IowaPolitics.com: Brownback Says Iraq, Immigration Remain Hot Campaign Topics
3/17/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

DES MOINES -- Running for president at this stage of the campaign isn't about poll numbers. It should be about sharing ideas and engaging in a discussion, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said Saturday morning before walking in the Des Moines St. Patrick's Day parade.

Brownback spoke with supporters before Saturday's parade at the downtown Embassy Suites. And, like many of his stops, the topics that people inquire most about is immigration and Iraq.

"People don't get tired of the discussion of ideas," Brownback said. "I love that now we are talking about the battle of ideas."

The Midwestern senator said it is his ideas and the message of his campaign that are helping him gain traction in the race for the GOP presidential nomination. He doesn't shy away from the discussion, and wants to engage every potential voter and caucus-goer about his message of creating jobs, developing a political solution to achieve victory in Iraq and strengthening the nation's borders.

Though he does not boast the poll numbers of Republican frontrunners such as Arizona Sen. John McCain or former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani, Brownback is very comfortable where his campaign is at with 10 months remaining until the Iowa caucuses.

"I think people are looking for a happy conservative," he said. "I am the most blessed man I know. I love this country and what this country stands for. I am the tortoise in the race. Every day, I just keep scratching and pulling and moving forward."

Nearly two dozen states are currently looking at moving their primaries to Feb. 5. That is setting the table for a "super-duper" Tuesday - a day that could amlost single-handedly determine a party's nomination for a presidential hopeful.

Despite states such as California's intentions, Brownback said his campaign is not deviating from their strategy. Though he has campaigned across the nation, hitting state after state to deliver his message, the Kansas presidential candidate said he is sticking with tradition and focusing on competing well in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

"I don't see a change in strategy," he said. "That roadmap has been in place for more than 20 years. That roadmap remains the same."

Changing from strategy to election issues, Brownback said he is committed to achieving victory in Iraq -- something he said cannot be attained without a political solution in the war-torn region as well as support from Democrats.

"I am for winning and not pulling out," he said. "We have to get a political answer in place. I (also) don't think we can operate a war when one party is for it and one party is against it. We have to engage the Democrats on this."

He stresses the importance of creating a unified government in Iraq, sharing the oil revenues evenly and gaining support from other countries in the region. In regard to a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region, he said that also should be addressed without setting a timetable.

"We are going to be at this for a long time," Brownback said. "We can't set some artificial timetable."

He added the U.S. should maintain some presence in the region, which is not uncommon for the military. American forces remain in Bosnia nearly 15 years after that conflict as well as in South Korea for nearly 60 years after the Korean War, Brownback said.

Brownback said immigration is definitely a dominant issue for voters he talks to. It is a question many of the presidential contenders field at town hall meetings they attend.

"It has been a tough topic for 100 years," the senator said. "Eleven to 12 percent of the (U.S.) population is foreign born, the highest level in a century. We have a big problem. We need to get people in a legal system."

Brownback said he anticipates lawmakers addressing the issue before the August break in Washington, D.C. However, he does not know how what the language of such bill would entail.

"The devil is in the details," he said. "There are a lot of details and a lot of devils."

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