Cox Sends Letter to Social Conservatives

Republican presidential hopeful John Cox has written a letter posted on his website to social conservatives.

In the letter the Chicago businessman says: "While there are several candidates that have decent pro life and pro family records, equally clear is that many of these candidates are lacking in fiscal matters, have made seriously deficient statements in the past in regard to enforcing our immigration laws or have been members of a U.S. Congress that disappointed many conservatives in regard to the growth of government or addressing our serious challenges."

Cox also lists several reasons why he should be considered for the presidency. Among the reasons is: "I am a solid fiscal and social conservative with a long record of activism - an original member of the Club for Growth (Jack Kemp, Steve Forbes, Larry Kudlow, et.al), a longtime pro life and pro family activist (a member of and supporter of the Knights of Columbus, Illinois Family Institute, Pro Life Action League)."

Cox has not appeared yet in any of the national news media debates but was included in the Values Voter Debate, has appeared on Tucker on MSNBC, and will make his first appearance on a national news media debate on MSNBC in November.

Gingrich Won't Run

After just this morning saying he may be running for the Republican nomination Newt Gingrich says that he will not be a candidate for President or Vice President in 2008.

Reuters reports:

Gingrich, who previously said he was considering joining the race, told Fox News the McCain-Feingold campaign law would have forced him to leave his American Solutions political organization if he declared his candidacy.

Myers to be Interviewed

Daniel Myers of www.myerspolitics.com will be interviewed about the 2008 election on This Is Politics on Monday, October 1, at 6:00 PM, ET.

Tune in at: www.blogtalkradio.com/tip.

PBS All American Republican Presidential Forum

Watch the PBS All American Presidential Forums here: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/special/forums/

Texas Straw Poll Candidate Speeches

Speeches by Republican presidential candidates at the September 1 Texas Straw Poll:

Ray McKinney:



Ron Paul:



Duncan Hunter:

Gingrich May Get In Race

Former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich says he may get in the presidential race if he can raise $30 million by mid-October.

"As a middle-class person, I can’t compete with Governor Romney, who can write a personal check for a hundred million dollars. But if there is a big enough citizen movement that wants to have somebody who could debate Senator Clinton next year and somebody who could outline and articulate our values, then I think we’d be compelled to run," Gingrich told Matt Lewis of Townhall.com.

There will be more details from Gingrich told to the news media on Monday according to Gingrich advisor J. Randolph Evans.

LP Candidates: Paul Not For Me

During tonight's This Is Politics Libertarian presidential candidate debate all three of the participants: George Phillies, Bob Jackson and Robert Milnes said that they would oppose Ron Paul if he seeks the 2008 Libertarian presidential nomination.

The question asked to the candidates asked was "...if Paul were to decide to seek the Libertarian nomination for a second time would you oppose him?" Here is how the candidates responded:

Robert Milnes: "Yes, I oppose him even being a member of the Libertarian party." "...he's running on the Republican ticket, never again vote Republican."

Bob Jackson: "...Ron Paul is out of phase for what it would take to for a Libertarian Party to put a candidate up that can govern the country. He's already polarized too many people and his issues are more argumentative and they're segmented." "He's been in Washington so long drinking that Potomac water, I don't think he has a total understanding of what is to be out here in real America."

George Phillies: "Ron Paul is a conservative Republican. He says he is in his fundraising literature." "I intend to do my best to make sure he is not our nominee because he has no business, with his modern stands, being the Libertarian Party nominee."

Ron Paul was the 1988 Libertarian nominee and has been endorsed by both the 2004 Libertarian presidential nominee, Michael Badnarik, and the '04 Vice presidential nominee, Richard Campagna.

You can listen to complete debate by logging onto www.blogtalkradio.com/tip and clicking on "Libertarian Presidential Debate."

Three Libertarians to Face Off Sep. 27

Libertarian presidential candidates: George Phillies, Bob Jackson and Robert Milnes will face off in the first This Is Politics Libertarian presidential candidate debate tomorrow, September 27, at 6:00 PM, ET.

