2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Mike Huckabee Launches New Ad Nationally

MIKE HUCKABEE LAUNCHES NEW AD NATIONALLY
"Common Sense" Highlights Huckabee's Pledge to Put IRS Out of Business

Little Rock, AR - Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee launched a new 30 second television ad Friday.

The new ad, "Common Sense," highlights Huckabee's Main Street message and the need for major reform in Washington, beginning with abolishing the IRS and ensuring that taxation, regulation, litigation are kept to the bare minimum.

The ad echoes a major campaign theme by Huckabee that he'll lead the fight to help Americans keep their jobs and paychecks.  It will run nationally on various national cable programs.

"This ad highlights a high priority for Governor Huckabee, that he wants to be the president that nails the going out of business sign on the IRS," said Campaign Manager Chip Saltsman.

Huckabee media consultant Bob Wickers stated, "This is a major national cable buy that will not only impact the Florida campaign, but we plan on adding to it as we move into Super Tuesday."

The ad script is below.

Mike Huckabee for President

:30 TV "Common Sense"

MIKE HUCKABEE TO CAMERA:

"The IRS penalizes productivity. Small business owners face their toughest competition from their own government.  Excessive taxation, regulation, and litigation leads to job migration. Let's change this nonsense to common sense.  I want to be the President who nails the "going out of business" sign on the door of the IRS.  Visit mikehuckabee.com and join our team.  I'm Mike Huckabee and I approve this message and I'll lead the fight to abolish the IRS; and we'll keep our jobs and paychecks."

Ron Paul Campaign Announces Two Additions to Leadership Team

Ron Paul Campaign Announces Two Additions to Leadership Team

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – The Ron Paul Presidential Campaign today announced two key additions. John Tate is now national political director and Mark Elam has joined the team as national media director.

John Tate is a 25-year veteran of Republican politics. He has worked on dozens of local, state and national campaigns, was a key organizer in Pat Robertson’s 1988 presidential bid, and ran for Congress in 1986. Mr. Tate was instrumental in the Paul campaign’s top tier finishes in Nevada and Louisiana.

Mark Elam is a veteran Texas political consultant and a long-time aid to Dr. Paul. Mr. Elam serves as campaign manager to Dr. Paul’s congressional re-election campaign.  In 1996, Mr. Elam directed Dr. Paul’s historic victory of Democrat-turned Republican Greg Laughlin in the district 14 congressional race.

“John Tate and Mark Elam bring tremendous leadership and expertise to our campaign,” said Dr. Paul. “Their addition to our management team will help catapult us to even greater heights of success.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad, “Clear”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad, “Clear”

Winter Park, FL - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of the campaign’s closing Florida television ad, entitled “Clear.”  The ad will offer a summary of the reasons Rudy Giuliani is the clear choice for Florida voters. It will air on CBS affiliates in Florida before 60 Minutes on Sunday night.

Script for “Clear”:

Voice Over: “In the race for President who stands up for Florida? Only Rudy Giuliani.”

Chyron: “In the race for President”

Chyron: “who stands up for Florida?”

Chyron: “ONLY Rudy Giuliani”

Mayor Giuliani: “A Giuliani presidency will have two clear goals: returning our economic policy to the values of Ronald Reagan and taking the offense against Islamic terrorism.”

Voice Over: “Rudy Giuliani transformed a city called unmanageable …”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Voice Over: “… into ‘the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.’”

Chyron: “‘the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.’ – George Will, Conservative Columnist, 1/28/07”

Voice Over: “Only Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “ONLY Rudy Giuliani”

Mayor Giuliani: “On my first day as President, I’ll send Congress the largest tax cut in history. I’ll take my case straight to the American people. I’ll fight for it, I’ll pass it and I know it’ll work because I’ve done it before. And I’ll deliver a national catastrophe fund to reduce insurance rates because I know what it means to your future.”

Voice Over: “In America’s fourth largest government …”

Voice Over: “Rudy delivered record tax cuts …”

Voice Over: “reformed welfare …”

Voice Over: “and reduced spending. Only Rudy Giuliani.”

