September 4, 2012 - Charlotte, North Carolina

Delegates and fellow Americans, it is an honor to be with you this evening.

And it's an honor to represent the great state of Illinois, the home of President Barack Obama!

Tonight, I want to talk to you about a scary subject for many, many Republicans. I want to talk about facts.

You know, I watched the Republican National Convention last week.

And I heard a lot of things that are simply not true.

One of our founding fathers, President John Adams of Massachusetts, once said that "facts are stubborn things."

But last week, as they nominated a very different man from Massachusetts, Republicans stubbornly smeared President Obama's excellent record of reforming welfare.

They went on and on, pretending that he weakened its work requirement.

Everyone knows that is a ridiculous charge.

Even the Republican author of welfare reform says Romney is wrong.

Fact-checkers have called this talking point "blatantly false," "a drastic distortion," "widely debunked," and "a mind-boggling act of untruth telling."

In Illinois, we know President Barack Obama.

We know his record.

And we know that President Obama has made sure that work is always part of welfare.

As an Illinois State Senator, Barack Obama spearheaded welfare reform in the Land of Lincoln.

And the fact is, under President Obama, states can get flexibility only if they move 20 percent more people to work.

Let me repeat that for our Republican friends: more people working, not less.

Then there's Medicare.

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to take away the promise that makes Medicare, Medicare. They want to give seniors a voucher that caps what Medicare will cover, and then tell seniors they're on their own for what's left.

That would cost seniors thousands of dollars a year. And if they don't have the money, it could cost them their lives.

But that didn't stop Romney and Ryan from telling the American people that their plan won't hurt seniors. The fact is, it will.

President Obama's plan will protect Medicare, and protect our seniors.

Facts are stubborn things.

Now, when Paul Ryan got his turn, he blamed President Obama for a plant that closed under President George W. Bush.

Here's a fact:

When President Obama took office in January 2009, the Chrysler plant in Belvidere, Illinois, employed just 200 people.

Today, because President Obama saved the auto industry, that same Chrysler plant is employing more than 4,000 American workers.

There's something else the Republicans left out of their convention: any explanation of why they call Mitt Romney "Governor Romney."

We already knew this extreme conservative man takes some pretty liberal deductions. Evidently that includes writing off all four years he served as governor of Massachusetts.

And if you want to know how someone's going to govern the country, look at how he governed his state.

Mitt Romney promised Massachusetts three things: more jobs, less debt and smaller government.

Then he left his state 47th out of 50 in job growth, added $2.6 billion in debt and on his watch, government jobs grew six times faster than private-sector jobs.

What does Romney promise today?

More jobs, less debt and smaller government.

But he didn't do it then, and he won't do it now.

From day one, President Obama has told you where he stands, what he believes and what he is doing to make our middle class strong again.

America is moving forward under President Obama's leadership - and that's a fact.

Now it's our job in the next nine weeks to make sure that the American people know the facts.

Your vote is a valuable thing. Entrust it to someone who respects you enough to tell you the truth.

Join me in voting for President Obama and together let's make the will of the people the law of the land.

Thank you very much.

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On Friday, September 7, President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will attend a grassroots event at Jessup Hall Lawn at the University of Iowa.

 

EVENT LOCATION: Jessup Hall Lawn, University of Iowa

 

DOORS OPEN: 1:00PM CDT, Friday, September 7

 

Ticket Distribution Information for Members of the Public: Tickets are available for the President's event in Iowa City, IA. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. One ticket per person will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To pick up your ticket, visit one of the following locations beginning Wednesday, September 5 at 9:00AM CDT:

 

Iowa Memorial Union Box Office

University of Iowa

125 North Madison Street
Iowa City, IA

 

Obama For America, Iowa, Iowa City Field Office

321 E. Market Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52245

 

Obama For America, Iowa, Coralville Field Office

2781 Oakdale Blvd.

Coralville, Iowa 52241

 

Obama For America, Iowa, North Liberty Field Office

70 Circle Dr.

North Liberty, Iowa 52317

 

University of Iowa Penatcrest Lawn

(East side of Old Capitol Building)

21 North Clinton Street

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

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The Braley Record: Standing up for our returning heroes

WATERLOO, IA -- Braley for Congress launched its third television ad of the 2012 campaign today, focused on Braley's record fighting for Iowa's veterans.

