Iowa Pre-Campaign

Note: Up-to-date IA visits

Visits by Potential Republican Candidates
Between Election Day 2008 and Election Day, November 2, 2010, 14 potential candidates made 45 visits totaling 65 days.  (Note this total does not include a couple of longshot prospects).  This is substantially less traffic than during the same period in the last cycle, when 13 potential candidates made 70 visits totaling 112 days (>).  It is the editor's opinion that one possible explanation for the higher totals in the 2008 cycle is the effect of having both Republicans and Democrats campaigning in that cycle, resulting in a more heated atmosphere.

	BARBOUR	GINGRICH	HUCKABEE	JOHNSON	PALIN	PATAKI	PAUL	PAWLENTY	PENCE	ROMNEY	SANTORUM
Visits: 45	2	5	4	2	2	4	4	7	2	2	7
Days: 65	2	5	4	10	2	4	6	11	3	2	12

also included in total: John Ensign 1 visit (1 day); Bobby Jindal 2 visits (2 days); and Michelle Bachmann 1 visit, (1 day). On the afternoon of June 26, 2010 Rep. Michele Bachmann keynoted a fundraising reception for Attorney General candidate Brenna Findley at the GOP State Convention at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Bachmann was not really seen as a potential candidate until after the mid-term elections
not included. Gov. Chris Christie was emphatic about not running; he appeared at several events for Terry Branstad in Des Moines, Iowa on October 4, 2010.
longshots not included in total:
>Herman Cain and Fred Karger each made several visits. 

>Gov. Tim Pawlenty campaigned in Iowa on the afternoon of October 31, 2010.  He held couple of "Road to Victory" rallies with former Gov. Terry Branstad and running mate Kim Reynolds at the Clarke County Fairground Events Center in Osceola; and at Godfather's Pizza in Winterset; and  joined state senate candidate Kent Sorenson for a rally at the Soernson campaign office (Hwy 65 behind the Subway) in Indianola. 

>Rep. Ron Paul campaigned in Iowa on October 28-29, 2010.  On the evening of October 28 he appeared at an event in support of state legislative candidates Kent Sorenson (SD 37), Glen Massie (HD 74) and Kim Pearson (HD 42) at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines.  On October 29 he appeared at an event in support of state legislative candidates Tim Gartin (SD 23) and Chad Steenhoek (HD 46) at Iowa State University Memorial Union in Ames; delivered a speech in the Gerdin Business building auditorium at ISU; appeared at an event in support of candidate James Mills (SD 7) at the Rose Bowl in Mason City; and in the evening spoke at a rally hosted by the Iowa Campaign for Liberty and the UI chapter of Young Americans for Liberty at the University of Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City.

>Gov. Haley Barbour and Gov. Bobby Jindal held "Road to Victory" rally with former Gov. Terry Branstad and running mate Kim Reynolds at the Jasper County Republican headquarters in Newton, Iowa on October 27, 2010.  This was part of the RGA's "Remember November" tour (day two of five); Gov. Bob McDonnell had also been scheduled to appear, but cancelled due to weather.

>Former Gov. Mitt Romney campaigned with former Gov. Terry Branstad and running mate Kim Reynolds in Iowa on October 26, 2010.  They held a "Road to Victory" rally at The Hotel at Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids, proceeded by campaign RV through Maquoketa and DeWitt to Dubuque; held a "Road to Victory" rally at Grand River Center in Dubuque; and in the evening Romney keynoted the Scott County GOP's 2nd Annual Ronald Reagan Dinner at the QC Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum visited Iowa on October 25-26, 2010.  On October 25 he appeared at a "Road to 51" luncheon fundraiser hosted by State. Rep. Dwayne Alons at Family Table Restaurant in Sioux Center; did a meet and greet with volunteers at the Victory Center on Northwestern Ave. in Ames; and attended a reception in support of Rep. Chris Hagenow's re-election campaign at the home of Kirk and Samona Yentes in Clive.  On October 26 he was the guest speaker at the Des Moines Conservative Breakfast Club at the Republican Party of Iowa headquarters in Des Moines; and spoke at an FRC Action event at City Square Park in Ft. Dodge. 
(This event was part of the "Judge Bus Tour," an effort to oust three of the judges who voted to legalize gay marriage.  The tour, which included Rep. Steve King, FRC Action President Tony Perkins, and National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown, started October 25 at the State Capitol in Des Moines and is to run through October 28, covering 1,300 miles and 45 counties).

