2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

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The Detroit News Endorses John McCain For President

THE DETROIT NEWS ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"[W]e believe Arizona Sen. John McCain is the candidate who is best qualified to lead the nation. ... McCain's longtime presidential ambitions are at last aligned with the needs of the nation." -- The Detroit News

Excerpts From "The Detroit News Endorses McCain"
Editorial
The Detroit News
January 3, 2008

"The presidential candidates must be judged by the task at hand. America needs a president who can answer the terrorist threat without destroying civil liberties; who can press the war on terror without alienating vital allies; who understands that cutting taxes to stimulate the economy works only when spending is brought under control as well, and who recognizes that the moment is at hand to subjugate partisan ideologies to solve the nation's most nettlesome problems -- immigration issues, health finances, entitlement pressures and environmental concerns among them.

On the Republican side, we believe Arizona Sen. John McCain is the candidate who is best qualified to lead the nation. ... McCain's longtime presidential ambitions are at last aligned with the needs of the nation..."

Obama Ad Airs Across Iowa on Eve of Iowa Caucus

Obama Ad Airs Across Iowa on Eve of Iowa Caucus 
“Leader” Highlights Obama's Lifelong Commitment To Change

DES MOINES, IA – On the eve of the Iowa Caucus, the Obama Campaign released a new two minute TV ad that aired throughout Iowa.   

In the ad, titled "Leader," Obama talks of how he has spent his life working for change that has made a difference in the lives of real people.   From fighting poverty as a community organizer to passing sweeping ethics reform to opposing the Iraq war from the start, Obama shows that he has the judgment and ability to unite people together to bring real change that America can believe in.

"Leader" Script:

"Tomorrow, we'll come to the end of a ten-month journey.   You've heard from all of us, and read our plans; you've been bombarded with mailings and phone calls, and you'll be glad to know this is one of the last times you'll hear me say, 'I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message.'

"But the question you have to ask yourself when you walk into that caucus tomorrow is this – who can take us in a fundamentally new direction? I'm running to finally solve problems we talk about year after year after year. To end the division, the obscene influence of lobbyists, and the politics that values scoring points over making progress.   We can't afford more of that, not this year, not now.

"I've spent my life working for change that's made a real difference in the lives of real people.

"That's why I passed up a job on Wall Street to fight joblessness and poverty on the streets of Chicago when the local steel plant closed.   

"That's why I turned down the corporate law firms to work as a civil rights lawyer; to fight for those who had been denied opportunity.

"That's why I fought for tough new ethics laws in Illinois and Washington to cut the power of lobbyists.   And I won.

"That's why I brought Democrats and Republicans together to provide health care and tax relief to working families.   

"And that's why I opposed this war in Iraq from the start.   It wasn't popular, but it was right.

"This country's ready for a leader who will bring us together: that's the only way we're gonna win this election and that's actually how we'll actually fix health care and make college affordable, become energy independent and end this war.

"I'm reminded every day that I am not a perfect man.   And I won't be a perfect President.  But I can promise you this – I will always tell you where I stand and what I think.   I will listen to you when we disagree.   I will carry your voices to the White House and I will fight for you everyday I'm there.  So I ask you to caucus tomorrow, not just for me, but for your hopes; for your dreams; for the America you believe is possible."

Clinton: If You Stand With Me For One Night, I Will Stand Up For You Every Day As Your President

CLINTON:  IF YOU STAND FOR ME FOR ONE NIGHT, I'LL STAND UP FOR YOU EVERY DAY AS YOUR PRESIDENT
Final 2-minute appeal to air on every 6pm newscast across Iowa tonight

After nearly a year of criss-crossing the state and talking with Iowans about her vision for change, Hillary Clinton tonight makes her closing argument in a televised appeal that directly addresses the central question on the minds of caucus-goers.

“After all the town meetings, the pie and coffee, it comes down to this:  Who is ready to be president and ready to start solving the big challenges we face on day one?” Clinton asks.