The 30 second spot, titled "Repay", will air on eastern Iowa broadcast and cable television outlets.  The ad focuses on Braley's work in Congress on behalf of Iowa's returning veterans, from passing a tax credit for businesses that hire veterans to securing overdue combat pay for members of the Iowa National Guard who served in Iraq.
"My dad was barely eighteen years old when he landed on Iwo Jima during World War II.  He taught me what it means to serve," Braley said.  "The best way to thank a veteran for their service is to help them get a job when they come home, and that's what I've focused my work in Congress on.  'Support our troops' means standing behind them not just when they're fighting for us abroad, but after they've come home."
The ad focuses on two key Braley accomplishments for Iowa's veterans: (1) passing a tax credit last year for small businesses that hire unemployed veterans and, (2) after a two-year struggle with the Department of Defense, securing overdue combat pay for Iowa National Guard troops who fought in Iraq.
View the ad here: http://youtu.be/KQo-blL6P2E
A transcript of the ad follows:
BRALEY: He landed on Iwo Jima the same day that the flag was raised.  My dad was eighteen, and it's just remarkable that somebody who is barely out of high school could be put in a situation like that.
ANNOUNCER: Bruce Braley passed tax credits for businesses that hire our returning heroes and took on the Pentagon to get combat pay for those who served.
BRALEY: The best way to thank a veterans is by giving them a job to help people achieve their dreams.  I'm Bruce Braley and I approve this message.
# # #

Congressman Braley made stops in DeWitt and Eldridge

Dubuque, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today made stops in Eastern Iowa to talk about the drought and Farm Bill in DeWitt and Eldridge, Iowa. On a farm tour of Bob and Mary Anne Braden's home, Congressman Braley discussed the impact of the drought and concerns dealing with the Farm Bill. He spoke with Democrats and Republicans about their worries if the Farm Bill is not passed, and what would happen to laws if the current Farm Bill fully expires.

"The Iowans I talked to today, Democrats and Republicans, are deeply concerned that the Farm Bill is not going to be passed. They are worried that all of the necessary protections the Farm Bill provides will be gone and laws will revert back to the 1949 Farm Bill. They know this is unacceptable, I know this is unacceptable, and we all wish the rest of Congress would understand just how important it is to get the Farm Bill passed as soon as possible."

Braley has started a discharge petition which would force the house to move towards a vote in the U. S. House. However, House Leadership refuses to move on the issue and bring up the bill.

 

# # #
Johnston, IA, August 31, 2012 - The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed 72 state and federal candidates for the 2012 elections. Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC decisions are made by a bipartisan committee of ICGA farmer-members who consider candidates based only on their support of ICGA policies. Candidates are evaluated on corn policies such as ethanol, transportation, environment, farm bill, taxes, trade, and value-added agriculture, including livestock.

"Agricultural policy is critical to the future of our farming operations. The Iowa Corn PAC supports our leaders who have demonstrated their support for ICGA policy positions and priorities," said Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC chair.

ICGA PAC decisions are made through an objective analysis including candidate responses to our survey, voting records, letters and other quantified evidence of support.  The ICGA PAC committee members include farmers from across Iowa, with an equal balance of party affiliation to ensure decisions are based only on corn growers' policies.

Endorsements for the 2012 federal election cycle include Congressman Leonard Boswell (D), Congressman Bruce Braley (D), Congressman Steve King (R), Congressman Tom Latham (R), and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D).

The Iowa Corn PAC also endorsed 67 candidates for the Iowa State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2012 election cycle.

