2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama Campaign Airs New TV Ad, “High and Dry”

Campaign Airs New TV Ad, “High and Dry”, on Keeping Promise to America’s Workers
Obama’s Discusses Plan to Strengthen Retirement Security and Reclaim American Dream

DES MOINES – At a roundtable discussion in Ottumwa, Senator Barack Obama today discussed his plan to reclaim the American Dream by strengthening retirement security, providing incentives to increase personal savings and ensuring retirees receive the benefits earned from a lifetime of hard work.    

“Americans who work hard their entire lives have earned a retirement that is secure and dignified,” Obama said today.  “But Washington is not working to preserve this fundamental part of the American dream. That’s why my agenda for retirement security will lift up savings for working people, and reform bankruptcy laws to protect your pensions.”

Senator Obama’s plan to strengthen retirement security includes steps to ensure private companies properly fund their pension plans.  Obama will also protect employees and retirees in corporate bankruptcy court by ensuring pension benefits and jobs aren’t the easiest thing for companies to shed. Click here for a fact sheet on Senator Obama’s plan to strengthen retirement security: http://iowa.barackobama.com/RetirementSecurityFactSheet

Today’s roundtable took place as the Obama Campaign aired a new television advertisement entitled, “High and Dry.”  The ad features David Hartgrave, a Cedar Rapids resident whose pension was raided when CEO’s decided to pull $19 million from the pension fund leaving Hartgrave with $379 each month.   

“I’m telling the CEOs it hurts America when they cash out, and leave workers high and dry,” Obama says in the television ad.  “It’s an outrage.  You’ve gotta have somebody in the White House who believes it’s an outrage.”

Barack Obama Appears On Saturday Night Live

Barack Obama Appears On Saturday Night Live

Reviews Are In. Barack Obama In Philly!

Reviews Are In. Barack Obama In Philly!

MSNBC - (Howard Fineman): She talked about the process. And also that was the one time where Obama turned toward her, what we used to call in old debate language, the pivot, remember that? He turned toward her and he said look, this will not stand because if you're claiming the presidency based on your being the first lady, you've got to come clean on that. I thought that was his best debating point that he's made in any of these debates so far."

ABC News - Political Radar (Jake Tapper): I think Obama's having a pretty good night. LINK

Fox News (Major Garrett): [On Social Security] …Obama took the question and enlarged it both philosophically and tangibly. …Thus, Obama trumped the stage by giving his tax policy a philosophic core (help young earners and cash-pinched retirees), while taxing the rich with either higher income or payroll taxes. Obama's best substantive moment, by quite some distance. LINK

Atlantic - Marc Ambinder: Bottom line, before all the analysis: …Barack Obama's were more resonant… LINK

ABC News - Political Radar: "You asked me if I would pledge, and I have pledged." -- Clinton, sounding, shall we say, Clintonian. Then Obama gets a bit deeper: "We have been governed by fear these past six years." THERE is the link to his campaign message that was missing earlier this evening. It does seem like the Obama camp has plotted this out a good bit this evening. LINK

Washington Post - The Fix (Chris Cillizza) "Obama: We Will Not Be Governed by Fear": …It was a nice moment for Obama especially because both Clinton and Edwards, whose answers had preceded his own, simply said they would do everything in their power to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. These debates are about creating opportunities and taking advantage of them. Obama just did it. LINK

Washington Post - The Fix (Chris Cillizza): …Obama Scores on His Background LINK

New York Times - The Caucus (Katharine Seelye): Alternative Minimum Tax - 10:39 p.m. …Mr. Obama also said he would not campaign on the Rangel plan, but here he made a smart tactical move, turning the discussion to problems faced not by the richest people in the country but by struggling single mothers. LINK

Huffington Post: Glynnis (9:48:12 PM): The reason the GOP is focusing on You is cause that's the fight they're comfortable having…Obama steps out of the corner!! LINK

New York Times - The Caucus (Katharine Seelye): Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants - 10:58 p.m. …Mr. Obama uttered a devastating phrase for anyone who remembers the 2004 campaign: he said he couldn't tell if she is "for it or against it." LINK

Clinton Highlights Record Fighting For Seniors In New Ad Airing In Iowa, New Hampshire

Clinton Highlights Record Fighting For Seniors In New Ad Airing In Iowa, New Hampshire

The Clinton Campaign is launching a new television ad in Iowa and New Hampshire focused on Hillary’s long record of fighting to preserve Social Security and improve the lives of America’s seniors.

