2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

What They're Saying About John McCain At The Michigan Debate

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN AT THE MICHIGAN DEBATE

"The big story here I really think is John McCain. He's the comeback kid." -- Steve Moore, Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Member And Founder Of The Club For Growth

"The Big Story Here I Really Think Is John McCain. He's The Comeback Kid."

The Wall Street Journal's Steve Moore: "The Big Story Here I Really Think Is John McCain. He's The Comeback Kid." "The big story here I really think is John McCain. He's the comeback kid. I think he's back in this race. We all wrote him off six weeks ago, we all thought he had suffered the knockout punch. I think he actually did look presidential." (CNBC's "Kudlow & Company," 10/9/07)

Moore: "I Thought [McCain] Was Reaganesque Tonight." (CNBC's "Kudlow & Company," 10/9/07)

CNBC's Larry Kudlow: "Mr. McCain Had A Pretty Good Evening ... He Seems To Be On The Rise." "Mr. McCain had a pretty good evening, did he not? ... And he's kind of on the upslope now. It's an interesting story, from down in the depths, Death Valley days a couple of months ago -- he seems to be on the rise." (CNBC's "Kudlow & Company," 10/9/07)

The Wall Street Journal's John Harwood: "[McCain] Stood Up For Ronald Reagan Economics. He Talked About Cutting Taxes And Being Tough On Spending ..." "I thought John McCain was fairly crisp. He stood up for free trade. He stood up for Ronald Reagan economics. He talked about cutting taxes and being tough on spending, and the imperative also of trying to help the middle class by getting health care costs down. All those thematic were very good for John McCain ..." (CNBC's "Kudlow & Company," 10/9/07)

Watch Moore, Kudlow And Harwood Discuss John McCain's Debate Performance On CNBC

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "McCain Gets The First Applause Of The Night For A Comprehensive Answer On The Condition Of The Economy. And Then The Second, For Saying That Congress Should Vote Up Or Down On A 'Fairer, Simple Tax Code.'" (The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder Blog, "McCain Gets Cheers," marcambinder.theatlantic.com, 10/9/07)

"Go With The Straight Talk!" As John McCain "Goes To Town On Excessive Spending And Pork-Barreling In Congress"

Townhall's Matt Lewis: "Go With The Straight Talk!" "He's right about Social Security and Medicare going broke. Go with the Straight Talk!" (Matt Lewis, "Live Blogging The Debate," Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com, 10/9/07)

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: McCain Delivered "Some 'Straight Talk' On The Economy." (Chris Cillizza, "McCain: Serious, Somber Straight Talk," The Washington Post's "Fix" Blog, blog.washingtonpost.com, 10/9/07)

Politico's Jonathan Martin: "McCain Goes To Town On Excessive Spending And Pork-Barreling In Congress ..." (Politico's Jonathan Martin Blog, "On-Message," www.politico.com, 10/9/07)

Heading Right Blog's Ed Morrissey Responds To McCain's Call For Straight Talk: "Yup." "The American people are prepared to face tough choices, but we have to be straight with them. Yup." (Ed Morrissey, "McCain Scores A Point," Heading Right Blog, headingright.com, 10/9/07)

Morrissey: McCain "Hitting His Stride." "McCain got better in the last period, I think, and is hitting his stride." (Ed Morrissey, "Second Break Winners/Losers," Heading Right Blog, headingright.com, 10/9/07)

Townhall's Matt Lewis: McCain "Proves He Gets It" On The Changing Economy. "McCain proves he gets it: 'I think we are in the midst of a revolution that we haven't seen since the Industrial Revolution.' He's right. We're not going to get back to the days where you make $20 an hour building cars with a high school education, and can provide for a family. I'm not saying this is the way I want it -- I'm saying this is the world we live in ..." (Matt Lewis, "Live Blogging The Debate," Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com, 10/9/07)

Fellow Candidates Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney And Sam Brownback Praise John McCain

Fred Thompson: "I Think John Has It Right." (CNBC/MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Debate, Dearborn, MI, 10/9/07)

Mitt Romney: "Senator McCain Is Sure Right On That Point." (CNBC/MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Debate, Dearborn, MI, 10/9/07)

