2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Edwards Campaign Announces Holiday Ad, "Season"

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY AD CAMPAIGN
New ad reminds America to remember the less fortunate this holiday season

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – As the holiday season enters full swing, today the John Edwards for President campaign announced a special holiday television ad, “Season.”

In the 30-second ad, which will begin airing on Sunday in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, Edwards asks us to remember that one out of every four homeless people on our streets is a veteran and 37 million people in our country live in poverty. He challenges Americans to promise that never again will we forget those without a voice, because “in America, the chance to build a better life is a promise made to each of us, and the obligation to keep it rests with us all.”

Full Transcript of “Season:”

One out of every four homeless people on our streets is a veteran.

Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty.

Who speaks for them? We do.

This is the season of miracles, of faith and love.

So let us promise together: you will never be forgotten again.

We see you, we hear you, and we will speak for you.

In America, the chance to build a better life is a promise made to each of us, and the obligation to keep it rests with us all.

I’m John Edwards and I approved this message. 

New Ad: Hillary Has a Present for You

New Ad: Hillary Has a Present for You

DES MOINES, IA – Complete with festive holiday wrapping, the Hillary for President campaign today launched a new ad titled “Presents” in New Hampshire and Iowa featuring Hillary and her bold plans for America including universal health care, energy independence, bringing our troops home, and universal pre-K.

Following is the script for the ad.

“Presents”
TV: 30

“Carol of the Bells” is playing while hands are cutting wrapping paper and placing cards on gifts. The cards are labeled “Universal Health Care,” “Energy Independence,” and “Bringing Our Troops Home”

Hillary Clinton:
Where did I put universal pre-K?

Hillary Clinton:
Ah, There it is.

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

John McCain 2008 Launches New Television Ad, "Not Easy"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "NOT EASY"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a new television ad to run in New Hampshire. The ad, entitled "Not Easy," focuses on John McCain's demonstrated record of leadership -- putting America's national security interests over politics to do what's right, not only when it's easy, but when it's hard.
This week, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said:

"John McCain has proven that we can trust him to do what is right for our country, not only when it is easy, but when it is hard; to do what is necessary, not only when it is popular, but when it is not; and to tell us the truth, not only when it is easy to hear, but when it is not. ... When it comes to keeping America safe in this time of war, John has proven that he has the experience, the strength, and the character, to be our commander-in-chief from day one."

"Not Easy" will run on New Hampshire and Boston television.

Script for "Not Easy" (:30-TV)

ANNCR: "One man warned us we were failing in Iraq,

"And told us how we could turn things around.

"More troops and a different strategy.

"He took a lot of heat, but he stood by what he knew was right.

"Today that strategy is working."

JOHN MCCAIN: "I didn't go to Washington to win Mr. Congeniality. I went there to serve my country."

ANNCR: "One man does what's best for America.

"Not what's easy."

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

Fred Thompson Announces Statewide Leadership Team In Iowa

Fred Thompson Announces Statewide Leadership Team In Iowa
Congressman Steve King to Chair Strong Iowa Organization

McLean, VA - Today the Fred Thompson campaign announced its Iowa State Chair and members of its Statewide Legislative Leadership Team.  The team is made up of leading conservative legislators from around the state.  U.S. Congressman Steve King, representing Iowa's 5th District, will serve as State Chairman of Thompson's Iowa campaign.  State Representative Kraig Paulsen and State Representative Sandy Greiner will serve as State Co-Chairs.

"I compared each of the Republican candidates, and after careful consideration, I support Fred Thompson as America's next President," said Congressman King.  "Fred Thompson has the sound judgment to appoint our nation's next Supreme Court justices, who will make important rulings that affect the destiny of America. I trust Fred to rebuild our national sovereignty by securing the border and restoring the central pillar of American exceptionalism - the rule of law."   

"I've met all of the Republican contenders and I'm most excited about Fred Thompson," said Representative Paulsen.  "I believe he can win the nomination.  He's no-nonsense and would do an outstanding job leading this nation."