>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich and radio host Mike Gallagher rallied "for job creating candidates" at the Sioux City Convention Center in Sioux City, Iowa on the morning of October 22, 2010 as part of American Solutions' "Jobs Here, Jobs Now" Tour.

>Former Gov. George Pataki visited Iowa on October 19-20, 2010.  On the afternoon of October 19 he did an event at the Republican headquarters at 124 W 2nd in Muscatine.  On the morning of October 20 he campaigned with 2nd CD nominee Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Mount Pleasant, meeting voters at Dickey's Prairie Home; and touring the Henry County Health Center.

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum visited Iowa on October 13-14, 2010.  On October 13 he was the keynote speaker at a luncheon with the Linn Eagles at the Cedar Rapids Country Club in Cedar Rapids; made a stop in Coralville (seeking details); and in the early evening was the special guest at the 3rd Annual Kaufmann Family Barbeque (fundraiser hosted by Rep. Jeff Kaufmann) at the Kaufmann family farm in Wilton.  On October 14 he attended a volunteer rally at the Scott County Victory Center on W. Kimberly Road in Davenport; attended a luncheon for State House candidate Paul Kern (District 28) at the Hotel St. Julien in Dubuque; and appeared at the Johnson County Victory Center in Iowa City.

>Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited Iowa on October 8-9, 2010.  On the evening of October 8 he attended house parties organized by the Iowa Freedom and Faith Coalition and the home of Leroy and Janice Cobia in Council Bluffs and at the Sioux City Country Club in Sioux City.  On October 9 he headlined a campaign event for state Sen. Randy Feenstra in the De Yager Center at Dordt College in Sioux Center; delivered the keynote address at the Hamilton County Republicans' annual Chili Supper/Auction fundraiser at Williams Community Center in Williams; and headlined a fundraiser for state Rep. Dave Deyoe at the home of Tim and Phyllis Fevold in Ames. 
Note, on the drive between Sioux Center and Williams, Pawlenty stopped for a break at the Casey's General Store in Early, where he tweeted a photo of himself holding a can of Spam and a container of Honey Nut Cheerio's ("MN-made Spam and cereal at Casey's General Store in Early, IA!").  

>Rep. Mike Pence keynoted the Faith & Freedom Coalition's 10th annual "Friends of the Family" banquet for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and Iowa Christian Alliance Education Fund at the Knapp Learning Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa on October 2, 2010. >

>Former Gov. Sarah Palin was the keynote speaker at the Republican Party of Iowa's "Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom" on the evening of September 17, 2010.

>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Iowa on September 9, 2010.  He led a conversation on the Iowa economy with area business owners at the Pella Opera House in Pella; addressd a Team Iowa PAC (Nick Ryan, chair) luncheon at Jack Trice Club on the east side of Jack Trice Stadium in Ames; meet with area business leaders at Mudd Advertising, One Mudd Center in Cedar Falls (not confirmed); and gave the keynote address at a fundraiser for Iowans for Tax Relief PAC in the 8th floor Sky Event Centre in the Black’s Building in Waterloo.

>Former Gov. Gary Johnson visited Iowa from August 30-September 1, 2010.  On August 30 appeared on Deace in the Afternoon on 1040 WHO in Des Moines and spoke at an event for Iowa Patients for Medical Marijuana at Des Moines Central Public Library.  On August 31 he spoke at a Students for Liberty and University of Iowa Students for Sensible Drug Policy event at the University of Iowa's Hubbard Park (next to IMU) in Iowa City.  On the afternoon of September 1 he spoke at a Meetup hosted by Super Liberty at the Thunder Bay Grille in Davenport.