Sam Brownback: "[I] Worked With Senator McCain, A Number Of Us Did" To Cut Wasteful Pork Barrel Spending. (CNBC/MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Debate, Dearborn, MI, 10/9/07)

Watch Republican Candidates Thompson, Romney And Brownback Praise John McCain

What Thet're Saying: About Governor Mitt Romney At The Dearborn, MI, GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE DEARBORN, MI, GOP DEBATE

Townhall's Matt Lewis: "Romney makes a good point about the line item veto. He used it 844 times, he says.  Romney also points out that Rudy fought against it all the way to the Supreme Court.  This is what he sees as a clear contrast...  (I strongly agree with Romney about this)." (Matt Lewis, "Live Blogging The Debate," Towhall, http://townhall.com, Posted 10/9/07)

· Lewis: "Matthews asks all the candidates how Republicans can win back the voters. … Romney, perhaps answering Huckabee and McCain, says we need to be confident and optimistic. Amen!" (Matt Lewis, "Live Blogging the Debate," Townhall, 10/9/07)

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "For our money, Mitt Romney gave the best answer. 'There are some good ones and some not so good,' Romney said, before naming the Carpenters as one of the 'good' unions. As for the bad ones, Romney joked he wasn't planning to name them. It seemed like a real joke – Romney himself seemed somewhat surprised that he had made it – and a nice moment for a candidate." (Chris Cillizza, "Union Yes," Washington Post's The Fix Blog, blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/10/union_yes.html, Posted 10/9/07)

· Cillizza: "The three frontrunners used a question about how to convince voters that Republicans can be trusted with the economy to offer their larger philosophical visions. Romney, not surprisingly, was the most upbeat of the trio." (Chris Cillizza, "A Contrast In Visions," The Washington Post's The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com, Posted 10/9/07)

MSNBC's Chuck Todd: "[Romney's] coming across, so far, as the most prepared for this debate. He appears to be the least nervous; this topic, of course, is in Romney's wheelhouse." (Chuck Todd, "Romney Strong So Far, Avoiding Bush Comparisons," MSNBC'S First Read Blog, firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/09/404089.aspx, Posted 10/9/07)

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "[Gov. Romney] let off a great line about the tax-raising Democratic Governor, Jennifer Granholm." (Marc Ambinder, "Romney Sounds Like A Gubernatorial Candidate Here," The Atlantic, marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/romney_sounds_like_a_gubernato.php, Posted 10/9/07)

· Ambinder: "Romney sounds like a gubernatorial candidate here. (That's a compliment). He let off a great line about the tax-raising Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm. 'I figured she was going to put a tax on the debate before it was finished.'" (Marc Ambinder, Atlantic Online Blog, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, 10/9/07)

· Ambinder: "Props to ... Romney: knowing the ins and outs of the Michigan economy; for landing a punch about the line item veto; he got a full minute and a half to explain his health care plan." (Marc Ambinder, Atlantic Online Blog, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, 10/9/07)

MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro: "There was a clear difference seeing Fred Thompson versus Romney in style. Romney was much more direct, clearer and had a handle on the issues." (Domenico Montanaro, "On Style," MSNBC's First Read, http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com, Posted 10/9/07)

The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "A nice moment for Mitt, comparing his record in the private sector to that of Hillary. 'I've done it, she's just talked about it,' he hit home at the end of his answer." (Jonathan Martin, "Mitt: I Can Take A Piece Out Of Hillary, Too," Politico, http://dyn.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/, 10/9/07)

· Martin: "In his first answer, Mitt Romney scored nice points with the Wolverine State audience by taking a shot at Granholm – and citing the biggest news here locally." (Jonathan Martin, "Mitt Gets Easy Applause," The Politico, http://www.politico.com/, Posted 10/9/07)

Wlady At AmSpec Blog: "Romney, speaking second, was much smoother and fluent – and smart enough to focus on Michigan's problem and blast Gov. Granholm's tax hikes." (Wlady, "Top of the Order," AmSpec Blog, 10/9/07)

