2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Statement By Campaign Manager Rick Davis Following Fox News Debate

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING FOX NEWS DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on this evening's Fox News debate:
"John McCain proved again tonight why he is the only candidate ready to lead this nation and the right choice for New Hampshire voters this Tuesday.  John McCain clearly demonstrated that he is the only candidate, Republican or Democrat, with the experience and judgment necessary to lead as commander in chief from day one in the Oval Office.

"With a proven record of leadership, John McCain has been a consistent conservative for change in Washington, a fight he will continue as president.  John McCain stands ready to address America's most pressing challenges.  With a lifetime of courageous service and principled leadership, John McCain has been unwavering in confronting the special interests. It is time for John McCain to bring his reform agenda to the White House.

"John McCain is the leader to confront the challenging issues of our time, with an unequivocal commitment to victory in the struggle against radical Islamic extremists.  Where other candidates were silent, John McCain was a steady voice for change, and America saw that leadership again tonight." 

Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades Statement On The Twelfth Republican Presidential Debate

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT THE NEED FOR CHANGE IN WASHINGTON

Manchester, NH – Tonight, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the twelfth Republican presidential debate:

"Governor Romney clearly won tonight's debate.  The people of New Hampshire saw in Governor Romney a leader who can bring true conservative change to Washington.  He has executive leadership experience in turning around troubled institutions.  That is experience that cannot be gained in the Senate Cloakroom.  With his experience, Governor Romney is the best candidate to change Washington and solve the big challenges confronting our nation.  We cannot do that with Washington insiders who have talked for years, but taken little action."

Edwards Campaign Unveils New "underdog" Television Ad in new Hampshire

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN UNVEILS NEW “UNDERDOG” TELEVISION AD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
In new 60-second spot, Edwards vows he will never give up on the fight to save the middle class, the real underdogs in America

Manchester, New Hampshire – Tomorrow, one day before voters go to the polls, the John Edwards for President campaign will begin airing a new 60-second television spot in the Granite State. In “Underdog,” Senator John Edwards says he will never give up on the fight to save the middle class, and he will take this fight all the way to the Democratic Convention and to the White House.

“I may be an underdog in this campaign, running against two candidates with $200 million between them, but the real underdogs are the middle class and the voiceless in this country,” Edwards says in the new spot. “I know that the fight to save the middle class will be an epic battle, and I will never give up. We’re going to take the fight to save the middle class all the way to the Convention and the White House. We’re going to look our children in the eye and tell them ‘we left you a better life than we had.’”

Edwards focused on the same message today at a Manchester town hall event that served as the kick off for his 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class.” For the next 36 hours, John and Elizabeth will talk to thousands of voters about Edwards’ bold plans to stand up to the powerful entrenched interests and give hard-working, middle class families a voice in Washington.

At the Manchester town hall, John and Elizabeth Edwards were joined by the family of Nataline Sarkisyan, who passed away in December after her health insurance company refused to pay for the liver transplant she needed.

“I want everyone in New Hampshire to know what is at stake in this election,” Edwards said in Manchester. “What kind of fighter do you want to have on your side when your family is faced with this kind of crisis, when your job is being shipped overseas? Do you want somebody who has the right ideas and philosophy, or do you want somebody who has the right ideas and philosophy and the fight to bring about change?  Because if I am elected, I will fight for you, I will fight for your kids, I will fight for your grandkids, with every fiber of my being.”

Transcript of “Underdog” (60 seconds):

I may be an underdog in this campaign, running against two candidates with $200 million between them.

But the real underdogs are the middle class and the voiceless in this country,

Losing ground while CEOs pocket million dollar bonuses

And corporate lobbyists get their way in Washington.

Exxon Mobil rakes in record profits, gets government handouts, and gas prices go through the roof.

At the same time, 200,000 veterans, men and women who wore America’s uniform,

Will sleep tonight under bridges and on grates.

We cannot simply replace a bunch of corporate Republicans with a bunch of corporate Democrats.

I’ve never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or PACs.

I know who the underdogs are in this fight.

I know that the fight to save the middle class will be an epic battle, and I will never give up.

We’re going to take the fight to save the middle class all the way to the Convention and the White House.

We’re going to look our children in the eye and tell them “we left you a better life than we had.”