For Iowa Senate (13): Merlin Bartz (R), Jerry Behn (R), Thomas Courtney (D), Jeff Danielson (D), Dick Dearden (D), Joni Ernst (R), Randy Feenstra (R), Mike Gronstal (D), Shawn Hamerlinck (R), Tim Kapucian (R), Brian Schoenjahn (D), Steve Sodders (D), and Mary Jo Wilhelm (D).
For Iowa House of Representatives (54): Dwayne Alons (R), Chip Baltimore (R), Clel Baudler (R), Josh Byrnes (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), Peter Cownie (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Jack Drake (R), Greg Forristall (R), Joel Fry (R), Julian Garrett (R), Pat Grassley (R), Bob Hager (R), Chris Hall (D), Curt Hanson (D), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), David Heaton (R), Bill Heckroth (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Lee Hein (R), Dan Huseman (R), Ron Jorgensen (R), Anesa Kajtazovic (D), Jerry Kearns (D), Dan Kelley (D), Jarad Klein (R), Kevin Koester (R), Bob Kressig (D), Jim Lykam (D), Mary Mascher (D), Kevin McCarthy (D), Helen Miller (D), Brian Moore (R), Dan Muhlbauer (D), Patrick Murphy (D), Steve Olson (R), Kraig Paulsen (R), Ross Paustian (R), Brian Quirk (D), Henry Rayhons (R), Walt Rogers (R), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Thomas Sands (R), Renee Schulte (R), Jason Schultz (R), Jeff Smith (R), Mark Smith (D), Chuck Soderberg (R), Roger Thomas (D), Linda Upmeyer (R), Matt Windschitl (R), John Wittneben (D) and Gary Worthan (R).

Funding for contributions to candidates from the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC comes only from voluntary PAC donations by ICGA members.  ICGA dues money cannot be used for PAC contributions.

# # #

With tonight' s Convention it is now official, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are the Republican nominees for President and Vice President. Tonight, I signed the official documentation along with Speaker Boehner and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to put Mitt Romney on the ballot.

 

Here in Iowa we have been working non-stop to elect solid, conservative candidates up and down and the ticket and most importantly ensure Barack Obama is a one-term President

 

With more than a dozen victory offices throughout the state, Iowa is a key swing state for Republicans this election. Our grassroots activists are committed to success but they cannot do it alone.

 

Please click here to make a donation and support Republican Victory this November.

 

Iowa is an absolutely vital state for Mitt Romney. Despite Barack Obama receiving over 100,000 more votes than John McCain in 2008, Republicans now hold the advantage in voter registration for the first time in over six years!

 

This is primarily due to the hard work and energy of our grassroots activists, volunteers and county leaders.

 

Together they understand that the success of our county parties, Congressional candidates and Mitt Romney's election will all be hard fought races with a tremendous amount on the line.

 

Please also think about joining our Patriot Club and pledge to support the Republican Party of Iowa with a small contribution each month.

 

Your financial contribution today will help us immediately get to work to defeat the Democrats in November, promote the conservative messages throughout Iowa, and restore America now.

 

Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication thus far and thank you in advance for your continued support of the Republican Party's efforts here in Iowa.

 

Sincerely,

 

A.J. Spiker

Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa

Voters Demand that Rep. Bobby Schilling Supports an Economy That Works for the 99%

(Moline, Ill) - A diverse group of Quad City area and Peoria residents joined a protest against a Romney
Economy on Thursday, as the former governor accepted the GOP nomination. Across the country, activists now
calling themselves "99% voters" - low-wage workers, seniors, community activists, students and faith leaders -
roundly rejected the 1%-focused Romney Economy in favor of an economy that works for all of us.

Just returning from the RNC in Tampa, Cynthia Rivers of Peoria delivered a giant silver spoon, representative
of the 1%, to Republican GOP Headquarters today. "In Tampa, the 1% heard us. I'm not sure if it will do
any good but we asked them to make the richest 1% pay their fair share of taxes, raise the minimum, and quit
cutting our good jobs," explained Rivers as she taped the giant silver spoon to the Republican Headquarters
door.

Today's protest in Moline was a clear message for Mitt Romney and Bobby Schilling to stop outsourcing jobs,
stop tax breaks for the rich, coupled with tax hikes for the middle class, stop cuts to education and healthcare
funding and stop refusing to raise the minimum wage.

