2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Governor Romney On Last Night's Democratic Debate

GOVERNOR ROMNEY ON LAST NIGHT'S DEMOCRATIC DEBATE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement regarding last night's Democratic presidential debate:

"While the men and women of our military are serving and sacrificing for their country in Iraq, the leading Democratic presidential candidates have consistently called for a retreat.  Yet, when asked last night if they could outline a path forward in Iraq under their leadership, Senators Clinton, Obama and Edwards fell silent.  Clearly, the Democrats place a higher premium on cheap and shallow political attacks that appeal to the fringe element of their party than they do on outlining a plan.  Instead of troop withdrawals, we need to be talking about how we achieve victory in Iraq.  Changing Washington requires Democrats who are willing to put aside the partisanship and work toward solutions on our most pressing challenges."

John McCain 2008 Launches Televison And Radio Ads In New Hampshire

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES TELEVISION AND RADIO ADS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a statewide New Hampshire ad buy.  The new ads highlight John McCain's experience, character and judgment that Americans trust to lead our country and reform Washington.  The campaign is launching two television ads and one radio ad, entitled "One Man," "Live Free," and "Courage," respectively.
VIEW THE NEW ADS HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/tvads/

Script for "One Man" (:60-TV)

INTERVIEWER: How old are you?

JOHN MCCAIN: Thirty-one

INTERVIEWER: What is your rank in the Army?

JOHN MCCAIN: Lt. Commander in the Navy ... Hit by either missile or anti-aircraft fire, I'm not sure which. I ejected and broke my leg and both arms.

INTERVIEWER: And your official number?

JOHN MCCAIN: 624787

ANNOUNCER: One man sacrificed for his country

One man opposed a flawed strategy in Iraq

One man had the courage to call for change

One man didn't play politics with the truth

One man stands up to the special interests

JOHN MCCAIN: Stand up. We're Americans, we're Americans and we'll never surrender. They will.

ANNOUNCER: One man does what's right, not what's easy

John McCain

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

Script for "Live Free" (:30-TV)

ANNOUNCER: America at risk

Americans lost trust in their government

They're looking for leadership

A leader with the judgment and experience to keep us safe

The courage to change Washington

Fix our toughest problems and restore our trust

The character to put America's interests before his own

New Hampshire, you know who he is:

JOHN MCCAIN: Live free or die!

ANNOUNCER: John McCain

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

Script for "Courage" (:60-RADIO)

ANNOUNCER: John McCain, prisoner of war, Hanoi, 1967:

INTERVIEWER: How old are you?

JOHN MCCAIN: Thirty-one

INTERVIEWER: What is your rank in the Army?

JOHN MCCAIN: Lt. Commander in the Navy ... Hit by either missile or anti-aircraft fire, I'm not sure which. I ejected and broke my leg and both arms.

INTERVIEWER: And your official number?

JOHN MCCAIN: 624787

ANNOUNCER: One man believes Americans want a leader, not a follower

"No other candidate has the guts to do the same," wrote the Union Leader

One man has the courage to stand up to the special interests

And the judgment and experience to be commander in chief

New Hampshire, you know who he is:

JOHN MCCAIN: Live free or die!

ANNOUNCER: John McCain

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

2008 Republican National Convention OPENS VIRTUAL DIALOGUE WITH ‘CONVENTION iNSIDER’ WEB FORUM

2008 Republican National Convention OPENS VIRTUAL DIALOGUE WITH ‘CONVENTION iNSIDER’ WEB FORUM

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) – The 2008 Republican National Convention today launched CONVENTION iNSIDER – an interactive, online forum where visitors to www.GOPConvention2008.com can pose questions about planning and progress in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Questions can be submitted in the form of videos or text, and convention staff will respond in the format in which questions are received. As many relevant questions and answers as possible will be posted online, and the feature will serve as a running dialogue about the party’s 39th nominating convention, September 1-4, 2008. 

CONVENTION iNSIDER will offer people across the nation and around the world a behind-the-scenes perspective of our progress.  By taking an active interest, asking questions, and sharing new ideas – visitors to our website can become participants in the planning process,” said convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino. “This web tool is an exciting expansion of our ongoing conversation – and I look forward to answering many of the questions personally.”

