2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Statement By Campaign Manager Rick Davis Following New Hampshire Debate

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on tonight's Republican presidential debate:

"This evening, John McCain demonstrated why he is the only candidate with the proven national security experience vital to confronting the transcendent challenge facing our nation -- the struggle against radical Islamic extremism. McCain has demonstrated leadership and political courage by advocating an Iraq policy that would bring our troops home with honor -- by winning.

"John McCain presented an optimistic and realistic vision for America's future and has a life-long record of working to resolve the challenges we face and restore American's trust in their government. Beyond his broad national security and international expertise, on the domestic front John McCain has been a leader in the fight to cut unnecessary spending in Washington, DC, eliminating earmarks and exposing pork-barrel projects.  His exemplary record of service and sacrifice continues to stand out among all other candidates from either party, and is one of many reasons why he is uniquely qualified to lead as commander-in-chief from the moment he is elected."

Leading New Hampshire Social Conservatives Announce Support For John McCain

LEADING NEW HAMPSHIRE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR JOHN MCCAIN

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the Social Conservatives for McCain steering committee in the Granite State.

State Representative Maureen Mooney, a third term lawmaker from Merrimack, will co-chair the steering committee along with Pam Colantuono of Manchester. Mooney is a well-respected and influential voice in the social conservative movement in New Hampshire and has led McCain's conservative outreach efforts since March.

Colantuono is a notable evangelical activist who chaired President Bush's evangelical outreach efforts for his 2004 reelection.

"John McCain has the most consistent conservative record of any candidate for president," said Mooney. "Whether it is his 25 year voting record in support of life, his strong support for the Second Amendment, or his commitment to the preservation of the traditional family, John McCain has always stood firm for the causes most important to New Hampshire's conservative community."

Colantuono added, "John McCain has been with us on conservative issues as a matter of principle, and we know that he will not yield his principles for any convenience or to any political calculation."

"I am very pleased to have the support of these community leaders who are respected among fellow conservatives," said Senator John McCain. "I am deeply grateful for their support and advice and look forward to working with them as we strive to return the Republican Party to our conservative ideals of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and respect for the dignity of every individual."

Conservatives for McCain Steering Committee
Former State Representative Nelson Allan, Nashua
State Senator Jack Barnes, Raymond
State Senator Peter Bragdon, Milford
Evangelical activist Pam Colantuono, Manchester
Former State Representative Pastor G. Michael Gilman, Littleton
Former State Representative Paul Laflamme, Nashua
State Representative Maureen Mooney, Merrimack
Evangelical activist Joanne Nash, Charlestown
Former State Representative Tony Soltani, Epsom
State Representative Kevin Waterhouse, Windham

What They're Saying About John McCain's VFW Convention Speech

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN'S VFW CONVENTION SPEECH

At Yesterday's Annual VFW Convention, John McCain And Hillary Clinton "Presented Starkly Different Assessments Of The War And The Strategy Going Forward"

The New York Times: "In back-to-back speeches before an audience of military veterans here today, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain praised the fortitude of American troops fighting in Iraq, but presented starkly different assessments of the war and the strategy going forward." (Jeff Zeleny, "Clinton And McCain Differ On Iraq At Veterans' Meeting," The New York Times, 8/20/07)

The Hill: "McCain used a large portion of his remarks to address the bond of loyalty that connects the men and women who have fought on the front lines." (Klaus Marre, "McCain Touts Military Credentials," The Hill, 8/21/07

John McCain "Won Their Hearts" With VFW Speech, As Audience "Roared With Approval"

New York Daily News: McCain "Won Their Hearts." "Hillary Clinton gave respect and won some yesterday from an audience of mostly aging vets -- but Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won their hearts." (Richard Sisk, "Hil Wins Cheers, McCain Hearts At VFW," [New York] Daily News, 8/21/07)

The New York Times: "[T]he Audience Roared With Approval." "When Mr. McCain presented an opposing view, saying the troop buildup in Iraq needed time to succeed, the audience roared with approval." (Jeff Zeleny, "Clinton And McCain Take Differing Stands On Iraq," The New York Times, 8/20/07)