Illinois which is, in part, represented by Bobby Schilling is home to 1,238,225 minimum wage workers, who
must struggle to provide for their families while Schilling and Romney will increase tax breaks and loopholes
for the rich. Parents who have to make the heartbreaking choice between buying groceries or taking a sick child
to the doctor know that a Romney Economy will not work for the Quad Cities, Peoria or the country.

"We are the 99% and they really do need to give us a minimum raise wage," lamented Sandra Leathers. "I told
them in Tampa and now I'm telling Romney and Schilling again to support the raising of the minimum wage."

Earlier in the week, both Sandra and Leathers, friends for 40 years, traveled to the RNC in Tampa to protest the
Romney Economy.

Nationwide and here in the Quad Cities and Peoria, members of the 99% rejected a Romney Economy,
welcoming home protesters from the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. These voters want:
an increase in the federal minimum wage,

  • an end to tax breaks for the rich and corporations,
  • a renewed focus on creating good American jobs instead of layoffs
  • and outsourcing for profit,
  • and a Congress committed to representing all Americans, not just the richest 1%.

QC romney rally 8.30-4.jpg

Photo Caption from left to right:  (Moline, Ill)  Peoria residents Cynthia Rivers and Sandra Leathers, just returned from protesting at the RNC in Tampa tell Congressman Bobby Schilling to stand with the 99%.  They taped the giant silver spoon representing the 1% to the door of Republican GOP Headquarters in Moline, Ilinois Thursday.

- 30 -

Scott County Auditor Will Preserve Documents Requested by Iowa DCI

Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz has received notice from Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz that he will not release the names of possible foreign nationals who may have registered to vote in Scott County. Previously, Schultz had told Moritz that she would receive this list within the legal time frame for adjusting voter registration records. By law, voter registrations cannot be cancelled without the consent of the voter seventy days before an election. That deadline passed on August 28th.

"I had hoped to receive this list prior to the deadline," Moritz said. "Had he provided this list we could have begun our own investigation and possibly wrapped up this problem before the deadline. Now we have to make contingency plans on how to protect the integrity of our elections."

Schultz claims to have identified up to 3,582 possible foreign nationals who have registered to vote in Iowa since 2008. He made this discovery by comparing Iowa Department of Transportation files of foreign nationals who have Iowa drivers' licenses with the I-VOTERS database of registered Iowa voters. Schultz made this discovery in March of this year.

Schultz's announcement came in a letter addressed to Iowa County Auditors. In that letter Schultz states, "(I)t would not be appropriate for me to release any names until we have obtained access to the SAVE database and verified the names through that established procedure." "(W)e are still working with the federal government on the terms of our agreement for using SAVE," Schultz stated.

SAVE stands for Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, an electronic database maintained by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, which is a branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Schultz plans to use the database to eliminate foreign nationals who have obtained citizenship status and therefore have the right to vote.

Moritz and other county auditors first learned of this issue on August 8, 2012 when DCI Agent Dan Dawson was introduced during a statewide meeting of county auditors and election staff. Dawson has been assigned to the Secretary's Office to assist in investigating voter fraud. He informed auditors of the discovery, and estimated that there could be up to 180 possible cases in Scott County. He asked county auditors for their assistance in aiding his investigation. On August 28, 2012 Moritz received a letter from the DCI requesting assistance in securing voting documents for all voters from the 2010 general election. Generally such documents are destroyed 22 months after the election.

"We have the requested documents in a locked facility and under camera," said Moritz. "As soon as we learned of this potential problem we made sure to have these documents in a secure place. Of course we would like to launch our own investigation even if the Secretary's Office did not act, and I received approval from our Board of Supervisors to hire a former election deputy on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, without access to these names we cannot act."

Voters to Demand That Representative Schilling Backs an Economy That Works for the 99% -- And An End to Outsourcing, Healthcare Cuts and Corporate Tax Breaks

 

 

 

(Quad Cities, IL) - On Thursday evening, as Mitt Romney accepts the Republican party's presidential nomination, local citizens who are calling themselves "99% voters" - low wage workers, seniors, community activists, students and more - will roundly reject the Romney Economy.

