With less than five weeks until Republican voters caucus in Iowa to launch the procession of states that will determine who will emerge to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012, the GOP hopefuls continue to build in the Hawkeye State.
Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts added to his team in Iowa when he announced on Friday that former Gov. Robert Ray is endorsing his bid. Ray has been credited for rebuilding the Iowa GOP during the 1960s, leading to his election as governor in 1968. He served as governor until 1983.
I am truly honored to have Governor Rays support, Romney said in a statement. Not only was he a great governor but he is also a tremendous leader with a long history serving both Iowa and the country. In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with Governor Ray to bring my message of a 'simpler, smaller, and smarter' approach to government to all Iowans.
I want our next president to be someone whose character and judgment I respect and whose ideas are valid for our country, Ray said. I believe Mitt Romney offers the personal qualities and vision to become a truly great president. Mitt has a strong record in business, including turning around the Winter Olympics, and leading the state of Massachusetts. Mitt Romney would represent Americas values and interests in an uncertain, challenging and competitive world.With our future in mind, I am proud to support Governor Romney in the caucuses and hope to vote for him next November.
Romney was not the only candidate to score a big endorsement this week in Iowa. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania won the backing of Pastor Cary Gordon on Thursday night. Gordon, who is based out of Sioux City at the Cornerstone Church, sent out a text message to almost 800,000 Iowans on Friday backing Santorum. Gordon had been a leader in the successful effort to oust three state Supreme Court justices who had backed same-sex marriage.
"I am truly honored to receive this endorsement, Santorum said. Pastor Gordon is a leader for God's truth in Iowa and the nation -- and has stood tall against the forces that have pushed the redefinition of marriage. His work in Iowa has helped ensure that the traditional American family is defended and protected. I am humbled to have such a stalwart defender of traditional American values by our team's side as we work to return our nation to the values that made our nation the greatest in the history of the world."
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas also tried to stress his conservative credentials on Friday, unveiling a television ad being run in Iowa. The ad highlights the role of faith in Perrys life.
"Rick Perry's Christian faith has played a key role in his life and leadership, just as it has in the founding and life of the United States of America," Ray Sullivan, Perrys communications director, said Friday. "Governor Perry is guided by faith every day as he travels our great country discussing his strong social and fiscal conservative values, record and vision with voters in Iowa and across the nation."
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also garnered some momentum this week in Iowa, following up from his strong second-place showing in the Iowa Republican straw poll in Ames in August. Paul won a straw poll held by the Dubuque Tea Party, taking 59 of the 83 votes cast on the fifth and final ballot.
The Iowa team is gratified that Ron Paul supporters within the Dubuque Tea Party delivered our candidate a decisive victory, Drew Ivers, who is chairing Pauls campaign in Iowa, said Thursday. We have always said that Ron Paul and tea party supporters have shared values, and todays results illustrate crossover support in addition to organizational muscle.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