The debate will air from www.blogtalkradio.com/tip. If you have a question you would like to ask the candidates email it to: tipradio@gmail.com or call 718-908-9747 during the program.

Gilbert at SC Straw Poll

Republican Daniel Gilbert at the South Carolina Straw Poll and BBQ for the Palmetto Family Council:

Sprankle Q & A

Interview with Republican Presidential candidate Keith Sprankle:

1. Why should you be the next President?

Simple, none of the other candidates, on either side, are looking at the whole condition of our Nation. It is like a cruise ship with no one at the helm and everyone working below decks to keep the machinery running. Everyone has focused on individual issues without addressing the true direction our Nation is heading.
For the sake of my children and yours, in fact we need to worry about the next five years which really means you and I, we need someone with an eye to the horizon to steer our ship through the turbulent waters ahead.
The American worker is running out of money in their paychecks for supporting the projects of Washington.
Why I am different? I believe we must increase our tax base, not our tax rates. We must increase wages, put more people to work, build new business and new industry. We must push our economy into high gear, bring down the price of fuel, bring down the cost of food and increase the education of all people.
The only way to save America is to build our economy and not slow it down.
Adding 110 billion to the National budget for health-care, or any number of other domestic programs as the Democrats have proposed to increase our taxes, will drive this Country to recession as President Bush recently pointed out on September 21st, 2007. America cannot afford to pay for everything on the backs of the America worker.
Strong business and new innovative industry will move this Nation through the tough times ahead without forcing middle America to cut back their lifestyles and cut back their spending.
We must speed up our economy for some very basic reasons.
Americans cannot afford to pay more in taxes to support all of the programs which need to be addressed. We have a Social Security system on the verge of failing. We have increasing government costs for health-care. We have a crumbling infrastructure which needs to be rebuilt today. Food prices are starting a multi-year sky-rocketing phase which will place financial burden on every working American family in this Nation. And then there is the price you are paying for gasoline. We see these prices changing on nearly a daily bases to the up side. Our world population and economies have made this problem self indulging and self-sustaining. It will take only actions as I have proposed to stop the runaway consequences.
We are in a unique position today as a Nation to achieve the needed economic and technological growth required to overcome the social issues of our society. But you cannot fund this on the backs of the American worker or at the expense of the American children.
Be all of this said, remember one more thing. No other candidate will be held to higher standards and be held accountable for their promises to the America public. The eye of the Nation and the World will be on every step I make to ensure our Country moves in the directions promised.


2. What makes you the best choice for the Republican nomination?

All of the above, I have demonstrated the vision and business sense for real change and accomplishment within our Nation. My plans all work together to strengthen the American economy. Everyone is calling for change in Washington, but no one has offered the real solution until now. Even today on Meet the Press, Allen Greenspan acknowledged he is very concerned about the overall direction of the American economy and he is voicing concern about recession. I am the only candidate seeking to push our economy into “High Gear” in order to strengthen the power of the dollar in the American workers pocketbook. My plans bring stability back to household budgets and my plans fast-track technology to solve future energy production needs. Every other candidate has placed their careers and political motivation ahead of the needs of the people in this Nation. This is not a chess game; this is a position which requires understanding, compassions and a God given sense of direction.


3. How are you different from candidates like John Cox?

I bring a complete plan and vision for our Nation, no matter what issues are thrown in front of our course. Mr. Cox holds the standard Republican Party line which is fine and necessary, but again he is not looking to the overall direction the Ship of America is heading. Slow reaction policy will force our Nation into a slow recession. We must be pro-Active heading off any chance of further turmoil in our economic markets and in the pocketbooks of the American worker. A unified plan must take into account all markets, all theaters of operation and all affects on our society. Under John Cox, endless debate and inaction will stall any possible recovery. My Plans will win the situation in Iraq and protect what so many lives have fought to achieve. My Plan will bring our fighting troops home in a reasonable timeframe. My plans work to improve life in America for everyone, no matter what their beliefs or status. My plans will bring us closer to solving issues like energy production, curing Cancer and raising the educational level of this Nation as a whole. My plans build and protect this Nation for our children and their children.