The Kansas City Star: "McCain Was Applauded 10 Times, Including Standing Ovations ..." "McCain was applauded 10 times, including standing ovations when he came in (10 seconds) and at the end (18). No crossed arms when he spoke. Those on stage leaned forward, looking either directly at the senator or his image on the monitor." (Steve Kraske, "Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain Address VFW Convention In KC," The Kansas City Star, 8/20/07)

"Mr. McCain's Speech Was Interrupted By Friendly Applause From People Seated Throughout The Hall." (Jeff Zeleny, "Clinton And McCain Differ On Iraq At Veterans' Meeting," The New York Times, 8/20/07)

The Associated Press: "McCain, A Former Vietnam War Prisoner Of War, Received A Warmer Reception -- And Louder Applause During His Remarks." "The crowd was mostly friendly to Clinton and offered polite applause throughout her speech. McCain, a former Vietnam War prisoner of war, received a warmer reception -- and louder applause during his remarks." (John Hanna, "Clinton, McCain Split On Iraq Pullout," The Associated Press, 8/20/07)

"It Was The Most Outstanding Speech I Ever Heard"

Bob Tanner, Americus, GA: "It Was The Most Outstanding Speech I Ever Heard ..." "When the topic turned to McCain's speech, a stream of tears descended from [Bob] Tanner's [of VFW Post 4784 in Americus, GA] eyes. 'It was the most outstanding speech I ever heard,' he said." (Steve Kraske, "Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain Address VFW Convention In KC," The Kansas City Star, 8/20/07)

Sgt. Matt Stuart, Salt Lake City, UT: "McCain Talked To Vets On Their Level. I Liked McCain." "Matt Stuart, 28, of Salt Lake City, who was a sergeant with the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, said 'she talked about programs, but McCain talked to vets on their level. I liked McCain.'" (Richard Sisk, "Hil Wins Cheers, McCain Hearts At VFW," [New York] Daily News, 8/21/07)

Marilyn Nee, Whitman, MA: "I Like His Views Right Now ... We Could Be Fighting Another War On Our Own Shores If We Aren't Careful ..." "Marilyn Nee from Whitman, Massachusetts, who said she was an independent, favored McCain over Clinton. 'I like his views right now,' Nee said. 'We could be fighting another war on our own shores if we aren't careful.'" (Carey Gillam, "Clinton, McCain Woo Veterans' Group," Reuters, 8/21/07)

Carol Budzyn, Warren, MI: "I Liked McCain ... I Don't Like Us Being There (Iraq) But I'm Supportive Of The Effort." (Carey Gillam, "Clinton, McCain Woo Veterans' Group," Reuters, 8/21/07)

John McCain At ABC News GOP Debate

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
John McCain At ABC News GOP Debate John McCain Is Prepared To Lead From Day One

McCain: "I love my country. I've had the great honor for more than 50 years of serving it in the military, in Congress, in the United States Senate. And I am fully prepared ... more than anyone else running on either side to fight the transcendent challenge of this nation ... the struggle against radical Islamic extremism. We must win. We will win. And we will never surrender. They will." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

John McCain Will Veto Pork-Barrel Spending

McCain: "We passed a $50 billion transportation bill that had $2 billion in pork-barrel earmark projects, $233 million for a bridge to nowhere in Alaska, to an island with 50 people on it. Not one dime in those pork-barrel projects was for inspection or repair of bridges ... I'll veto every single bill that comes across my desk and make the authors of those pork-barrel bills famous." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

John McCain On The Need For Victory In Iraq

McCain: "We are winning. We must win. ... This is a seminal moment in American history. We must succeed. There will be a big debate coming up in September on the floor of the Senate. We will win that debate because the American people understand the consequences of failure." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

John McCain Will Simplify The Tax Code

McCain: "I believe that we have to simplify the tax code but one of the first areas we have to go after is the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is going to eat into 20 million American families if we don't eliminate it and very quickly. Look, when we found out that Congress could not close a single military base when we had a huge number of them ... we passed a law where we appointed a commission [that] said we would close so many bases and Congress votes up or down. I would find Alan Greenspan. I'd say give us your recommendations, we'll pass a law and we will vote on his commission's recommendations, yes or no; up or down. That's the way you're going to simplify the tax code, which now requires $140 billion of American families' income to prepare their tax returns." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