"I've studied Fred's positions carefully, and I believe he is well qualified to lead our country," said Representative Greiner.  "I'm supporting Fred Thompson because he did not establish his conservative credentials recently.  He's always been conservative and has a record to prove it."

"We are honored to have the support of these leading conservatives in Iowa," said Robert Haus, Executive Director of Fred Thompson's Iowa campaign.  "These are leaders in our party, leaders in the conservative movement, and leaders who have proven track records, just like Senator Thompson." 

Fred Thompson's Iowa Statewide Legislative Leadership team includes:

U.S. Congressman Steve King, State Chair
State Representative Kraig Paulsen, Co-Chair
State Representative Sandy Greiner, Co-Chair
State Representative Clel Baudler
Former State Senator Bob Brunkhorst
State Representative Royd Chambers
State Representative Jeff Kaufmann
State Representative Jamie Van Fossen

Iowa City Press-Citizen Endorses Barack Obama For President.

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Obama Has What it Takes to Restore Our Nation’s Integrity
Says Obama is Candidate of Hope and Change we Can Believe in

DES MOINES – Saying Obama has what it takes to restore our nation’s integrity, the Iowa City Press-Citizen Wednesday “enthusiastically” endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President.

Below are excerpts from the editorial:

Obama stands tall among this already strong group as both the candidate of hope and the candidate of change we can believe in.

Obama is also right that resetting the world's view of the U.S. begins with making our government more transparent. As a senator, he's worked to visibly link members of Congress to their roads to nowhere and to their Iowan rain forests. As president, he will hold large-scale, open discussions on the issues facing Americans in the 21st century: health care, climate change, comprehensive immigration reform, border security, tax policy, education and economic development.

Obama has the right vision for a new national politics and a new global reputation. He now needs voters and supporters who will help him transform that vision into reality. It's a transformation that should have started three years ago. Neither the nation nor the world can wait any longer.

Full editorial below:

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Obama has what it takes to restore nation's integrity

Iowa City City Press-Citizen

"After seven years of being lost in the wilderness of oppositional presidential politics, Democrats now seem well positioned to do in 2008 what they failed to do in 2004: Replace a rogue cowboy president with a new president capable of uniting the country and resetting the nation's foreign policy and global reputation. The Press-Citizen Editorial Board thinks Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the best candidate in a well qualified field of Democrats to make those long overdue changes. We endorse his candidacy enthusiastically..."

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches New Television Ad In New Hampshire, "Holiday Wishes"

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches New Television Ad in New Hampshire

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad, entitled “Holiday Wishes.”  The ad begins airing tomorrow in New Hampshire.

Script for “Holiday Wishes”:

MAYOR GIULIANI: “There are many things I wish for this holiday season. I wish for peace with strength. Secure borders. A government that spends less than it takes in. Lower taxes for our businesses and families.  And I really hope, that all of the presidential candidates can just get along.

SANTA CLAUS: “Ho, ho, ho, ho.  I was with you right up until that last one.  Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.”

MAYOR GIULIANI: “Can’t have everything! I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approved this message.  Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!”

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Searched"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "SEARCHED"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Searched."  In the ad, Robert Gay, a former business partner of Governor Romney, recounts the story of his daughter who disappeared in New York City in the summer of 1996.  When no one could find her, Governor Romney and his colleagues stepped forward and closed down their company in Boston, Bain Capital.  Together, they headed to New York City to aid the search.  Spreading out across the city, they set up command centers, combed through neighborhoods, passed out fliers and drew media attention to the case.  Through their efforts, Robert Gay was reunited with his daughter.  This ad is their story.

The ad will begin airing today as part of the campaign's rotation in New Hampshire.

Script For "Searched" (TV:30):

ROBERT GAY:  "My fourteen year-old daughter had disappeared in New York City for three days.  No one could find her.

"My business partner stepped forward to take charge. He closed the company and brought almost all our employees to New York.

"He said, 'I don't care how long it takes – we're going to find her.'

"He set up a command center and searched through the night.  The man
who helped save my daughter was Mitt Romney.

"Mitt's done a lot of things that people say are nearly impossible. But for me, the most important thing he's ever done is to help save my daughter."

