Atlas Forum '08: February 8-11

[Χahar]

The NASB (National Association of Small Businesses) wants to know what the candidates will do to help small business, so we'll be sponsoring a debate in New Hampshire.

Endorse me. If elected I'll reduce taxes on small business and streamline regulation. Among other things.

Wait for the debate.

Ernest did say to PM him if interested.

I like to be proactive though.

I'll debate if it's on Tuesday night. I can't do it any earlier because of exams plus moving out.

It'll be in November ETL or thereabouts.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Senator Flynn is now in Minneapolis, Minnesota making a speech regarding the need for Universal Health Care. His next campaign stop shall be somewhere in the Midwest. What out, Mr. Flynn is coming to get you!

[NDN]

NDN is giving a speech in Ohio on his plans to grow the economy.

[HappyWarrior]

Governor HappyWarrior is discussing the need for a renewed, stronger effort in Afganistan along with a slow and steady withdrawl from Iraq at the University of Iowa.

"I know everyone would like to get out of that quagmire in Iraq which should never have began, but in order to do it safely for both our troops and the American people, it must be done gradually.  Meanwhile we must increase our troop numbers in Afganistan to once and for all eliminate Al Qaeda as a threat in the region, and to capture Osama Bin Laden which the current administration has failed to do."

[NDN]

NDN Gun Control Ad:

"Some people in Washington want more waiting times, bans on fire arms, and more.

But I'm for states rights on this issue. I think that federal gun control is unconstitutional and basically ineffective. But if the states want to regulate weapons or check for criminal backgrounds, I don't see the problem. Mostly I just oppose bureaucrats in Washington telling people what they can or can't do...

..Aren't you? "

[Senator Ben]

Ben Constine is in Georgia, giving a speech on gun control.

[Hashemite]

GreenPlanet will organize a debate in Iowa on environmental and energy issues. Dems and Reps will hold separate debates.

Candidates are encouraged to PM me if they are interested to participate.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Senator Flynn is now campaigning in Sioux Falls, South Dakota discussing his plans for the United States to invest money in Renewable Energy sources, responsibly and constructivly.

For the past 8 years, the current Administration has all but forgotten the need for Renewable Energy sources. Do they not want a society where our children and their children, can live in a United States where they cannot breathe fresh air? Do they want the United States and her Government to continue to waste billions of dollars on a fuel that is running out?.....

....Elect Conor Flynn as your next President and you will see progress made on Renewable Energy in the United States. I know, unlike the current President, when I get up and have my apple pie for a  morning snack, that I want to breathe the smell of apples along with clean air! Onwards to Victory!

[NDN]

NDN is in Iowa speaking about the food and energy crisis.

[Senator Ben]

Ben Constine is speaking in New York on crime reduction.

[Sensei]

Sensei is going on with platitudes on change and hope in New Hampshire.
Tomorrow he will be speaking on alternative energy in Iowa.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Senator Flynn is now in Bismarck, North Dakota discussing the Energy Crisis in the United States and his plans to fix it.

Tomorrow, Senator Flynn will be in Washington, where he'll be speaking his plans for the United States to safely withdraw from Iraq.

[Hashemite]

GreenPlanet will organize a debate in Iowa on environmental and energy issues. Dems and Reps will hold separate debates.

Candidates are encouraged to PM me if they are interested to participate.

[Sensei]

the Sensei campaign has acquired their campaign bus, which they will use to speak in small towns across America.

[Senator Ben]

Ben Constine is in Nashville, giving a speech on alternative energy.

[Meeker]

Could you all maybe post basic biographies so we know your past history?

And no, you cannot all be 4-term Governors elected on a reform platform who simultaneously cut taxes, balanced the budget, improved education spending and provided healthcare to all the children in your state, and then responded to a horrific natural disaster in your state using skills you learned while you were a Navy SEAL (for which you earned the Congressional Medal of Honor). Realism please.

[Sensei]

Could you all maybe post basic biographies so we know your past history?

And no, you cannot all be 4-term Governors elected on a reform platform who simultaneously cut taxes, balanced the budget, improved education spending and provided healthcare to all the children in your state, and then responded to a horrific natural disaster in your state using skills you learned while you were a Navy SEAL (for which you earned the Congressional Medal of Honor). Realism please.

ripping off my life story. classy, Meeker.

