2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Biden Campaign Manager Luis Navarro Statement From Today’s Des Moines Register Presidential Debate

BIDEN’S EXPERIENCE SHINES ONCE AGAIN

Des Moines, IA (December 13, 2007) – Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro issued the following statement following today’s Des Moines Register presidential debate: 

”Sen. Joe Biden today once again showed that he is ready to lead on issues that Americans care about, including the economy, trade, health care and the environment.  Americans want action, not more slogans.  Sen. Biden has the right experience and has exhibited the leadership necessary to fix the problems left behind as a result of Bush’s disastrous policies.  He can bring together folks from both sides of the aisle and also expand the majority we will need to get things done in Congress.  Most importantly, he will be ready to lead from day one.” 

Des Moines Register Debate Joe Biden Photo

Joe Biden Touts Experience In New Campaign Ad

BIDEN TOUTS EXPERIENCE IN NEW CAMPAIGN AD
No Guesswork Involved, Says Biden, “Just Look At What I’ve Done”

Des Moines, IA (December 11, 2007) –The Biden for President Campaign announced the launch of its new television ad, “Action,”which will begin airing across Iowa tomorrow. In the 30-second spot, Sen. Biden asks Iowans to cast their support for a candidate with proven leadership, experience, and most importantly, action on the biggest challenges facing our country. 

The ad points out that while promises are easily made, Joe Biden is the candidate with the longest record of promises kept. The Biden Plan for Iraq has received the bipartisan support of over 75 U.S. Senators, not to mention scores of Iraqi leaders, foreign affairs experts, and other public officials. And when Pakistan erupted in a state of crisis several weeks ago, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called Joe Biden first—not President Bush.  Sen. Biden concludes: “You don’t have to guess what I’d do as president. Just look at what I’ve done.”

“If Iowans believe campaign funds and celebrity will fix the debacle in Iraq, put the economy on track, and provide health care and education for America’s children, they should support another candidate,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro. “But I’m confident that Iowans know what I know: our problems will require experience and leadership from Day One. Empty slogans will be no match for proven action on caucus night.”

Biden Qualifies For Matching Funds

BIDEN QUALIFIES FOR MATCHING FUNDS

Des Moines, IA (December 4, 2007) – Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro issued the following statement: 

“Today, the FEC indicated that Sen. Biden has become eligible for federal matching funds.   

“Voters in early states don’t believe this race is just about money or celebrity status, but about experience and ideas.  The winner in Iowa and other early states will be determined by real grassroots enthusiasm for the candidates and their ideas.  Today’s qualification ensures we will have the resources necessary to compete vigorously and support that grassroots effort.”

Joe Biden Announces ‘Joe is Right’ Ad Campaign

BIDEN CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES ‘JOE IS RIGHT’ AD CAMPAIGN
Web & Newspaper Advertisements Tout Joe Is Right

Des Moines, IA (November 26, 2007) – The Biden for President Campaign today continued its ‘Joe is Right’ ad campaign with full page ads in Iowa’s seven largest newspapers. The ‘Joe is Right’ campaign was launched earlier this month with a web video that takes a look at the frequent occasions when Sen. Biden’s rivals have praised him in debates.  Today, the Des Moines Register, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Davenport Quad City Times, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, Sioux City Journal, Dubuque Telegraph Herald, and Burlington Hawkeye all carried the ‘Joe is Right’ print ad, which further underscores an emerging consensus on the campaign trail: Joe Biden is the leading voice on foreign policy and national security issues in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Iowans have taken note of this trend. Over the weekend, the Cedar Rapids Gazette published an article entitled, Biden emerges as Dems' foreign policy expert, which said: “Biden's Iowa supporters point to recent debates where other Democrats defer to his foreign policy stances — especially his plan to bring a political solution in Iraq — as evidence he is emerging as the right choice at this volatile juncture in U.S. and world history.”

