The Candidates Seeking the GOP Nomination for President (Meet the Candidates) The Standard is NOT Perfection! In the mold of Ronald Wilson Reagan. He should be our standard. NOT these guys! Nominating a liberal Republican (RINO) just isn’t necessary to win. • History tells us otherwise. • Independents are already with us and against Obama. Nominating a “moderate” or liberal Republican (RINO) doesn’t equal success • Ford vs. Carter (Ford LOST to Carter in 1976) • Dole vs. Clinton (Dole LOST to Clinton in 1996) • McCain vs. Obama (McCain LOST to Obama in 2008) Reagan’s Electoral Victory in ’80 and ‘84 1980 1984 Bad Numbers for President Obama 2006 Conservatives 32% Moderates 47% Liberal 20% 2010 Conservatives 41% Moderates 39% Liberal 20% (Pew Poll) (Gallup) 2006 – 29% 2006 – 28% 2010 – 36% 2010 – 26% (Source: New Republic, Nov. 2010) August 30, 2011 Obama Weekly Average Approval Holds at Term-Low 40% Blacks, Democrats, and liberals are only groups showing majority approval by Lydia Saad PRINCETON, NJ -- President Barack Obama's job approval rating averaged 40% last week, tying his record-low 40% ratings for the two prior weeks that started on Aug. 8. The Aug. 22-28 weekly average of Gallup Daily tracking includes Obama's worst three-day average approval rating thus far in his presidency: 38% approval and 55% disapproval from Aug. 25-27. Gallup suspended Daily tracking on Aug. 28 because of the hurricane conditions affecting much of the East Coast. Obama continues to receive broad support from blacks (83%); however, this is the third consecutive week he has earned less than majority support from Hispanics, and the current 44% -- also registered the prior week -- is his lowest from this group. Whites' 32% average approval rating in each of the past two weeks is also a record low. It’s not necessary to nominate a RINO to defeat Obama. A solid Constitutional Conservative can and will defeat him! Who are the RINO’s? Who are the Conservatives? Candidates Running for the GOP Nomination 11 Declared (Official) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Michele Bachmann (Minnesota) Herman Cain (Georgia) Newt Gingrich (Georgia) John Huntsman (Utah) Gary Johnson (New Mexico) Thaddeus McCotter (Michigan) Ron Paul (Texas) Rick Perry (Texas) Buddy Roemer (Louisiana) Mitt Romney (Massachusetts) Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania) 4 Undeclared (Unlikely) 3 Undeclared (Rumored) • Rudy Giuliani (New York) • Sarah Palin (Alaska) • George Pataki (New York) • • • • Chris Christie (New Jersey) Jeb Bush (Florida) Marco Rubio (Florida) Paul Ryan (Wisconsin) Interesting Facts About the Field 11 Declared • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 Black 1 Woman 2 Georgians 2 Texans 1 Former Senator 1 Sitting Governor 4 Former Governors 1 Political Newcomer 3 Sitting Congresspersons 2 Mormons 3 Evangelicals 5 Southerners 3 Undeclared (Rumored) • 1 Woman • 1 Person From Outside The Contiguous U.S. • 2 New Yorkers • 2 Italian Americans • 2 Former Mayors 4 Undeclared (Unlikely) • 4 Floridians • 1 Hispanic • 1 Bush Michele Bachmann State: Minnesota Age: 55 Faith: Evangelical Experience: Former Federal Tax Attorney/Business/Current 3 term Congresswomen Bio: Married to husband Marcus for more than 30 years – five children; opened home to 23 at-risk Foster children; former Minnesota State Senator; opened Charter Schools; home schooled her children; school choice advocate; graduate of William and Mary’s College and Oral Roberts University; founded Tea Party Caucus in the House; elected to the House of Representatives in 2006; prolific Fundraiser; sits on Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; strong Advocate for Traditional Marriage. Michele Bachmann • • • • • • • • • Strong Pro-Life record Fidelity to our Constitution Strong advocate to repeal and defund Obamacare. Leading Voice Against It Passionate and Bold Authentic Voted Against Bailouts, 2nd Dodd-Frank Solid Support