Brownback Tracker

Brownback Objects to Iowa Same-Sex Marriage Court Ruling

(Press Release) - DES MOINES – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, the nation's leading defender of traditional marriage, commented today on an Iowa judge's decision to redefine marriage to include same-sex unions:

"We should have the courage and conviction to speak out against this decision. The people of Iowa reject the redefinition of marriage, and I pledge to defend the bond of marriage, as I have consistently done in the past. This decision shows how important it is to elect leaders who will stand for marriage and who will appoint judges that will not legislate from the bench. We need to rebuild the family and renew the culture, not redefine marriage."

Brownback: Iraq Should Be Divided Into 3 Independent States

(AP) -

Sen. Sam Brownback told high school students in the tornado-ravaged city of Greensburg, Kansas Thursday that the United States needs a "political surge" in Iraq that will divide that country into three independent states with a weak federated government in Baghdad.

 

Responding to a question from a student, the Republican presidential candidate drew in blue marker on a dry-erase board a rough sketch of Iraq divided into a Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite regions.

Read Entire Story 

Brownback to Hold Social Security Forums in New Hampshire

(Press Release) - ALEXANDRIA, VA – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican candidate for president, will host several Social Security forums in New Hampshire on Tuesday, September 4, to discuss his detailed plan to save Social Security's dream by introducing personal retirement accounts and providing all workers the choice to remain within the present system or the freedom to save and invest for their own retirement.

Senator Brownback is the only Republican candidate with a detailed, written plan that addresses the need for Social Security reform.

William Shipman, co-author of "Promises to Keep: Saving Social Security's Dream," and co-chair of the Cato Institute's Project on Social Security Choice, will join Senator Brownback at the events. Shipman has advised the U.S. government and the governments of major countries across the world. He is a recognized expert and has addressed audiences in 21 countries across six continents to explain the opportunities, as well as the increased individual liberty and freedom, available to all from thoughtful Social Security reform.

Additionally, Senator Brownback will participate in the New Hampshire GOP-Fox News debate on Wednesday, September 5.

Tuesday, September 4

Sen. Brownback Hosts Social Security Forum with Noted Expert William Shipman
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Bonhoeffer's Cafe
8 Franklin Street
Nashua, NH
Note: Jeff Nelson, president of Thomas More College, will introduce Shipman and Sen. Brownback. Students for Saving Social Security, the nation's largest youth organization dedicated to Social Security reform, will provide coffee and refreshments.

Sen. Brownback Hosts Social Security Forum with Noted Expert William Shipman
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
New Hampshire Institute of Politics
Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH

Sen. Brownback Greets Supporters at Christian Bookstore
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
DeColores Bookstore
471 S Broadway
Salem, NH

Sen. Brownback Hosts Social Security Forum with Noted Expert William Shipman
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Strafford Room
Memorial Union Building
University of New Hampshire
83 Main Street
Durham, NH
Note: The UNH College Republicans are jointly hosting the event with Students for Saving Social Security, the nation's largest youth organization dedicated to Social Security reform.

Brownback to Visit South Carolina

(Press Release) - ALEXANDRIA, VA – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican candidate for president, will campaign in South Carolina this weekend, from Saturday, September 1, through Monday, September 3.

Saturday, September 1

Voter Forum with Sen. Brownback
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kelly's Barbeque
10475 Highway 78
Summerville, SC

Voter Forum with Sen. Brownback
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Montgomery Residence
210 Ambassador Drive
North Augusta, SC

Sen. Brownback Tailgates at USC v. Louisiana-Lafayette football game
5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Parking Lot Space 633, Near Locker Room Entrance
Williams-Brice Stadium, University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC

Sen. Brownback Attends USC v. Louisiana-Lafayette football game
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Scholarship Donors Box on West Side of Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium, University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC

Sunday, September 2

Voter Forum with Sen. Brownback
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hudson's Barbeque
4953 Sunset Blvd/Highway 378
Lexington, SC

Monday, September 3

Sen. Brownback Joins Chapin, SC, Labor Day Parade
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Parade Start: 267 Columbia Ave
Parade Finish: Chapin High School

Chapin, SC

Media Availability & Voter Forum with Sen. Brownback
10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Laurie Grooms Allstate Insurance
220 Columbia Ave
Chapin, SC

Voter Forum with Sen. Brownback
1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
George's Family Steakhouse
713 Bypass 25 NE
Greenwood, SC

Sen. Brownback Attends Simpsonville Labor Day Festival
3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Media Availability at 4:15 p.m. at Entertainment Stage
Simpsonville City Park
405 E Curtis Street
Simpsonville, SC

Voter Forum with Sen. Brownback
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Regal Manor Clubhouse
Star Light Dr & Regent Pkwy
Fort Mill, SC

Brownback: No Child Must Change

(Des Moines Register) - Cedar Falls, Ia. - The federal government needs to revise the No Child Left Behind Act to let states negotiate how they meet the education law's requirements, Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback said Tuesday.