Arizona Leaders Join Supporters of John McCain

ARIZONA LEADERS JOIN SUPPORTERS OF JOHN MCCAIN

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its Arizona Leadership Team. The leadership team will contribute to the growing grassroots organization on behalf of John McCain's candidacy in the state.

"I am proud to stand with my colleague and friend John McCain in his candidacy for president," said Senator Jon Kyl, Chair of Senator McCain's Arizona campaign. "Senator McCain has a twenty-five year record of fighting for the people of Arizona. I look forward to continuing to work with Arizona leaders to promote Senator McCain's message all over the state."

John McCain thanked the Arizona leaders, stating, "I am excited to have the support of so many fellow Arizonans and look forward to working with them toward victory on February 5th."

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 ARIZONA LEADERSHIP TEAM

Chair Jon Kyl, U.S. Senator and Senate Minority Whip

Co-Chairs Betsey Bayless, Former Arizona Secretary of State and Maricopa County Supervisor 
Tim Bee, Arizona Senate President            
Jan Brewer, Arizona Secretary of State 
Jeff Flake, United States Representative, 6th District 
Mike Gleason, Arizona Corporation Commissioner 
Joe Hart, Arizona State Mine Inspector 
Jeff Hatch-Miller, Arizona Corporation Commissioner 
Mike Hellon, Former Arizona Republican Party Chairman and Republican National Committeeman 
Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction 
Jane D. Hull, Former Arizona Governor 
Lisa Graham Keegan, Former Superintendent of Public Instruction 
Jim Kolbe, Former United States Representative 
Burton Kruglick, Former Arizona Republican Party Chairman 
Kris Mayes, Arizona Corporation Commissioner 
Mike Minnaugh, Former Arizona Republican Party Chairman 
William Mundell, Arizona Corporation Commissioner 
John Munger, Former Arizona Republican Party Chairman 
Gary Pierce, Arizona Corporation Commissioner 
Rick Renzi, United States Representative, 1st District 
Matt Salmon, Former United States Representative & Arizona Republican Party Chairman 
John Shadegg, United States Representative, 3rd District 
Fife Symington, Former Arizona Governor 
Jim Weiers, Arizona Speaker of the House of Representatives 
Grant Woods, Former Arizona Attorney General 

Campaign Co-Leaders  Kurt Davis, Former Executive Director, Arizona Republican Party 
Wes Gullett, Former McCain State Director 

Campaign Leadership Team  State Senator Carolyn Allen 
Lisa Atkins, Litchfield Park 
Bruce Ash, Tucson 
Former State Representative Stan Barnes 
Eddie Basha, Chandler 
Trey Basha, Chandler 
Former State Senate President Ken Bennett 
State Senator Robert Blendu 
State Representative Jennifer Burns 
Former State Senator Robert Cannell 
Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll 
Doug Cole, Phoenix 
J. Charles Coughlin, Phoenix 
Maricopa County Integrated Health System Board Member Mike Cowley 
Yavapai County Supervisor Chip Davis 
Pima County Supervisor Ann Day 
Marcus Dell'Artino, Phoenix 
Flagstaff Mayor Joe Donaldson 
State Senator Jake Flake 
Max Fose, Phoenix 
Former State Representative Deb Gullett 
State Senator Tom O'Halleran 
Anne Hamilton, Mesa 
Jay Heiler, Phoenix 
Pete Herder, Tucson 
State Representative Pete Hershberger 
State Senator John Huppenthal 
Former State Senator John Kaites 
Former State Representative Laura Knaperek 
State Representative Bill Konopnicki 
Rick Krug, Flagstaff 
Maricopa County Supervisor Andrew Kunasek 
Former Maricopa County GOP Chairman Tom Liddy 
State Representative Lucy Mason 
Former Corporation Commissioner Diane McCarthy 
State Representative Marian McClure 
State Representative John McComish 
Maricopa County Integrated Health System Board Member Paulina Morris 
State Representative John Nelson 
Sean Noble, Phoenix 
Clerk of the Superior Court Pima County Patty Noland 
State Representative Michele Reagan 
State Representative Bob Robson 
Former Maricopa County Attorney Richard Romley 
Former Page Mayor Gary Scaramazzo 
Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley 
State Representative Bob Stump 
Sierra Vista Mayor Bob Strain 
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas 
Yavapai County Supervisor Tom Thurman 
State Senator Jay Tibshraeny 
State Representative Andy Tobin 
Phil Townsend, Mesa 
Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup 
State Senator Jim Waring 
Maricopa County Supervisor Max Wilson 

