McCain and Giuliani Get Major Endorsements

Today two Republican presidential candidates received big name endorsements.

Former 2008 presidential candidate Sen. Sam Brownback endorsed Sen. John McCain, "If you want a guy to change Washington, John McCain's the guy to do it. He has been in Washington, but he is not of Washington," said Brownback. McCain commented on the Kansas senator's endorsement saying: "I think it matters when one of the most respected members of the United States Senate, and in the pro-life family values community lends his support to my candidacy. I think it has significant impact."

And there is one Christian leader that made it clear today that he does not agree with James Dobsons' idea of running a third party candidate if Giuliani gets the nomination. Pat Robertson, co-host of the 700 Club, endorsed Rudy Giuliani. "It is my pleasure to announce my support for America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans," Robertson said.

Robertson, who ran for 1988 GOP presidential nomination, went onto say: "Rudy Giuliani took a city that was in decline and considered ungovernable and reduced its violent crime, revitalized its core, dramatically lowered its taxes, cut through a welter of bureaucratic regulations, and did so in the spirit of bipartisanship which is so urgently needed in Washington today." He said nothing of the fact the he and Giuliani disagree on social issues.

John McCain had this to say about Robertson's choice for President: "Every once in a while, I'm left speechless. This is one of those times."

Brownback May Back Giuliani!

Former 2008 Republican presidential candidate Sen. Sam Brownback, who is stauchly pro life and anti gay rights, may endorse Rudy Giuliani. The two were set to meet today. "I’m going to meet with him and I’m going to talk to him and hear what he is specifically saying now because he’s changed on a number of the abortion issues ... I haven’t decided who or if and I haven’t decided when [I will endorse someone]," Politics1 reports Brownback as saying.

This comes from the same person who just last week predicted that Rudy would not get the nomination because he was pro choice. The president of the Iowa Right to Life, Kim Lehman, said that it would be "hypocritical" of Brownback to endorse Giuliani.

Values Voter Debate: Abortion and the Supreme Court

Segment on Abortion at September's Vaulues Voters Debate:

Romney, Huckabee Neck and Neck in Values Voter Straw Poll, McCain Comes in Last

Mitt Romney won today's straw poll at the Values Voters' Summit with 1,595 votes, just 30 votes more than Mike Huckabee's 1,565.

Ron Paul came in third with 865 votes followed by Fred Thompson who recieved 564 votes. Sam Brownback, who ended his campaign yesterday, had 297 votes bringing him ahead of Duncan Hunter at 140 and Tom Tancredo at 133.

However, Rudy Giuliani did not finish last. The former New York City mayor came ahead of John McCain with 107 votes compared to McCain's 81.

Brownback Out of Race

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KA) has ended his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. Brownback, a strong social conservative, spoke at the Values Voter Summit earlier today and at approximately 3:45, CST, he ended his campaign with a speech in Kansas.

The Senator does not believe that Rudy Giuliani will become the nominee since he is not pro life. Brownback has also said he will not seek re-election in 2012 and there are rumors he may run for governor in the 2010 elections.

Brownback Looks for Support From Republican Jews

Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback called on Jewish Republicans to support his candidacy and to "rebuild the family."

"We've got to rebuild our family culture. The place to raise a child is with a mom and a dad," Brownback said at the Republican Jewish Coalition presidential forum today.

Brownback, Biden Set to Campaign Together

Two presidential candidates are set to campaign together latter this week in Iowa, one a Republican and the other a Democrat.

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KA) and Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) will be promoting their joint decentralization plan for Iraq, the Senate passed a non-binding resolution last month in favor of the bill.

"Joe and I might be running for the nomination of two different parties, but we agree on one thing: the American people want progress in Iraq and this represents a viable way forward to stability and success," says Sen. Brownback.

"Partisan politics must not come in the way of finding a solution to the war in Iraq. The overwhelming majority of Americans want us to get our troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible without leaving chaos behind," said Sen. Biden.

Both Biden and Brownback are behind in the polls.

Myers: Look for Hunter, Keyes and Brownback to Drop Out

Political blogger Daniel Myers says in a new article on his website that he thinks that Alan Keyes, Duncan Hunter and Sam Brownback will drop out of the race either before or right after the Iowa Caucus in January.