 

 

Cynthia Rivers and Sandra Leathers are best friends and among the laid-off and low-wage workers who have just returned from protesting the Romney Economy at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

 

"I tried to meet and speak with my Congressman Bobby Schilling about these severe Medicare cuts, but was never granted a face-to-face meeting," says Rivers. "I've been to his office twice. I want him to stand with me and the 99% instead of his wealthy friends and colleagues."

 

 

As part of a nationwide movement rejecting "Mr. 1% -- and any members of Congress who also cater to the 1% at the expense of the 99% -- these citizens will speak out against the elements of the Romney Economy that are dangerous to the working and middle class. They will call on Romney and other Republicans - especially Representative Bobby Schilling - to reject outsourcing, tax breaks for the rich coupled with take hikes for the middle class, cuts to education and healthcare funding.

 

"I marched in the street and rallied at the RNC event in Tampa. Now I want to speak with Congressman Bobby Schilling about how to make the economy work for everyone, not just the richest 1%," explains Leathers.

 

 

WHAT: Say No to a Romney Economy

WHERE: Republican GOP Headquarters

1721 5th Avenue #100 in Moline, Illinois

 

WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 30, 2012

WHO: The 99%: low- wage workers, community activists, students and more

 

- 30 -

I have tremendously enjoyed representing Iowa Republicans these past few days in Tampa at the Republican National Convention. I have had the chance to meet with other leaders from around the country and discuss the best ways we can grow and strengthen our Party heading into the most important election in our lifetimes. I would like to congratulate Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan on officially being nominated yesterday at the convention. It was exciting to be on the floor with thousands of excited and energetic delegates listening to all the speakers. The floor was packed and everyone especially enjoyed hearing from Ann Romney last night. I think we can all agree that Mrs. Romney will make an excellent first lady. She clearly connects with people and I hope that she will return to Iowa in the near future.

The Iowa Delegation was excited to have our very own Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds do the roll call last night for the states as Convention Secretary. We were also excited to get to see John Archer on the national stage when he addressed the convention yesterday. Both of them represented Iowa well!

We have had tremendous success with fundraising around our events in Tampa. The Republican Party of Iowa has raised over $100,000 from convention related activities. Thank you to all who participated in this success.

The "First in the Nation" status of Iowa came under attack at this year's convention right out of the gate in the Rules Committee with a proposal by Washington DC delegate Ben Ginsberg that would have eliminated Iowa's carve-out for having an early caucus without penalty. It was my honor to help defeat this proposal and keep Iowa first.

Two important items that passed concerning Iowa are as follows:

Rule 16(c)(1):

"No primary, caucus, convention, or other process to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to March 1 or after the second Saturday in June in the year in which a national convention is held. Except Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada may conduct their processes no earlier than one month before the next earliest state in the year in which a national convention is held."

Rule 17:

"If any state or state Republican Party violates Rule 16(c)(1) of the Rules of the Republican Party with regard to a primary, caucus, convention or other process to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates and alternate delegates to the national convention by conducting its process prior to the latest Tuesday in February, the number of delegates to the national convention shall be reduced to nine (9) plus the members of the Republican National Committee from that state, and the corresponding alternate delegates shall be reduced to nine (9)."

This is a severe penalty that will prevent jumping ahead.

I was glad to see pass what is perhaps some of the strongest language protecting the Iowa Caucuses that has ever passed at a Republican National Convention and I would like to thank everyone who came together, including delegates and RNC members from other states who helped to make this happen.

Another rule was proposed that would have allowed a presidential candidate to disavow delegates bound to him. This would have had the effect of limiting the grassroots' ability to become involved in the convention process and getting to have their voice heard on important business that is conducted at conventions, such as the platform of the Republican Party. I was afraid that this would have limited participation in the convention process by Republicans who aren't politically or monetarily connected but deserve to have their voice be heard. I was pleased to see so many people stand up for the grassroots activists- the people who make our Party strong- and remove this rule

There are still lots of exciting things to come in Tampa and I hope you are enjoying watching the Convention with friends and family back in Iowa. Don't forget to check on our website for updates from Tampa the rest of the week.

 

To Victory,

A.J. Spiker

Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa

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