From Tea Party, Evangelicals, Value Voters and Home School Families Against Stimulus Strong Supporter of Israel • • House Member Only (No elected executive experience) Accused Of Some Earmarks Early On Herman Cain State: Georgia Age: 65 Faith: Evangelical Experience: Former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza/Past President of National Restaurant Assoc./Baptist Pastor Bio: Earned Master’s Degree in Computer Science; 2nd Mathematics; Worked for Coca-Cola and became Vice President of Pillsbury; Was second in command at Burger King; His region at Burger King became the best performing region in company history; Turned Godfather’s Pizza from the verge of bankruptcy to profitability in 14 months; Debated Bill Clinton on National Television about Hillary Care, “Quite Honestly Mr. President, your calculations are incorrect.” (Herman Cain); board of Directors of Federal Reserve Bank; Host of his own radio talk show out of Atlanta; Ran and lost Georgia Senate in 2004; Fully recovered and cured of stage 4 liver/colon cancer; Associate Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta; Married to his wife Gloria; Has two children and several grandchildren Herman Cain • • • • • • • Strong Proponent of the Fair Tax Tea Party Backed Commonsense Approach Strong Social Conservative No Formal Political Experience Business Experience Understands How the Economy Works • • • Liberals Will Go After Him For “Uncomfortable” Comments About Muslims and Sharia Wouldn’t Sign Abortion Pledge From Susan B. Anthony List Federal Reserve Bank Experience Newt Gingrich State: Georgia Age: 68 Faith: Catholic Experience: Former Speaker, Former Teacher and History Professor Bio: Before elected to Congress in 1978 Newt was a History and Environmental Studies Professor in West Georgia; Master’s and Doctorate in Modern European History; Represented Georgia for twenty years including four years as Speaker of the House; Thirtytwo years in Washington; Founded American Solutions; Newt and his wife Callista have hosted and produced many Reagan documentaries and one documentary about our nation’s godly heritage, “Rediscovering God in America” Newt Gingrich • • • • Forced Clinton to Sign Welfare Reform and a Balanced Budget Contract With America (helped Republicans take back the House) Smart and an Excellent Debater Articulate • • • Married Three Times Makes Irresponsible and Unwarranted Comments Newt in 2006: “Before we lose a city, or after we lose a city, we will adopt rules of engagement . . . to break up their capacity to use the internet, to break up their capacity to use free speech.”(Human Events Dec. 2006) Criticized Paul Ryan’s Medicare Reform Plan Teamed Up With Nancy Pelosi and Al Sharpton to Combat Global Warming Advocated “Green Conservatism” Supported Dedee Scozzafava (liberal Republican) for House Seat over a Tea Party Candidate. Helped Democrat Win That Seat Supported Bailouts (TARP) • • • • • Jon Huntsman State: Utah Age: 51 Faith: Mormon Experience: Former Gov. of Utah/Former Businessman/U.S. Ambassador of China under Obama Bio: Attended Palo Alto High; Married has seven children, including two adopted children from Asia; Piano player and motorcycle enthusiast; Former Commerce Secretary; Former Ambassador to Singapore; Elected Gov. of Utah from 2000-2009; Served under Obama’s administration as Ambassador to China; Former CEO of the family company (Huntsman Corporation); Speaks Mandarin Chinese John Huntsman • • • • Pro-Life Some Business Experience Did cut $400 Million in Taxes in Utah Governor • • • • • • • • Spending in Utah Grew 10% Every Year He Was Governor (345 Million in Overspending) Proposed Highest Cigarette Tax Increase in Nation’s History (American for Tax Reform) Gave Driving Privileges to Illegals Strong Supporter of Taxpayer Subsidies for Illegals Called Obama “A Remarkable Leader” (Redstate, June 2011) Believes in Gay Civil Unions Refused to Sign Tax Reform Pledge Tried to Push