Finance Committee Leaders Bettina Nava, Finance Director 
Andrea Evans, Finance Coordinator 

Arizona Finance Committee Joe Abate, Phoenix 
Robyn & Robert Anderson, Phoenix 
Bruce Ash, Tucson 
Paul Baker, Tucson 
Reginald M. Ballantyne, III, Phoenix 
Lisa & Stan Barnes, Phoenix 
Ron Barness, Paradise Valley 
Dawna & Johnny Basha, Chandler 
Eddie Basha, Chandler 
Edward Basha, III, Chandler 
Leslie & Dave Berry, Phoenix 
Steve Betts & Diane Haller, Phoenix 
Michael Bidwill, Phoenix 
Jim Binns, Phoenix 
Rich Boals, Phoenix 
John Bouma, Phoenix 
Drew Brown, Paradise Valley 
Kathy & Ron Brown, Paradise Valley 
Robert Burns, Mesa 
Ben Campbell, Phoenix 
Mark Chadwick, Tucson 
Herman Chanen, Phoenix 
Steven Chanen, Phoenix 
Susan & Paul Charlton, Phoenix 
Jim Click, Tucson 
Connie & Hugh Coble, Sedona 
Joan & Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix 
Bert Coleman, Phoenix   
Dr. Andrei Damian, Paradise Valley   
Jack Davis, Phoenix 
Kurt Davis, Flagstaff 
Denise & Bob Delgado, Phoenix 
David Dewar, Tempe 
Don Diamond, Tucson 
Karie & Richard Dozer, Phoenix 
Doug Ducey, Scottsdale 
Grace & Clyde Edgar, Phoenix 
Max Fose, Phoenix 
Ira Fulton, Tempa 
Samuel Garvin, Paradise Valley 
Dyan & George Getz, Scottsdale   
David Goldstein, Tucson 
The Gomez Family, Paradise Valley 
John Graham, Scottsdale 
Michael Preston Green, Phoenix 
Deb & Wes Gullett, Phoenix 
Sharon & Oliver Harper, Phoenix 
Sally & Tom Hartley, Scottsdale 
Michael Hellon, Tucson 
Steve Hilton, Scottsdale 
Gary Husk, Phoenix 
Donald Isaacson, Phoenix 
Christine Jones, Scottsdale 
John Kaites, Phoenix 
Michael Kasser, Tucson 
Lisa Keegan, Peoria 
William Kelley, Tucson 
Earl "Ken" Kendrick, Paradise Valley   
Dawn & Mike Kennedy, Phoenix 
David Khalaj, Phoenix 
KV Kumar, Scottsdale 
Barton W. LaBelle, Scottsdale   
Bob Lavinia, Paradise Valley   
Larry Lazarus, Phoenix 
Rich Lehmann, Phoenix 
Jason LeVecke, Guadalupe 
Humberto Lopez, Tucson 
Richard Mallery, Phoenix 
Andy McCain, Phoenix 
Pat McGroder, Phoenix   
Cathy & Dave McIntyre, Scottsdale 
Mike Meehan, Tucson 
Jeff Moorad, Phoenix 
Pamela & Phil Morris, Sedona 
Jerry Moyes, Phoenix 
John F. Munger, Tucson 
Francis Najafi, Phoenix 
Jackie Norton, Phoenix 
Chris Palacios, Scottsdale 
Douglas Parker, Paradise Valley 
Bill Perciballi, Phoenix 
William Post, Phoenix 
Patrick Quinn, Scottsdale 
Michael Racy, Tucson 
Terry & Steve Roman, Phoenix 
Sid Rosen, Phoenix 
Michael Rusing, Tucson 
Matt Salmon, Mesa 
Steven Schwarz, Paradise Valley 
Lex Sears, Tucson 
Jeff Shumway, Scottsdale 
John Strittmatter, Phoenix 
Sue & Jay Stuckey, Sedona 
Thomas W. Sullivan, Tucson 
Honorable Fife Symington, Paradise Valley 
Shiree Verdone, Phoenix 
Brad Vynalek, Phoenix 
George Weisz, Scottsdale 
Noreen & Malachy Wienges, Sedona 
Dennis Wilenchik, Phoenix 
Helen & Al Wolfe, Sedona 
Grant Woods, Phoenix 