CONVENTION iNSIDER (www.GOPConvention2008.com/insider) will enable visitors to communicate with staff members, senior party leadership, and special guests of the 2008 Republican National Convention. The convention website will continue to evolve in the coming months as additional features and interactive capabilities are unveiled.

This virtual dialogue is one of many steps the 2008 Republican National Convention is taking to use fewer resources and host the greenest Republican convention in history in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The Committee on Arrangements, in partnership with the MSP2008 Host Committee, is developing a paperless system to recruit and register an anticipated 8,000 volunteers.  Convention planners will continue to use the internet and alternate ways of communication, rather than physical travel, to plan and discuss key aspects of the event. The convention’s green fact sheet can be viewed at http://www.gopconvention2008.com/downloads/gopgreen_0907.pdf.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008.  Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com.

John McCain 2008 TV Ad: "One Man" :60

John McCain 2008 TV Ad: "One Man" :60

John McCain 2008
:60 Television
"One Man"
September 27, 2007

Audio  Video 
Interviewer: How old are you?

John McCain: Thirty one.

Interviewer: What is your rank in the army?

McCain: Lt. Commander in the Navy. ... hit by either missile or anti-aircraft fire, I'm not sure which. And the plane continued straight down and I ejected and broke my leg and both arms.

Interviewer: And your official number?

McCain: 624787  John McCain interviewed in Hanoi prison

CG: John McCain
POW 1967 - 1973 

Anncr: One man sacrificed for his country  John McCain board

CG: McCain logo
Courageous Service
Experienced Leadership
Bold Solution

One man opposed a flawed strategy in Iraq  McCain campaign b-roll

CG: "McCain was dead on in his analysis." Newsweek, 7/26/2007 

One man had the courage to call for change  CG: "...Americans want a leader, not a follower. No other candidate has the guts to do the same." Manchester Union Leader, 5/24/2007 

One man didn't play politics with the truth McCain and President Reagan 

One man stands up to the special interests McCain photo in flight gear  

McCain: Stand up. We're Americans, we're Americans and we'll never surrender, they will  McCain speech at convention
CG: www.JohnMcCain.com

Anncr: One man does what's right, not what's easy  McCain saluting 

John McCain.    

McCain: I'm John McCain and I approved this message  McCain profile 

CG: Paid for by John McCain 2008

John McCain 2008 TV Ad: "Live Free"

John McCain 2008 TV Ad: "Live Free"

John McCain 2008
:30 Television
"Live Free"
September 27, 2007

Audio Video

Anncr: America at risk  B-roll

Americans lost trust in their government  CG: "Bridge to Nowhere" "Hurricane Katrina" "Congressional Scandal"

They're looking for leadership  B-roll campaign rally

CG: "The spirited commanding character New Hampshire fell in love with...." Manchester Union Leader, 9/7/2007

A leader with the judgment and experience to keep us safe    

The courage to change Washington    

Fix our toughest problems and restore our trust  McCain and President Reagan

The character to put America's interests before his own  b-roll prison camp footage

New Hampshire, you know who he is  b-roll of McCain and veterans

CG: www.JOHNMcCAIN.com

McCain: Live free or die  b-roll handmade sign

Anncr: John McCain  McCain still profile

McCain: I'm John McCain and I approved this message  CG: McCain logo

Bill Richardson At The NBC/DNC Debate In New Hampshire

Governor Bill Richardson Stands Alone on Ending the War in Iraq at NBC/DNC Debate in New Hampshire Richardson still the only major candidate committed to withdrawing all American troops from Iraq, with no residual forces left behind

HANOVER, NH-- On the same day he released a new television ad in New Hampshire, emphasizing that he is the only major candidate committed to withdrawing all American troops from Iraq, Governor Bill Richardson participated in the NBC/DNC Presidential Debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, moderated by Tim Russert.

Governor Richardson was the only candidate of the top four to make an unequivocal commitment to get all of our troops out of Iraq, proving that he is the only candidate who will get all of our troops out of Iraq and actually end this war. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards all reaffirmed that they would leave tens of thousands of troops in Iraq indefinitely.

