GOP sets its sights on 2012
By Bret Hayworth, bhayworth@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008
The 2008 presidential election is only five days removed, and president-elect Barack Obama is sifting through candidates to fill his Cabinet. George W. Bush still has 10 weeks left in his presidency.
But on Nov. 20 and 22, Republican presidential hopefuls will start putting out feelers for 2012.
On Nov. 20, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines are among the first stops in Mike Huckabee's book tour to support his campaign memoir, "Do the Right Thing." On Nov. 22, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at an event for a conservative policy group in Iowa.
Iowa GOP strategist Tim Albrecht, an Ida Grove native who worked on Mitt Romney's 2008 campaign, is already looking ahead.
"What I love about Iowa is on Wednesday after the election, the 2012 race begins," Albrecht said.
The Journal polled 11 Northwest Iowa Republican Party county chairmen for their top three picks in the 2012 presidential race. Some of the county chairmen said it was very early to lay out preferences but went with names familiar from 2007 and 2008, such as Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin.
However, such rising stars as Jindal and Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan were mentioned, too. Western Iowa Congressman Steve King even got a nod from Osceola County GOP Chairwoman Mary Beltman.
Assigning three points for a top pick, two points for a second ranking and one point for third, here's how local GOP leaders see the field:
The contenders
1. Mitt Romney
Why: The former Massachusetts Governor and CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City was essentially the runner-up in 2008.
What they said: "(Romney) is just a genius when it comes to finances, and our country desperately needs that experience." -- Clay County GOP Chairman George Moriarity of Spencer
2. Sarah Palin
Why: The young Alaska governor was a popular force among base conservatives as John McCain's running mate.
What they said: "I believe that (Palin) is a woman of integrity and great talent. ... She has a gift, a brightness to her, a freshness that we haven't seen in a long time." -- Emmet County GOP Chairwoman Debra Satern of Estherville
3. Bobby Jindal
Why: The Louisiana governor, at 36 the youngest governor in the United States, offers a fresh face and conservative credentials.
What they said: "(Jindal) has got a good (life) story. He's an up-and-coming, energetic guy, and he's a good communicator." -- Woodbury County GOP Chairman Kevin Alons of Salix
4. Mike Huckabee
Why: Huckabee rode a wave of support in Iowa, especially in Sioux County, to a caucus win and appeals to evangelical Christian conservatives.
What they said: "I think we need some new, young, energetic leadership -- conservative, but new." -- Lyon County GOP Chairman John Fluit Jr. of Inwood
Others receiving votes: John Thune, Rudy Guiliani, Paul Ryan, Newt Gingrich: 2 apiece; Steve King: 1
But on Nov. 20 and 22, Republican presidential hopefuls will start putting out feelers for 2012.
On Nov. 20, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines are among the first stops in Mike Huckabee's book tour to support his campaign memoir, "Do the Right Thing." On Nov. 22, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at an event for a conservative policy group in Iowa.
Iowa GOP strategist Tim Albrecht, an Ida Grove native who worked on Mitt Romney's 2008 campaign, is already looking ahead.
"What I love about Iowa is on Wednesday after the election, the 2012 race begins," Albrecht said.
The Journal polled 11 Northwest Iowa Republican Party county chairmen for their top three picks in the 2012 presidential race. Some of the county chairmen said it was very early to lay out preferences but went with names familiar from 2007 and 2008, such as Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin.
However, such rising stars as Jindal and Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan were mentioned, too. Western Iowa Congressman Steve King even got a nod from Osceola County GOP Chairwoman Mary Beltman.
Assigning three points for a top pick, two points for a second ranking and one point for third, here's how local GOP leaders see the field:
The contenders
1. Mitt Romney
Why: The former Massachusetts Governor and CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City was essentially the runner-up in 2008.
What they said: "(Romney) is just a genius when it comes to finances, and our country desperately needs that experience." -- Clay County GOP Chairman George Moriarity of Spencer
2. Sarah Palin
Why: The young Alaska governor was a popular force among base conservatives as John McCain's running mate.
What they said: "I believe that (Palin) is a woman of integrity and great talent. ... She has a gift, a brightness to her, a freshness that we haven't seen in a long time." -- Emmet County GOP Chairwoman Debra Satern of Estherville
3. Bobby Jindal
Why: The Louisiana governor, at 36 the youngest governor in the United States, offers a fresh face and conservative credentials.
What they said: "(Jindal) has got a good (life) story. He's an up-and-coming, energetic guy, and he's a good communicator." -- Woodbury County GOP Chairman Kevin Alons of Salix
4. Mike Huckabee
Why: Huckabee rode a wave of support in Iowa, especially in Sioux County, to a caucus win and appeals to evangelical Christian conservatives.
What they said: "I think we need some new, young, energetic leadership -- conservative, but new." -- Lyon County GOP Chairman John Fluit Jr. of Inwood
Others receiving votes: John Thune, Rudy Guiliani, Paul Ryan, Newt Gingrich: 2 apiece; Steve King: 1
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