What They're Saying: John McCain At ABC News Iowa Debate

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: JOHN MCCAIN AT ABC NEWS DEBATE

John McCain "Shines When He Reminds Us Of Stakes In Iraq"

The American Spectator's Jennifer Rubin: "McCain ... Shines When He Reminds Us Of Stakes In Iraq." (Jennifer Rubin, "Debate 5," American Spectator Blog, 8/5/07)

ABC News: "McCain Looks Strong On The War Again." (ABC News, "Live Blogging From Sunday's Democratic Debate," "Political Radar" Blog, 8/5/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez Cheers McCain Iraq Stance: "You Go, Senator." "John McCain feels my pain. 'We will not set a date for surrender, as the Democrats want us to.' You, go, senator." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review's The Corner Blog, 8/5/07)

Red State's California Yankee: "My Favorite Moments ... McCain Remains Firm On The War ..." (California Yankee, "Republicans Debate In Iowa," Red State Blog, 8/5/07)

John McCain "Awesome" When Decrying Pork-Barrel Spending

The New York Sun's Liz Mair: "McCain Is On Pork. Awesome. ... This Is Where I Love McCain." (Liz Mair Blog, www.lizmair.com, 8/5/07)

The American Spectator's Jennifer Rubin: "McCain gives it to Congress for porkbarrel spending rather than infrastructure maintenance ..." (Jennifer Rubin, "Debate 5," American Spectator Blog, 8/5/07)

The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "[McCain] appeared to come to life when he was able to address a favorite topic: pork. Decrying the earmark-heavy highway bill that included the now-famous 'bridge to nowhere,' McCain pointed out that the same legislation included 'not one dime' for 'bridge inspection.'" (Jonathan Martin, "A Good Moment For McCain," The Politico's "Jonathan Martin" Blog, 8/5/07)

McCain Brings Humor To Morning Debate

MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro: "McCain bringing a little humor to it with what the responsibilities of a VP should or would be. He said he's thought a lot about it having been considered for that post several times one of those responsibilities is being aware of the president's health! Ha." (Domenico Montanaro, "And We're Back," MSNBC's First Read Blog, 8/5/07)

Time Magazine's Ana Marie Cox: "[McCain] gets off a great, relaxed line about how the VP has two duties: to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate and 'inquire daily as to the health of the president.' ... He sums up seriously, saying that he'd give the VP a portfolio, but that he'd make sure 'that everyone understands there's only one president.' Snap." (Ana Marie Cox, "Liveblogging: Girding Loins In Des Moines," Time's "Swampland" Blog, 8/5/07)

Statement By McCain Advisor Chuck Larson Following GOP Debate

STATEMENT BY CHUCK LARSON FOLLOWING GOP DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA - Chuck Larson, former chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa and a key adviser to John McCain's Iowa campaign, issued the following statement on today's Republican presidential debate.

"This morning's debate proved John McCain needs no on the job training. John is the only candidate with the integrity, courage, and national security experience to lead on day one.

"John McCain expressed his vision for America's future and has a life-long record of working to solve the tough problems we face as a nation. John has never ducked a fight and as president, he will continue to work to change Washington. He gave voters and the special interests a little straight talk today when he promised to make restoring fiscal discipline a priority by vetoing pork barrel spending and cutting government waste."

McCain Unveils National Advisory Committee On Agriculture

MCCAIN UNVEILS NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today unveiled the national advisory committee on agriculture that will be working to engage and enlist voters across the country in support of the Arizona Senator. This influential leadership team will continue to build on Senator McCain's volunteer grassroots organization.

"Senator McCain has been a strong leader who will do what's right for America's farmers and agriculture producers," said New Hampshire Farm Bureau President Wayne Mann. "His experience and courageous life story have prepared him to lead this country on day one, and his sound national farm policy will help strengthen our nation's economy."

