2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Congressman Tim Ryan Pledges Support For Hillary Clinton For President

Congressman Tim Ryan Pledges Support For Hillary Clinton For President

Congressman Tim Ryan formally announced his support for the candidacy of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for President today. Citing her experience and economic platform, Congressman Ryan believes that Hillary Clinton, if elected President, is in the best position to create jobs and economic growth in Northeast Ohio.

"The people of the 17th district overwhelmingly voted for Senator Clinton in the Democratic primary and today I officially pledge my support for Hillary Rodham Clinton. Throughout the 1990s, Senator Clinton working alongside President Bill Clinton had a proven record of economic growth and higher wages for America's working families," said Congressman Tim Ryan. "People in the seventeenth district of Ohio would enjoy a return to strong economic growth, millions of jobs being created and a rise in wages. I look forward to working with her to see that our community is the beneficiary of her economic policies."

"I am honored to have Congressman Ryan's support," said Clinton. "Tim is a vital voice for the rights of our working class, and I look forward to having his help spreading our message of change and experience throughout Ohio and the United States."

Clinton Campaign Unveils New Response Ad To Obama Healthcare Spot

Clinton Campaign Unveils New Response Ad To Negative Obama Healthcare Spot

PHILADELPHIA, PA – In response to the Obama campaign continuing to mislead Pennsylvania voters with their negative ad on Hillary’s health care plan, the Clinton campaign today unveiled a new TV ad to set the record straight. The ad, “Answer,” is 30 seconds long and will run statewide.

National Chair of Doctors for Hillary Irwin Redlener and Temple University Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine Dr. David Wald helped unveil the ad today on a conference call, denouncing Senator Obama’s negative ad.

“Senator Obama has once again used a negative and misleading ad about Senator Clinton’s healthcare plan that has been debunked as false repeatedly,” said Dr. Redlener. “As someone who sees the challenges of our healthcare system everyday, we need leadership and action, not negative attacks and empty rhetoric.” 

Following is a script for the ad.

Answer
:30

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

Announcer: He couldn't answer tough questions in the debate. So Barack Obama is making false charges against Hillary's health care plan. She has a plan everyone can afford. Obama's will cost taxpayers $1,700 more to cover each new person. Hillary's plan covers everyone. Obama's leaves 15 million people out.

Obama's attacks have been called "destructive and poisoning."

There are more and more questions about Barack Obama.

Instead of attacking, maybe he should answer them.

Hillary's Reviews Are In: ABC News, National Constitution Center & WPVI-TV Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate In Philadelphia

Hillary's Reviews Are In: 'The Winner,' 'Strong Presence,' 'In Her Element'

Hillary dominates Philadelphia focus group. “NYDIA HAN: The real take away is this. We now know who won the debate according to our focus group. Take a look. Senator Clinton is the debate winner, at least according to our focus group. 23% believe Senator Obama won while 50% believed Senator Clinton won.” [WPVI Post-Debate Analysis, 4/16/08]

ABC News’ Rick Klein – 'Clinton is back to the strong presence we saw early in the cycle.' [ABC News Political Radar, 4/16/08]

NBC News’ Chuck Todd – Obama ‘did not have a good night.’ [MSNBC Post-Debate Analysis, 4/16/08]

NBC News' Chuck Todd—Obama’s answer on Ayers and the flag ‘were simply weak.’ “His answer on Ayers and the flag question were simply weak; He seemed unprepared for them; Kinda surprising because he normally has a decent rant against "old politics" and yet "old politics" questions seemed to stump him.” [NBC First Read, 4/16/08]

The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder – [T]here's no way Obama could fared worse. [The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder, 4/16/08]

Washington Post’ Chris Cillizza— Obama ‘struggled quite a bit’ when asked about Rev. Wright. “…He struggled quite a bit more when asked to answer for Wright, his former pastor.” [Washington Post, The Fix, 4/16/08]

New York Times’ Katharine Seeyle: Hillary’s ‘in her element as she goes into details.’ "She’s becoming expansive, seemingly in her element as she goes into details; Mr. Obama does not look as thrilled to be still standing there." [New York Times, The Caucus, 4/16/08]

