Posted on 04/01/2005 6:54:38 AM PST by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON - Sen. Sam Brownback, quietly weighing a presidential bid in 2008, is using a network of social conservatives and Christian activists to raise his profile in Iowa and New Hampshire, two states critical to White House hopefuls.
In some of the most detailed comments the Kansas Republican has made about a possible bid for president, Brownback said in an interview Thursday that he has not yet made a decision on whether to run and would not give a timetable on when he might decide.
"I have met with a number of social conservatives and conservative leaders in Iowa and I'm exploring the options," Brownback said. "There's a lot of interest in the topics that I've been pushing for some time."
Brownback, one of a dozen or so ambitious candidates already warming up for the next round of presidential contests more than two years away, has visited Iowa to meet with prominent Republicans and see if he can connect with voters in informal settings, according to supporters.
He also is making inroads in New Hampshire, where he will be a keynote speaker at Cornerstone Policy Research's April 16 award ceremony honoring lawmakers the family advocacy group supports.
Chuck Hurley, a former state legislator and president of the Iowa Family Policy Center, another family advocacy group, is one of Brownback's key boosters in that state.
"I am 100 percent behind him personally, in terms of a presidential bid," said Hurley, who attended law school with Brownback. "My friendship and my confidence in Sam as a leader is what's driving me personally. Professionally, I think he'd do a great job on our issues." "He was talking about what it means to be a Christian in public life," Hurley said. "I think before he is going to commit to a campaign, he needs to get a feel for Iowans."
Hurley said he visited Washington in February and March to talk strategy with Brownback and his staff. "Several of the discussions talked about the Iowa caucuses," Hurley said. "Definitely we were talking specifics on how to win Iowa."
Iowa's caucuses and New Hampshire's primary are the first contests to determine a party's nominee.
In New Hampshire, Brownback has forged close ties to Cornerstone Policy Research. Karen Testerman, the group's executive director, said other potential presidential hopefuls, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., also have courted the group's members.
Brownback, who has consistently received strong support from Kansas conservatives, has seen his profile rise outside the state with his strong opposition to abortion and gay marriage and his early call for action to stop genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. Brownback also supported keeping Terri Schiavo alive and said her plight highlights the question at the core of every issue related to the protection of human life. The severely brain-damaged Florida woman whose feeding tube was removed March 18 died Thursday.
"It makes me more interesting to a number of people because the issue of life is such a key issue for the country," Brownback said. "We may be coming to a point of really resolving and engaging in a full-scale debate about the issue of life."
His stances, however, could alienate moderates in the GOP drawn to better-known possible candidates, such as Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, New York Gov. George Pataki and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
"I think if anything we learned from the last election is that the social conservatives do have some pull and some power," said Martha Kropf, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. "I'm just not sure Brownback has the name recognition to win a national race, or even in Iowa and New Hampshire."
Veterans of Iowa's caucuses say it will be a challenge for Brownback to forge a national reputation.
"In my view he has a long way to go," said Steve Roberts, a Des Moines lawyer and member of the Republican National Committee, who met Brownback at an Iowa reception last July. "He is virtually unknown out here."
But Roberts said Hurley's support could carry Brownback far.
"Hurley is not only well-regarded in evangelical circles and as a good organizer, but he is also regarded as one of the most thoughtful statesmen of the evangelical conservative movement out here," Roberts said. "He reaches out beyond evangelical circles."
As is the case with most Senators thinking of running for president. They are usually not well known other than in their respectives states. Most Senators don't usually have a chance of becoming president. I am personally very leery of voting for a Senator for president!
But Brownback is one of the best. I'd like to know more about him. He could be the caliber of president to follow President Bush.
Who?
The guy has almost ZERO name recognition outside of his own state. He needs to be a bit more high-profile.
And I agree with you: I probably would support a Senator, either. Maybe Santorum, but I can't think of too many others.
I tried to add US: Iowa as a keyword for the Iowa list but it wouldn't let me. Can you help? Thanks!
I'm from Kansas, and I can say that Brownback has been a fantastic senator. I would vote for him in a heartbeat.
I have no idea who this guy is. Never even heard of him before this. I prefer to elect Governors rather than Senators but if one turns out to be of Star Quality (and I haven't seen one yet who I can put in that category) and can beat the Dems which is going to be tougher than ever in 2008, then I will of course vote for him.
I meant Topics, not Keywords.
He would make a great President.
MEMO TO BROWNBACK & MONEY CREW:
Save your $$$ and don't bother "testing the waters". There is zero, zilch, nada interest in you as president. You're a decent man Charlie Brown, but the band you hear playing is in your head.
You know I've been trying myself. Did someone post a list? I'll keep checking.
I just meant for the Iowa boards. I must be doing something wrong, I can never add US: Iowa to the topics.
Potential Canidates for POTUS 2008 (Vanity, seperated by positions and potential to run)
No on this thread I was trying to "click to add topic" and I typed in US: Iowa so that the Iowa Boards would see this thread.
It won't let me do that for some reason.
Oh never mind the post I refered to you. It's wrong. Its not what you are looking for. I'll keep searching!
see #13, no biggie
I think I need more coffee! ;-)
You? I gave up coffee 2 days ago. RushCrush cranky! ;)
A couple of my concerns are as follows:
1) Does he have the "name recognition"?
2) From who and where can he get financial contributions that would give him the cash flow required in modern day politics?
3) Will he be perceived as "too conservative" for some Republicans?
Anyone have any thoughts or feedback?
Why did you give up coffee? Just tell me to shuush if it is none of my business
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