Former Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes says he will not run for president in 2012, saying he's now an "agitator" and will "leave the exercising to others."

Forbes, who ran for president in 1996 and 2000, was the guest speaker August 25 at the Polk County Republicans' Robb Kelley Club Luncheon at the downtown Des Moines Marriott hotel. He said after the event that he is still examining the entire field of potential Republican candidates in 2012, although he did single out one potential candidate.

"I'm looking over the whole field, trying to learn more about candidates, potential candidates like Mitch Daniels, the governor of Indiana who has had a very good record over two terms," Forbes said. "So like Iowa, I'm looking to see who's out there."

Governor Chet Culver used an appearance at the Iowa State Fair to say mistakes have been made under his watch, and to tell the approximately 100 fairgoers that he takes full responsibility for those mistakes.

"There's been a lot of criticism, there's been a lot of questions about things we've done or we've not done ... and I want to say that some of that criticism is justified and that we have made our fair share of mistakes," Culver said. "And I take full responsibility for those things that have happened in various state agencies, that happened on my watch, and I take responsibility for those mistakes that have been made."

Culver later elaborated, saying scandals in the Iowa Film Office and the Alcoholic Beverages Division are his responsibility, and that he must do all he can to effectively manage government and limit those mistakes. "The thing I feel good about is that we've replaced those individuals that were responsible and as quickly as I learned about those things, I acted, but I still take responsibility," Culver said.

Standing on the steps in front of the Iowa Judicial Building, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City on Wednesday announced the launch of Iowa for Freedom, a campaign aimed at unseating three Iowa Supreme Court justices who were part of the unanimous Varnum V. Brien decision that legalized same-sex marriage in Iowa.

On "April 3, 2009, they clearly legislated from the bench by saying Iowa will be a same-sex-marriage state," said Vander Plaats, He added that the campaign is not only about marriage but about many issues, including gun rights, private-property rights, tax policy, educational choice, immigration laws, and business climate. "If we allow them to make law in this case, every one of our freedoms is up for grabs," he said.

Iowa Republicans believe they can regain control of the Iowa House in the November election, although they agree with Democrats that the 16 seats left open because of retirements after the 2010 legislative session will play a key role in determining who will call the shots over the next two years.

Republicans note that they have the largest field of candidates since 1994 -- when they picked up 13 seats in the House -- and that 25 Republicans are running unopposed compared to just 11 Democrats.

"Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to win back the Iowa House, and the candidates we have give us a tremendous opportunity to win significant seats and knock on the door of winning back the Iowa Senate," said Republican Party of Iowa Chair Matt Strawn.

New reports filed with the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board show two potential 2012 Republican presidential contenders are starting to fill the bank accounts of their Iowa-based political action committees.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's Free & Strong America PAC-Iowa raised $81,600 from eight out-of-state donors from May 15 to July 14, spent $81,784, and had $50,816 at the close of the reporting period.