2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Kuipers Joins Supporters Of McCain In McCain

KUIPERS JOINS SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN IN MICHIGAN

State Senator Joins Exploratory Committee As Education Advisor And Chairman Of Second Congressional Distrct

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that state Senator Wayne Kuipers has joined the Arizona Senator's team. Kuipers will serve as statewide education advisor and chairman of the exploratory committee in Michigan's Second Congressional District.

"Education is a top priority for Senator McCain, which is why it is an honor to be on his team," said Senator Kuipers. "John McCain understands that the success of our students is critical to ensuring our competitiveness in the global economy."

Senator McCain stated that Senator Kuipers believes that better schools make stronger communities. "Senator Kuipers has committed himself to education reform and advancement," said Senator McCain. "I look forward to receiving the senator's advice on both education and the organization we are building in Michigan."

Attorney General Mike Cox is the Chairman of John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee for Michigan.

Spencer Bachus Joins Supporters of McCain

REP. SPENCER BACHUS JOINS SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN
Alabama Representative To Serve As Southeast Co-Chairman

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential exploratory committee today announced that Rep. Spencer Bachus has joined the Arizona Senator’s team and will serve as the exploratory committee’s Southeast Co-Chair.

As southeast co-chairman, Bachus will provide strategic guidance and leadership to Senator McCain’s exploratory committee in the region.

Rep. Bachus stated it was an honor to assist Senator McCain as he considers running for president.  “Having served in the Congress with Senator McCain, I can personally attest to his leadership skills and integrity,” said Bachus.  “There is no one that better represents common sense conservative values than John McCain.”

Senator John McCain said Rep. Spencer Bachus is a strong leader whose support and counsel will be pivotal to the exploratory committee.  “Spencer is someone I personally admire and enjoy working with,” said Senator McCain.  “His leadership, advice, and expertise will be extremely important to the exploratory committee.  Spencer will help us build a grassroots organization that communicates our shared values.”

Lyons Joins Supporters Of McCain In New Hampshire

LYONS JOINS SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that John E. Lyons, Jr. an influential Republican leader in New Hampshire, has joined the team.

Lyons will serve as chairman of Educators for McCain and campaign advisor to Senator McCain's New Hampshire presidential exploratory committee.

Lyons was a key supporter of George W. Bush's election campaign in New Hampshire in 2000.

"Senator McCain possesses the common sense conservatism that this country needs," Lyons said. "I'm confident that his conservative voice will resonate with grassroots Republicans in New Hampshire."

Senator McCain stated that he was pleased with the addition of John Lyons to his New Hampshire organization. "I'm proud to have John Lyons working with my campaign," Senator McCain said. "Lyons is a true community leader and a strong advocate for education issues facing New Hampshire and our nation."

Team McCain Adds Two Leading Iowa Republicans

TEAM MCCAIN ADDS LEADING IOWA REPUBLICANS
Failor And Slifka Join Growing List Of McCain Supporters

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that two influential Iowa Republican leaders and political operatives have joined the team.

Ed Failor, Jr., Executive Vice President of Iowans for Tax Relief and Karen Slifka, Regional Political Director for the Republican National Committee (RNC) will serve as senior advisors to Senator McCain's presidential exploratory committee.

During the 2004 presidential election, Failor served as the executive director of the Iowa Victory campaign. Under his leadership, President Bush was the first Republican nominee to carry the Hawkeye State in 20 years.

"It is an honor to support a candidate who is committed to implementing common sense conservative principles," said Failor. "Senator McCain is the one candidate Iowans can count on to promote fiscal responsibility and a culture of life."

Slifka served as Midwest regional political director for President Bush's re-election campaign in 2004 and played a similar role at the RNC. Slifka's prior caucus experience includes working as state director for John Kasich's presidential exploratory committee in 1999 and as a grassroots consultant for Steve Forbes' presidential campaign. She will officially join the exploratory committee in February.

"Senator McCain has shown over a lifetime of public service that he is a capable leader who is ready to guide our country during these challenging times," Slifka said. "I'm confident that his conservative record will resonate with grassroots Republicans here in Iowa."

Senator McCain stated that he was pleased with the additions of two highly regarded individuals to his Iowa organization. "I'm extremely proud to have these two prominent conservatives backing my efforts in Iowa," McCain said. "This is further proof that common sense conservatism resonates at every level of the grassroots."

Keith Butler Joins Supporters Of McCain

KEITH BUTLER JOINS SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN
Former Senate Candidate To Serve As National Co-Chairman For Conservatives and Michigan State Co-Chairman

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that former U.S. Senate candidate Keith Butler will participate as national co-chairman for conservatives and co-chairman of the statewide Michigan Steering Committee.

Butler served as a co-chair to the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign in Michigan and addressed the Republican National Convention. Butler also assisted in the Reagan-Bush campaign.

Butler stated that Senator John McCain's commitment to pro-family, pro-life causes makes him the only true conservative candidate that can represent the party and win the general election. "John McCain has been a genuine conservative and will remain one," said Keith Butler. "He will represent the values and principles of families in a way that will make us all proud. John is a tremendous human being and he will lead our country with integrity and character."

McCain said he was truly fortunate to have the support of such an accomplished and respected individual. "Keith Butler is someone that leads by example. His support means a lot to me and my family," said Senator McCain. "Keith has served several Presidents and I am proud to call him one of my advisors."

Butler joins Republican National Committeeman Chuck Yob and Republican National Committeewoman Holly Hughes as Co-Chairs of the Michigan Steering Committee. Mike Cox is the Chairman for Michigan.