Talking Points Memo’s Josh Marshall – Hillary ‘certainly seems more self-assured.' “She certainly seems more self-assured on the Iran question than Obama did. The question of extending an American security umbrella to Israel is very dicey. And he could clearly see he was on delicate territory.” [Talking Points Memo, 4/16/08]

Philadelphia Inquirer blog – ‘Obama is again less certain, and rambles a bit.’ “Obama is again less certain, and rambles a bit when asked about the Washington D.C. gun ban. Gibson asks him to deny that he has ever advocated a complete ban on hand guns in 1996. Obama says no. But whatever the truth, no other answer is possible.” [Philadelphia Inquirer Blog, 4/16/08]

NBC News’ Matthew Berger – Obama ‘tried to have it both ways’ with Israel. “Obama's answer on an Iranian attack on Israel tried to seem to have it both ways: highlight his support for Israel but not lock him into treating an attack on Israel like an attack on the U.S. But it may have looked more like a no because it wasn't a firm yes. Clinton's answer seemed more direct.” [NBC First Read, 4/16/08]

NEW AD: Hillary Will Fight To Protect American Defense Jobs

NEW AD: Hillary Will Fight To Protect American Defense Jobs

INDIANAPOLIS, IN- Hoosiers for Hillary today launched a new 30-second television ad highlighting Hillary’s plans to protect American defense manufacturing jobs from being sent overseas. The ad features former employees of Magnaquench who lost their jobs along with more than 200 Hoosiers when the company closed its Indiana plant and shipped production of high-performance magnets used for the U.S. military’s “smart bombs” to China.

As President, Hillary will fight to keep the nation’s defense jobs here at home, because “American workers should build America’s defense.”  The spot, titled “Closed,” will air throughout Indiana.

Following is a script for “Closed” 

Hillary Clinton: Right here over 200 Hoosiers built parts that guided our military’s smart bombs to their targets.

They were good jobs, but now, they’re gone to China.

And now America’s defense relies on Chinese spare parts.

George Bush could have stopped it, but he didn’t.

As your president, I will fight to keep good jobs here, and to turn this economy around.

I’m Hillary Clinton and I approve this message because American workers should build America’s defense.

Statement From Hillary Clinton On Pope Benedict's Visit To The U.S.

Statement From Hillary Clinton On Pope Benedict's Visit To The U.S.

"We are blessed to receive a visit from His Holiness, Pope Benedict, to the United States this week.  Not only is he the spiritual leader of America's great Catholic community, he is a strong and effective voice for the cause of peace, freedom, and justice as well as the fight against poverty and disease. His visit to the United States this week should be a very impactful one. I particularly appreciate his going to Ground Zero with some of the families who lost loved ones there.  I hope that his message about economic justice and global development will get an appropriate hearing both in our country and in the government.  I also applaud Pope Benedict's example and leadership on addressing global warming making the Vatican a model in conservation for all to emulate.

"His apostolic journey is built on the theme of Christian hope, and as he has said, the Gospel message is 'deeply rooted' in our country.  We all pray that he will have a safe and successful visit to America, and that everyone will find inspiration in his presence and his words." 

NEW AD: Clinton Campaign Launches Television Ad in Pennsylvania Today

NEW AD: Clinton Campaign Launches Television Ad in Pennsylvania Today

30-Second Spot, "Pocket," Highlights Disconnect Between Obama Rhetoric and Reality
The Clinton campaign today announced it is broadcasting a new 30-second television ad in Pennsylvania today highlighting the disconnect between Sen. Obama’s rhetoric and reality in misleading television ads claiming he does not take money from oil companies.

"We are seeing a troubling pattern from Senator Obama that is all talk and no action. His TV ad on oil donations is all rhetoric that doesn’t match the reality," said T.J. Rooney. "The people of Pennsylvania can count on Hillary Clinton to keep standing up to the oil companies by fighting to move us off our dependence on foreign oil, no longer subsidizing the big oil companies, and creating a new strategic energy fund that will create 5 million new jobs and bring down energy costs."

Following is a script for the ad.

Hillary For President
"Pocket"
TV :30

Announcer: You've seen the ad.

Barack Obama: "I don't take money from oil companies."