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum visited Iowa on August 16-18, 2010. 
On August 16 he attended a luncheon for Secretary of State candidate Matt Schultz at Quaker Steak & Lube Restaurant in Council Bluffs; and joined Congressman Steve King for an event for King’s PAC, Conservative Principles, at Stoney Creek Inn in Sioux City. 
On August 17 he attended a breakfast on behalf of Brenna Findley, candidate for Attorney General, at Ridge Golf Club in Sioux Center; attended a luncheon for Jeff Smith, candidate for State House District 6, at Spencer Golf & Country Club in Spencer; and attended a meet and greet hosted by Jerry and Sandy Twetten, at Gull Point State Park in Milford.
On August 18 he attended a breakfast event for Dave Jamison, candidate for State Treasurer, at Olde Main Brewing Company in Ames; attended the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, including an interview with Jan Mickelson, guest chef at the Pork tent, and stopping by the Republican Party of Iowa booth; and [closed press] joined Sen. Chuck Grassley for an event on behalf of Pat Grassley, candidate for State House District 17, at the home of Matt and Erica Upmeyer in West Des Moines.

>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Iowa on August 13, 2010.  He attended the Iowa State Fair with wife Callista including signing copies of To Save America at the Republican Party of Iowa booth and having a brat at the Steer & Stein; spoke at a fundraiser for Sen. Chuck Grassley in Clive; and was the guest speaker at a fundraiser for the People United for Republican Sisters’ Election (PURSE) political action committee in Clive.

>Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited Iowa on August 11-12, 2010; First Lady Mary Pawlenty accompanied him throughout the visit.  On the evening of August 11 he attended a fundraiser for state Rep. Erik Helland at the Foxboro Conference Center in Johnston.  On August 12 he attended a Terry Branstad donor appreciation breakfast at Branstad's campaign headquarters; visited the Iowa State Fair including broadcasting from "Mickelson in the Morning" at Crystal Studios, walking through the Fair, having some cheese curds, helping out at the Pork tent, having a private lunch, and appearing on "The Big Show" with Sec. Bill Northey from Crystal Studios.  In the late afternoon he attended a fundraiser for Brad Zaun for Congress at the home of Dick and Sue Zaun in West Des Moines.

also note: Politico's Jonathan Martin reports that Gov. Haley Barbour sent a mail piece to Iowa Republicans that landed the week of August 2-6.

>Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited Iowa on July 31-August 2, 2010; First Lady Mary Pawlenty accompanied him throughout the visit.  On July 31 he attended a breakfast fundraiser for state Rep. Steve Lukan at the Dubuque Golf and Country Club in Dubuque; attended a fundraising lunch for state Senate candidate Bill Dix at the home of Brett and Barb Walker in Waverly, followed by a press avail; and headlined a fundraiser for House minority leader Kraig Paulsen in Cedar Rapids.  On the afternoon of August 1 he attended a fundraiser for state Rep. Jeff Kaufmann at West Liberty Community Center in West Liberty.  On the morning of August 2 he headlined a fundraising breakfast for the Scott County Republican Party's Lincoln Club at The Outing Club in Davenport.