· Wlady At AmSpec Blog: "Who else on that stage will be so unabashedly supply-side? Romney's response? He's for the line-item veto." (Wlady, "Clubbing for Growth," AmSpec Blog, 10/9/07)

· Wlady At AmSpec Blog: "Mitt Scores Against Mahmoud [Ahmadinejad]." (Wlady, "Mitt Scores Against Mahmoud," AmSpec Blog, 10/9/07)

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part Two

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part Two

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: “If There Was A Winner Tonight I Think It Was Mayor Giuliani.” (ABC, “World News Tonight,” 10/9/07)

· Stephanopoulos: “Mayor Giuliani Got The Better Of That Exchange … And I Think He Was Helped By The Focus Of The Economy In This Debate …” (ABC, “World News Tonight,” 10/9/07)

CNBC’s John Harwood: “I Thought That Giuliani Overall Had A Good Night.” (CNBC, “Kudlow & Company,” 10/9/07)

· Harwood: Giuliani “Set The Tone For A Lot Of The Economic Discussion.” Harwood: “[I] thought also Giuliani had a nice moment in mixing up with our own Maria Bartiromo when she asked a question about London potentially supplanting New York. He says ‘No How, No Way.’ And he says ‘get your head up, come on, let’s be optimistic’ and that kind of set the tone for a lot of the economic discussion.” (CNBC, “Kudlow & Company,” 10/9/07)

CBN’s David Brody: “Giuliani Continues To Be Solid In Every Debate. He’s The Frontrunner For A Reason.” (David Brody, CBN’s The Brody File Blog, “The Republican Debate In Dearborn: Reaction,” http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/246895.aspx, 10/9/07)

· Brody: “When It Comes To Debates, [Giuliani] Doesn’t Make Mistakes And Takes Advantage Of The Opportunities Presented To Him.” (David Brody, CBN’s The Brody File Blog, “The Republican Debate In Dearborn: Reaction,” http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/246895.aspx, 10/9/07)

NRO’s Jim Geraghty: “I Liked [Giuliani’s] “Getcha Head Up!” To Maria Bartiromo When She Asked If London Would Replace New York As The World’s Economic Capital.(Jim Geraghty, National Review Online’s Campaign Spot Blog, “The Republican Debate In Michigan: The Wrapup,” http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZWM3OTU2MTM3ZTEzYjI2MmUyNjQ4MDg2ODNlZWM5NjQ, 10/9/07)

The American Spectator’s James Antle: “‘Where Will Canadians Get Healthcare?’ Best Giuliani Line Of The Debate, And An Important Point.” (James Antle, The American Spectator’s AmSpecBlog, “Where Will Canadians Get Healthcare,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=8615, 10/9/07)

TownHall.com’s Matt Lewis: “Rudy says being energy independent is a matter of national security.  We haven’t built a nuclear plant in 30 years ...  Says the President needs to treat this ‘like putting a man on the moon.’  Good stuff...” (Matt Lewis, “Live Blogging the Debate,” www.townhall.com, 10/9/07)

Captain’s Quarters Ed Morrissey: “Romney Pulled Rudy Into A Catfight … Rudy Shrugged It Off Anyway. He Showed Poise, Humor, Energy, And Personality. He Continues To Show His Mastery Of The Format.” (Ed Morrissey, “Fred Wins, Chris Loses,” Captain’s Quarters Blog, www.captainsquartersblog.com, 10/9/07, Accessed 10/9/07)

The American Spectator’s Jennifer Rubin: “Rudy Is A Prepared And Confident Debater.”

· Rubin: “[Giuliani] Won The Dust Up With Romney And His Hillarycare Jibe Reminded Us (As If He Would Let A Day Go By Without A Reminder) There Is No One Better At Hillary Bashing.” (Jennifer Rubin, The American Spectator’s AmSpec Blog, “Debate Wrap,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=8616, 10/9/07)

National Review Online’s Mark Hemingway: “Giuliani Appears To Be Leading The Field By Virtue Of Being The Most Consistent Guy In The Field.” (Mark Hemingway, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “The Wrap-Up,” http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Y2YxMmJjODIwNzMyMmY1OGFlMzY5ZmM5MjQ4YTY3MzQ, 10/9/07)