“Joe is right,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro, “and it would seem that his democratic rivals—by the virtue of their own words—agree. I am confident that Iowans will choose proven leadership and experience and support Sen. Biden on caucus night.”

Iowa State Representative Hunter Endorses Joe Biden

State Representative Hunter Endorses Joe Biden
“We Know Joe Biden Has It All Together On Foreign Policy, Education, And Social Values, But What Really Turned The Trick For Me Was His Humility”

Des Moines, IA (November 21, 2007) – Today, Sen. Joe Biden received the endorsement of Iowa State Representative Bruce Hunter of Des Moines. Rep. Hunter becomes the fourteenth Iowa State Legislator to endorse Senator Biden.

Rep. Hunter has served in the Iowa State House since 2003. Prior to his public service, he acted as a Customer Service Manager for Citigroup.

“We know Joe Biden has it all together on foreign policy, education, and social values, but what really turned the trick for me was his humility,” said Rep. Hunter.  “When you talk with him you see how much he really cares about this country and about its future.”

Sen. Biden noted, “Over his three terms in the House, Rep. Hunter has worked tirelessly on behalf of the working men and women in Iowa.  Rep. Hunter knows as I do the importance of restoring and protecting the American middle class, and I am proud that he has pledged his support to my campaign.”

Rep. Hunter joins an impressive group of Iowa state legislators who have endorsed Senator Biden including: State Sen. Joe Seng (Davenport), House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Des Moines), Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Polly Butka (Clinton), Rep. John Whitaker (Hillsboro), Rep. Doris Kelley (Waterloo), Rep. Lisa Heddens (Ames), Rep. Jim Lykam (Davenport), Rep. Mike Reasoner (Creston), Rep. Dick Taylor (Cedar Rapids), Rep. Roger Thomas (Elkader), Rep. McKinley Bailey (Webster City), State Senator Herman C. Quirmbach (Ames), and Rep. Mary Gaskill (Ottumwa).

Veteran Iowa Caucus Organizer Paulee Lipsman Endorses Sen. Biden

WOMEN FOR BIDEN GATHER TO ANNOUNCE THEIR SUPPORT
Veteran Iowa Caucus Organizer Paulee Lipsman Endorses Sen. Biden

Des Moines, IA (November 18, 2007) – Former DNC member and longstanding Iowa caucus veteran, Paulee Lipsman, today joined over 100 Women for Biden activists who will caucus for Sen. Biden on January 3rd. Women traveled from the state, including a number of prominent Iowa state legislators, elected officials and activists. In attendance were State Reps. Speaker Pro Tem Polly Butka, Assistant House Majority Leader Lisa Heddens, Mary Gaskill of Ottumwa, Doris Kelley of Waterloo, along with Scott County Board of Supervisors Roxanna Moritz, Phyllis Hughes Ewing, daug! hter of Former Iowa Governor Harold Hughes, and Dubuque activist Teri Goodmann. Delaware’s first woman Governor, Ruth Ann Minner attended the event as part of her weekend of campaigning in Iowa on behalf of Sen. Biden.

In announcing her support for Sen. Biden today, Paulee Lipsman said, “I looked over the field and talked to friends and family who had Joe Biden at the top of their list, but were not sure he could win. I have finally decided, as have many others, that Joe Biden in fact will make a great president and I want to do everything I can to help him win.”

Both Sen. Biden and Gov. Minner spoke at the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center in Des Moines, which honors the establishment of the first Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC’s) in 1942.  Sen. Biden is the author of a resolution designating this week as National Veterans Awareness Week and he chose the location as a tribute to the brave women veterans who have served our country.

“We are building the infrastructure to have a very successful caucus night,” said Danny O’Brien, Iowa State Director for the Biden campaign, “With the ‘queen of the caucuses’ on our team—Paulee Lipsman—our operation will now be that much more fierce and effective. We will exceed expectations on caucus night.”