Through Obamacare Style Healthcare – Legislature Blocked It (Wash. Monthly Mag. 2011) Praised Stimulus and Cap and Trade Recently Said: “I Believe In Evolution and Trust Scientists on Global Warming. Call Me Crazy.” (The Hill 8/18/11) • • Gary Johnson State: New Mexico Age: 58 Faith: Lutheran Experience: Former Businessman/Former Two-Term Governor of New Mexico Bio: Founder of one of New Mexico’s largest construction firms; Elected Governor in 1994, nicknamed “Governor Veto”; Fitness enthusiast; Taken part in Ironman Triathlons and once climbed Mt. Everest; Former door to door handyman; Earned Bachelor of Science at New Mexico University; Married to second wife and has two children. Gary Johnson • • Saved the State of New Mexico $21 Million in Vetoes, 750 Vetoes (C.S. Monitor, April 2011) Cut Spending by 43% (Big Government, 2011) • • • • Believes in the Legislation of All Hard Drugs Pro-Abortion Supports Gay Marriage Would Turn General Election From Referendum on Obama To a Choice Election Thaddeus McCotter State: Michigan Age: 45 Faith: Catholic Experience: Attorney/ 5 term Congressman Bio: Serves the 11th District in Suburban Detroit; First elected in 2002; Referred to as “Thad”; Earned a Bachelors Degree and a J. D. from the University of Detroit; Avid supporter of the Iraq War; Married to a nurse; has three children; Lead guitarist for the “New Flying Squirrels” band and the “Second Amendments”; Bush called McCotter “that rock and roll dude”; Appears on Fox News “Red Eye” program often “Thad” McCotter • • • • • Outspoken on the Evils of Globalization and the Rise of China Tea Party Backing 100% Pro-Family Record (Christian Coalition) Voted Against Bailouts 100% Right to Life Record (NRLC) • Virtual Unknown • Voted for $2Billion More for Cash for Clunkers Program • Congressman Ron Paul State: Texas Age: 75 Faith: Lutheran Experience: Medical Doctor/ Congressman Since 1980 Bio: First can for Congress in the late 70’s; Left the Republican Party in 1984 and later ran as a Libertarian for President; Lost election in 1988; Co-owned a coin dealership; Was an Obstetrician for many decades; Delivered over 3,000 babies; Son serves as a U.S. Senator from Kentucky; U.S. Air Force Veteran Ron Paul • • Tried to Audit the Federal Reserve Numerous Times Push Through Term Limits Many Times • • • • • • • • Believes in the Full Legalization of all Hard Drugs, including Crack Cocaine and Heroin Legalize Prostitution and Gay Marriage Came Out in Favor of The Ground Zero Mosque (Newsmax, Aug. 2010) Called Opponents of the Mosque “Drumbeat of Hatred” Gitmo Should be Closed and Accuses Government of Torturing Terrorists (Political Guide 2011) Called Reagan “A War Monger” (Redstate 9/8/11) Believes America is to Blame for Terrorist Attacks (GOP Debate 9/12/11) Ron Paul: “Those Who Hate Us And Would Like to Kill Us, They Are Motivated By Our Invasion Of Their Land: (Jihad Watch Aug. 2011) Shouldn’t Support Israel Over the Palestinians (Commentary Mag. 3/1/11 No Problem With Iran Getting Nukes, No Threat (Town Hall 8/12/11) Against Border Fence (MSNBC Debate) Big Earmarker (Wash. Indep. 12/8/10) • • • • Rick Perry State: Texas Age: 61 Faith: Evangelical Experience: Former Air Force Pilot/ Governor of Texas Bio: Served in the Air Force in the 1970’s; Married has two children; Career Politician since 1985; Never lost an election; Attended Texas A&M University; After the Air Force served as a Congressman as a Democrat; He was Agriculture Commissioner and Lt. Governor; Assumed office of Governor from George W. Bush in 2000; Longest serving Governor in Texas history Rick Perry • • • • • • • • Very Pro-Life Signed Law to Require Women to Receive Sonograms Signed Voter I.D. Law (Miami Herald 9/15/11) Signed in Tough Tort-Reform Legislation “Loser Pays” Law Created 265,000 Jobs Just Last Year Alone Texas Created Almost Half of the Jobs in the Country in the Past Two Years Tea Party Support Big 10th Amendment Guy Rick Perry • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Opposed to a Border Fence, Called It a “Cockamamie Idea” Came Out Against Arizona’s SB1070 Law Spoke to “La Raza” Pro-Amnesty Organization (570 KLIF Talk Radio) Gave College Tuition Benefits to Illegals, Defended it in the Debate Signed Hate Crimes (AP May 2001) Al Gore’s Texas Campaign Chairman in 1989 Supported Liberal Rudy Giuliani in 2008 Spending and Debt Problem in Texas (WND (Aug. 2011) Called Hillary Care “Most Commendable” (Daily Caller Aug. 2011) Tried to Vaccinate Through Executive Order All 11 and 12 Year Old Girls Former Chief of Staff Was Part of a Lobbying Firm for the Drug Company Laid the First Brick at a Plano Texas Mosque and Initiated a Teacher-Training Program to Train Teachers on Islam (Star Chronicle 2011) The Texas-Trans Corridor (NAFTA Superhighway) Tried to Allocate Money for it and Use Eminent Domain on Ranchers and Land Owners (Townhall Aug. 2011) Charles Elson “Buddy” Roemer State: Louisiana Age: 68 Faith: Methodist Experience: Former Congressman and Governor of Louisiana Bio: Attended Harvard; Elected Governor in 1988 as a Democrat; Left office in 1992; Became a Republican in 1991; Ran a Plastics Company From 1992-1997; Tried to Run Again As Governor in 1995; Lost That Election; Campaigned for McCain; Currently the CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge Charles Elson “Buddy” Roemer • Regan Supporter While He Was a Democrat Congressman • Unemployment Dropped In Half As Governor • • • • Vetoed a State-Wide Ban On Abortions in 1990 OK With Gay Marriage Big Supporter of the Restrictive Campaign Finance Laws Couldn’t Balance the Budget as Governor (CD News, June 2011) Mitt Romney State: Massachusetts Age: 64 Faith: Mormon Experience: Former Businessman/Former Governor of Massachusetts Bio: Born in Detroit; Father was former Governor of Michigan; Attended Harvard, Stanford and Brigham Young University; Married for 41 years; Has five children; Was a Mormon Missionary in France for almost three years; In 1977 he joined Bain and Company; Became a successful businessman, turning failing business around; Ran for Senate in 1994 against Ted Kennedy and lost; Became a Governor in 2002; served one term; Ran for President in 2008 Mitt Romney • Turned Salt Lake City Olympics Around • Successful Businessman and Good Private Sector Experience • • • • • • • • • • Numerous Flip-Flops (Shifting Positions) on Abortion, Gay Marriage, Gun Control, etc. Teamed Up With Ted Kennedy on Romneycare Romneycare has Mandates Like Obamacare He Called Citizens Petition To Defend Marriage “Too Extreme” and “Bigoted” (Right Faith Blog Jan. 2007) Once Supported the McCain-Kennedy Amnesty Law (WND May 2011) Left Massachusetts With a Huge Deficit CATO Institute Gave Him a “C” on Taxes Believes in “Man-Made” Global Warming Refused to Sign Susan B. Anthony List Pledge on Abortion Signed Life-Time Ban On Gun Ownership for Misdemeanors (National Review 2007) Rick Santorum State: Pennsylvania Age: 53 Faith: Catholic Experience: Former Congressman/Former Two-Term Senator Bio: Received a B. A. in Political Science at Penn State; J. D. from Dickson School of Law; married to wife Karen for twenty years; has seven children; strong Catholic; Young son died two days after birth; One of his daughters has a very serious genetic disorder; Served in the House from 1990-1994; Came in with Newt Gingrich in 1994 in the Senate; Served two terms Rick Santorum • • • • • • Staunch Pro-Lifer Tough on Terrorists and a Strong Advocate for Gitmo Debated Barbara Boxer on Senate Floor on the Issue of Life Passed Balanced Budget in the Senate Authored Partial Birth Abortion Ban Despite Being a Solid Conservative He Was Able to Serve Two-Terms in the Senate in a Blue State • • Supported Liberal Arlene Specter Voted for Big Costly Medicare Bill Undeclared Rumored Rudy Giuliani Sarah Palin George Pataki Undeclared Unlikely Chris Christie Jeb Bush Marco Rubio Paul Ryan