I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

Reagan Alumni Endorse John McCain For President

REAGAN ALUMNI ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a group of nearly 100 prominent Reagan Administration alumni who have endorsed John McCain for president.
"As former Reagan Administration officials, we are inspired by the same qualities in John McCain today that we so admired in President Reagan," said former White House Counsel Arthur B. Culvahouse. "John McCain was a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution, and he understands America's role in the world -- a powerful global leader working to serve as an example and promote democracy and freedom around the world. John McCain has a lifetime record of service to his country. In Congress, he led the fight to limit government, lower taxes, cut spending and keep families strong. John McCain is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, Independents and conservative Democrats needed to defeat the Democratic nominee in the general election next year."

John McCain thanked the alumni, stating, "President Reagan stands out in history as a leader who recognized America's potential and had a vision for her future. I knew President Reagan well, and respected and admired his unwavering leadership in the face of grave challenges, and his fortitude to take on the toughest issues. I am grateful to have the support of so many friends and colleagues who have all worked to build and maintain President Reagan's legacy."

REAGAN ALUMNI SUPPORTING JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

Grant Aldonas 
Stanton D. Anderson 
Richard V. Allen 
Mary Jo Arndt 
William L. Ball III 
Ralph Benko 
Charles R. Black, Jr. 
Judy A. Black 
Otis Bowen, M.D. 
Ellen Bradley 
James H. Burnley IV 
Gahl Hodges Burt 
Richard Burt 
Mark Buse 
Frank Cannon 
David Chew 
Nancy Christy 
James W. Cicconi 
Former Senator Dan Coats 
Chuck Cobb 
Carol Crawford 
Ron Crawford 
Tim Crawford 
Dan L. Crippen 
Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. 
Richard H. Davis 
Mimi Dawson 
Rhett Dawson 
Stephen I. Danzansky 
Frank J. Donatelli 
Rebecca Donatelli 
Lawrence S. Eagleburger 
Marlin Fitzwater 
Melinda A. Fitzwater 
Alison B. Fortier 
HP Goldfield 
Mark Holman 
Janet Mullins Grissom 
Alexander M. Haig, Jr. 
Janet Hale 
Bryce L. Harlow 
Robert Heckman 
Warren K. Hendriks, Jr. 
Governor Jon Huntsman 
Former Governor Frank Keating 
Gen. P.X. Kelley 
Nancy Kennedy 
Bobbie Kilberg 
William J. Kilberg 
Ann Korologos 
Carole Kuhn 
Jim Kuhn 
Christian Josi 
Chris Lehman 
John F. Lehman, Jr. 
James Lake 
Thomas G. Loeffler 
Peter Madigan 
Fred Malek 
Robert C. McFarlane 
Robert A. Mosbacher Sr. 
Timothy J. Muris 
J. Bonnie Newman 
Trevor Potter 
Anthony J. Principi 
William Bradford Reynolds 
James Roberts 
Patricia O'Connor Roberts 
Peter Rodman 
John Rogers 
Sig Rogich 
Nancy Risque Rohrbach 
Gen. Ed Rowny 
Mark Salter 
George Sawyer 
Craig Shirley 
Zorine Shirley 
George P. Shultz 
Pamela Stevens 
William F. Sittman 
Bernie Streeter 
Orson G. Swindle III 
Lance Tarrance 
Mike Thompson 
Carol Townsend 
Pamela J. Turner 
Margaret Tutwiler 
Peter Wallison 
John Whitehead 
Lanny Wiles 
Joseph Wright 
Chuck Yob 
Al Zapanta 

Mike Huckabee At Last Night's Presidential Debate In The Granite State

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MIKE HUCKABEE DELIVERS COMMANDING PERFORMANCE DURING LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE

MANCHESTER, NH - Republican Presidential front-runner Mike Huckabee fueled his growing momentum last night with yet another strong presidential debate performance in the Granite State.

The former Arkansas governor, who won a decisive come-from-behind victory at the Iowa Republican Caucuses Thursday, reiterated the driving themes of his campaign: family, freedom and faith. 

Huckabee, who is campaigning in New Hampshire with Chuck Norris at events leading up to the Jan. 8 primary, said his positive message for America's future is energizing Republicans, Independents and moderate Democrats to get behind his candidacy. "We must embrace a message of change. We must become a party of unity," he said Saturday.

"We must be for something - not against - or we won't be the party in the White House," he said.

Huckabee, who was a staunch supporter of the 2001 and 2003 Bust tax cuts and other conservative initiatives, said: "I worked really hard to get the president elected, but I am not running for his third term, I am running for president on my own terms."

