Brownback to Move on Presidential Bid

FOXNews reports:

WASHINGTON — Sen. Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican and favorite son of the religious right, will officially enter the presidential race later this month in his home state.

"He will be fully announcing on January 20 in Topeka, Kansas," Brian Hart, the senator's spokesman, said Friday. The move was expected even though Brownback set up an exploratory committee in December to gauge whether he had enough support for a full-blown campaign.

After the announcement in Kansas, Hart said Brownback will fly to Washington to participate in the anti-abortion march marking the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling.

Brownback is a lesser-known candidate in a crowded GOP presidential field that likely will include Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, rounds out the top tier. All three are considering runs but, to various extents, also have records or positions on social or fiscal issues that don't sit well with the Republican base.

So, Brownback _ a Catholic revered by the GOP's conservative wing for his opposition to abortion and gay marriage _ sees an opening in the race for someone like him. "I am an economic, a fiscal, a social and a compassionate conservative," Brownback said last month.

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My Comments:
My man Sam is not only very pro-life, but exhibits, via his policymaking priorities, a preferential option for the poor. I'll be interested to see, therefore, whether the "R" next to his name will keep those Catholics who keep telling us "pro-life is not enough" from voting for him.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this issue:
Priests for Life on "Mr. Brownback"

Sam Brownback Goes to Prison

Pro-Life Senator Sam Brownback Says He'll Win GOP Presidential Primary

Brownback Eyes 2008 White House Bid

Students for Brownback

Looks Like Feddie's Endorsing Brownback, Too

Mr. Compassionate Conservative

Sen. Brownback Files Bill Against Assisted Suicide

Washington Post Profile on Sen. Sam Brownback

USCCB Official Expresses Gratitude to Sen. Brownback for Hearings on Capital Punishment

Senator Brownback Conducts Senate Hearings To Examine Pornography's Effects On Families, Society

Will This Catholic Senator Be the Next President?

Kansas Senator Brownback, Looking at Presidential Bid, Makes Faith the Bedrock of Campaign