12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Again Polls Second in New Iowa Survey

By Gary Howard
Support increased 8 percentage points since same survey was held in early October
ANKENY, Iowa - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul placed second in a poll of likely Republican caucus goers, garnering 18 percent or 8 percentage points higher than when PPP last conducted this poll.  The 12-term Congressman from Texas is between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney, who have 27 and 16 percent, respectively.

Poll highlights include the fact that Paul with 28 percent leads Gingrich by 10 percentage points among the 20 percent of likely caucus goers who are either Democrats or independents.  Paul also gets 23 percent of those who are under 45 years of age compared to 21 percent for Gingrich, 16 percent for Rep. Michele Bachmann, and 15 percent for Romney.

Paul leads Gingrich 23 to 20 percent with voters who care most about a candidate's stances, and of the 29 percent of likely voters who have seen one of the candidates in person, Ron Paul outclasses Gingrich by 27 to 22 percent.  In addition 62 percent of Paul supporters are strongly committed to him but just 49 percent of Gingrich supporters respond that they will definitely vote for him.

"Ron Paul continues to demonstrate the kind of sustainable growth required to make a respectable showing in Iowa.  There's no point in climbing Mt. Everest one day, only to fall into the Grand Canyon just days or weeks later," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

"We're also pleased that Ron Paul attracts independents and Democrats because while our focus is on winning Republican votes in key early states, the end goal is to unseat an incumbent president whose base is increasingly weak-kneed," said Mr. Benton.

PPP surveyed 572 likely Republican caucus goers via telephone from December 3rd to the 5th, and the poll's margin of error is +/- 4.1 percent.  For full poll results including tables, click here.

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Campaign Releases 60-Second Version of Newt Ad

By Gary Howard
Ad takes hard look at the former Speaker's record
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today that it will release a shorter 60-second version of an earlier web advertisement that challenges former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on a group of issues dear to conservative voters.

Much of the ad is in the former Speaker's own voice, and after a few statements by Newt it features news clips about the former Speaker's lobbying ties to government mortgage giant Freddie Mac, a firm that helped perpetuate the financial crisis and recession. In addition, the spot showcases discussion of Newt's lobbying ties to healthcare firms prior to his support of an Obama-Pelosi-Reid individual mandate as part of the recent wildly unpopular healthcare reform, to the absolute horror of nationally-syndicated conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. 

The campaign is shipping the ad to Iowa TV stations today, and it will be going up as part of an expanded Paul buy in Iowa beginning on Wednesday. It will run in conjunction with Paul's other new ad, 'Big Dog'.

"We wanted to ensure this ad reached as many voters as possible, to debunk the myth that the Newt we are seeing on the 2012 campaign trail is the conservative he has been touted to be all along," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton. 

"The voters are looking for authentic conservatives who are able to show a decades-long career of consistently walking the walk of Constitutional principles, limited government, and promoting sound economic policies.  Ron Paul is the only Republican presidential candidate with that record."

To view the ad, click here.

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12 Dec 2011

Facts are stubborn things

By Howard Kaloogian - Tea Party Express

In 2008 Barack Obama's campaign shtick was "change." That resonated because President Bush was spending too much and the country meant to change Washington. But Obama meant to change the country.