Iowa State Representative Gaskill Endorses Joe Biden

STATE REPRESENTATIVE GASKILL ENDORSES JOE BIDEN
BIDEN HAS “THE BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE ON FOREIGN POLICY AND DOMESTIC ISSUES OUR COUNTRY SO DESPERATLEY NEEDS”

Des Moines, IA (November 14, 2007) – Today, Sen. Joe Biden received the endorsement of Iowa State Representative Mary A. Gaskill of Ottumwa. Rep. Gaskill becomes the thirteenth Iowa State Legislator to endorse Senator Biden.

“I believe that Sen. Joe Biden has the breadth of experience on foreign policy and record of bipartisan leadership on domestic issues our country so desperately needs,” said Rep. Gaskill. “From the Biden exit plan for Iraq to his landmark Violence Against Women Act, Sen. Biden has proven he can build bipartisan consensus on the most important challenges facing our country. He is sincere, authentic and I believe he is the best candidate the democrats have -- and that is why I am supporting him.”

Sen. Biden noted, “Rep. Gaskill has dedicated a life of service to the people of Wapello County. Like many Iowans, she is concerned about the course America is on and knows the next president will need the experience to restore our reputation internationally and put an end to the gridlock in Washington. I am proud that Rep. Gaskill believes I am that candidate and has pledged her support to my campaign.”

Rep. Gaskill joins an impressive group of Iowa state legislators who have endorsed Senator Biden including: State Sen. Joe Seng (Davenport), House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Des Moines), Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Polly Butka (Clinton), Rep. John Whitaker (Hillsboro), Rep. Doris Kelley (Waterloo), Rep. Lisa Heddens (Ames), Rep. Jim Lykam (Davenport), Rep. Mike Reasoner (Creston), Rep. Dick Taylor (Cedar Rapids), Rep. Roger Thomas (Elkader), Rep. McKinley Bailey (Webster City), and State Senator Herman C. Quirmbach (Ames).

Sen. Biden Issued The Following Statement On Veterans Day

BIDEN KEEPS PROMISE TO VETERANS
Announces Reforms to Veterans Administration

Onawa, IA (November 11, 2007) – Today,  Sen. Joe Biden announced his plan to keep America's promise to veterans by reforming the Veterans Administration and making it more responsive to the needs of our veterans once they return home from the battlefield as well as our veterans who have already performed their service.   

Sen. Biden believes that all veterans must have access to health care and that the Department of Veterans Affairs has a fundamental responsibility to address their varying care needs in a timely manner. His five-point plan for VA reform aims to improve the handling of claims, eliminate restrictions on veterans’ access to health care, accommodate the long-term care needs of veterans, ensure adequate treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and improve the provision of care to all veterans.

Sen. Biden issued the following statement:

“This Veterans’ Day we remember and celebrate the heroism and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans.  But we must do more than simply honor their service; we must keep our promise to provide them with quality care and services.  The VA system must be fixed.   

“We have veterans, not just from Iraq and Afghanistan, but from Vietnam and Korea, who wait nearly two years for disability checks.  It takes, on average, 177 days for a VA regional office to process a claim, and it takes more than a year and a half to go through the appeals process.  This is unacceptable.    

“Our praise for these heroes must be matched by action.  As President, I would make sure that the VA’s handling of claims was improved dramatically, eliminate restrictions on veterans’ access to health care, and accommodate the long-term care needs of veterans.  In addition, I would ensure that there was adequate treatment of traumatic brain injuries, which have affected so many of our soldiers.  My plan would create a presumption for TBI and PTSD that would allow soldiers to get treatment immediately instead of having to delay treatment because they have to prove their injury is related to their service. Finally, we need to improve the provision of care and make sure the transition from inpatient to outpatient care and from military to veteran status is seamless.

“In short, our commitment to those who have admirably served our country must be without question.  Just as we must protect them and give them everything they need on the battlefield, we owe our brave soldiers the same support upon their return home.  This is our sacred obligation.”

Joe Biden Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner Photos