[Senator Ben]

Ben Constine was born May 3, 1953, in Arlington, Virginia, where his father worked for Senator Harry F. Byrd.  He graduated from UVA in 1975, and UVA Law in 1978.  After graduating, he clerked for H. Emory Widener, Jr. of the 4th Circuit, and then for Lewis Powell on the Supreme Court.

After his clerkship ended in 1980, he went to work for Senator Harry Byrd Jr (I-VA), and when Byrd retired in 1983, he went to Richmond to work for Governor Chuck Robb, and managed Robb's 1988 Senatorial Campaign; he served as Robb's Chief of Staff from 1989-1991, when he resigned to run for Congress from Virginia's 8th District, defeating incumbent Stanford Paris by a narrow margin.  In 1995, he was a founding member of the Blue Dog Coalition, although he was considered one of the Coalition's more liberal members.

In 1996, he resigned his House seat to run for Senator, narrowly losing to John Warner.  In 1998, he was elected Governor, defeating Jim Gilmore by building a coalition of Northern Virginia liberals and rural Virginia, particularly Southwest Virginia.

During his tenure as Governor, Constine was able increased spending on education and transportation, mostly through a tax increase throughout the state.  In 2001, Virginia and Utah were named the best managed states in the country, which Constine happily stated at all opportunities.

After leaving the Governor's Mansion in 2005, with an approval rating of 63%, Constine joined his friend Chuck Robb on the 9/11 Commission, and campaigned nationally for Democratic candidates in 2006, although he focused especially on Virginia, working hard to defeat George Allen.  He declared his Presidential run in a speech at UVA on January 12, 2007, after polls showed him at 23% nationally, and running strong in most early states, including 32% in South Carolina.

He is married to his wife of 29 years, Julia, and has three children: Harry (age 27), Lawrence (age 23), and Rachel (age 21).

[NDN]

NDN is speaking in Missouri on education reform.

[Meeker]

Meeker Survey Group has an Iowa poll in the field for both parties. Results should be released sometime tomorrow morning.

[NDN]

NDN finished his two-day tour of Missouri and is now campaigning in Iowa again.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Senator Flynn spoke in Washington today regarding a withdrawl from Iraq. He will arrive back in Des Moines, Iowa this evening and once again campaign all across Iowa, to make sure he has some support come Caucus Night .

[Senator Ben]

Ben Constine is speaking in New Hampshire, on how to end the Iraq War.

[NDN]

NDN is giving a speech in Iowa on withdrawing from Iraq.

[Meeker]

Meeker Survey Group
We get polling right ®

Meeker Survey Group, nationally recognized for their high standards, has released the first of their polls on the upcoming Iowa caucuses. Results can be found below. Both polls were taken over the course of three nights, and polled 650 likely voters for each party. Crosstab information will gradually be leaked over the course of the day.

For the Democrats, MSG reveals a close race between HappyWarrior and NDN, with Rocky not far behind. Ben Constine and Sensei, who have focused on other states thus far in their campaign, make up a clear second tier. Large numbers of undecideds remain however, so this race is very fluid.

IOWA - DEMOCRATS (MoE 3.2%)

HappyWarrior - 21%
NDN - 19%
Rocky - 17%
Ben Constine - 11%
Sensei - 7%
Willy Woz - 3%
Undecided - 22%


On the Republican side, TJN2024 of Texas has a commanding lead over his two rivals. FezzyFestoon has support amongst liberal and moderate caucus goers, but is struggling to connect with the core of Iowa Republicans. KingoftheBenchPress, who has thus far run a low key campaign, picks up some support from more traditional conservatives. While large numbers of undecideds remain here as on the Democratic side, this is clearly TJN2024's race to lose.

IOWA - REPUBLICANS (MoE 3.2%)

TJN2024 - 43%
FezzyFestoon - 18%
KingoftheBenchPress - 14%
Undecided - 25%


Meeker Survey Group will release its poll of New Hampshire, currently in the field, in the coming days.