In response the Tea Party movement has arisen to implement the real change, putting brakes on that out of control big government growth. Our message to Washington is simple: you have run out of our money, stop excessive spending. You cannot borrow your way out of debt; you cannot spend your way out of deficits.
What is President Obama's response to our message of fiscal responsibility? Shared sacrifice; everyone must feel his pain. By everyone he means the people, not the government. Winston Churchill was more eloquent when he observed that "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
Last year Obama used Pennsylvania's Allentown Metal Works as a backdrop to tout his so-called stimulus spending as a success. A couple of months later, the plant closed.
Then Vice President Joe Biden bragged to a Pittsburgh crowd that all the runaway deficit spending would produce 250,000 to 500,000 jobs created each month by the start of last summer. We're still waiting Joe.
Obama claimed his extreme spending spree would prevent unemployment from going above 8%. It's been above that for the last 27 months.  To be fair, not everyone has done poorly under Obama. Federal government union employees have prospered. Federal employment has grown by over 100,000 positions. Federal civil servants average pay and benefits were $123,049 in 2009 while private workers that year earned $61,051 average pay and benefits, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Take the Department of Transportation as a specific example of excessive government growth. Before Obama, only one bureaucrat there made over $170,000. After Obama's spending spree, 1,690 bureaucrats are paid over $170,000 a year. How has Departments services improved the nations transportation services, has anyone noticed? Now Obama claims austerity by wanting to freeze it at that exponentially higher level for a short while before increasing it again.
I guess that is what Obama meant when he said he "will not rest" until he creates jobs, jobs, jobs. But growing the government is not the same as growing the economy. Extending unemployment insurance payments is not a jobs program. Adding more Americans to food stamps is not a jobs program. Redistribution schemes do not create more wealth; it just shuffles the stack of what was already there, nothing new. No real help there.
News flash to Washington politicians: you don't create jobs. The American people do. In the private sector, without government money, ordinary Americans start businesses and hire people. All that is needed is that the government leaves our money in our pockets and gets out of the way ending excessive and burdensome regulation.
If you succeed, Obama's government would take your profits in oppressive taxation, to consume on growing the government overhead and whatever is left over is redistributed to government dependents who will vote for more handouts.
The truth is only 30% of the money intended to be redistributed actually gets to people liberals claim they want to help. If the government were a United Way charity with 70% overhead expense, would you contribute to it voluntarily? If the government were a company, would you buy its stock? When you hear that Obama wants to raise taxes on anyone, what you are hearing is his call for big and bigger government. The government does not deserve a pay increase. It's time to cut spending.
We here at the Tea Party Express are guided by 6 basic principles:
12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Scores a 'Favorability Fest' in Des Moines Register Poll

By Rick Martin
Paul benefits from candidate ratings as well as federal department closure preferences
ANKENY, Iowa - Emerging details from a poll commissioned by the influential Des Moines Register newspaper announced this weekend reveal voter attitudes highly favorable to 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Paul polls a strong second place garnering 18 percent, behind Newt Gingrich and ahead of Mitt Romney who have 25 and 16 percent, respectively.  Paul's Iowa support has grown in the last three Des Moines Register polls from 7 percent in June to 12 percent in October to 18 percent presently.  Paul is also among those whose support did not wane over the period the poll was taken.

Poll details found here and here reveal that 15 percent of respondents reported seeing Paul in person within the last year, while 20 percent reported seeing Rep. Michele Bachmann.  Yet, Rep. Bachmann polls at a low 8 percent, less than half of what Paul polls. 

With pizza baron Herman Cain having suspended his presidential run, Gingrich with 14 percent now leads among respondents who, regardless of whom they support, believe is most likely to have a scandal in the White House if elected.  Respondents said Paul with 2 percent, is among the candidates least likely. 

Paul with 24 percent is regarded as the most principled candidate, 7 points ahead of Bachmann and a whopping 13 percentage points ahead of Gingrich.  Paul with 32 percent is deemed the most fiscally responsible, more than double his nearest contender Gingrich who garnered just 15 percent. 

Paul with 17 percent is judged to be among the most socially conservative of all candidates, 7 percentage points ahead of Gingrich.  This is especially notable given that Rick Santorum - who is neither first nor second - makes family-friendly issues a cornerstone of his candidacy. 

Paul in this poll is also given high marks for being among the candidates best able to bring about real change and among the candidates best able to turn the economy around.

New poll details also reveal broad support among Republican caucus goers for closing the federal departments of HUD and Education by measures of 60 and 54 percent, respectively, and 57 percent of respondents favor shuttering the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Of respondents, 45 percent favor closing Energy, 42 percent favor eliminating the TSA, 36 percent favor getting rid of the Federal Reserve Bank, 34 percent want to shutter Commerce, and 32 percent want to close Interior.  These data are available in today's print edition of the Des Moines Register. 

Given that Ron Paul's "Plan to Restore America" proposes eliminating five federal departments, and that he is the nation's foremost Fed and TSA skeptic, information of this kind too bodes well for Paul's candidacy.  Paul's plan also calls for $1 trillion in spending cuts during year one of a Paul presidency, resulting in a balanced federal budget in year three.

These data are derived from the 401 likely Republican caucus goers and have a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Campaign to Air New TV Ad in Early Voting States

By Gary Howard
30-second spot 'Big Dog' touts Paul's resolve in cutting outsize federal debt, uncontrolled spending
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today the release of its newest television ad "Big Dog," which touts the 12-term Texas Congressman's seriousness on federal debt and spending reductions.

Beginning today the 30-second ad will air on broadcast and cable television in the key early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.  The spot contrasts establishment Republican candidates unwilling to make difficult choices on spending cuts and debt reduction with the sole candidate whose bite on such matters equals his bark: Ron Paul. 