Myers says: "Whoever is leading 2-3 days before the Caucus is possibly going to be the winner. Kerry was loosing by 11 points in Iowa until four days before the Caucus he trailed by 2, then three days before he was tied, then came the actual results in which he beat Howard Dean by what I believe if memory is correct 16 points."

He thinks that Mike Huckabee will do well in Iowa as well as Mitt Romney and he doesn't expect Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and possibly Fred Thompson to be too focused on this first caucus state.

Huckabee Could Make Brownback 'Toast'

In the May 18 National Journal Republican candidate ranking Sam Brownback was ranked as number seven, behind Mike Huckabee.

The report said "He [Brownback] needs to take Huckabee out. If he doesn't, he's toast." While Huckabee, who came in number five, was said to be "comforting, reassuring, strong in the right ways, quick with a witty aside, respectful of his peers" in the last debate, even though he does not have the money or staff as other campaigns.

Brownback Would Support Pro Choice Candidate

In last night's debate, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, who is very much pro life, said that he would support the party's nominee if he (i.e. Rudy Giuliani) were pro choice.

He said that if you agree with a candidate 80% of the time he is your friend.

Brownback: I'm the 'Whole Life' Candidate

In a weekend stop in New Hampshire Kansas Senator Sam Brownback addressed a group of Christians and home school families. He told the group that he not only wants to protect the un-born but everyone, no matter what stage of life they are in.

The WCAX TV Reports:

Brownback described himself as the quote - "whole life" candidate. He says that means caring for people throughout their lives with anti-poverty and social programs and programs to reduce criminal recidivism.

Brownback On Social Issues

On yesterday's Fox News Sunday Sen. Sambrownback was questioned by host Chris Wallace on his conservatism.

Christ Wallace: "Senator, let's talk about your campaign for president, because you are now formally in the race as of this last week. You sent out a fundraising e-mail to fellow conservatives this week, and this was your central message.

'As the only tried and true social conservative seeking the Republican Party's nomination, I'm personally asking for your support. In fact, differing stands on social issues like life and marriage represent the main contrast between the candidates running for the Republican nomination.'

Since you raised it, Senator, what are the differences between you, on the other hand, and (John) McCain and (Mitt) Romney and now (Mike) Huckabee on the other?"

Sen. Brownback: "Well, as I pointed out, as a tried and true conservative, I've been in the Congress or the United States Senate since 1994. I've voted on these issues of life and marriage — many of the other social issues. I've been a leader on those issues.
I think it speaks for itself that I'm tried and true on these issues and many of the others have looked or been in different positions at different times. Those are going to come out during the race.

We point out at the outset of those that I've been a tried and true leader on these core issues to the base of the Republican Party and also core to America."

To read the entire interview, go here.

Brownback Announces Candidacy

Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, calling himself a "full-scale Ronald Reagan conservative," made his campaign for the White House official today.

"My family and I are taking the first steps on the yellow brick road to the White House. Search the record of history. To walk away from the Almighty is to embrace decline for a nation. To embrace Him leads to renewal, for individuals and for nations," said Brownback.

Who is the Conservative GOP Candidate?

Dick Morris, who managed President Clinton's 1996 re-election bid, says in an column for NewsMax that conservatives have no clear choice in the Republican field of candidates so far.

Morris points out that Mitt Romney may have a hard time with conservatives due to his stand on abortion. "Romney seems to be a chameleon who adjusts his positions to suit the need of his environment. When he was running in a liberal state against the most liberal member of the Senate, he talked liberal. But now that he wants to win a Republican primary with a conservative base, he speaks their language." Morris said of Governor Romney.

So who does the conservative branch of the party have to turn to? Morris says that Arkansas Governor Huckabee and Senator Brownback would be options for conservatives.

What About Brownback?

Would Kansas Senator Sam Brownback make a good president? He is pro life and against abortion and embryonic stem cell research, as LifeNews points out, but is he the best candidate?

Brownback claims to be a Reagan conservative but, in 2006 Brownback voted to give illegal aliens social security benefits. How does the Senator expect the immigration problem to be solved by giving law breakers special benefits and not punishment?