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani

ABC News’ Political Radar: “[H]ere's Guessing The Conventional Wisdom Will Judge Giuliani The Winner.” (ABC News’ Political Radar Blog, “Live Blogging During Today's GOP Debate,” http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/live-blogging-d.html, 10/9/07)

ABC News: “The First Great Line On The Night, From Rudy: ‘I Led, [Romney] Lagged.’ And A Great Defense Of Suing Over The Line-Item Veto: ‘You Can Bang Your Head Against The Wall All You Want’ -- But It's Still Unconstitutional.” (ABC News’ Political Radar Blog, “Live Blogging During Today's GOP Debate,” http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/live-blogging-d.html, 10/9/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy Is Such a Talented Guy.” (Rich Lowry, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Rudy Is Such A Talented Guy,” http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmQxNTEwZmRjODM0ZjgwNmU2YzdkNDE4NmIzMTU4OTM, 10/9/07)   

· Lowry: “Answer-To-Answer In These Debates [Giuliani Is] Just Very Impressive.” (Rich Lowry, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Rudy Is Such A Talented Guy,” http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmQxNTEwZmRjODM0ZjgwNmU2YzdkNDE4NmIzMTU4OTM, 10/9/07)   

Lowry: “[T]he Exchange Goes To Rudy …” (Rich Lowry, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Rudy V. Romney,” http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YjczYmE3Y2NlOTQ3ZTdkOGU5NWJmMjFlYzJlNjE4MjI, 10/9/07)

CNBC’s Mark Koba: “Rudy G. Dominating The Time Right Now.” (Mark Koba, CNBC’s Political Capital Blog, “OP Presidential Debate: The LIVE Blog,” http://www.cnbc.com/id/21147195, 10/9/07)

Koba: “I Think Giuliani Came Out Best.” (Mark Koba, CNBC’s Political Capital Blog, “OP Presidential Debate: The LIVE Blog,” http://www.cnbc.com/id/21147195, 10/9/07)

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: Giuliani Has “Done This Debate Thing Before And It Shows.” (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post’s The Fix Blog, “Romney and Giuliani: Surely You Jest,” http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/10/romney_and_giuliani_surely_you.html, 10/9/07)

Cillizza: “A Good Exchange … A Rhetorical Victory For Giuliani.” (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post’s The Fix Blog, “Fight, Fight Fight,” http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/10/fight_fight_fight.html, 10/9/07)

Cillizza: “[Giuliani Offered] His ‘Vision Of A Robust, Strong America’ -- And Offered A Defense Of The Need To Not Let Government Get In The Way Of American Ingenuity.” (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post’s The Fix Blog, “A Contrast In Visions,” http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/10/a_contrast_in_visions.html, 10/9/07)

NBC’s Domenico Montanaro: “Giuliani … Looked Comfortable  …” (Domenico Montanaro, NBC’s First Read Blog, “On Style,” http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/09/404050.aspx, 10/9/07)

National Review Online’s Kathryn Jean Lopez: “[R]udy Seemed To Get The Last Word There.” (Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Romney Vs. Rudy, Rudy Vs. Romney,” http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MGY3ODBiYjc1NzNjZTQ3MzVkZGE1NTg0OWIxYmE2ZmY, 10/9/07)

Kate O'Beirne: “Rudy Giuliani Has Given A Typically Competent Performance …” (Kate O'Beirne, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “So Far...,” http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NTYzMzE5MWM0NTc4MmMwMmE3ODA5NzZlZGI1ZjJjMTk, 10/9/07)

Detroit News’ Richard Burr: “Rudy Giuliani Has Been Spirited In Defending His Record.” (Richard Burr, Detroit News Blog, “Nobody Has Captured Reagan's Mantle,” http://info.detnews.com/weblog/index.cfm?blogid=10720, 10/9/07)

A Statement From Iowa Chairman Doug Gross

A STATEMENT FROM IOWA CHAIRMAN DOUG GROSS

"Today, the contrast between Governor Romney and Hillary Clinton was clear: we can take a sharp left turn and use the antiquated European model of a larger government, or take Mitt Romney’s approach by empowering the American people to enact innovative change to our economy.  Mitt Romney understands that the American people are the source of our economic strength, and more government is not the answer."