Phil Handy To Head Senator McCain's Policy Committee

PHIL HANDY JOINS SENATOR MCCAIN'S TEAM
Florida Education Leader To Head Policy Committee

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that Phil Handy, former chairman of the Florida State Board of Education has been appointed chairman of the Arizona Senator's education policy committee.

Handy stated that he looked forward to advising someone as committed to education as Senator McCain. "I know John McCain to be someone that is passionate about education. The Senator believes achievement in the classroom is the vehicle to the American Dream. I look forward to working with Senator McCain to communicate that commitment in Florida and nationwide."

Senator McCain stated Handy's advice and counsel would be very important to him personally. "Phil is one of the finest education minds in the country. There are few people that understand the impact a quality education can have on a child's life as much as he does," said Senator McCain. "I look forward to working with Phil and his advice will be very important to our team."

Senator McCain Announces New Media Team

SENATOR MCCAIN ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIA TEAM
Stevens & Schriefer Group And Strategic Perception Align With Arizona Senator

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's exploratory committee today announced that Stuart Stevens and Russ Schriefer of the Stevens & Schriefer Group and Fred Davis of Strategic Perception will join Mark McKinnon and the firm of Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm as media consultants to the Arizona Senator's exploratory committee.

Russ Schriefer will oversee the day-to-day media operation and Davis will serve as the exploratory committee's chief creative consultant.

Stuart Stevens has built his political career helping elect more governors and senators than any other Republican media consultant.

Stevens said, "John McCain represents a brand of common sense conservatism that resonates with Republican voters because it is based on shared values. I look forward to communicating those messages on behalf of the Senator."

Russ Schriefer has been a successful political strategist and media consultant for over twenty years. He has consulted on countless campaigns throughout the country and has extensive presidential experience. Schriefer worked on the team that helped produce advertisements for Bush-Cheney '00 and '04.

"It is indeed an honor to work with Senator McCain and his team," said Schriefer. "The Senator is the only true conservative in the race that can defeat the Democrats and maintain control of the White House."

Fred Davis is one of the top creative, media consultants in the country. He worked closely with the Bush-Cheney '04 advertising and strategy teams, and has helped numerous political candidates deliver their viewpoints with great precision.

"John McCain represents the kind of committed conservative leader both our party and nation need," said Davis. "It will be my honor to help Senator McCain earn the Republican nomination and represent our party in the general election."

Senator McCain stated that the assembled media team is well respected and highly regarded, and will help communicate his conservative values. "These guys are the best in the business, and should I seek the presidency, I am confident that they will help deliver our message of common sense conservatism to voters across this great land. I look forward to working with such a distinguished group of individuals."

Rob Gray Joins Team McCain In The Northeast

ROB GRAY JOINS TEAM MCCAIN IN THE NORTHEAST
Massachusetts Strategist To Serve As Senior Advisor

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s exploratory committee today announced that strategist and public relations specialist Rob Gray has joined the Senator’s team and will serve as a senior advisor focusing on communications and political affairs in New England.

Rob Gray has worked on numerous campaigns in the state of Massachusetts and has served as an adviser to the Bush-Cheney ’00 and ’04 campaigns, as well as the Republican National Committee (RNC). 

Gray stated it would be an honor to work with the Arizona Senator and his team.  “I look forward to helping John McCain communicate his message,” said Gray.  “Voters in the northeast, just like everywhere else in the country, will support a candidate that stands up for common sense conservatism and is committed to reforming government.”

Senator McCain said that Gray is a meaningful addition to the exploratory committee.  “Rob Gray has a proven track record of providing quality advice and counsel.  He is an important addition to the team we are building.”

Michelle McMaus Joins Supporters of McCain In Michigan

SENATOR MICHELLE MCMANUS JOINS SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN
McManus To Lead Women For McCain In Michigan

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's exploratory committee today announced that State Senator Michelle McManus will serve as state chairman of Women for McCain and become a member of the statewide Michigan Steering Committee.

"John McCain is a common sense conservative, who has dedicated his career in public service to expanding opportunities for those who seek to make the American Dream a reality," said McManus. "I look forward to helping build a team that will focus on communicating the Senator's conservative values."

"As a conservative political leader in Michigan, Senator McManus knows what it takes to win," said Senator John McCain. "I look forward to her advice and counsel as she will be a key member of our team in the state."

Attorney General Mike Cox is the Chairman of John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee for Michigan. Republican National Committeeman Chuck Yob and Republican National Committeewoman Holly Hughes are Co-Chairs of the Michigan Steering Committee.

Ruth Johnson Joins Michigan Supporters Of McCain

OAKLAND COUNTY CLERK JOINS MICHIGAN SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN
Lieutenant Governor Nominee Ruth Johnson To Serve As Chairman Of Oakland County And Member Of Statewide Steering Committee

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's exploratory committee today announced that Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson would serve as the Oakland County Chairman and serve on the Statewide Steering Committee should the Arizona Senator decide to seek the presidency.

"John McCain is a common sense conservative who has the ability to appeal to women and Independents in Oakland County," said Ruth Johnson. "He won Oakland County overwhelmingly in the 2000 Presidential Primary and I am convinced he can do even better in 2008."

McCain stated he was very appreciative of Johnson's support. "I look forward to working with Ruth Johnson in putting together a strong team in Oakland County and across the state," said Senator McCain. "She knows what it takes to win votes in Oakland County and I value her leadership."

Attorney General Mike Cox is the Chairman of John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee for Michigan. Republican National Committeeman Chuck Yob and Republican National Committeewoman Holly Hughes are Co-Chairs of the Michigan Steering Committee.