Dennis Kucinich Withdraws From Presidential Race

Kucinich withdraws from Presidential race

In a speech delivered in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich delivered an impassioned speech that said, in part:

"I deeply and sincerely believe that we fought the good fight – in large part because of the support from all of you here and from hundreds of thousands of people just like you all across this country. I stood strong because you gave me strength. I spoke out because your voices needed and deserved to be heard. And I told the truth, no matter how unpopular or inconvenient, because, no matter how long it takes, the truth really will set us free."

"I won't be President, but I can continue to fight for these important issues as a Congressman..."

This campaign began more than a year ago when I saw that leaders in Washington, many in my own party, were intent on continuing a war, a war that has cost the lives of more than 4,000 of our brave young men and women and 1 million innocent Iraqis. A war that will cost this nation 2 trillion dollars and a war that has already cost our Cleveland community over a billion dollars.

At the same time, I saw that the American economy was headed for serious trouble. People were losing their jobs, their health care, their homes, their retirement security. Not just here in Cleveland, but all across the country. And the solutions to those problems don’t reside here in Cleveland. They were created and facilitated by people and policies in Washington D.C. – in the White House, in the U.S. Congress – and on Wall Street.

That’s why I ran for President in the first place: to give those issues the national attention they deserved and to do my best to win the nomination and bring a totally new perspective and a totally new direction to the Office of President of the United States of America.

I deeply and sincerely believe that we fought the good fight – in large part because of the support from all of you here and from hundreds of thousands of people just like you all across this country. I stood strong because you gave me strength. I spoke out because your voices needed and deserved to be heard. And I told the truth, no matter how unpopular or inconvenient, because, no matter how long it takes, the truth really will set us free.

I won't be President, but I can continue to fight for these important issues as a Congressman, representing the community that is first in my heart, Cleveland, Ohio: issues like the economic rights of people, jobs for all, health care for all, retirement security for all, and social justice for all.

I have put proposals before the Congress to create jobs.  I have put proposals before the Congress to create health care for all.  I have put proposals before the Congress to create universal pre-kindergarten -- all things which my district, and many districts like it across this country, need so desperately.

Instead, we asked for jobs, we get war.  We asked for health care, we get war. We asked for funds for education, we get war.  We ask for a clean environment, we get war.  It is time to end this war.  It is time to end war as an instrument of policy and have the government start taking care of things here at home.  In Cleveland.  And in places everywhere just like Cleveland.

The physical health of our nation is declining. Here in Cleveland you can see people suffering everywhere because they have no health care.  Across Ohio there are 1 million people who have no health insurance.  Either because they can’t afford it or because they lost their job, or because they have a pre-existing condition.  It is time to have a single payer, not for profit health care system.  I am the co-author of the bill, HR 676, and this single idea of a single-payer system would be the key economic stimulus that could both save and create millions of jobs while restoring the health of our nation.