Ralph Klemme, the former Chairman of the Iowa House Agriculture Committee noted, "I'm pleased to serve on Senator McCain's advisory team and admire his principled stance against farm policy riddled with waste. We need a president who understands that pet projects benefiting only a few are harmful to the farming and agriculture industry as a whole."

Senator John McCain said, "Farming and agriculture production is part of the backbone of our great country. As president, I will support addressing the larger needs of the farming community abiding by the same standards of common sense and fiscal restraint as demonstrated by our nation's hardworking families." McCain added, "My national advisory team will play a critical role in developing farm and agriculture policy as we continue to build support for my campaign across the country."

SENATOR MCCAIN'S AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Bill Amick Amick Farms of South Carolina
Harry Bell Former South Carolina Farm Bureau President
Rick Johnson Former Michigan House Speaker and member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Farm Bureau
Ralph Klemme Former Chairman of the Iowa House Agriculture Committee
Wayne Mann President, New Hampshire Farm Bureau
John Putney Iowa State Senator and lifelong Farm owner and operator
Hugh Weathers South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

Jim O'Brien To Head McCain Conservation Committee

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADING CONSERVATION ADVOCATE TO HEAD MCCAIN CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ARLINGTON, VA U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Jim O'Brien will lead the "Conservation Advisory Committee" for McCain for President.

"New Hampshire voters are grateful for Senator McCain's bold leadership in Congress to preserve our nation's resources, increase funding for our nation's parks, and address the effects of global climate change on our environment," said O'Brien. "Senator McCain is the only candidate in the Republican primary with the courage to call the nation to action on climate change. I will work hard to ensure that he is the next president of the United States."

"Jim and I share a passion for protecting the environment and his influence and expertise on environmental issues will be a significant asset to my campaign," said Senator John McCain.

Senator McCain Announces Economic Advisors

SENATOR MCCAIN ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC ADVISORS
Policy Team Is A Collection Of Leading Conservatives

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced an impressive collection of economists, professors, and prominent conservative policy leaders who will advise the Arizona Senator as he seeks the White House.

Members of the economic policy team will use their combined years of experience and expertise with domestic and international economic issues to help guide and promote his call for greater economic freedom and more robust growth.

Gerry Parsky, who serves as a senior economic advisor to John McCain's presidential campaign, is a partner with California-based Aurora Capital Group. In the 1970's, Parsky was an official at the Federal Energy Office and served as the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

"There is no greater advocate for reducing government spending and promoting free enterprise in our economy than Senator McCain," said Parsky. "John McCain's respect for the American economy and the ingenuity that drives its progress makes him an extraordinary candidate."

Kevin Hassett, who will also advise the campaign on economic policy, is a resident scholar and the director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Hassett is a former senior economist to the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve System, economics and finance professor at the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University, and economic policy advisor to President George W. Bush's reelection campaign in 2004.

"John McCain has a clear record of supporting tax cuts and promoting trade," Hassett said. "Whether it's his undying initiative to beat back federal spending or his refusal to raise taxes, conservatives must appreciate that John McCain is the best man for the job."

Dr. John Taylor is professor of economics at Stanford University and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. Taylor is also a former Under Secretary for International Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Treasury in the George W. Bush Administration.

"John McCain knows that economic freedom is among the American people's most cherished assets," said Dr. Taylor. "His experience with these issues and understanding of our government make Senator McCain the most prepared candidate to lead our economy on day one."

Senator John McCain stated that he was proud of the support and counsel he would receive from these advisors. "The American economy must maintain its integrity by keeping with the free market principles and competition that have made it the envy of the world," said Senator McCain. "This is a very respected group of advisors and I look forward to working with them to ensure that we do not take that charge lightly and deliver for the American people."

Statement By Rick Davis

STATEMENT BY RICK DAVIS

ARLINGTON, VA - John McCain's campaign today announced that Rick Davis will serve as campaign manager, having previously served as the campaign's chief executive officer. Davis was the campaign manager for Senator McCain's 2000 campaign. Rick Davis issued the following statement:

"This campaign has always been about John McCain and his vision for reducing federal spending, defending traditional values, and winning the war against Islamic extremists. Today we are moving forward with John's optimistic vision for our country's future."