presidential campaign presidential campaign notable episodes governor virginia chairman drafted successfully run peers january officially began campaign april filing papers committed conservative principles run ultimately ended july lack sufficient funding campaign led decision run virginia race lost democrat early stages august effort arose convince run president united_states volunteers cited past experiences qualifications job including service counter intelligence officer army post attorney general virginia services chairman role president non profit homeland security think tank decided listen draft efforts weighed possible presidential run sixth republican enact committee january announcement cast mainstream reagan conservative kept promises record tax cuts governor virginia march attended forum democratic presidential candidates meeting addressed labor union discussed policies president supportive troops iraq afghanistan agreed policy troop surge iraq received applause crowd making comment later march interviewed associated_press affirmed pro life pro gun anti tax positions issues stated moment candidacy criticizing republican nomination views stated arizona senator john_mccain hasn reputation conservative reminded audience new_york_city mayor gun control gay marriage pro choice described massachusetts governor liberal northeast republican end march revealed raised committee early april coined term describe republican labeled liberals forum iowa april days prior official announcement polling results revealed support republican electorate poll found twelfth place republicans participants compared february january somewhat promising results showed supporters support february campaign developments april announced candidacy president campaign website described method communication wave future talk directly people develop campaign stated dark horse candidate beneficial advantage internet campaign tool reach larger audiences cost associated travel participated televised debate featured reagan presidential library valley california question received regarded iraq war defended stating represented entire middle_east issue described fundamental problem connected conflict exchange california representative expressed responsibility capture fight terrorism help allies use diplomacy end sea hostility believed existed morocco way middle_east way philippines later debate announced disagreement possible constitutional amendment citizens california governor ability run president abortion confirmed support woman right abortion weeks pregnancy commented operated pro life governor affirmed opposition stem cell research end debate asserted attributes consistent conservative surprising stated pardon established opposition highlighted need vigorous war terror focus homeland security energy independent presidency participated second debate south_carolina broadcast question concerned perceived growing threat nuclear armed iran thanked basis believed middle_east issue looked iraq stated president join american allies mandatory sanctions regime let know better sort plan nuclear receiving question changed subject address record cutting taxes governor virginia later attack fellow candidates pro choice positions arkansas governor record taxes position health care asked potential terrorist attacks reminded audience governor pentagon attacked experience deal issues end debate addressed issue race asked minorities present stage running presidency reacted question declaring republican_party people prepared run immediate future cited credentials race stating attorney general virginia faced issue deal burning african american churches gave good standing african american community judgment appeared program tucker hosted alerted situation iraq assessment iraq invaded president probably think american troops trying control streets baghdad point stated interest americans remain iraq involved middle_east issue america going end major war later interview asked believed attorney general credible stated don think particularly credible appeared abc week continued strategy attacking opponents race president criticized credentials senator potential candidate tennessee reminded audience thompson term senator known appearance question solid consistent record supporting conservative principles participated final debate june new_hampshire telecast cnn debate spoke fellow candidates kansas senator stated read weapons mass destruction iraq prior vote authorize invasion iraq stated responsible sending country war ought read kind material asked problem oil companies making profit stated saw problems believed appropriate thing later confirmed opposition protocol going basically transfer money directly russia include nation world entire project ing china india meet approval end debate asked believed conservative include principles answered believed platform energy independence national security issue serves interests conservatives preserving clean society safe secure nation june featured spotlight guest cnn discussed economic policies disagreed including drug program applauded president record cutting taxes stated handling economy source president assessed areas caused low polling numbers including iraq war confirmed uncomfortable handling war strongly disagreed democratic leaders called withdrawal argued politicians taking best interest country united_states effect later june report families candidates running president family described busy school employment limiting time campaigning candidate sons jay examined report worked time father campaign headquarters worked washington able campaign schedule allowed election polling results surfaced campaign cnn poll failed register half percentage point republican voters portrait painted campaign end month finances revealed nearly broke cash hand raised overall early july rushed emergency room suffering vision problems immediately hospitalized compelled undergo surgery diagnosed detached campaign stalled candidate ordered doctors restrict travel indefinite period doctors revealed vision problems deteriorated loss july ended campaign citing late start impractical continue pursue path public service withdrawal tied lack funds diagnosis detached cut short week scheduled campaign appearances final address campaign stated campaign staff selected serve national consultant campaign employed managing partner worked presidential campaign gubernatorial runs campaign served deputy campaign manager previously served campaign manager unsuccessful election campaign worked political director run policy director previously served consultant gubernatorial campaign director formally legislative aide maryland senator served treasurer christian served campaign marcus worked congressional campaign served virginia state coordinator president presidential campaign worked campaign president gubernatorial run served iowa campaign director campaign endorsements treasury secretary congressional candidate aftermath following presidential campaign announced november begun campaign fill united_states senate seat retiring republican senator virginia minute announcement video stated race going campaign national security transportation education illegal immigration democratic challenger virginia governor previously mentioned potential candidate president later lose race warner landslide february endorsed republican_party nominee john_mccain presidency statement described proven conservative leader track record cutting taxes eliminating government spending traditional values promoting strong national defense
Jim Gilmore presidential campaign, 2008