“The message was right, and the vision remains unclouded. Commitment to the Iowa Dream means that while practical financial hurdles may prevent a run for Governor in 2010, I will continue to campaign for Iowa’s future.”
Recent Republican poll numbers are a bit like being ahead by a touchdown in the first quarter of a football game.It’s a great start, but there’s way too much time on the clock to get comfortable.Winning in November is going to require perfecting a play that Republicans have not executed in decades: Winning the Next Generation vote.
Elections are determined by the success in turning out supporters through traditional get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts and in winning self-described independents.Next generation voters are both the new frontier of GOTV and the bulk of truly undecided / independent voters.In 2010, candidates who engage and win the next generation will guide us into the next decade....
Cedar Rapids Republican Christian Fong remains a rising political star despite announcing Tuesday he was giving up his 2010 campaign for governor, supporters said.
Fong attributed the decision to leave the race to difficulty he had raising campaign contributions in recent months. But he promised to remain involved politically and didn’t rule out running again for governor.
“I wouldn’t have started if I didn’t think I could win. But, at 32, this is just round one,” Fong said. “I’m not closing any doors.”
(Cedar Rapids, IA) Christian Fong, Republican gubernatorial candidate announced that effective today he will suspend his campaign for Governor.
“Today, I announce the suspension of my campaign. From this time forward, we will not be actively campaigning for the Republican nomination for Governor. While today marks a change of direction for our campaign and for myself personally, today is not an end to my passion to see the Iowa Dream restored,” said Fong.
“Over the coming months, I intend to be actively involved in the process even if it’s not as a formal candidate for Governor. Iowa is faced with historic challenges and opportunities. The decision voters make in 2010 will greatly shape the future of our state. I personally want to ensure we continue to have a lively discussion about reforming our income tax code, reversing population and job losses in Iowa and addressing the “Brain Drain.” Electing a Republican nominee who is committed to addressing these issues with substantive plans will lead to success, both next November against Governor Culver, and through the next four years.”
This is the focus of the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce.
And it’s the topic Christian Fong addressed at the chamber’s annual fall harvest banquet Monday.
“I believe Iowa will be the next great economic engine in the world,” said Fong, who is seeking the Iowa Republican gubernatorial nomination. “There is a tremendous brain gain in our state because of our quality education.”
However, many of the youths Iowa educates are also one of its largest exports, which has become known as the brain drain, Fong said.
According to Fong, the main reason youths leave the state, or rural areas, is that they receive better job offers elsewhere.
As the chair of the Generation Iowa Commission for a year, Fong and his colleagues looked at how they could retain young workers. The commission asked 1,000 young people what their highest priority was when accepting a job offer.