Huckabee, who advocates enactment of the Fair Tax - and insists on free and fair trade, said government must help unleash the creativity of individuals, including small business owners and entrepreneurs, instead of "regulating and taxing innovation."

Huckabee, a consistent, conservative leader in the Republican presidential field, said: "The greatest principle is that every American and every human being is equal to each other - that sense that all of us have an innate essence of equality and that these rights are inalienable."

Huckabee said "our principles reflect what is deep inside us that can guide us and show the framework of what we will do."

Huckabee also said a strong America is critical to our nation's future. "We're going to do what's best for the American people. I will always do what is best for our country - to make sure our country is the strongest and most prepared."

When we do go to war, he said, "we will have an army we need - we will have a clear definition of what we want to do, and we won't let politicians make the ground calls."

Recognizing the serious threat of radical Islamic terrorists to America, Huckabee said that the United States did nothing to prompt their attack "other than the fact that we live and breathe." However, we must do everything in our power to protect America, including eliminating U.S. dependence on foreign oil within 10 years.

"This is an urgent matter and one of our utmost priorities. We have an issue where we are paying for both sides of the war on terror," he said. "We cannot allow dictators from Venezuela and the Middle East to hold us hostage every time we swipe our credit cards at the gas pump. We must be energy independent within the next ten years." 

On the domestic front, Huckabee also said that a major key to solving our nation's health care crisis is through prevention.  The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken, in part because it is only a "health care" system, not a "health" system.

"We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes. We do need to get serious about preventive health care instead of chasing more and more dollars to treat chronic disease, which currently gobbles up 80% of our health care costs, and yet is often avoidable. The result is that we'll be able to deliver better care where and when it's needed."

Detroit Free Press Endorses John McCain For President

DETROIT FREE PRESS ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT
"McCain's steadiness, consistency make him the choice for Michigan Republicans ... [McCain] is the best candidate to carry the GOP banner into the fall." -- Detroit Free Press

Sen. McCain Would Make Strongest GOP Nominee
McCain's steadiness, consistency make him the choice for Michigan Republicans

Editorial
Detroit Free Press
January 6, 2008

Eight years ago, endorsing U.S. Sen. John McCain in the Michigan Republican presidential primary, the Free Press said he was "an articulate hardliner on how the United States should lead the world" and the best candidate in a GOP field that included George W. Bush. ... Eight years later, he is running again, and JOHN MCCAIN is, again, the best candidate to carry the GOP banner into the fall. While the Free Press differs with McCain on a number of issues, the Arizona senator is a smarter, more tested and pragmatic leader who has shown since 2000 that he knows how to build bipartisan alliances around issues. He's a straight shooter, sometimes to his detriment in the political world, where McCain also loses points for persistently championing needed campaign reforms and criticizing pork-barrel spending that benefits special interests. McCain's latest campaign faltered early in this overextended election season. But he has regrouped, and while polls do not show him as the GOP front-runner, they do consistently show that he fares best against any of the leading Democrats. That has to be a consideration for Republican voters with the party expected to lose more ground in Congress next year. McCain, with his appeal to independent voters, looks at this time like the best bet to keep the White House in GOP hands.

More Reviews Are In - John Edwards At The New Hampshire Debate

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEBATE: CHANGE WON AND THE STATUS QUO LOST IT

ABC’s “The Note” | “‘Any Time You Speak Out Powerfully for Change, the Forces of Status Quo Attack,’ [Edwards] said. Suddenly Clinton Was Alone, Angry, and Lecturing.” “A savvy play -- Edwards could have been expected to jump on Obama, who with a win in New Hampshire on Tuesday could take a giant step toward sealing the nomination. But that wasn’t in the Edwards game plan, not this night, not at this stage of the campaign: ‘Any time you speak out powerfully for change, the forces of status quo attack,’ he said. Suddenly Clinton was alone, angry, and lecturing. The words themselves don’t do the moment justice, but here they are: ‘I want to make change, but I've already made change. I will continue to make change.  I'm not just running on a promise of change. I’m running on 35 years of change.’” [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1, 1/6/08]