Clinton's message will run during every 6:00pm newscast across Iowa this evening.  In her message, she calls for an end to the Iraq war, a new energy policy, rebuilding our middle class, and affordable quality health care for all Americans.

“I'm not running for President to put band-aids on our problems,” she says.  "I'm running to solve them."

Hillary closes with a direct appeal to Iowans to caucus for her.  "So I ask you to caucus for me tomorrow.   Put on your coats and call up a friend and help me change America," she says.  "If you stand with me for one night, I will stand up for you every day as your
President."

"CROSSROADS"
TV: 2 Min

Hillary Clinton: Good evening,

As we start this New Year, America is at a crossroads.

We're a nation at war in a dangerous world.
   
We have a faltering economy, an energy crisis and 47 million people
without health care.
   
But after seven long years of this administration, we finally have the
opportunity for a new beginning.
   
Tomorrow, you can take the first step.

After all the town meetings, the pie and coffee.it comes down to this:   
Who is ready to be president and ready to start solving the big challenges
we face on day one?    And we can solve them
         
We can end the era of cowboy diplomacy and bring our sons and
daughters home from Iraq.
   
We can make a new beginning for our economy and rebuild our great
middle class.   We can reform our government and transform our energy
future.
         
We can make a new beginning on health care- cut costs, improve quality and cover every American.

I'm not running for President to put band-aids on our problems. I'm running
to solve them.

You have welcomed me into your hearts and your
homes.   And I thank you.   The stories you have shared will always stay
with me.

Parents juggling jobs to pay for college for their kids, soldiers' families
praying for a safe return.   All the men and women across this state who
have whispered their health care problems to me - bills they can't pay,
parents they can't afford to care for, insurance companies who refuse to
help.

I know you have waited a long time for a president who could hear you
and see you.   I would like to be that president.

So I ask you to caucus for me tomorrow.   Put on your coats and call up a friend and help me change America.

If you stand with me for one night, I will stand up for you every day as your
President.   

I'll work my heart out to bring the country we love the new beginning it
needs, and I will be ready to start on day one. Thank you.

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

Bill Richardson Responds To Hillary's Final Campaign Ad

Bill Richardson responds to Hillary's Final Campaign Ad
Hillary Asks: Who is ready to be President? The Answer: Bill Richardson

CENTERVILLE, IA-- New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson, in his last full day of campaigning before the Iowa Caucuses, responded to Hillary Clinton's two-minute, final campaign television commercial.

"I welcome her attempt to focus on who is ready to be President, because the answer to that question is Bill Richardson. I am ready. I am tested, and I can bring people together to change this country.

"You know, every candidate in this race is asking for the biggest job promotion of his or her life. The voters ought to look at what we've done.

"What has the Senate done in the last 12 months? Since my colleagues took over leadership of Congress, have they gotten us out of Iraq? No. Did they scrap No Child Left Behind and reform education? No. Did they stop an Attorney General who wouldn't say that waterboarding is torture? No. Have they done something to create the next generation of great paying jobs? No.

"I know that we can do better. And I have done better.

"In the last twelve months, I helped shut down North Korea's nuclear reactor. We brought back the remains of 6 American soldiers from that country that had been missing since the Korean War. I extended health coverage to every child under 12 in my state. I raised teacher salaries. I cracked down on unscrupulous lenders. I passed a landmark clean energy bill to create clean air and thousands of jobs that cannot be outsourced.

"That's what I'm offering: real change, not excuses."

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Releases National Television Ad, “Ready”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Releases National Television Ad, “Ready”

Ad Will Also Air In Florida and New Hampshire

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad, entitled “Ready.”  The ad will begin airing nationally on FOX News and in Florida and New Hampshire tomorrow.

The script is below.   