>Former Gov. Gary Johnson is riding in the 38th annual RAGBRAI, going 442 miles from Sioux City to Dubuque, Iowa from July 25-31, 2010. Johnson plans to "host public events at the end of each day’s ride during RAGBRAI, where he will meet and discuss pertinent issues of the day."  Due to a flight cancellation he arrived in Omaha at 10 a.m. on July 25, the very morning the ride began.
July 25 - Riding from Sioux City to Storm Lake, he reported a flat at mile 8 ("Things can only get better from here."). 
July 26 - After 78-mile ride from Storm Lake to Algona, dinner at Nick's Pizza and Steakhouse. 
July 27 - Ride from Algona to Clear Lake ("103 degree heat and no cloud cover for today's 60 mile ride to Clear Lake."); evening meeting with a local Tea Party group at Southbridge Mall in Mason City. 
July 28 - Clear Lake to Charles City. 
July 29 - Charles City to Waterloo.  He spoke and took questions followed by a performance from Jake Dilley & the Color Pharmacy at the main pro shop at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo.
July 30 - Waterloo to Manchester ("Wind and rain filled ride today...").  He spoke and took questions followed by a performance from Jake Dilley & the Color Pharmacy at the Dance Hall at Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester.
July 31 - Manchester to Dubuque. GOP Fair Booth in Dubuque.

>In mid-July 2010 Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a last-minute, private trip to Des Moines, Iowa to speak at a closed-press pastor's event.

>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Iowa on July 12, 2010.  He appeared at a breakfast rally fundraiser for 3rd CD congressional candidate Brad Zaun at Des Moines Christian School in Urbandale; at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown hotel in Des Moines he held a press conference; led American Solutions candidate workshops working with the Republican Party of Iowa, Polk County Republican Party, and the House Majority Fund; and was the special guest at the Iowa Renewal Project pastors' policy briefing "Rediscovering God in America."

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum visited Iowa on June 25-26, 2010.  On June 25 he was the featured guest at the Scott County Republican Party’s Lincoln Club luncheon at the Davenport Country Club in Pleasant Valley; and was the special guest at a fundraising dinner for State Senate candidate Sandy Greiner at the Washington County Conservation Center in Ainsworth.  On June 26 he keynoted a luncheon for delegates and alternates at the Republican Party of Iowa’s convention at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.  During the trip he also did private meetings with Republican Party leaders and leaders in the small business community.

>Rep. Ron Paul was a featured guest at the Republican Party of Iowa "Celebrating Our Constitution" fundraising reception/dinner, in advance of the state party's convention, at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa on June 25, 2010.

>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Iowa on May 26, 2010.  He was the special guest at a fundraising luncheon for the Republican House Majority Fund in Cedar Rapids; spoke as part of the American Future Fund’s Conservative Lecture Series at Figge Art Museum's John Deere Auditorium in Davenport; and delivered the keynote speech at the Polk County Republican Party's first annual “Robb Kelley Victory Club Dinner” at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.

>Rep. Ron Paul was the keynote speaker at the Freedom Celebration on the opening night of the Campaign For Liberty Iowa Regional Conference and Forum on the Future of Conservatism in America at Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines, Iowa on the evening of May 14, 2010.

>Former Gov. George Pataki spoke on repealing health care reform at Embassy Suites, Salon E in Des Moines, Iowa on April 20, 2010, the sixth stop on his tour to launch RevereAmerica.

>Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the keynote speaker at Iowans for Tax Relief's 2010 Iowa Taxpayers' Day at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Des Moines, Iowa on April 17, 2010.

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum addressed the Pottawattamie County Republican Party Dutch Treat luncheon in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 30, 2010; the DMR's Tom Beaumont reported he also planned to "attend private meetings with GOP officials in western Iowa."

>Former Gov. Mitt Romney visited Iowa on March 29, 2010 as part of his book tour for No Apology.  He did a speech and book signing at Des Moines Public Library; and in the evening spoke at Iowa State University in Ames.  Politico's Jonathan Martin reports Romney also did a "small fundraiser for the Iowa Republican Party and met separately with state GOP Chairman Matt Strawn and Branstad in the morning, hosted a get-together for his 2008 supporters in the afternoon and addressed a group of College Republicans before his Ames speech."

also note: Rep. Mike Pence was the featured speaker from Washington, DC via Skype at the Stand Up for Freedom Rally at East Lawn of the Pentacrest at the University of Iowa in Iowa City on March 24, 2010.