"I have a fundamental difference with Senator Obama, John Edwards, and Senator Clinton," Governor Richardson said. "Their position is changing the mission. My position is to end this war. Six billion dollars on cancer research equals two weeks of spending on the war.  As long as we do not end the war, we cannot invest in critical needs like cancer. The American people want to end the war. You cannot start the reconciliation of Iraq, a political settlement, and possibly this issue of a separation, which I think is a possible solution, until we get all our troops out. Unlike Senator Clinton, I do not believe the Congress has done enough. We have been able to move 240,000 of our troops in three months in and out of Iraq through Kuwait. It would take persuading Turkey. I would leave behind some of the light equipment. Leaving any troop behind will prevent us from moving forward toward stability in the region. I would talk to Iran. I would make sure the entire issue is tied to stability in the Israeli-Palestinian issue. You have to deal with the entire issue."

When discussing Iran during the debate Governor Richardson responded: "We should not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Another cornerstone should be the strength and security of Israel. You cannot deny a nation the right to legitimately defend itself. You have to approach Iran with diplomacy, then use sanctions. The problem with Iran is we do not build the international support that is needed to put economic pressure on Iran, and my point here is that Iran is susceptible to economic pressure. I would not necessarily talk to Ahmadinejad. I would talk to moderate clerics, to business leaders, 40% of the Iranian people vote for moderate candidates for president, so you first use diplomacy. The problem is that we cannot build international support with the Europeans, and with Russia that have leverage on Iran to effectively pressure them not to build nuclear weapons. It's called diplomacy, negotiation, talking to Iran and Syria and trying to work out differences."

During the discussion on Social Security Governor Richardson made his position clear. "First, we need to take privatization off the table,” Richardson said. “Second, we need to stop raiding the social security trust fund, as Congress and the President have done. I am the only candidate for a constitution amendment to balance the budget. You have to have universal pensions. This estimate you are citing is based on 1.3 percent economic growth.1 That growth is pathetic. If we balance the budget, if we invest in education, if we have a stronger growth rate, then we will have the ability to support to help fix Social Security. I am for a constitutional amendment to balance the budget within five years."

Richardson's strong debate performance comes just after the release of an ad and a four-minute video on Iraq. These important pieces make it clear that Governor Richardson is the only major candidate committed to getting all our troops out of Iraq -- with no residual forces -- and actually ending this war. In the ad and video, prominent online activists endorse the Richardson Plan for the war in Iraq.

As the only true candidate of experience and change who has a proven record of delivering, whether it is returning the remains of U.S. troops from North Korea or negotiating with Saddam Hussein to free hostages from Iraq, Richardson made it clear that the next president needs real experience to deliver change.

MSNBC Democratic Debate In New Hampshire – Edwards' Reviews Are In

MSNBC Democratic Debate in New Hampshire – Reviews Are In

Salon.com’s Joan Walsh Said Edwards “Made a Strong Impression” and Named Edwards the Winner of the Debate.  Chris Matthews posed the question, “Who won tonight’s debate?” and Salon.com’s Walsh responded, “I think Edwards made a strong impression and I think he pushed her [Senator Hillary Clinton] back, he brushed her back a little bit.  So I would go with Edwards.”  [MSNBC, 9/26/07]

NBC's Chuck Todd: “Edwards Stood Out to Me,” “It Was One of His Better Performances.” “Of the candidates chasing Clinton, Edwards stood out to me. He seemed to realize he needed to prove contrast with Clinton on just about every answer he gave. It was one of his better performances. The guy is getting his William Jennings Bryan schtick down pat.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/26/381964.aspx, “Some Quick Post-game Take-aways,” 9/26/07]

Newsweek’s Howard Fineman: “Edwards Has Emerged So Far the Most Forceful Challenger To” Clinton. “From where I sit, Edwards has emerged so far the most forceful challenger to her (other than Tim Russert).” [http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2007/09/26/fineman-debate-live-blog.aspx, 9/26/07]