Kucinich Withdraws From Michigan Democratic Primary Ballot

Kucinich withdraws from Michigan Democratic primary ballot

DOVER, NH - The Kucinich for President campaign announced this afternoon that it has filed an affidavit with the Michigan Secretary of State's office officially requesting that the name of Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich be withdrawn from the Michigan Democratic primary ballot.

The sworn statement requesting withdrawal was submitted via fax by Kucinich National Campaign Manager Mike Klein shortly before today's 4 p.m. deadline.

At the same time, the Kucinich campaign issued the following statement on behalf of the candidate, who is campaigning in Arizona today:

"We signed a public pledge recently, promising to stand with New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, and the DNC-approved 'early window', and the action we are taking today protects New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status, and Nevada's early caucus."

The statement continued: "We support the grassroots nature of the New Hampshire, small-state primary, and we support the diversity efforts that Chairman Dean and the DNC instituted last year, when they added Nevada and South Carolina to the window in January 2008.  We are obviously committed to New Hampshire's historic role."

Klein, who recently moved to Dover, NH to run the national Kucinich campaign, added, "We will continue to adhere to the DNC-approved primary schedule."

Romney Communications Director Matt Rhoades Statement On The Sixth Republican Presidential Debate:

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT AN OPTIMISTIC VISION TO MOVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD

Dearborn, MI – This afternoon, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the sixth Republican presidential debate:

"With an exceptional record of accomplishment turning around private companies, the 2002 Winter Olympics and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Governor Romney outlined a vision and a strategy to move our economy forward through lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, less regulation and smaller government.  Today, Governor Romney demonstrated why he is the only candidate who can bring conservative change to Washington." 

Statement By McCain Campaign Manager Rick Davis Following Michigan GOP Debate

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING MICHIGAN GOP DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on today's Republican presidential debate:

"Today, John McCain proved once again he is the only candidate to restore Americans' trust in government by stopping wasteful pork barrel spending, simplifying the tax code and fixing Social Security instead of just passing the problem off to another generation. Unlike other candidates, John McCain doesn't just talk about cutting pork barrel spending -- he has a 20-year record of leading the fight against government waste on behalf of American taxpayers.

"John McCain is the only candidate with a comprehensive plan to reform the unemployment insurance system to assist workers who have lost a job that's not coming back to find a job that won't go away.

"Michigan voters witnessed again today what they admired about John McCain in 2000: Straight talk, experienced leadership and bold solutions for America's future."

Statement from Todd Harris: Thompson Shows Courage To Address the Nation's Real Problems

Thompson: The Courage to Address the Nation's Real Problems,and the Leadership to Solve Them
Statement from Thompson Communications Director Todd Harris:

"Tonight, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani continued their partisan bickering, this time over things like the constitutionality of the line item veto.  While they played politics, Fred Thompson rose above it and took his conservative, small government, tax cutting message straight to the American people. 

"He talked directly to the American people about keeping more of what they earn.  He talked truth about entitlements.  He talked about keeping America safe.  He made it known that when it comes to our national security, it won't be his attorneys that Fred Thompson will first sit down with, it will be his generals. 

"Overall, he showed the courage and honesty to address the nation's real problems, and the leadership to solve them.  Fred Thompson may have been standing between Romney and Rudy, but he stood far above both of them."

Chris Cillizza: Thompson the Tone Setter

Chris Cillizza: Thompson the Tone Setter

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/10/thompson_the_tone_setter.html

 

Say this for Fred Thompson's strategy of not appearing in debates up until today: It's allowing him to get the first response in on many of the most important questions of the debate.

Since most viewers are interested in hearing from Thompson, he is getting lots and lots of questions and often setting the tone for the responses that follow.

Take Social Security's long-term solvency, an issue on which moderator Maria Bartiromo said Thompson was one of the few candidates offering specific solutions.

Thompson used the question to return to his larger theme for the debate -- things are OK now but we are walking a dangerous line for our future. "We are eating our seed corn, we are spending their money," Thompson said. "We're better than that."