Kansas Senator Sam Brownback is in Iowa today, laying more groundwork for a campaign for the Republican party’s 2008 presidential nomination. Brownback, a little-known Midwestern conservative, will likely face more well-known candidates like Arizona Senator John McCain and former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani.
Guiliani, a “moderate” Republican, backs abortion rights and gay rights — things Brownback opposes. But Brownback says there’s room in the Republican Party for both views. “It’s a big tent party, has been for a long period of time,” Brownback says. “…If somebody agrees with you 80 percent of the time, he’s not your enemy.”
Brownback says the presidential race is wide open. “We’re way, way early in this process,” Brownback says. “I wouldn’t rule anybody out or in at this point in time.” Brownback was in Davenport this morning and is making an appearance in Dubuque at 3:45 this afternoon. Brownback made his comments last week during an interview with Radio Iowa.