The new 30-second spot, entitled “There For You,” details Hillary’s fight to stop the Bush Administration from privatizing Social Security and jeopardizing the bedrock of retirement security that 34 million Americans rely on.

The ad also describes Hillary’s multi-year effort to pass the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which helps 44 million Americans care for an adult family member who has a chronic illness or disability each year. The bill provides hundreds of millions in grants for states and localities to increase the availability of respite care and help families care for their loved ones.

Throughout the campaign, Hillary has outlined a series of measures aimed at protecting elderly consumers from fraud and deceptive marketing in the long-term care insurance market. She would crack down on the use of fine print clauses to deny seniors coverage and would discourage premium increases by requiring that a larger percentage goes to paying consumer claims—not to insurance company profits.

Following is the script for the ad:

Announcer: When George Bush threatened to privatize social security,

Hillary was there fighting every step of the way to stop him.

And she was there for every senior who needs round-the-clock-

Care, creating a law to ease the burden on family caregivers.

She's still there fighting to stop long term care insurance scams that prey on the elderly.

These days, it seems like every candidate on earth is coming here for

You.

But which candidate has been there for you all along?

Hillary Clinton: I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

New Obama Ad: We Need An Honest Conversation About Social Security

New Obama Ad: We Need An Honest Conversation about Social Security

CHICAGO, IL –Obama for America today released a new television ad about the need to have an honest conversation about the future of Social Security. The ad entitled “Wind” starts airing in Iowa today.

The ad comes one day after Obama noted in a Des Moines townhall that Senator Clinton has repeatedly dodged opportunities to reveal her thinking about the best way to strengthen Social Security.  Obama was introduced at the event by Tod Bowman, a previously undecided Iowa caucusgoer and Maquoketa high school teacher, who asked Senator Clinton for more details about her position on Social Security at a campaign event in Iowa.  In the public forum, she declined to directly answer Bowman’s question, but later offered him a response when she thought no reporters were present.

Script of “Wind”:

OBAMA: I’m Barack Obama and I approved this message.

OBAMA: We’ve got 78 million baby boomers who are going to be retiring. There’s going to be more money going out than money coming in.

OBAMA: If we have failed to have a real, honest conversation about Social Security, it will not get fixed. This is a program that millions of people depend on.

The Obama Principles:

• Protect benefits
• No privatization of Social Security
• End Social Security tax exemption for the wealthy

OBAMA: I don’t want to just put my finger out to the wind and see what the polls say. I want to bring the country together to solve a problem. [Applause]

Barack Obama Des Moines Iowa Social Security Townhall Photo

Obama: Leadership Means Leveling with the American People about Social Security

DES MOINES, IA – During a town hall meeting at a Des Moines area senior center, Senator Barack Obama vowed to challenge the conventional thinking in Washington, D C that treats Social Security like a “political football”.  Obama said it was important to talk openly and honestly with the American people about how to strengthen Social Security.

“I think that on issues as fundamental as how to protect Social Security, a candidate for President owes it to the American people to tell us where they stand,” said Obama. “Because you’re not ready to lead if you can’t tell us where you’re going.”

Obama noted that Senator Clinton has repeatedly dodged opportunities to reveal her thinking about the best way to strengthen Social Security.  Obama was introduced at the event by Tod Bowman, an undecided Iowa caucusgoer and Maquoketa high school teacher, who asked Senator Clinton for more details about her position on Social Security at a campaign event in Iowa.  In the public forum, she declined to directly answer Bowman’s question, but later offered him a response when she thought no reporters were present.

