With less than three weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses, three conservative underdogs fighting for the Republican presidential nomination -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania -- continued this week to focus on the Hawkeye State as they looked to score a breakthrough in the race.
A poll from Public Policy Polling, a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, released on Tuesday, found that they have their work cut out for them. The three candidates leading the national polls -- former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts -- also lead in Iowa.
Gingrich takes 22 percent, with Paul right behind him at 21 percent. Romney is in third with 16 percent, followed by Bachmann with 11 percent. Perry takes 9 percent, with Santorum taking 8 percent. Former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah garners 5 percent, while former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico, who is rumored to be dropping out of the Republican race to run for the Libertarian nomination, takes 1 percent. The poll of 555 likely Iowa Republican caucus voters was taken Dec.11-13 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.2 percent.
Bachmann, Perry and Santorum are all looking to tap into the segment of religious and social conservatives who constitute a large part of the Iowa Republican party. These voters helped propel evangelical leader Pat Robertson into second place -- ahead of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush -- in the 1988 Iowa Republican caucus. They also helped garner strong showings for Alan Keyes and Gary Bauer in the 2000 caucus, and helped push Mike Huckabee to win there in 2008.
While she won the Iowa Republican straw poll in Ames in August and has been playing up her roots in the Hawkeye State, Bachmann has been eclipsed by a series of other conservative candidates -- Perry, businessman Herman Cain who pulled out of the race earlier in the month and, currently, Gingrich.
Looking to get back on track in Iowa, Bachmann unveiled a major endorsement in the Hawkeye State on Wednesday when state Sen. Merlin Bartz, R-Grafton, announced he was backing her bid. First elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1990, Bartz has served a term in the House and is in his fourth term in the Senate. He currently serves as assistant Senate leader.
Merlin Bartz has been a strong voice on the front lines to defend traditional marriage and family values, Bachmann said in a statement. He is a rock-solid conservative and Im proud to have him standing up for our cause when it matters most -- in these crucial weeks leading up to the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses.
Earlier in the week, Bachmanns team announced that they were taking a page from Santorums playbook and would make campaign stops in all 99 counties in Iowa before the caucus on Jan. 3. Bachmann will start this campaign swing in Northwest Iowa on Friday and continue throughout the weekend.
Michele Bachmann is determined to win the Iowa caucuses the same way she won the Republican Party of Iowa straw poll in August -- shes going to work harder than any other candidate in the race, Keith Nahigian, Bachmanns campaign manager, said when the tour was announced on Monday. Visiting counties over the course of 10 days will reflect her energy, enthusiasm and extraordinary work ethic, as well as her commitment to representing the concerns of Iowa families who want a president that will put them first.
Perry, who started strong in Iowa and across the nation before being hurt by a series of gaffes and miscues, is also looking to straighten the ship in the Hawkeye State. On Wednesday, he kicked off a two-week tour of Iowa, focusing on employment and social issues. He also continues to run commercials on Iowa airwaves, stressing his conservative stances.
Last weekend, I was proud to participate in a debate in Iowa where I stood on a stage at Drake University and said what I have been saying all along: We need to put America back to work and make Washington as inconsequential in our lives as possible, Perry wrote supporters on Wednesday, before insisting that his campaign is gaining momentum.
That common-sense message is resonating with Iowans from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines to Sioux City. It's our time to get America back on track. Our momentum is growing.Our Iowa grass-roots organization is strong and growing. We are aggressively communicating with caucus-goers through free and paid media. And today, we start a two-week, 42-stop barnstorming bus tour of the Hawkeye State, taking my message of Faith, Jobs and Freedom directly to GOP voters.
Conservatives in Iowa and across the nation want a proven job creator and fiscal conservative -- a Washington and establishment outsider -- who has the courage to stand up for our faith and values, Perry wrote. Recent public polls prove Iowa support is growing fast and momentum is on our side.
Santorum has also been trying to appeal to religious and social conservatives as he continues his breakneck pace through the Hawkeye State. The former Pennsylvania senator made seven campaign stops in Iowa on Wednesday and has a busy schedule throughout the rest of the week and weekend as he continues his "Faith, Family and Freedom" tour.
Besides making appearances, Santorum, who took a surprisingly strong fourth-place showing in the straw poll in August, has been relying on local endorsements as he looks to build an effective grass roots operation in Iowa.
Late on Tuesday, Santorum announced that Des Moines City Councilman Halley Griess, who was elected to office in 2009 at the age of 23, was backing his candidacy.
"Iowans can't be bought by TV ads, Iowa votes must be earned, Santorum said in a statement. Councilman Griess knows this from his direct work with his constituents in Des Moines. Councilman Griess is a true public servant and I am thrilled to receive his endorsement today.I look forward to working with Halley as we continue our momentum statewide and in Polk County."
"Rick Santorum has worked harder than any other candidate in garnering the support of the voters I represent, Griess said. In visiting all 99 counties, and appearing in Iowa more frequently than any other candidate, it is clear that Rick Santorum cares about the individual voters and is willing to invest in the issues they care about. He has clearly demonstrated that he will head to Washington with our families and small-business owners in mind. Rick Santorum best reflects the values of Iowa voters and I am honored today to give my support to him."
Earlier in the week, the Rev. Terry Amann, a pastor based in the Des Moines area, announced he is backing Santorum.
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of Reverend Amann, Santorum said. Terry is a true leader for traditional American family values, not just in Des Moines but throughout Iowa. I am blessed to receive his vote of confidence today and look forward to working with him as we drive toward victory in the Iowa caucuses."
"I am a pastor at Walnut Creek Community Church in Windsor Heights. I also serve as a pastor to the board of directors of the Family Leader. I do not speak on behalf of these two organizations, but as a private and concerned citizen, said Amann. I have been involved in politics for several years, having worked with the Mike Huckabee presidential campaign during the 2008 election cycle, and with the Tim Pawlenty campaign earlier this year. Today, I am enthusiastically endorsing Senator Rick Santorum for president of the United States.
Rick Santorum is a humble person of solid character and integrity, Amann added. He has been a powerful advocate for the unborn, and he has been a strong voice and excellent example for traditional marriage. On all points, Rick Santorum is a solid conservative -- both socially and fiscally -- and he has the political record to prove it. He also knows that we need to cut spending, cut taxes, and create jobs in order to stimulate the American economy. Senator Santorum is also well-versed in foreign policy. He understands the nuances and complexities of the Middle East, and of the threats posed by Islamic jihad.
By visiting all 99 counties in our state, Rick Santorum has proven that he will do whatever it takes to get the job done, Amann said in conclusion. He will be a refreshing change in Washington. He is exactly what we need in a president. I urge all Iowans to carefully consider giving your support to Rick Santorum."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