Script for “Ready”:

VOICEOVER: “An enemy without borders. Hate without boundaries. A people perverted. A religion betrayed. A nuclear power in chaos. Madmen bent on creating it. Leaders assassinated.  Democracy attacked. And Osama bin Laden still making threats. In a world where the next crisis is a moment away… America needs a leader who’s ready.”

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

Edwards Campaign Begins Airing New “Wave Of Change” TV Spot In New Hampshire

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN BEGINS AIRING NEW “WAVE OF CHANGE” TV SPOT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
In new ad, Edwards inspires Granite Staters to rise up and create a wave of change that cannot be stopped

Manchester, New Hampshire – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign began airing a new 30-second television spot in New Hampshire. The “Wave of Change” spot, which features Senator John Edwards speaking at a campaign rally in New Hampshire, builds on the campaign’s growing momentum and organizational strength in the Granite State.

“Corporate greed has infiltrated everything that’s happening in this democracy,” Edwards says in the ad. “It’s time for us to say ‘we’re not going to let our children’s future be stolen by these people.’ I have never taken a dime from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC and I’m proud of that.

“On January 8th, in New Hampshire, what will happen is you will rise,” Edwards continues, inspiring the crowd to rise to their feet in applause. “You will say ‘enough is enough.’ And you’re going to create a wave of change that cannot be stopped.” 

Full Transcript of “Wave of Change” (30 seconds):

Corporate greed has infiltrated everything that’s happening in this democracy.

It’s time for us to say “we’re not going to let our children’s future be stolen by these people.”

I have never taken a dime from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC and I’m proud of that.

On January 8th, in New Hampshire, what will happen is you will rise. You will say “enough is enough.” And you’re going to create a wave of change that cannot be stopped.

I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

Romney For President Launches New Web Ad, "Roundhouse Kick"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW WEB AD, "ROUNDHOUSE KICK"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest web ad, "Roundhouse Kick."  Governor Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris may be campaigning together but they don't see eye to eye on fighting crime.  Norris believes in giving a presidential pardon to "no one, ever."  Governor Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers.  The Texas Ranger can subdue criminals with just his icy stare.  Now only if he could convince Governor Huckabee it was wrong to grant more clemencies than the previous three governors combined.

Script For "Roundhouse Kick" (WEB:30):

ANNOUNCER:  "Two good men, both into fitness.  Both love Chuck Norris.

"But where do they stand on crime?

"Chuck Norris: 'give a presidential pardon to no one, ever.'

"Norris subdues criminals with just an icy stare.

"And Mike Huckabee?  He granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers.

"Huckabee granted more clemencies than the previous three governors combined.

"Chuck Norris, Mike Huckabee.  Now who deserves the roundhouse kick?"

John McCain 2008 Launches New Web Ad, "Foreign Policy Alert"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW WEB AD, "FOREIGN POLICY ALERT"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today launched a new web ad, entitled "Foreign Policy Alert," contrasting Governor Mitt Romney and John McCain's experience on the issues of foreign policy and national security. The web ad will appear on targeted news and information websites in key states.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today issued the following statement:

"The next president of the United States will face some of the most monumental foreign policy challenges in our nation's history. Because of this, I believe foreign policy experience matters. For Governor Romney to say otherwise is naive.

"John McCain has been involved in every significant national security issue of the last 20 years. The experience he possesses best explains why Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, Lawrence Eagleburger, and Al Haig, four prominent, former Secretaries of State, have endorsed John McCain for president. They know John McCain and have confidence that he is the right man to lead our nation in these difficult times."

VIEW THE NEW WEB AD HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/tvads/

Script For "Foreign Policy Alert" (:30-Web)

ANNCR: "The following is a Mitt Romney issue alert. Mitt Romney says the next President doesn't need foreign policy experience. Here he is in his own words:"

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Well, if we want somebody who has a lot of experience in foreign policy we can simply go to the State Department."

ANNCR: "Is he serious? We live in a dangerous world. And these are serious times. America needs a President who is serious about foreign policy. John McCain is he one man prepared to lead America in a time of crisis."

JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."