4. What is your position on the Iraq War?

As explained, I want to see our troops out as soon as possible, while protecting what we have fought and died for. We do not want to see further or future problems arising out of this part of the Middle-East. My plans will improve diplomatic relations with all Nations and bring to bear the full strength and influence of the World. No one can afford the United States to falter in economic strength due to a failed Middle-East solution. The world depends on us as much as we do on them and therefore we have the upper hand in developing a solid, forceful and time drive solution which can be achieved on the diplomatic front to win this war once and for all!

5. How important are the issues of abortion and gay rights to you?

Family values have deteriorated in this Country. Our forefathers never envisioned the issues we are facing today. We must use and rely on faith in God to guide us on strengthening the moral issues we face. Abortion should never be a choice, unless it would result in the death, or other serious complications of the mother. Life is God given and should not be taken by mankind. Life starts at the moment of conception and there is no argument on this issue.
Marriage is, and should always be, “One Man and One Woman”. We must protect the moral integrity of this Nation and the Values which our founding fathers intended for all people. All people have rights and freedoms which must be protected as mandated under the constitution. Our Nation will work through these issues together with more open dialog between all people.

6. Will you support whomever becomes the Republican nominee?

I will support whoever becomes the nominee as the choice of the majority of the Republican Voters. We must work together to fight off the increased taxation proposed by the Democratic Party.

Dobson Opposes Thompson

Fred Thompson has been added to James Dobson's list of Republicans that he doesn't support. In an email to friends that the Associated Press obtained Dobson says: "Not for me, my brothers. Not for me!" referring to the former Tennessee Senator.

Dobson, who is the founder of Focus on the Family, went on to say: "Isn't Thompson the candidate who is opposed to a Constitutional amendment to protect marriage, believes there should be 50 different definitions of marriage in the U.S., favors McCain-Feingold, won't talk at all about what he believes, and can't speak his way out of a paper bag on the campaign trail?"

In responding to the email Sen. Thompson said: "If in fact this e-mail ... reflects his views, so be it. I have a lot of friends who I think are friends of his who have a high regard for me, and I'm very proud of that."

CP Goes After Hunter's Son for Military Service / Calls Keyes, Tancredo and Hunter ‘Tweedle Dee’ and ‘Tweedle Dum’ Candidates

I do not think it is right for the Constitution Party to include the fact that Hunter's son has served two tours in Iraq in their attack on Hunter's position on the war. Attacking a person for serving his country is just not acceptable.

It also doesn't make sense why the Constitution Party would include Hunter, Tancredo and Keyes in their presidential preference poll a while back when the Chair of the party says that all candidates out side of Ron Paul are "...‘Tweedle Dee’ and ‘Tweedle Dum’ candidates..."

Peroutka Endorses Paul for President

Michael Peroutka has become the second 2004 third party presidential candidate to endorse Ron Paul's campaign for the Republican nomination. Peroutka, who was the Constitution Party's candidate, joins the '04 Libertarian nominee Michael Badnarik in backing Paul.

"I endorse Rep. Ron Paul for President. And I endorse him not because he is the lesser of two evils. A Christian can never endorse any kind of evil. I endorse Rep. Paul because – from a Christian/Biblical and Constitutional perspective – he is, by far, the best candidate running for President," Peroutka said.

Huckabee Wins Value Voter Debate Straw Poll

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee won the Values Voter Debate held last night after the first Values Voter Debate.

Huckabee won with 219 of the 400 ballots cast, Ron Paul trailed far behind with just 44 votes, Brownback had 18 with Fred Thompson, who did not attend the debate, coming in fourth with 15 votes.

Even though the four front-runners were not present, this was the first major debate that Chicago businessman John Cox was invited to and was also Alan Keyes' first debate since announcing his third candidacy for the Republican nomination last week.