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum was the keynote speaker at the Iowa Christian Alliance's spring fundraiser at Walnut Creek Community Church in Windsor Heights (Des Moines area), Iowa on March 9, 2010.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on Feb. 24, 2010.  He was the featured guest at a fundraiser for Bob Vanderplaats at Cedar Rapids Country Club in Cedar Rapids; flew to Des Moines where he was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for the Iowa Family PAC (PAC of the Iowa Family Policy Center); and flew back to Cedar Rapids for an evening rally for Vanderplaats at the Cedar Rapids Marriott.
 
2009: 11 visits, 13 days
>Former Gov. Sarah Palin made an appearance at the Barnes & Noble at Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City, Iowa on Dec. 6, 2009 as part of her book tour for Going Rogue.

>Rep. Ron Paul visited Iowa on Nov. 13-14, 2009.  On the evening of Nov. 13 in Ames he spoke to a large crowd at Benton Auditorium in the Scheman Building at Iowa State University on "Free Market, Sound Money and Non-Intervention," hosted by the Iowa Campaign For Liberty and the ISU chapter of Young Americans For Liberty.  On Nov. 14 he appeared at a fundraiser for Rep. Kent Sorenson for state Senate at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines.
 
>Former Gov. George Pataki spoke at the Scott County Republican Party's Ronald Reagan Dinner at the Bettendorf Convention Center in Bettendorf, Iowa on Nov. 10, 2009.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on Nov. 8, 2009 as part of his book tour for A Simple Christmas. He made appearances at the Barnes & Noble in Cedar Rapids, the Borders in Davenport, and the Borders in West Des Moines.

>Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the featured guest for the Republican Party of Iowa's "Leadership for Iowa" event on Nov. 7, 2009 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. 

>Former Sen. Rick Santorum visited Iowa on Oct. 1, 2009.  He spoke at Iowa Right to Life's pro-life training event at Walnut Creek Community Church in Windsor Heights (Des Moines area); and spoke as part of the the American Future Fund's Conservative Lecture Series at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque.  There were also interviews and private meetings.

>Rep. Mike Pence visited Iowa on July 24-25, 2009.  On July 24 he (had planned to tour flood damaged areas in Cedar Rapids had to cancel due to congressional business) was the keynote speaker at a picnic and fundraiser for the Republican Party of Iowa at Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon (Cedar Rapids area).  On July 25 he was the featured speaker at Rep. Steve King's Conservative Family Picnic fundraiser at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City.

>Gov. Haley Barbour was the featured guest at the Republican Party of Iowa's "Night of the Rising Stars" fundraiser at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines, Iowa on June 25, 2009.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on June 10, 2009.  He was the keynote speaker of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry's annual convention at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center at Lake Okoboji; and was the keynote speaker at a "Leadership at the Lakes" fundraising event for Bob Vanderplaats at Arnolds Park in Spirit Lake.

>Sen. John Ensign visited Iowa on June 1, 2009.  He toured Trans Ova Genetics in Sioux Center; did a meet and greet at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars; and spoke as part of the American Future Fund's Conservative Lecture Series at the Wilbur Aalfs Downtown Library in Sioux City.

>Former Gov. George Pataki spoke as the inaugural speaker in the American Future Fund's 2009 Conservative Lecture Series, at Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa on April 22, 2009. >

2008: 2 visits, 2 days
>Gov. Bobby Jindal visited Iowa on Nov. 22, 2008. He spoke at a rapid recovery breakfast at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, then toured flood-damaged areas in Cedar Rapids; and keynoted the Iowa Family Policy Center's "Celebrating the Family" Banquet at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on Nov. 20, 2008 as part of his book tour for Do The Right Thing.  He made appearances at the Barnes & Noble in Cedar Rapids; and Sam's Club in Des Moines.

Republican Visits in 2008 Cycle 
Obama/Biden Visits 2009-

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