New York Observer’s Jason Horowitz | “Edwards’ Razor-Sharp Counter-Attacks…Had the Effect of Absolutely Enraging Clinton.” “Hillary Clinton finally got angry. It wasn’t pretty…Edwards went for the throat, casting himself and Obama as a united front against the salvos of Clinton, the insider. ‘Both of us are powerful voices for change,’ he said. He added, devastatingly ‘May I point out that we finished first and second in the Iowa caucus,’ and, ‘I didn’t hear these types of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead, but now we do.’ Edwards’ razor-sharp counter-attacks allowed Obama to seem more measured, but had the effect of absolutely enraging Clinton. She fumed that while her two adversaries talked a good came about change, she had actually accomplished it. ‘I want to make change, but I have already made change,’ she said, almost screaming.” [New York Observer, 1/5/08 (https://www.observer.com/2008/edwards-sides-obama-clinton-gets-really-mad)] 

TIME’s Ana Marie Cox | After Edwards’ Comments: “Hillary: Angry, Attacking, Frustrated. This May Be the Moment We Look Back on and Say, ‘That’s When She Lost.’” After Hillary Clinton lost her temper in response to John Edwards’ statements on change, Ana Marie Cox wrote, “Hillary: Angry, Attacking, Frustrated. This may be the moment we look back on and say, ‘That’s when she lost.’” [https://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/01/hillary_angry_attacking_frustr.html, 1/5/08]

TAPPED’s Tom Schaller: “R.I.P., The Clinton Era, 9:34 P.M. Est.” “Wow.  Get your kids out and put them in front of the TV: The Clinton Era officially ended at 9:34 p.m. EST when Edwards paired with Obama to bury Hillary as a non-agent of change. Wow, again.” [https://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=01&year=2008&base_name=rip_the_clinton_era_934_pm_est#103558, 1/5/08]

TNR’s Michael Crowley | “Hillary Was Sharp-Edged and Angry Sounding at Times Tonight--Most Notably…at John Edwards.” “Hillary was sharp-edged and angry sounding at times tonight--most notably the Medusa look she blasted at John Edwards when he got Barack Obama's back and tarred her as a reactionary agent of the ‘status quo.’” [https://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_stump/archive/2008/01/05/dem-debate-insta-reaction.aspx, 1/5/08]

Newsday’s John Riley | After Edwards’ Comments: “Hillary Responds Furiously…Edwards Has Tilted the Debate.” “A key moment early in the debate. Hillary attacks Obama for being inconsistent on health care. Obama says he hasn't been. They go back and forth. Then Edwards gets a chance. He says -- he disagrees on some policy questions with Obama, but they are both agents of change. ‘Both of us are powerful voices for change. Anytime you speak out powerfully for change, the forces of the status quo attack.’ And: ‘I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that she's not, we hear them.’ Hillary responds furiously. She says she has been an agent of change her entire life! ‘I want to make change, but I've already made change! I'm running on a record of 35 years of change.’ But: It seems like Edwards has tilted the debate.”
[https://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/01/nh_dems_debate_edwards_sides_w.html, 1/5/08]

Daily Kos | “The Key Moment Tonight Was Probably When Edwards…Declared That Clinton Didn't Attack Anyone When She Was Leading, and Now She's Attacking When Her Campaign Isn't Doing Well.” “The key moment tonight was probably when Edwards, responding to Clinton's attack on Obama, declared that Clinton didn't attack anyone when she was leading, and now she's attacking when her campaign isn't doing well…Edwards probably had the best performance of the night.” [https://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/5/232338/5059/787/431432, 1/5/08]

Newsday’s John Riley | “Hillary Was Hurt Badly When Edwards Sided with Obama and Called Her an ‘Agent of the Status Quo.’” [https://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/01/nh_dem_debate_afterwards.html, 1/5/05 @ 10:46 PM, 1/5/08]

NBC’s Chuck Todd | Clinton “Was Dealt a Real Bodyblow” by Edwards; “That Exchange Will Be the One Played Over and Over Again, and It's Not Good for Clinton.” “[Clinton] was dealt a real bodyblow when Edwards decided to defend Obama from the Clinton attack early on in the debate; that exchange will be the one played over and over again, and it's not good for Clinton.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551919.aspx, 1/5/08]

ABC News | After Edwards Compared Clinton to the “Forces for Status Quo,” “Clinton Shot Back… Raising Her Voice…She Almost Shouted.” ABC News reported, after Edwards compared Clinton to the “forces for status quo,” “Clinton shot back, emphasizing, ‘Making change is not about what you believe or about making a speech, it's about working hard.’ Raising her voice, she said, ‘I want to make change, but I've already made change. I'm not running on a promise of change. But on 35 years of change and we don't need to raise false hopes of people in our country about what can be delivered.’ And she almost shouted: ‘I think that having a first woman president is a huge change.’ The back and forth got so heated that fourth-place candidate Bill Richardson quipped, ‘I've been in hostile negotiations that are a lot more civil than this.’” [https://www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=4091841, 1/5/08]

