Ed. note: This event, described as "the first event of its kind in the 2012 race with multiple potential candidates sharing the same stage," drew five potential candidates.  Long shot exploratory candidate Fred Karger was not be among them despite his months long effort to appear, including filing of a complaint with the FEC. 


PRESS RELEASE from Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

Contact: Steve Scheffler, President
515-225-1515
 
***For Immediate Release***
 
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
 
The Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition’s 11th Annual Spring Kick-Off was more than just another political reception.  With nearly 2,000 people in attendance and a media credentials list 150 deep, March 7th will now officially mark the beginning of the 2012 Iowa Caucus race.  The event, which featured Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Buddy Roemer and Rick Santorum saw five energizing speeches threaded with the common ideas that all life is sacred, the traditional family is the foundational structure of a stable society and morality impacts more than just the “social” issues.  Attendees took strongly to the idea that current management of the nation’s fiscal house, which places increased burdens on successive generations, does not comply with their code of morality.  The issue was faith with a goal of freedom.
 
The significance of the event will be a 2012 caucus framed by these ideas.  The organization that had billed itself as the most viable pro-family organization in Iowa brought more than rhetoric to a standing room only event on Monday night.  The course of the Iowa caucuses has been set.  
 
 
######################
 
Paid for by the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition
939 Office Park Road, Suite 115 - West Des Moines, IA 50265
www.ffciowa.com — 515-225-1515


IOWA FAITH & FREEDOM COALITION
Eleventh Annual Spring Event
 
March 7, 2011


Meet and Greet
 
Welcome by Gopal Krishna
 
Invocation by Jeff Mullen
 
  Pledge of Allegiance
 
  National Anthem
 
  Recognition of Special Guests by Gopal Krishna
 
  Introduction of and Remarks by Governor Branstad
 
  Introduction of and Remarks by Congressman King
 
  Introduction of and Remarks by Steve Scheffler
 
  Introduction of Ralph Reed, Jr. by Bill Anderson
 
  Remarks and Appeal for Monies by Ralph Reed, Jr.
 
  Reading of Letters
 
  Introduction of Pete Ricketts by Gopal Krishna
 
  Introduction of and Remarks by Herman Cain

Introduction of and Remarks by Newt Gingrich
 

  Introduction of and Remarks by Tim Pawlenty
 
  Introduction of and Remarks by Buddy Roemer
 
  Introduction of and Remarks by Rick Santorum
 
  Introduction of and Closing Prayer by Steve Russell



PRESS RELEASE from Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

Contact: Steve Scheffler
              515-225-1515
 
***For Immediate Release***
 
February 28th, 2011
 
Despite the slow start to the 2012 presidential caucus season in the state, the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition seems to be cutting through the fog with their annual Spring Kickoff event.  The event has already begun to garner national media interest for its role in the 2012 Iowa Caucuses and expected turnout is on the rise. 
 
As a result, the group has added an additional name to their line-up of speakers as they close in on Monday, March 7th event.  The event is now set to feature five individuals that have been billed as potential presidential candidates heading into the 2012 Iowa Caucuses.  Those candidates are former CEO of Godfathers Pizza Herman Cain, former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and the recent addition of former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich.  This collection of speakers marks the first event of its kind in the 2012 race with multiple potential candidates sharing the same stage.  A similar event is not likely to be seen this spring.
 
Other distinguished guests expected to attend the event include conservative Congressman Steve King, Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and the president of the national Faith & Freedom coalition and Fox News contributor Ralph Reed.
 
The event is set to be held at Point of Grace Church in Waukee from 5:30-7:30pm on Monday, March 7th.  Questions can be answered by calling the IFFC offices at 515-225-1515.  Media credentialing is being handled by Gopal Krishna.  All requests for media credentials should be sent to him at gopkrishna@yahoo.com.



PRESS RELEASE from Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Steve Scheffler
515-225-1515
January 3, 2011

West Des Moines – This weekend, the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition sent out invitations to the top names being floated in the Republican primary for the 2012 presidential race.  The group has planned a presidential forum for Monday, March 7th which is likely to be the first of its kind in the nation as the beginnings of a wide open presidential primary take form.  Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition President, Steve Scheffler states that the event will shape up to be the largest gathering of pro-family, values minded voters in the spring of 2011.  “Candidates considering a run for president must take the Iowa Caucuses seriously and we are the caucus voters.”

The letter sent to candidates reads:

“The Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition is the largest and the most influential group in Iowa politics.  In the past election cycle, we made well over 560,000 voter contacts through our VoterTrak program that allows us to identify and reach low propensity conservative voters.  We worked hand-in-hand with eight state legislative candidates to put volunteers on the ground in the most competitive districts.  Six of the eight will be sworn in as legislators this month.  We published and distributed over 300,000 voter guides to churches all across the state to educate voters prior to the November 2nd election.  The result was record progress in all three branches of Iowa’s government.

As an organization, we host two large events every year with our statewide membership.  On Monday, March 7th, 2011, from 5:30-7:30pm, we will be hosting our annual Spring Kick-Off here in Des Moines as the 2012 presidential cycle begins.  This year, the format of the event will be a 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates Meet and Greet Event.  It is not a debate and there will be no Question and Answer time, but it will give presidential candidates ten minutes to make a pitch and present their vision as the voters of Iowa begin the process of making their decisions for the first in the nation caucuses.

Last year, in a non-presidential cycle, we had nearly 500 people in attendance at this event, including many elected officials.  This year, we expect to see a much larger crowd.  This event is an important stop for candidates because over 60% of 2008 GOP caucus goers in Iowa self identified themselves as evangelical Christians.  There will be no better opportunity to meet these voters this spring than the 2011 IFFC Spring Kick-Off.  Come early and stay late to shake hands and to talk to your potential voters one on one before and after the program.”

Media requesting credentials should email Gopal Krishna at gopkrishna@yahoo.com.  Shooting of any type of video or taking any type of photographs of any part of the event will not be allowed without prior permission from IFFC.

Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition
939 Office Park Rd. – Suite 115
West Des Moines, IA 50265
515-225-1515

_____________________________________________

IFFC is a non-profit organization that seeks to make a difference in the public arena regarding the issues that matter most. We stand for integrity in government, high moral values, constitutional authority, and Christian principles. Our purpose is to educate and influence voters and politicians to keep their commitment to both liberty and law; that America may continue to be one nation under God.