Announcer: No candidate does.

It's been against the law for 100 years.

But Barack Obama accepted two hundred thousand dollars from executives and employees of oil companies.

Every gallon of gas takes over three bucks from your pocket, but Obama voted for the Bush-Cheney energy bill that put six billion dollars in the pocket of big oil.

Hillary voted against it.

She'll make oil companies pay to create the new Jobs and clean energy America needs.

Hillary Clinton: I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message

In Second “NC Ask Me” Ad Clinton Answers, “What Are Your Plans on Reducing the Rising Cost of Gas?”

In Second “NC Ask Me” Ad Clinton Answers, “What Are Your Plans on Reducing the Rising Cost of Gas?”

A week after she invited North Carolinians to ask her “anything and everything,” Senator Hillary Clinton answers one of the nearly 10,000 questions submitted through the NCAskMe.com website in a new 60-second ad.  Campaign staff and volunteers are calling back every person that submitted a question to make sure their voices are heard. Senator Clinton will continue to answer voters’ questions over the coming weeks.

Tammie Bright, 40, of Cherryville submitted the first question selected. The mother of three, who makes truck parts for a living, asked Hillary, “What are your plans on reducing the rising cost of gas?”

Following is the complete script for the ad.

"Tammie"

TV :60

Hillary Clinton: I told you I wanted to have a conversation, so I asked you to send me your questions and concerns and so many North Carolinians have done that.

Tammie from Cherryville asks, "We in North Carolina are feeling the crunch of rising gas prices. It's harder for working families even to afford to drive to work. What are your plans on reducing the rising cost of gas?"

Well, Tammie, I hear this everywhere. People like you and everyone else are paying way too much at the pump. We need to reach energy independence and the only way we'll do that is to stop buying oil from over there and start creating alternative renewable energy over here.

I'd invest $150 billion in research and development of new kinds of energy. Let's put more hybrid vehicles on the fast track. And when we create new clean energies and technologies, we'll be creating new jobs right here in North Carolina.

So there'll be plenty of work to drive to.

Thanks for keeping the questions coming. Just go to NCAskMe.com.

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

NEW NC AD: "I Saw Her Take Her Faith, Courage, Strength and Dignity and Climb That Mountain."

NEW NC AD: "I Saw Her Take Her Faith, Courage, Strength and Dignity and Climb That Mountain."

In a new 60-second spot, "Jewel," airing in the Tar Heel State, 91-year-old Jewel Hodges talks about why she decided to vote for Hillary. She states, "And she had to climb up the rough side of the mountain in life. I saw her take her faith, courage, dignity, and climb that mountain with determination."

The ad is airing statewide.

Following is the script for the ad.

"Jewel"
TV :60

Jewel Hodges: Now, why did I decide to vote for her? She didn't know it, but I have followed her all of these years and I prayed with her when she didn't know I was praying, but the spirit was there.

And she had to climb up the rough side of the mountain in life. I saw her take her faith, courage, strength, dignity, and climb that mountain with determination and with the God given strength she got to the top polished like gold.

And America, our country, is down at the foot of the mountain and we need someone that is ready, willing, and able to bring America back up to be polished like gold.

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

Clinton Campaign Unveils Radio Response On Obama Ad

CLINTON CAMPAIGN UNVEILS RADIO RESPONSE TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON DISCREDITED OBAMA AD
Obama Rhetoric Doesn’t Match Reality

PHILADELPHIA, PA – As Senator Obama travels to Pennsylvania today, questions remain on why he is continuing to air misleading television ads claiming he doesn’t take money from oil companies. Considering the continued misleading rhetoric from the Obama campaign, the Clinton campaign announced today that it is airing a new radio ad in Pennsylvania to set the record straight on Obama’s discredited television ad.

“We are seeing a troubling pattern from Senator Obama that is all talk and no action. His TV ad on oil donations is all rhetoric that doesn’t match the reality,” said T.J. Rooney. “The people of Pennsylvania can count on Hillary Clinton to keep standing up to the oil companies by fighting to move us off our dependence on foreign oil, no longer subsidizing the big oil companies, and creating a new strategic energy fund that will create 5 million new jobs and bring down energy costs.”