Marc Ambinder: “Victory for JRE,” “Edwards Was Straightforward, Confident, Clear.” Edwards was Edwards on Centrum Silver: straightforward, confident, clear, knowledgeable, thoroughly encased in his own frame. Ying to the yang of both Obama and Clinton; If you’re new to nomination politics, then you’d think Edwards – and not Obama – was Hillary Clinton’s main foil. The war. Social Security. Health care. Campaign ethics. Clinton didn't take the punch, but she did move to dodge them, which is a victory for JRE. [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/09/edwards_clinton_spats_stand_ou.php, “Edwards, Clinton Spats Sound Out,” 9/26/07]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards May Have Done Himself the Most Good Tonight.” “11:02 pm: Quick thoughts -- Hillary Clinton benefits whenever no one else distinguishes himself, and Edwards may have done himself the most good tonight. Obama squeezed in one good line, but I don't see that as enough for the evening.” [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/live-blogging-d.html, 9/26/07]
NBC's Domenico Montanaro: Edwards Was “More Presidential” and “Looked Poised.” “Edwards looked poised in following up on his answer. Not angry or frustrated as we've seen him before, more presidential.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/26/381656.aspx, “Edwards Pointing Out Differences,” 9/26/07]

Newsweek’s Howard Fineman: “Edwards Then Hits It out of the Park,” “Wins the Round” on Social Security. “Edwards then hits it out of the park, talking about a ‘protective zone’ of income between $97,500 and $200,000. His proposals sounded carefully thought through—whether you agree with it or not—and was much more specific than what Obama had to say on the topic. Hillary is talking too much about what her ‘husband’ did; she isn't being specific enough—Edwards wins the round.” [http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2007/09/26/fineman-debate-live-blog.aspx, 9/26/07]

NBC’s Athena Jones: Edwards Gets a “Whoop” for Promising to End Health Insurance for Congress if No Universal Health Care. “A whoop here for Edwards' promise to cut off health insurance coverage for members of Congress if they don't pass health care by July 2009.”[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/26/381762.aspx, “Edwards health care reaction,” 9/26/07]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Is the First to Draw Real Distinctions About” on Iraq.  “9:07 pm: I'm ready to give the Big Three credit for intellectual honesty by saying troops will have to remain in Iraq for some years. But John Edwards is the first to draw real distinctions about what to do going forward. This won't be the last time he finds a way to set himself apart.” [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/live-blogging-d.html, 9/26/07]

NBC's Domenico Montanaro: “Edwards Is Pressing the Distinctions with Clinton.” “Edwards is pressing the distinctions with Clinton. He said they had learned different things on their war vote and said this Iran vote was indicative of that. Will it matter? Edwards clearly wants to put her on the defensive. So far, he's the only one.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/26/381710.aspx, “Edwards Pressing,” 9/26/07]

NBC’s Chuck Todd: “Edwards Seems on His Game Tonight.” “It's VERY early but Edwards seems on his game tonight.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/26/381655.aspx, “Edwards Came To Debate With A Plan?” 9/26/07]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “I'd Give Edwards a Slight Edge in Making His Points and Making Them Solidly.”10:05 pm: “But I'd give Edwards a slight edge in making his points and making them solidly.” [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/live-blogging-d.html, 9/26/07]

ABC’s Rick Klein: Edwards “Distinguished” Himself.  “9:33 pm: One-fourth of the way in, Edwards and Richardson have distinguished themselves. If people were looking for a new, more aggressive Obama tonight, it doesn't look like they're going to get it.” [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/live-blogging-d.html, 9/26/07]

Chris Matthew Said Edwards Came with a “Clear Strategy” to Differentiate Himself from Hillary Clinton.  Chris Matthews said, “Senator John Edwards was one who came out with a clear strategy to differentiate himself from Hillary Clinton on the issue of combat troops in Iraq and U.S. military action potentially against Iran.”  [MSNBC, 9/26/07]

The Reviews Are In: Hillary Clinton At The New Hampshire Debate

The Reviews Are In: Hillary 'Won,' 'Continues to Show Command,' 'Playing At A Higher Level'

MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST PAT BUCHANAN – ‘HILLARY WON TONIGHT’ [MSNBC, 9/26/07]

NBC NEWS’ CHUCK TODD – HILLARY 'CONTINUES TO SHOW COMMAND… IN CHARGE OF THIS CAMPAIGN': “She continues to show command on the stage; it's subtle things but there's no doubting who's in charge of this campaign right now, it's Hillary Clinton.” [NBC News First Read, 9/26/07 ]