In particular the ad informs viewers about major provisions of Ron Paul's "Plan to Restore America" including his proposal to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget in year one of a Ron Paul presidency, and his proposed elimination of the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Interior.

"This ad is fun and energetic, yet the issues it focuses on are grave and weigh heavily on the minds of voters across America.  Through this ad we continue to argue that Ron Paul is the only candidate with a serious economic plan to end out-of-control federal spending, reduce the debt, and curtail government activism that hampers economic growth," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

To view the ad online, click here.

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12 Dec 2011

New Iowa Poll Has Ron Paul Best Able to Defeat Obama

By Gary Howard
Paul polls in top three again, fares best vs. Obama
ANKENY, Iowa - Among all competitors for the Republican nomination, 2012 Presidential candidate Ron Paul has the best chance of defeating President Obama in a head-to-head race, according to a new poll.

The NBC News/Marist Poll has Ron Paul polling in the top three among likely Republican caucus goers.  Paul places third with 17 percent behind Mitt Romney in second place and Newt Gingrich in first place with 18 and 26 percent, respectively.  Among the larger pool of potential Republican caucus goers, Paul again places third with 16 percent, behind Romney and Gingrich with 18 and 25 percent, respectively. 

Paul polling in the top three in Iowa is a conventional outcome, yet the NBC News/Marist Poll reveals some interesting facts about the 12-term Texas Congressman's competitiveness against Obama:
  • President Obama defeats all GOP competitors except for Ron Paul in a hypothetical matchup; and
  • 42 percent of registered voters in Iowa support Ron Paul and 42 percent back Obama, with 16 percent undecided; and
  • Ron Paul leads Obama 42 to 35 percent among independent voters and attracts 15 percent of Iowa's Democrats; and
  • Ron Paul also leads Obama by 14 percentage points among voters under 45 years of age.
A Des Moines Register poll released yesterday shows Paul polling a strong second with 18 percent among likely Republican caucus goers, close behind Newt Gingrich who earned 25 percent.  With 16 percent of the vote, Mitt Romney was the only other candidate to attract double-digit support.

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Polls a Strong Second in Des Moines Register Survey

By Gary Howard
Paul is steadily on the rise as his Republican
competitors continue to flash and falter
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul polls a strong second place in a new poll commissioned by the influential Des Moines Register newspaper, revealing that the 12-term Congressman from Texas has steadily grown his support base in the first-in-nation voting state.

Paul garnered 18 percent among likely Republican caucus goers, close behind Newt Gingrich who earned 25 percent. With 16 percent of the vote, Mitt Romney was the only other candidate to attract double-digit support.  Especially noteworthy is that Paul, with respect to Iowa poll results, has steadily gone from low, to middling to top-place showings.

"The rise of Congressman Paul's poll numbers reflects our hopes for strong, steady growth minus the media- and pundit-influenced volatility other candidates suffer.  We want to continue growing our support base incrementally and maintain the faith and trust voters put in us as they carry us toward a respectable caucus finish," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

"The Iowa team is plugging away using traditional retail politicking but we're buoyed by unconventional interest in, and support for, Ron Paul.  We take today's poll news as a compliment but we do not take it lightly, as we're working hard in the weeks leading up to the caucus," added Drew Ivers, Iowa chairman for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign.

The Des Moines Register poll was conducted from November 27th to the 30th and is based on interviews with 2,222 registered Republican and independent voters in Iowa ages 18 or older, of which 401 are likely caucus goers.  Questions asked of the 401 likely Republican caucus goers have a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.  Other results based on smaller samples have a wider margin of error.  Poll results are as follows:

Gingrich 25%
Paul 18%
Romney 16%
Bachmann 8%
Cain 8%
Perry 6%
Santorum 6%
Huntsman 2%

More detailed poll results will be released tomorrow, Sunday, December 4th, sometime in the morning.

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Statement on Herman Cain Campaign Suspension

By Gary Howard
Mr. Cain brought energy, enthusiasm to process
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul released the following statement concerning Herman Cain's suspension of his campaign for the presidency.  Below please find brief comments from Congressman Paul:

"Herman Cain brought energy and enthusiasm to the Republican nominating process, as well as a unique perspective on many domestic issues important to voters such as tax code reform and a pro-growth agenda favorable to the private sector. 

"In light of his suspension of campaign activities, I want to wish Herman success in his future endeavors."

