Oct. 22, 1999
By
Raenelle Kwock
CyberCaucus 2000 News Service
Drake University
DES MOINES, Iowa--Far from skyscrapers and Des Moines traffic is the Republican campaign headquarters for Steve Forbes 2000. A simple sign, "He wants you to win," greets motorists and pedestrians. Inside, the atmosphere is very casual and business-like.
John Stineman, state director, is one of the many workers. Stineman supervises all of the daily operations of the Forbes 2000 campaign in Iowa, which includes administrative and political, as far as overseeing the budget, staff and political decision-making on the ground.
Stineman's office contains the usual stuff found in a campaign office, such as newspaper clippings, maps of the state and poll numbers. Everything is neat and tidy, too. Aside from that, Stineman takes his job seriously and he speaks passionately about Forbes and the headquarters' effort to make him the next president.
"His message is being well-received across the state," he said. "We had a great showing at the August straw poll in Ames [Iowa]. Bottom line is, we're the only candidate that's moving up at this point in time."
Stineman said the campaign is doing outstanding because Forbes' poll numbers in March were low single-digits and this month's polls show mid-20s.
Forbes ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in 1996. In October 1995, he was the last one to declare his candidacy, but this time, he declared his candidacy March 16.
Since then, the campaign has become more grass-roots.
"We need to get people to know him better, as to what it is he stands for," Stineman said.
Since Forbes has been married for 27 years and has five daughters, Stineman said one strength is the candidate's personal character.
In 1990, Forbes became President and CEO of Forbes Inc., and Editor-in-Chief of "Forbes". Forbes has also launched many magazines, such as "Forbes ASAP" that presents people impacting the information-age economy; "Forbes Digital Tool", online business magazine; and "American Legacy" that looks at people shaping African-American history and culture.
Another strength, Stineman said, is Forbes' mentality when fighting for ideas.
"This is the right thing to do," Stineman said.
Forbes' overall philosophy, Stineman said, is that constitutional measures be passed to limit government spending and taxes. Stineman also said Forbes was in favor of a proposal this year regarding his philosophy.
"That's the kind of philosophy that defines him, that it's people in the states that should be in the driver's seat, not the people in Washington D.C.," he said.
George W. Bush, Texas governor, has the most money among the Republican candidates and is attracting a lot of media attention. Stineman said he does not make forecasts, so he would not comment on Bush's campaign in relation to the Forbes' campaign. However, Forbes remains fairly confident.
Stineman said Forbes would not be running for office, if he didn't think he could win and whenever he makes a public appearance, people are receptive to his ideas and like him.
"He's running for president, he's not just running to promote a message," Stineman said.
A plus to Forbes' campaign is the withdrawal of former Vice President Dan Quayle from the Republican race. Stineman said Forbes benefits because both have the same beliefs and values, such as lowering taxes and being Reagan conservatives, so the Quayle supporters should support Forbes now.
Stineman said audiences also like the fact that Forbes answers questions on any issue without meeting with advisers. "This is an issue, this is important, this is where I stand," he said. "He's refreshingly honest that way."
Stineman said he doesn't believe there's another campaign out there on either side of the aisle that is detailed, as much information about the candidate's agenda and stances on the issues, as Steve Forbes is. Stineman also said the Republican caucus and primary voters want and appreciate that.
Stineman said, "His message goes to the core of Republican voters."
Although the Republican caucuses are not until January, the Forbes campaign is satisfied no matter what happens. "I kind [of] think the Forbes campaign will come out of Iowa in better shape than we did in 1996," Stineman said.
In 1996, the Forbes campaign in Iowa sped up to match the pace with the other candidates.
Stineman said he cannot predict the future, but Forbes is the right man for the job. "Well, I'm in it for the right reasons, I think, because I believe in what Steve Forbes' agenda stands for, him as a person, and he'll make the best president out of the field, so for me it's rewarding in the way that I'm working with something that I believe in," he said. "In addition to that, I work with some very talented, great individuals here, very good with what they do. It's a high speed, high energy environment. It's a lot of fun."