New Hampshire Presidential Watch | “The Press Center Is Eating Up John Edwards’ Attack on the Status Quo.” “The press center is eating up John Edwards’ attack on the status quo.” [https://nh2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/press-hearts-edwards.html, 1/5/08]

Boston Globe | Edwards’ Comment “Prompted [Clinton] to Reply Angrily.” “Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who finished slightly ahead of Clinton in Iowa, aligned himself with Obama as a like-minded opponent of the status quo, gesturing pointedly to Clinton. That prompted her to reply angrily that she had spent her career working for change, not just talking about it.” [Boston Globe, 1/6/08 (https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/06/clock_ticking_in_nh_candidates_target_undecided?mode=PF)]

NBC's Chuck Todd | Double Team Defense from Obama and Edwards Was Potentially Devastating for Clinton. “Clinton got her dig in on Obama (and it was a very fair hit) but the double-team defense from Obama, Edwards (and even Richardson) was potentially devastating for Clinton; it did her no favors.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551758.aspx, 1/5/08]

Senator Bill Bradley Endorses Barack Obama

Senator Bill Bradley Endorses Barack Obama

MANCHESTER, NH—Former United States Senator (D-NJ) and candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Bill Bradley, announced today his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy.  Bradley, who ran a very strong NH campaign, attracting strong support from Democrats and Independents, said Obama’s ability to bring people together for change makes him the best Democrat to reclaim the White House and win a broad mandate to tackle our biggest challenges.

“Barack Obama is building a broad new coalition that brings together Democrats, Independents, and Republicans by once again making idealism a central focus of our politics,” said Senator Bradley. “Because of his enormous appeal to Americans of all ages and backgrounds, Obama is the candidate best positioned to win in November.  Barack knows above all that unless people can once again believe in our democracy, we won’t be able to do the things that need to be done on health care and education or to break our dependence on foreign oil.  His movement for change could create a new era of American politics – truly a new American story.”

“Bill Bradley has always called on Americans to reach for what is possible in our politics,” said Barack Obama.  “As a Senator, he was a thoughtful and tireless reformer, expanding health care for children and college education, and working to heal economic and racial divides. As a presidential candidate and author, he has continued to challenge us to build a mandate for pragmatic solutions and progressive change, and I am truly grateful that he has endorsed my candidacy.”

Bill Bradley ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2000, after representing New Jersey as a United States Senator from 1979-1997.  In the Senate, Bradley compiled a track record of fighting special interests, expanding health care, and promoting good economic growth.  Prior to entering politics, Bradley played professional basketball for the New York Knicks.  He was inducted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame in 1982 and has written six books about American culture and politics.

"Reaction" Barack Obama At Tonight's New Hampshire Debate

Here is what folks are saying about Senator Obama's commanding performance at tonight's debate...

Time's Mark Halperin...

Mark Halperin’s grades:
Obama A-
Edwards: B+
Clinton: B
Richardson: B-

Halperin on Obama...

Calm, relaxed and comfortably swathed in the new mantle of frontrunner. Very well prepared both substantively and stylistically for what a determined Clinton brought his way, although he might have shown more graciousness when the likeability issue arose. Defended himself but didn’t get drawn into a colloquy that would take him off message. Overall, did not encounter too many mines throughout, and kept things sober and understated. Wise enough to parry the night’s final question, and rather than revisiting a past debate error, offered a concise version of his positive message.

The Atlantic's Mark Ambinder...

Iowa victor Obama had a target on his back, but he’s acquired a Kevlar vest as a frontrunner… he was unflappable.

MSNBC: Facebook: Obama most presidential...

Posted: Saturday, January 05, 2008 10:51 PM by Domenico Montanaro

Facebook poll post-debate, most presidential:

Obama 46%
Clinton  25%
Edwards 21%
Richardson 8%

Washington Post's Chris Cilizza...

Obama seemed to come into this debate determined to show that he is presidential and he did that nicely. He avoided engaging Clinton on a personal level and insisted that their policy disagreements were legitimate and fair game. That is the strategy of a confident candidate.

