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Campaign News

(AP) Brownback raises nearly $1.5 million in presidential bid: Brownback's Republican competitors are way out in front on campaign donations, as he reported raising $1.5 million during the last quarter. Arizona Senator John McCain raised $11.2 million over the past three months. Larger amounts are expected to be reported by Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. ... Brownback is spending most of this week campaigning in Iowa, where he's counting on a strong showing in next year's caucuses for crucial momentum.

(MSNBC, First Read) Brownback camp criticizes Romney, Tancredo: The Brownback camp is certainly flexing its muscles via press releases. This afternoon, it issued one body-slamming former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for flip-flopping on guns. It's entitled: "Mitt Romney's Record on Gun Rights: Political Opportunism, Pandering and Flip-Flopping." Ouch. And Monday, the Brownback folks hammered Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo -- yes, Tancredo -- for accepting money for someone with ties to Planned Parenthood. Which raises the question: If a second-tier candidate attacks another second-tier candidate (or even a third-tier one), does anyone notice?

(Des Moines Register) Brownback was cautious about his sharing his anti-abortion beliefs when he first ran for Congress, he writes: In his new book that he promoted in Iowa on Monday, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback said when he first ran for Congress, he didn't want his anti-abortion beliefs to "irritate anybody." But over time, Brownback writes, a series of spiritual awakenings guided him deeper into his religious convictions and toward a belief that abortion would become his generation's equivalent of the struggle against slavery. "Our battle today is similar to theirs. Our battlefield is the fight for life," Brownback writes in his book, "From Power to Purpose: A Remarkable Journey of Faith and Compassion." During an hourlong signing Monday at Lemstone Christian Stores, a book and card shop in Ames, Brownback, a Kansas Republican seeking his party's presidential nomination, said the 230-page book reflects his campaign platform. About 30 people attended the event.

(News Release) Brownback to campaign in Iowa on Fourth of July: U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback will celebrate the 4th of July in Iowa on Wednesday, participating in parades in Urbandale, Ames, and Pella.

Issues

(Kansas.com) Brownback, Roberts to tour flooded Kansas communities Thursday: U.S. Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts will tour several communities affected by flooding in eastern Kansas on Thursday, Brownback's office announced this afternoon. Brownback and Roberts will be briefed by local officials and meet with local residents affected by the flooding. The senators will be in Osawatomie from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.; Coffeyville from noon to 1:30 p.m.; Fredonia from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; and at Forbes Field for a 4:30 p.m. media conference. "Visiting the devastated communities and talking with local residents will help my colleagues and me in Washington know what more we must do to assist this disaster cleanup and recovery," Brownback said in a statement.

(WIBW) Brownback pushes for new Leavenworth prison:
Sen. Sam Brownback wants Leavenworth to become home to another prison. Last Friday, he submitted a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Harley Lappin suggesting that the BOP consider the city for its new Midwestern facility. Brownback said that not only does Leavenworth offer a "prison-friendly community," he points to the land adjacent to Ft. Leavenworth that the senator believes would accommodate the new prison and is already owned by the Bureau and the Department of Justice. According to the letter, the two BOP facilities located nearby along with the minimum security "Honor Farm" would allow the bureau to expand efficiently, saving tax-payer money, even moreso if the new prison is a maximum security facility.

_The Brownback Report will appear Monday through Friday. If you've seen a news story or other blog entry about the GOP presidential hopeful that we've missed, do let us know._