ABC NEWS’ RICK KLEIN – HILLARY WAS AT A 'HIGHER LEVEL THAN HER RIVALS': “And, of course, Clinton is again playing at a higher level than her rivals.” [ABC News Political Radar, 9/26/07 ]

ATLANTIC'S MARC AMBINDER – 'THOROUGH AND CAREFUL, CAME OFF AS INTELLIGENT AND PRUDENT’: "Clinton was solid…She was thorough and careful, came off as intelligent and prudent, and really didn’t take a nick tonight. She did unleash the night’s best jab, and she displayed a genuine sense of humor, one that the audience seemed to appreciate and acknowledge." [Atlantic, 9/26/07 ]

NBC NEWS’ DOMENICO MONTARO – HILLARY SOUNDED ‘PRESIDENTIAL’: “Clinton sounded her best tonight… her talking about a president's role sounded presidential.” [NBC News First Read, 9/26/07 ]

ABC NEWS’ JAKE TAPPER: ‘NO ONE HAS REALLY LAID A GLOVE ON CLINTON’ [ABC News Political Radar, 9/26/07 ]

AMERICAN PROSPECT’S DANA GOLDSTEIN – 'HILLARY CLEAREST, MOST CONCISE ON IMMIGRATION': “Hillary clearest, most concise on Immigration. No, she says local police shouldn't be made to enforce federal immigration policy: ‘It's not their job.’” [American Prospect blog, 9/26/07 ]

NEW YORK TIMES’ KATHARINE SEELYE – HILLARY 'CONTROLLED THE QUESTIONING': “Wow. Quick arms race between Mr. Russert and Mrs. Clinton over what she said was a hypothetical question — whether Israel would be justified in launching an attack against Iran if it felt its security was threatened. She controlled the questioning…” [New York Times Caucus blog, 9/26/07 ]

Chris Dodd Draws Clear Distiinctions

DODD DRAWS CLEAR DISTINCTIONS ON ABILITY TO PRODUCE RESULTS
Presidential Candidate Stands Out with Bold Solutions, Proven Track Record of Success

HANOVER, NH - Presidential candidate Chris Dodd stood out from the pack tonight by pointing to his proven ability to get results and his bold solutions to America's most pressing issues.

"I've spent 26 years working on every major domestic and foreign policy issue facing our country. I have proven I can get results for our nation - I authored the Family and Medical Leave Act, child care legislation, dealing in Latin America, dealing with financial services," said Dodd. "I think people want not only promises of what you'll do, but a proven record of what you've been able to accomplish."
Dodd, who has led the fight to responsibly end the war in Iraq in the Senate, is the only Senator running for President to vow to have all troops out of Iraq by 2013, saying "I will get that done."

"Walking away from international conventions as we did with the Geneva conventions, to disallow the restrictions on torture and to walk away from habeas corpus, I think is a mistake," said Dodd, the author of the Restoring the Constitution Act. "But leadership requires that you try and do something about it. I'm doing something about it by trying to get Congress to overturn the Military Commissions Act, which passed last year."

"Chris Dodd will put an end to the bickering and fighting that have defined our recent political history which have prevented us from solving the big challenges that face the country by bringing people together to get the job done," said Former NH Democratic Party Chair and Dodd New Hampshire Campaign Co-Chair Joe Keefe. "Chris Dodd has delivered time and time again for Americans as a U.S. Senator and I am confident he is the only candidate who will get results as President."

"Chris Dodd was the only President on stage tonight," said Campaign Manager Sheryl Cohen. "Chris Dodd is the only one who truly understands the stakes in this election, has a command of the issues important to middle class families, but most importantly, can deliver for the American people."
Dodd will continue to build on his strong performance tonight by bringing his message of bold leadership and real results to Iowa voters this weekend.

Statement By Communications Director Todd Harris

Statement by Communications Director Todd Harris

McLean, VA - Thompson Communications Director Todd Harris released the following statement after tonight's Democrat debate in New Hampshire:

"I hope every American tuned in tonight to watch the Democrats debate how much to raise taxes, how much to grow government, and which route to surrender they would choose in the war against terror. The contrast between Fred Thompson and every liberal throwback on that stage could not be more clear, and watching them tonight makes me feel downright bullish about winning next November."