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

New Richardson Ad Draws Clear Distinctions On Iraq Policy

New Richardson Ad Draws Clear Distinctions on Iraq Policy

MANCHESTER, NH-- Continuing in its effort to reestablish Iraq as the critical issue in this election, the Richardson for President campaign today released a new ad in Iowa and New Hampshire entitled "All Out." The ad points out the distinct policy differences between New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who supports withdrawing all U.S. forces and leaving no residual forces behind, and the other major Democratic Presidential candidates, who could not pledge to have all U.S. forces out of Iraq by 2013.

"Iraq is the most important issue facing our country, but the national media and too many of my fellow candidates seem to have put it on the backburner," Governor Richardson said. "We can accomplish nothing on domestic issues, which the other candidates have shifted to, until we get all of our troops out of Iraq and actually end this war.

"There are serious policy differences in this race. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards could not pledge to have all of our troops out by 2013, five years from now. I will get all of them out within a year and leave no residual forces behind.

"I pledged early in this race to stay positive and debate the issues. This ad does not change that because in my mind, no other issue is more important than Iraq, and there are clear differences on where we stand.

"I am the only major candidate who will bring all of our troops home and end this war. Voters and caucus-goers deserve to know that there are clear policy distinctions between the candidates before deciding who should be the next President of the United States."

"All Out" was produced by Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam of Murphy Putnam Media.

The Richardson for President campaign also launched a new Web page today entitled "The Difference on Iraq." This page will provide voters and caucus-goers with additional information on the differences between the major Democratic Presidential candidates on the Iraq war.

Obama Campaign Unveils New Holiday Ad, "Friendship"

Obama Campaign Unveils New Holiday Ad

DES MOINES – This Friday, the Obama campaign will begin airing a new Holiday television ad in Iowa to mark the holiday season. The ad features Barack and Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha, age 6, and Malia, age 9, gathered by a Christmas tree thanking Iowa families for the hospitality and stories they have shared with the Obamas during this campaign and wishing Iowa families a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Senator Obama is scheduled to campaign in Iowa on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before taking time off the campaign trail to be with his family in Iowa over Christmas. He will resume campaigning on the morning of December 26 and will continue until the night of the caucuses on January 3.

The full text of the Holiday Ad appears below:

Michelle Obama: We would like to take a moment to thank you and your family for the warmth and friendship that you have shown ours; for sharing your hospitality and your stories.

Barack Obama: In this holiday season we are reminded that the things that unite us as a people are more powerful and enduring than anything that sets us apart. And we all have a stake in each other, in something larger than ourselves.

So from my family to yours, I am Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Malia Obama: Merry Christmas

Sasha Obama: Happy Holidays

Fred Thompson Receives Endorsement Of Minnesota Citizens Concerned For Life

Fred Thompson Receives Endorsement of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
State's National Right to Life Affiliate Supporting Thompson for President

McLean, VA - Today Fred Thompson received the endorsement of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the Minnesota affiliate of the National Right to Life Council.

"MCCL has joined NRLC and many state affiliates in endorsing Fred Thompson," said Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Executive Director Scott Fischbach.  "His record and his positions on issues affecting life have earned Thompson our support for president."

The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and more than 3,000 local chapters nationwide.  National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.  MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization with more than 70,000 member families and 240 chapters across the state. 

"I'm blessed and honored to have the endorsement of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life for President of the United States," said Senator Thompson.  "Right to life organizations across the country continue to vote to endorse my candidacy because they know I have stood with them yesterday, I stand with them today, and will stand with them tomorrow.  They know I have the ability to win this election. They know I believe in the sanctity of life and as President I will do all that I can to do to protect life."

Fred Thompson is pro-life. He believes in the sanctity of human life and that every life is worthy of respect.  He had a 100% pro-life voting record in the Senate and believes Roe v. Wade was a bad decision that ought to be overturned. He consistently opposed federal funding to promote or pay for abortion and supported the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and President Reagan's Mexico City policy. While Fred Thompson supports adult stem cell research, he opposes embryonic stem cell research. He also opposes human cloning.