We are losing our nation to a war based on lies, to destruction of our civil liberties and to massive debt.  I tried to get these themes into the debates.  But I was locked out of six debates.  In each and every early primary state, in Iowa, in New Hampshire,  Nevada, South Carolina and California, the American people were denied an opportunity to know that there is a way our of Iraq, there are plans to restore our economy, there is a practical health care plan which means the end of premiums, co-pays and deductibles.  But there was no way to get the message out.  Workers here know about lockouts.  They stop you from being heard.

But workers also know that the fight for economic rights is not about a single day, or a single year, or a single campaign, or a single candidate. It is a lifelong endeavor.

So today, we are  re-committing our energies to a government that works for all of us and is open to all of us. A government that stands for economic strength through peace. A government that stands for jobs, for health care, for education.  A government that stands for truth, for civil liberties, and for our Constitution. And it starts again today in Cleveland, Ohio in the heart of America.

From our efforts in Cleveland and around this great country, we're creating a new force to be reckoned with, a force that will be made up of people, ideas, new technologies and the kind of patriotic verve that has no place for cowardice or compromise. I have been called the Conscience of the Democratic Party.  Our efforts will involve a call to conscience.  A call to integrity.

To those who supported this campaign with their energies and with their hearts, I want you to know that we are transitioning the Presidential campaign into a national movement based on integrity and based on practical ways in which we can affect policies at local and national levels.  I am no longer running for President, but I am intent on saving our nation from the destruction of our economic hopes and from the destruction of our Constitution.

And all of the energies of all of the people who have been involved in this campaign will be transitioned into a new, national effort to regain control of our government, which seems more and more inaccessible. We are calling that effort “Integrity Now”, and there is a website – www.integritynow.org -- where we can begin to channel all of that enthusiasm and that commitment from people just like you, and just like me, so we can take positive steps to do what we know is right and in the best interests of this nation. 

So let us begin again, here, today, in Cleveland, Ohio, with a renewed effort to be of service to our community and to our nation. Let us re-focus on what we can do and what we must do, here at home, in Washington, and all across this country to end the war, rebuild this nation, restore truth and justice and integrity to our government. Let’s make the American dream more than a dream. Let’s make it a reality.

Thank you.

Senator Mel Martinez Endorses John McCain for President

SENATOR MEL MARTINEZ ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA Today in Miami, Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) endorsed John McCain for President of the United States.

Senator Martinez issued the following statement on endorsing John McCain:

"John McCain is the only candidate ready to lead as commander in chief on day one. He alone has the experience, character and judgment to confront the challenges we face in a dangerous world. He is the one candidate I trust to deal decisively with the transcendent threat of radical Islamic extremism.

"I trust John McCain to reinvigorate our economy, cut taxes, eliminate wasteful spending and restore fiscal sanity in Washington. He understands that the best cure for our economic ills is to allow American families to keep more of what they earn.

"John McCain has firsthand knowledge of the evils of Communism. For decades, he's led the fight for human rights in Cuba and around the world. I have total confidence that John McCain will be Fidel Castro's worst nightmare.

"John McCain's unmatched national security credentials and strong consistent conservative record make him the best candidate to defeat the Democrats in November and lead Republicans to victory in 2008."

John McCain thanked Senator Martinez for his support, stating, "Over the past few years, I have had the honor of getting to know Mel Martinez. In that time, I have come to admire him for his leadership and his dedication to the people of Florida. His advice and counsel will be critical as we toward victory in Florida on Tuesday."

New Barack Obama Spanish-Language TV Ad: “Hope”

New Spanish-Language TV Ad: “Hope”

LOS ANGELES, CA – On a press conference call today, the Obama Campaign announced a new Spanish-language television ad airing in LA.  The ad titled “Hope” highlights Barack Obama’s personal story and vision of hope for our country. 

In the ad Obama says, “In this election -- in this moment -- let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again.”

See below for the script in Spanish followed by the translation in English:

VO: ¿Recuerdas la ilusión que te trajo a ti o a tus padres a este país? (00:04)

SUBTITLE: Esperanza, eso es lo que me ha impulsado hasta aquí. Con un padre de Kenia, mi madre de Kansas y una historia que sólo puede suceder en los Estados Unidos de América.