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Campaign Rejects Trump Iowa Debate

By Gary Howard
Trump's participation will contribute to circus-like
atmosphere and is odd considering his slight to RPI
ANKENY, Iowa - The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign released the following statement concerning the selection of Donald Trump as moderator for the December 27th Republican debate to be held in Iowa.  Below please find comments from Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton:

"The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee rejects the selection of Donald Trump as moderator for the Republican presidential debate to be held on December 27th in Iowa. 

"We have conferred with our Iowa campaign chairman Drew Ivers and vice-chairmen David Fischer and A.J. Spiker who are all RPI State Central Committee Members, and they concur with this decision.

"The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate that voters nationwide will be watching is beneath the office of the Presidency and flies in the face of that office's history and dignity.  Mr. Trump's participation as moderator will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues such as the national economy, crushing federal government debt, the role of the federal government, foreign policy, and the like.  To be sure, Mr. Trump's participation will contribute to an unwanted circus-like atmosphere.

"Mr. Trump's selection is also wildly inappropriate because of his record of toying with the serious decision of whether to compete for our nation's highest office, a decision he appeared to make frivolously.  The short-lived elevation of Mr. Trump's stature as a candidate put him on the radar of many organizations and we recall that last spring he was invited to keynote the Republican Party of Iowa's annual Reagan Dinner, yet at the last minute he left RPI holding the bag by canceling.  In turn, RPI canceled its biggest fundraising gala of the year and suffered embarrassment and in addition RPI was required to engage in refunding measures.  Our candidate will not even consider participating in the late-December debate until Mr. Trump publicly apologizes to Iowa party leaders and rectifies in full the situation.

"Therefore our candidate Ron Paul, the champion of the Constitution, has advised he will not attend."

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12 Dec 2011

In Case You Missed It: Michele Bachmann's (Really) Tough Week

By Rick Martin
#TweetFail, Iran tidbit, curious VP picks,
'borrowing without asking,' and missed SarbOx vote
hinder clean execution - especially in Iowa
ANKENY, Iowa - Campaigning for our nation's highest office is difficult, and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is experiencing a really tough week that isn't even over yet.

On Tuesday, Bachmann's Iowa campaign chairman Tweeted an under-140-character mini-gaffe, writing that there were moving trucks outside pizza baron Herman Cain's Iowa headquarters, assumedly for a quick exodus from the first-in-nation voting state.  The offending Tweet even included a photo of the trucks.  The trouble is, the trucks were delivering thousands of campaign signs, requiring Bachmann's Iowa campaign manager to apologize.

On Wednesday while in Iowa, Bachmann told supporters that if elected President she would close the U.S. Embassy in Iran as a gesture of her firm stance against the nation.  The only problem is, the U.S. hasn't had an embassy in Iran since 1980, the year when Blondie's hit single "Call Me" filled the airwaves, Mt. St. Helens erupted, and Ted Turner launched CNN.

Also Wednesday, Bachmann floated some names of those who might have the high honor of serving as her Vice President, should she be elected.  Names include such stalwarts as her strategic competitor Rick Santorum, and U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).  The list also includes real estate developer and reality TV host Donald Trump.  Uh-oh.  Is this the same Donald Trump that left the Republican Party of Iowa holding the bag by backing out of the party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner?

On Thursday, Bachmann's name came up yet again.  This time it was for pilfering a list of homeschool family emails from the well-regarded Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE), and using that list to send two communiques to this "niche" market.  The misuse of the email list was traced to a NICHE board member who is a paid Bachmann staffer, necessitating a multi-pronged email response to members from NICHE President Justin LaVan.  The email included the requisite apology to members, an assurance of corrective measures, and an interesting list of FEC compliance actions including giving other campaigns an equal opportunity to use this listserv for the same purpose.

Lastly, again on Thursday, Bachmann made what smaller and newer publicly traded business owners might call a fatal error in missing a key vote on the House Financial Services Committee.  Congressman Paul adjusted his New Hampshire campaign schedule to vote for a SarbOx compliance exemption for businesses of this kind.  Yet, Bachmann missed the committee vote and therefore she delayed a step toward regulatory relief for businesses already burdened with the kind of overregulation that prevents hiring, even during these trying economic times.

"Campaigning for the presidency is challenging and this fact is one of the reasons why my admiration for Ron Paul grows with every stop along the campaign trail.  On behalf of the whole Iowa campaign team, I'd like to wish Rep. Bachmann a future schedule free of hiccups," said Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Chairman Drew Ivers.
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