“Now, you might remember this came up at the last presidential debate,” Obama said. “When Senator Clinton was asked about it, she wouldn’t say what she thinks we should do.  The other day, here in Iowa, she skipped another chance to give a direct answer.”

He also pointed out that Senator Clinton was not the only politician in Washington who has refused to level with American people about an issue as important as Social Security.  In fact, he identified it as the prevailing political strategy in Washington – but that, as President, he would change it.

“She’s not alone in ducking the issue, of course,” Obama said.  “Because conventional thinking in Washington says Social Security is the third rail of American politics. It says you should hedge, dodge, and spin, but at all costs, don’t answer.”

Obama said he would strengthen Social Security by opposing any effort to create private accounts, raise the retirement age and cut benefits.  He said the “best option” is to ask America’s wealthiest workers to pay their fair share and force Congress to stop irresponsibly borrowing from the Social Security trust fund.

“There are a number of ways we can make Social Security solvent that do not involve forcing seniors to bear a heavier burden,” Obama said.  “The best option, in my view, is to ask the highest income Americans to contribute a little more by raising the ceiling that’s currently put on the amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax.”

Obama Campaign Opens Fairfield and Perry Offices In Iowa

Obama Campaign Opens Fairfield and Perry Offices
Total of 33 Offices Across Iowa

DES MOINES – The Obama Campaign today announced the opening of new offices in Fairfield and Perry, bringing the total number of Iowa offices up to 33.  Across Iowa, staff and volunteers are reaching out to communities and discussing Senator Obama’s vision to change the way we do politics in Washington, D.C. and transform our country.  The Perry office opens as the local community prepares for Barack Obama’s Meet the Candidate event at Perry High School on Saturday.  In Fairfield, local community members will hold a grand opening celebration on Saturday, October 27th at 2:30 PM. 

“Our campaign knows the road to change begins in Iowa, and that’s why we’re reaching out to communities across Iowa to build our grassroots movement for change,” Senator Obama said.  “By meeting Iowans where they are, our campaign is able to listen to and empower communities large and small as we work to challenge the status quo in Washington, D.C., bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, and provide affordable, high-quality health care for all.” 

Demonstrating a strong commitment to reaching out to Iowans, the Obama Campaign now has an unprecedented 33 offices open across Iowa.  By comparison, at the end of the 2004 Iowa caucuses, Presidential candidate Senator John Kerry had 22 offices statewide.  According to yesterday’s Des Moines Register, the Clinton Campaign has 22 offices and the Edwards Campaign has 15 offices. 

“All Iowans should feel welcome to come to our offices and learn more about our campaign,” State Director Paul Tewes said.  “Our grassroots movement is committed to listening to communities across the state and giving people an active role in our campaign.  Change happens from the bottom up, not the top down, and each of these offices will provide opportunities for people to have a stake in our movement for change.”

All offices are open to the public and residents are encouraged to contact offices for more information on how to get involved in Barack Obama’s grassroots movement for change in Washington, D.C.

33 Cities and towns with Obama for America Offices

Fairfield
Perry
Maquoketa
Knoxville
Independence
Oelwein
Decorah
Charles City
Carroll
Spencer
Clinton
Marshalltown
Fort Madison
Waverly
Algona
Elkader
Indianola
Newton
Waterloo
Ames
Sioux City
Cedar Falls
Ottumwa
Davenport
Burlington
Fort Dodge
Iowa City
Mason City
Council Bluffs
Dubuque
Cedar Rapids
Muscatine
Des Moines   

New Obama Radio Ad Features Iowa’s Butter Cow Lady

New Obama Radio Ad Features Iowa’s Butter Cow Lady
Duffy Lyon Touts Rural Agenda Obama Rolled Out Last Week

DES MOINES – One week after laying out his rural policy agenda at a farm in Fairfax, the presidential campaign of Senator Barack Obama began airing a radio ad today featuring the sculptor of the famed Iowa butter cow, Duffy Lyon.  Lyon, who raises dairy cows and beef cattle with her husband on a farm outside Tama, says she believes that Obama’s plan for rural America is “for real.”    You can listen to the ad by clicking here: http://iowa.barackobama.com/ForUs. 

