2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad Entitled “Quotes"

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad

Winter Park, FL - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad entitled “Quotes.” The ad is airing in Florida.

Script for “Quotes”:

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani is ‘the most successful tax cutter in the Republican field today’”

Chryon: “Grover Norquist, America’s Leading Tax Fighter”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani’s record is ‘the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.’”

Chyron: “George Will, Conservative Columnist”

Chyron: “‘It’s time for the rest of the country to benefit from a true fiscal conservative who gets results like Giuliani.’”

Chyron: “Steve Forbes, American Tax Fighter”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani is more accomplished at cutting taxes than anyone else.”

Chryon: “Pat Toomey – Fox News 10/17/07 Club for Growth”

Chyron: “Giuliani tax cut plan … the biggest in history.”

Chryon: “Americans for Tax Reform.”

Chyron: “Mayor Giuliani has a great record of cutting taxes”

Chyron: “Mitt Romney”

Mayor Giuliani: “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approved this message.”

Posted by Mike on January 17, 2008 | Permalink

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Endorses Mike Huckabee for President

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Endorses Mike Huckabee for President

Columbia, SC -- South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer endorsed Mike Huckabee for President, it was announced today. Bauer will join Huckabee as well as Former Governor David Beasley, State Chairman Mike Campbell , Chuck Norris, and Ric Flair on the campaign trail on Thursday.

Bauer stated, "I, like many voters, have been previously undecided, but this election is too important to sit on the sidelines. This week, I have decided to vote for Mike Huckabee, and I urge all South Carolinians to join me in voting for Mike Huckabee this Saturday. Simply put, I believe Mike Huckabee is the best of several fine candidates to lead America . As America faces tough times, Mike Huckabee has the character, integrity, and proven leadership to ensure our greatest days are yet to come."

"Also, I've tried to carefully compare each candidate's position as it relates to issues affecting senior citizens, and I've concluded that Mike Huckabee is a sound choice for senior citizens," Bauer said. As Lt. Governor, Bauer heads the state's office on aging.

Bauer also said he admires Huckabee's ability to win against the odds, noting that he, too, has a history of winning races considered to be upsets.

"Nobody knows better than I do that it's the people, not the polls, which determines the winner on election day," Bauer said. "I believe the fact that Mike Huckabee has stayed positive while others have waged negative campaigns against him, will sway undecided voters toward him. I believe it speaks to his character."

Huckabee stated, "I welcome Andre's support and am glad to have him on board Team Huckabee. I'm really pleased to have the support of a leader with such a solid record of achievement and a reputation for hard work and being a servant of the people, who shares my commitment to conservative governance."

Bauer, who is serving his second term as South Carolina's Lieutenant Governor, has joined Mike Huckabee's leadership team in South Carolina, which already includes Former Governor David Beasley, United States Congressman Bob Inglis, State Chairman Mike Campbell and the family of Former Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr., and numerous state legislators including Greenville State Senator David Thomas, Rex Rice, and Liston Barfield of Conway.

Posted by Mike on January 17, 2008 | Permalink

Clemson University Palmetto Poll Gives McCain Lead Over GOP Pack In South Carolina

Poll gives McCain lead over GOP pack in South Carolina

CLEMSON – With only three days remaining before the South Carolina presidential primary on Saturday, Jan. 19, the Clemson University Palmetto Poll finds John McCain in the lead, with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in second and two more contenders fighting it out for third place in the Palmetto State.

The poll also reveals many voters might still change their minds.

Despite the vote being at the end of the week and the importance of South Carolina in the national pattern of GOP contests, only slightly more than half of the voters had a good idea about whom they would support on election day. Nearly 40 percent of the voters were undecided. (Get the summary report.)

“Based on these figures, we expect that as many as one-quarter of the voters might decide in the last 24 hours before the Saturday election,” said Clemson political scientist and pollster David Woodard.