VO: Este ya es tu país. No dejes que nada ni nadie te quite la ilusión. (00:05)

SUBTITLE: Hemos elegido esperanza en lugar de miedo.

VO: No estás solo. Somos millones. Gente común, cocineros, obreros, profesionistas, amas de casa, que junto a Barack Obama estamos decididos a desafiar lo imposible.

Ganar la paz y heredarle a nuestros hijos, un mundo más limpio y seguro, una América más justa y unida.

SUBTITLE: En esta elección –en este momento– luchemos por alcanzar lo que sabemos que es posible. Sanar la nación. Reparar el mundo. Por una América que vuelva a creer.

LOGO, BO’S PIC, PHONE & SUPER: (El 19 de enero, haz caucus por Barack Obama.)

BO: Soy Barack Obama y yo apruebo este mensaje. (00:04)

VO: Do you remember the dream that brought you or your parents to this country?

BO: Hope -- hope is what led me here today. With a father from Kenya, a mother from Kansas and a story that could only happen in the United States of America. (00:11)

VO: Now this is your country. Don’t let anyone or anything take away those dreams. (hopes, dreams, promise)

BO: We are choosing hope over fear. (00:11)

VO: You’re not alone. We’re millions. Ordinary people, cooks, construction workers, professionals, heads of house, who together can believe with Barack Obama  that we can indeed do extraordinary things.  That we can bring peace and leave a better world for our children and that we can create a just and United America. 

BO: In this election -- in this moment -- let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again. (00:15)

LOGO, BO’S PIC, PHONE & SUPER: (El 19 de enero, haz caucus por Barack Obama.)

BO: I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Ron Paul To Begin Televison And Radio Ads In Minnesota

The Ron Paul campaign is putting resources into Minnesota in the form of radio and television ads to start Monday.

Former FCC Commissioner Michael Powell Endorses John McCain For President

FORMER FCC COMMISSIONER MICHAEL POWELL ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former FCC Commissioner Michael Powell has endorsed John McCain for president.

Commissioner Powell issued the following statement on endorsing John McCain:

"As Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, I had the privilege to work with John McCain when he led the Senate Commerce Committee. Senator McCain has a deep and principled understanding of how the digital revolution is transforming the social and economic landscape. More than any other candidate, he knows what is needed to calm the turbulent economic waters and to steer the new economy in a direction that will bring growth, opportunity and prosperity to all Americans."

John McCain thanked Commissioner Powell for his support, stating, "Michael Powell has a distinguished record of service in the U.S. Army, the Justice Department and the FCC. He's a faithful public servant and I am grateful for his support."

Romney For President Launches New Spanish-Language Television Ad In Florida

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION AD IN FLORIDA

Boston, MA – Romney for President today launched a new Spanish-language television ad.  The ad focuses on the current economic environment and how Governor Mitt Romney's leadership and business experience are what America needs to face these new economic challenges. 

The ad is titled "Economía" ("Economy") and will air in Florida.  The English and Spanish transcripts and video links are below.

English Script For "Economía" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER: "Today, our economy is slowing down.  There is a mortgage crisis.

"We need a leader who truly knows how to save the economic situation.

"Mitt Romney is known as America's best businessman.  He knows how the economy works because he has worked in the business world for more than 25 years.

"Mitt Romney.  Because you can't lead a nation's economy if you lack the experience in the real world."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

Spanish Script For " Economía" (TV:30):

LOCUTOR: "Hoy nuestra economía se deteriora cada día más. Hay crisis en las hipotecas.

"Necesitamos un líder que realmente sepa cómo salvar la situación económica.

"Mitt Romney es conocido como el mejor empresario de América.  Sabe cómo funciona la economía porque ha trabajado en la empresa privada por más de 25 años.

"Mitt Romney.  Porque no se puede administrar la economía de una nación si no se tiene la experiencia."

GOBERNADOR MITT ROMNEY: "Soy Mitt Romney y apruebo este mensaje."