Josh Marshall...

In general, I think Obama's the winner tonight...the debate can only be understood in the context of the moment. Right now, Obama's on fire. The first post-Iowa polls show him picking up a big post-caucus bump. He needed to come off well. Not make any mistakes. And not let Hillary open up any and strong line of attack against him. And I think he did each one of those things. Which means he gave some reassurance to those who might be hesitating to get on the bandwagon and didn't do or allow anything to happen which significantly change the trend of the moment, which is moving heavily in his favor.

The Atlantic's Matt Yglesias...

On his second go-round Barack Obama gets to drive home the point that the Iraq War is one of the major reasons that our policy in the Pakistan-Afghanistan area has gotten so screwed up. This is the kind of strategic-level argument that any Democrat is going to need to make against a Republican who can't be specifically tied to the details of Bush's inept Iraq policy.

American Prospect's Ezra Klein...

[Obama's] been dominant tonight. In body language, in tonality, in the way he's jumping in to crack jokes during other people's answers. He's acting as if the stage is his, and has been basically successful at making that the truth.

Bill Richardson At The ABC News/Facebook Debate

Richardson Demonstrates Clear Difference on Experience, Foreign Policy, and Iraq

MANCHESTER, NH-- At the ABC News/Facebook debate today, New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson once again demonstrated that he is the only candidate with the foreign policy experience and vision to restore America's standing around the world. Governor Richardson also made it clear that he is the only candidate focused on truly ending the war in Iraq.

Once again, it was apparent that Bill Richardson is the only Democratic Presidential candidate with both a strong foreign policy background and the experience to tackle the domestic problems that President Bush will leave to the next President of the United States.

"In any foreign policy decision, I would use diplomacy first," Richardson said. "That means that the last thing we need in the Muslim world is another action like Iraq which is going to inflame the Muslim world in a horrendous way."

When the other three candidates engaged in a squabble over foreign policy, Governor Richardson called upon his diplomatic expertise to lighten the moment, interjecting, "I have been in hostage negotiations that were a lot more civil." Governor Richardson then went on to clearly explain how the United States should handle the governmental crisis in Pakistan.

"Here is an example of a country which is a potentially failed nation-state with nuclear weapons," Richardson said. "What a President must do is have a foreign policy of principles and realism. With Bush's foreign policy, with regard to Musharraf, we get the worst of all worlds. We have a situation where he has not gone after al-Qaeda in his own country, despite the fact that we have given him over $10 billion.

"Musharraf also severely damaged the constitution. He basically has said that he is the supreme dictator. What I would specifically do as President is to ask Musharraf to step aside. There is a provision in the Pakistani constitution for a caretaker government of technocrats. We need diplomacy. We need a Pakistan with free and fair elections and a concerted effort on the part of Musharraf or whoever is in the leadership in Pakistan to go after the terrorists."

A former U.N. Ambassador and diplomatic troubleshooter, Richardson once again presented his plan to safely pull all of the troops out of Iraq within a year and then bring the warring factions together through tough American-led diplomacy.

"Our current policy on Iraq is a massive failure," Richardson said. "There is no military solution; there is a political solution. Have there been any compromises between the Sunni, the Shia, and the Kurds? Zero. Has there been progress in sharing oil revenues? Zero. Has there been progress with regional elections? Zero. Is the Maliki government intensifying its efforts to train the Iraqi security forces more than they have? No. Is there any end to Iran's efforts to bring terrorist activities to Iraq? No. Including Iran and Syria, no one has participated in a regional solution."

Richardson's foreign policy and domestic experience has been key to his growing support across New Hampshire. Campaign Manager Dave Contarino believes that the format of tonight's debate helped to showcase Governor Richardson's unique experience in both the foreign policy and domestic arenas.

"Americans got to see the four top Democratic candidates clearly define their positions and qualifications, and Bill Richardson was the clear winner tonight," Contarino said. "Bill Richardson is the only Democratic Presidential candidate who has run a state, balanced budgets, raised teacher salaries, provided access to health insurance for every child under twelve, and created jobs. Under his leadership, New Mexico has over 80,000 more jobs, and we have the lowest unemployment since we started keeping records.

"The momentum that we are seeing in New Hampshire demonstrates that the American people want a President who also has the diplomatic experience to protect America's interests around the world. Bill Richardson has faced down tyrants, rescued hostages, and negotiated cease fires. He is ready to lead America."