HILLARY

‘REAL LIFE”

OIL RADIO:60                                 

ANNCR

In his TV ads, Barack Obama sounds like he'll take on the oil companies.

"I don't take money from oil companies."

What he doesn’t tell you is that “no candidate does….they cant,” according to the Annenberg Center’s Factcheck.org...It's been against the law for companies to donate to candidates for a hundred years.

Listen to Barack Obama some more.

"Now Exxon's making forty billion dollars a year and we're paying three fifty for gas."

Obama also doesn't mention that he voted for the Bush Cheney energy bill.

It was called a piñata of perks and the best energy bill corporations could buy.

Hillary Clinton voted against that bill.

She’s the one who will make the oil companies pay to set up a new strategic energy fund that will cut our dependence on foreign oil .invest in new clean energy, and create five million new jobs.

It's time for president who takes on the oil companies in real life, not just on TV.

Hillary Clinton.

Pennsylvania for Hillary Launches Five Television Ads Today

Pennsylvania for Hillary Launches Five Television Ads Today

Spots Include Testimonials from Governor Rendell & Mayor Nutter,  Biographical Spot Highlighting Hillary's Ties to PA, Spanish Language Ad

The Clinton campaign today announced five television ads that will air in different cities throughout the Keystone State beginning today. The five ads - "Get it Done," "Spectacular," "Scranton," "Falling Through" and "Nuestra Amiga" - include testimonials from Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter, as well as a biographical spot highlighting Hillary's ties to Pennsylvania.

The ads highlight Hillary's ability to get the job done as president - her commitment to jumpstarting our economy, standing up for the middle class, and bringing quality, universal health care to all Americans. "Nuestra Amiga," a Spanish language ad, highlights Hillary's understanding of the Latino community and the problems it faces.

Following are the scripts for the ads: 

"Get It Done" (Philadelphia Market)
TV :30

Mayor Nutter: I know.  You want to know why I'm supporting Hillary.

Easy.

She gets it... and she gets the job done.

As mayor, I know that's what we need from a President.  We don't have a minute to waste. 

Hillary's got the depth and breadth of experience to really help folks get jobs, put more cops on our streets, educate our kids, reduce the dropout rate, and invest in our communities.

I know Hillary and I know she cares about us.

She'll get the job done right now.

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

"Spectacular" (Philadelphia Market)
TV :30

Governor Rendell:  It's gonna take a fighter to get us out of the mess this country's in.  And that's what Hillary Clinton has always been-a fighter.  A doer.

She's got what it takes to revitalize our economy, create jobs, cut taxes for the middle class, and to bring affordable healthcare to all of us.

I've known Hillary for fifteen years.  She's spent her life standing up for people.  When she believes something has to be done, she just won't quit. 

She'll be a spectacular president.

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

"Scranton" (Scranton Market)
TV :30

Hillary Clinton: This is me in Scranton, where my father was raised, and my grandfather worked in the lace mill.

Every August, we'd pile into the car and head to our cottage on Lake Winola.

There was no heat, or indoor shower-just the joy of family.

I was raised on pinochle and the American dream.

I still have faith in that dream

It's just been neglected a little.

We all need to dream it again

And I promise.we will.

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

"Falling Through" (Harrisburg, Johnstown/Altoona, Pittsburgh, and Erie Markets)
TV :30

Hillary Clinton: The Bush economy is like a trapdoor.

Too many families are one pink slip, one missed mortgage payment, one medical diagnosis away from falling through and losing everything.

The oil companies, the predatory student loan companies, the insurance companies and the drug companies, have had seven years of a president who stands up for them.

I intend to be a president who stands up for all of you.

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

"Nuestra Amiga" (Our Friend - as translated from Spanish) (Philadelphia Market)
TV: 30

Our voice and our vote will elect the next President of the great country. 

Our candidate is Hillary Clinton because she respects our culture and understands the problems that affect our community.

Millions of Hispanic families live with the fear of not having health insurance.

The economic crisis and the cost of living are of concern to all of us.

Hillary is our friend and will help us.

Let's vote for Hillary on April 22nd and we will have a better life.

We are with you!

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.