“You know, you see a lot of manure in our line of work,” Lyon says.  “It’s a lot like politics.  You got to know what’s bull and what’s for real.”

In the 60-second spot titled “For Us”, Lyon calls Obama’s commitment to standing up to Washington special interests and fighting for rural America “gutsy”. 

“Barack Obama’s got a real plan for rural America,” Lyon says.  “And it’s gutsy because it looks out for us, not lobbyists. It ends huge payments to factory farms that drive family farms out of business and gets rid of income taxes for most Iowa seniors.”

Lyon also praises Obama for seeking input and ideas from Iowans who live in rural communities as he put together his “Real Leadership for Rural America” plan.  Before unveiling his rural policy agenda, Obama hosted a rural issues forum in Adel and a rural policy summit in Tama and directed his staff to conduct more than 30 meetings in rural communities across Iowa this summer.

“But the best part is he listened and knows our kids need opportunity here in Iowa so they don’t have to leave home to follow their dreams,” Lyon says in the ad.

Bob Osterhaus And Ann Osterhaus Endorse Obama

Former State Representative Bob Osterhaus and Ann Osterhaus Endorse Obama 

DES MOINES - Today, former State Representative Bob Osterhaus and Ann Osterhaus of Maquoketa announced their support for Barack Obama's campaign for President citing his commitment to changing politics in Washington D.C. to bring about real change. 

"Both parties have failed to pass long needed reforms to our nation's health care system because of lack of leadership to move us past the broken, partisan politics in Washington D.C.," Rep. Osterhaus said.  "Senator Obama is the candidate with the combination of the integrity, skill and judgment to lead us in securing health care for every American.  His record demonstrates his ability to bring people together in order to find solutions for tough challenges like reforming health care, strengthening our schools and restoring the faith needed by working families in order for them to achieve the 'American Dream.'"

Bob Osterhaus served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1996 through 2004.  He received his BSPh from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1952 and was named a Distinguished Alumnni of the University of Iowa in 1997.  He has served as the President of the American Pharmacists Association.  In 2005, he was awarded the profession of pharmacy's highest recognition, the Remington Honor Medal.  He was a co-founder of the Maquoketa Area Community Foundation and served as its chairman for seven years.

"Senator Obama is the rare candidate who listens to the concerns of average people when presenting his vision for changing this nation," said Ann Osterhaus.  "He doesn't take money from PACs or federal lobbyists, which means he can put interests of the American people ahead of the specials interests in Washington D.C."

"I am proud to have the support of Representative Osterhaus and Ann Osterhaus for my campaign to change the politics of Washington D.C., so we make progress on the tough challenges we face," Senator Obama said.  "They will play an instrumental role in building support for our campaign in Jackson County and across Iowa."

To date, Senator Obama has received 15 endorsements from Iowa state legislators including Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, Sen. Bob Dvorsky, Rep. Elesha Gayman, Sen. Bill Heckroth, Rep. David Jacoby, Rep. Pam Jochum, Rep. Helen Miller, Sen. Rich Olive, Rep. Donovan Olson, Rep. Tyler Olson, Rep. Janet Petersen, Sen. Tom Rielly, Rep. Mark Smith, Sen. Steve Warnstadt and Sen. Frank Wood.  Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald have also endorsed Senator Obama's campaign for change.

"Conventional" New Barack Obama New Hampshire TV Ad

"Conventional" New Barack Obama New Hampshire TV Ad

We are excited to announce that we will begin airing our third television ad in New Hampshire -- "Conventional." In the 30 second ad, Barack pledges to restore American leadership in the world by breaking out of conventional Washington thinking that has left America less safe, and showing the strength to negotiate with our adversaries, not just our friends.

The new ad begins running as Barack makes his eighteenth visit to New Hampshire today.  At stops over the next three days, Barack will show voters the kind of strong, principled leadership needed to provide change that the American people can believe in.