serious voting block of people out there and believes that their ideologies, not just on poker but [on] other issues, probably align with his.'

Johnson is expected to be in Las Vegas this week ... to attend the TwoPlusTwo.com World Series of Poker party on Thursday night at the Wynn Poker Room and then be at the PPA booth at the Rio on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m."

Read more: http://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/07/presidential-candidate-openly-campaigning-for-poker-player-v-10663.htm

Monday, July 4, 2011

Ron Paul campaign raises $4.5 million in second quarter | Reuters

Ron Paul campaign raises $4.5 million in second quarter | Reuters - Jason McLure, July 1, 2011:

"Paul, a favorite of Tea Party fiscal conservatives, was well behind the prodigious $15 million to $20 million raised by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the same period. But aides said Paul pulled in far more than he had for the same period during his failed 2008 presidential campaign....

"Unlike early front-runner Romney, who has tapped into a Rolodex rich with Wall Street and financial industry contacts, donations to Paul's campaign typically come in small amounts."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/01/us-usa-campaign-paul-idUSTRE76063U20110701

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Poll finds Johnson, Romney best GOP candidates in NM | NMPolitics.net

Poll finds Johnson, Romney best GOP candidates in NM | NMPolitics.net - Heath Haussamen, June 30, 2011:

"In the new poll, Johnson trailed Obama by three percentage points, 46 percent to 43 percent. Romney trailed 49 percent to 42 percent. Tim Pawlenty trailed 51 percent to 36 percent. Michele Bachmann trailed 52 percent to 37 percent. Herman Cain trailed 52 percent to 36 percent. Sarah Palin trailed 56 percent to 36 percent."

Read more: http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2011/06/poll-finds-johnson-romney-best-gop-candidates-in-nm/