McCain has emerged from the pack of GOP candidates in South Carolina since August, when former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson held the lead. McCain leads second place Huckabee by seven points.

“The rise of Huckabee from single digits to contention for winning the primary is unusual, but the poll shows that McCain has a solid lead among likely voters,” Woodard said. “McCain has remained a familiar face to the electorate in South Carolina dating back to his second place finish in 2000. Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney are locked in a statistical dead heat for third place.”

The final question in the poll asked voters about how certain they were that their choice of a candidate was conclusive. Fifty-three percent of likely GOP voters on Saturday say they are “very sure” they will stick with their choice. Forty-six percent said they may change their minds.

“We find a very liquid environment in the state and the race is still subject to change,” Woodard said.

The poll was conducted Jan. 9-15. Respondents were chosen for the sample if they voted in at least one of the past four Republican primaries. The margin of error for the figures is plus or minus 4.6 percent for the sample size of 450 prospective voters. All people in the survey said they will vote on Saturday.

Posted by Mike on January 17, 2008 | Permalink

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Chairs"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "CHAIRS"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Chairs." The ad features Governor Romney addressing the need for change in a Washington that is fundamentally broken. For decades, Washington has promised action on issues like health care reform, reducing the middle class burden and securing our borders. Yet, the American people are still waiting for action. As President, Governor Romney will take Washington apart and put it back together. At this critical time in our nation's history, we cannot afford to send the same people back to Washington just to sit in different chairs.

The ad will begin airing today in Florida.

Script For "Chairs" (TV :30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I keep hearing the same thing, that Washington is broken.

"I hear the people say they think we deserve health care for all our citizens, but not government health care and that hasn't been done.

"They say we ought to be able to get a reduction in the burden on the middle class, and that hasn't been done.

"They say we ought to solve the immigration problem in this country. It hasn't been done.

"If you send the same people back to Washington just to sit in different chairs, nothing will happen.

"I will change Washington. I will take it apart and put it back together. I know how to bring change.

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

Posted by Mike on January 17, 2008 | Permalink

Las Vegas Review-Journal Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

"Romney Best Pick For State Republicans"
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Editorial
January 17, 2008

"Republicans haven't had much national electoral success of late, and for that they have only themselves to blame. In the 14 years since the Gingrich revolution, too many Republicans have embraced the beltway culture and abandoned the very principles upon which their success with voters depended – smaller government, low taxes, free markets and personal liberty.

"Nevada Republicans on Saturday should examine their choices through precisely such a filter. Each GOP candidate can make – and has made – a reasonable case that he's best suited to ensure the party again embraces the ideas and concepts that made this nation a beacon of freedom and economic opportunity. But in our opinion, the viable candidate most likely to lead Republicans in such a direction is Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts..."

Posted by Mike on January 17, 2008 | Permalink

Thompson Campaign Announces New South Carolina Ad

Thompson Campaign Announces New South Carolina Ad
Sixty-Second Spot to Run as Virtual Roadblock During Evening News on Thursday

McLean, VA - Citing his "100 percent pro-life voting record" and "common sense conservative principles," the Thompson for President campaign unveiled its latest 60-second television commercial that will air between 6:25 and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening across nearly every major broadcast channel and market in South Carolina.

The spot, titled "Consistent Conservative," highlights the Senator's consistent conservative values. This is the fourth advertisement that the Thompson campaign has aired in South Carolina.

Below is the text of the ad:

Fred Thompson: I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message.

I've been a conservative all my life.

I grew up in a little hometown just like this.

Started the first Young Republican Club in Lawerenceburg, Tennessee.

In eight years in the United States Senate, I fought for tax cuts, and for conservative judges.

And I'm proud to have had a 100 percent pro-life voting record.

Common sense conservative principles. Free people and free markets and a government that doesn't tax and regulate us to death, but defends us and protects our borders.

In a country where, if you play by the rules, you've got a fair chance to live the American dream.

My friends, we must remember that our basic rights come from God and not from government.