The Kansas senator, who voted for the measure in 2001, said its difficulties stem largely from provisions that force local schools to spend money on certain things while other problems go unfixed. Brownback mentioned the plan during an educational forum at the University of Northern Iowa, where he fielded questions about college affordability, high school standards and the nation's scientific brain drain.

"Where it failed was not giving flexibility to the states," Brownback told a crowd of 120 at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Read Entire Story

Brownback Iowa Events on Tuesday

(Press Release) DES MOINES – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican candidate for president, will speak at the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum in Cedar Rapids and at an education policy forum at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls next Tuesday, August 28th.

Brownback speaks at LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 28
Brownback speaks at approximately 10:20 a.m.
U.S. Cellular Center
370 1st Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, IA
Event contact: Sean Mossman, 405-205-5538

Senator Brownback co-chairs the Cancer Caucus and has been a leading voice in Congress to end death and suffering from cancer in ten years. He has sponsored the ACCESS Act and the National Cancer Act, in addition to other anti-cancer initiatives. A melanoma survivor himself, Senator Brownback appreciates the opportunity to join the Lance Armstrong Foundation to discuss how we can fight back against cancer.

Brownback speaks at University of Northern Iowa Education Policy Forum
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 28
After delivering opening remarks, Brownback will take question from an expert panel and audience members.
Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
University Ave & Campus Street
Cedar Falls, IA
Event contact: Stacey Christensen, 319-273-6728

Senator Brownback is the first presidential candidate to address the UNI forum, titled "Back to School:  Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities in American Education." The forum is sponsored by UNI, ED in '08 (Strong American Schools), the Iowa Business Council and Lee Enterprises newspapers.

Brownback Takes a Break from Campaigning

(Chicago Tribune) - He may be near the bottom of the polls, but by one standard Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) may have trounced his rivals: He is taking a five-day August vacation. He plans no campaigning, no fundraising, no meetings.

"A vacation is somewhere we can go and spend time together with kids or as a couple and be a family," said Brownback's wife, Mary. "Not to go out and campaign. I wouldn't call that a vacation."

Link to Story

Brownback Takes a Break

(Chicago Tribune) - He may be near the bottom of the polls, but by one standard Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) may have trounced his rivals: He is taking a five-day August vacation. He plans no campaigning, no fundraising, no meetings.

"A vacation is somewhere we can go and spend time together with kids or as a couple and be a family," said Brownback's wife, Mary. "Not to go out and campaign. I wouldn't call that a vacation."

Link to Story

Brownback Jabs at Bush, GOP Rivals on Foreign Policy

Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback on Tuesday criticized President Bush and two GOP rivals, saying the presidency isn't a foreign policy classroom.

 

Brownback's criticism that governors often do not have the foreign policy experience necessary to be president was aimed primarily at rivals Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, both former governors. But in the process, he also took a jab at the man they all seek to replace, former Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

"We've got to walk more humbly and a lot more wisely than the current president," said Brownback, a Kansas senator and former member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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Brownback Wins Students for Life Straw Poll

(Press Release) DES MOINES – The Brownback for President campaign today announced Senator Brownback's first-place finish in the Students for Life of America presidential straw poll.

Senator Brownback finished first with 23 percent of the vote, followed by Fred Thompson (22 percent), Mitt Romney (11 percent), Ron Paul (9 percent), Rudy Giuliani (7 percent), John McCain (5 percent) and Mike Huckabee (5 percent). The poll asked 650 members of Students for Life of America, "Who do you plan on voting for in the presidential primary election?"

"Senator Brownback's first-place victory in the Students for Life straw poll is a recognition of his unmatched efforts leading the fight to protect life," said John Rankin, Iowa communications director of Brownback for President. "Senator Brownback's campaign has surged forward through the energy and commitment of conservative college students. This latest straw poll confirms Senator Brownback's strong support from this key activist base."

This strong showing follows Brownback's top-three finish in the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa last weekend.

Senator Brownback is one of only two candidates to place in the top three in the two most important straw polls in 2007, at Ames last weekend and at the CPAC convention in March in Washington, DC.

Students for Life of America is the largest pro-life college student organization in the country, with approximately 255 active member organizations across the U.S.