And if we stick to our basic conservative principles, we will win next November and the United States of America will be better for it.

Announcer: Strength, Conviction, Honesty. Fred Thompson, President.

Posted by Mike on January 17, 2008 | Permalink

2008 Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucus Information

2008 Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucus Information

In order to clarify some of the details around the 2008 DFL Precinct Caucus, on Tuesday, February 5 (“Super Tuesday”) at 7:00 p.m., the Minnesota DFL Party prepared the following memorandum for interested parties. Minnesota is tied for seventh-largest of all states voting on February 5 in the number of delegates (88 total) that Minnesota sends to the Democratic National Convention.

DFL caucus attendees will cast a secret Presidential Preference Ballot. The results of the ballot are binding and determine how Minnesota’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be allocated among the candidates.

Unlike Iowa Democrats, Minnesota DFLers do not sub-caucus at precinct caucuses for presidential preference.

Caucus-goers may cast ballots starting at 6:30 p.m. and anytime until 8:00 p.m. Caucus-goers are not obligated to stay for the remaining caucus business.

Absentee voting is not allowed on the DFL Presidential Preference Ballot.

The results of the Presidential Preference Ballot will be reported to and tallied by the Minnesota Secretary of State. Results will be available in real time on the Web site of the Office of Secretary of State (www.sos.state.mn.us).

For Caucus-Goers:

To find precinct caucus locations, go to www.dflcaucuses.org or call the DFL Headquarters at 651-293-1200 or 800-999-7457. Attendees can also find caucus locations through the Minnesota Secretary of State (http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us/)

More information for caucus-goers can be found at www.dfl.org/caucus.

Posted by Mike on January 16, 2008 | Permalink

Clinton Campaign Names Minnesota State Director And Communications Director

Clinton Campaign Names Minnesota State Director and Communications Director

The Clinton Campaign today named Buck Humphrey as its Minnesota State Director and Jonathan Beeton as its Minnesota Communications Director

"Buck is a highly respected individual who brings a deep knowledge of Minnesota and its people to this campaign," said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. "Buck's hire should send a clear message to the people of Minnesota that Hillary recognizes the importance of our state as a bellwether and recognizes that Minnesotans desire a new beginning for America."

“I'm delighted that Buck and Jonathan have joined our effort,” Clinton said. “With their help, we’ll take our message of change throughout Minnesota.”

Buck Humphrey, the grandson of former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, served as the Minnesota state director for Vice President Al Gore in 2000 and served as Senator Kerry’s Midwest Finance Director in 2004. He was a candidate for Secretary of State in 2002. A respected community leader, Buck’s knowledge of Minnesota politics and community organizing will ensure that Hillary’s message of bold ideas to move America forward will be heard by all Minnesotans.

“I am proud to join this historic campaign, because Americans are ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver it from day one,” Humphrey said. “We’re going to run an aggressive, grassroots campaign, and I’m excited about the outpouring of support we are seeing for Hillary across the state.”

Jonathan Beeton, a Midwest native, brings his 14 years of communications experience to the Hillary Clinton for President campaign. Jonathan began his career in the Clinton Administration and most recently served as a communications director for several members of the House of Representatives. His previous campaign experience includes the 1996, 2000, and 2004 presidential campaigns.

Hubert "Buck" Humphrey

Posted by Mike on January 16, 2008 | Permalink

Two New Barack Obama Nevada Ads, "Would" And "President"

Two new Nevada ads

Two new ads are now running in Nevada. The 30-second campaign ad entitled “President” features Barack Obama detailing his vision for change: affordable health care for all Americans, tax breaks for workers, not companies, and an end to the war in Iraq.

“Would," also 30 seconds, serves as a both a testament to Obama's past record and a declaration of what he will achieve as President. It details his opposition to the Iraq War from the start and his success in passing ethics reform to reduce the power of lobbyists, concluding with a promise to unite the nation and bring change we can believe in.

Posted by Mike on January 16, 2008 | Permalink