2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

What They're Saying About John McCain's VFW Convention Speech

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN'S VFW CONVENTION SPEECH

At Yesterday's Annual VFW Convention, John McCain And Hillary Clinton "Presented Starkly Different Assessments Of The War And The Strategy Going Forward"

The New York Times: "In back-to-back speeches before an audience of military veterans here today, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain praised the fortitude of American troops fighting in Iraq, but presented starkly different assessments of the war and the strategy going forward." (Jeff Zeleny, "Clinton And McCain Differ On Iraq At Veterans' Meeting," The New York Times, 8/20/07)

The Hill: "McCain used a large portion of his remarks to address the bond of loyalty that connects the men and women who have fought on the front lines." (Klaus Marre, "McCain Touts Military Credentials," The Hill, 8/21/07

John McCain "Won Their Hearts" With VFW Speech, As Audience "Roared With Approval"

New York Daily News: McCain "Won Their Hearts." "Hillary Clinton gave respect and won some yesterday from an audience of mostly aging vets -- but Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won their hearts." (Richard Sisk, "Hil Wins Cheers, McCain Hearts At VFW," [New York] Daily News, 8/21/07)

The New York Times: "[T]he Audience Roared With Approval." "When Mr. McCain presented an opposing view, saying the troop buildup in Iraq needed time to succeed, the audience roared with approval." (Jeff Zeleny, "Clinton And McCain Take Differing Stands On Iraq," The New York Times, 8/20/07)

The Kansas City Star: "McCain Was Applauded 10 Times, Including Standing Ovations ..." "McCain was applauded 10 times, including standing ovations when he came in (10 seconds) and at the end (18). No crossed arms when he spoke. Those on stage leaned forward, looking either directly at the senator or his image on the monitor." (Steve Kraske, "Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain Address VFW Convention In KC," The Kansas City Star, 8/20/07)

"Mr. McCain's Speech Was Interrupted By Friendly Applause From People Seated Throughout The Hall." (Jeff Zeleny, "Clinton And McCain Differ On Iraq At Veterans' Meeting," The New York Times, 8/20/07)

The Associated Press: "McCain, A Former Vietnam War Prisoner Of War, Received A Warmer Reception -- And Louder Applause During His Remarks." "The crowd was mostly friendly to Clinton and offered polite applause throughout her speech. McCain, a former Vietnam War prisoner of war, received a warmer reception -- and louder applause during his remarks." (John Hanna, "Clinton, McCain Split On Iraq Pullout," The Associated Press, 8/20/07)

"It Was The Most Outstanding Speech I Ever Heard"

Bob Tanner, Americus, GA: "It Was The Most Outstanding Speech I Ever Heard ..." "When the topic turned to McCain's speech, a stream of tears descended from [Bob] Tanner's [of VFW Post 4784 in Americus, GA] eyes. 'It was the most outstanding speech I ever heard,' he said." (Steve Kraske, "Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain Address VFW Convention In KC," The Kansas City Star, 8/20/07)

Sgt. Matt Stuart, Salt Lake City, UT: "McCain Talked To Vets On Their Level. I Liked McCain." "Matt Stuart, 28, of Salt Lake City, who was a sergeant with the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, said 'she talked about programs, but McCain talked to vets on their level. I liked McCain.'" (Richard Sisk, "Hil Wins Cheers, McCain Hearts At VFW," [New York] Daily News, 8/21/07)

Marilyn Nee, Whitman, MA: "I Like His Views Right Now ... We Could Be Fighting Another War On Our Own Shores If We Aren't Careful ..." "Marilyn Nee from Whitman, Massachusetts, who said she was an independent, favored McCain over Clinton. 'I like his views right now,' Nee said. 'We could be fighting another war on our own shores if we aren't careful.'" (Carey Gillam, "Clinton, McCain Woo Veterans' Group," Reuters, 8/21/07)

Carol Budzyn, Warren, MI: "I Liked McCain ... I Don't Like Us Being There (Iraq) But I'm Supportive Of The Effort." (Carey Gillam, "Clinton, McCain Woo Veterans' Group," Reuters, 8/21/07)

Biden Earns Another Round Of Endorsements In The Granite State

BIDEN EARNS ANOTHER ROUND OF ENDORSEMENTS IN THE GRANITE STATE State Representatives, Town Leaders Join the Biden Team

Concord, NH (August 21st, 2007) – The Biden for President Campaign released another round of endorsements today as State Representative-Elect Jim Webber (D-Kensington), former State Representative Scott Green and Sanbornton Town Democratic Chair Andy Sanborn pledged their support to Sen. Biden’s candidacy.

“The Biden Campaign continues to grow here in New Hampshire,” said Biden for President New Hampshire Chair Representative Jim Ryan (D-Franklin). “The strength of his character, his ideas and his truth-telling about the war in Iraq are winning over Granite State families.”

“Over the course of my campaign, I was very impressed with Joe Biden’s organization,” said Rep.-Elect Jim Webber. “Whenever I needed support or advice on something, I could always count on Joe. However, it is the Senator’s experience and understanding of the issues, especially regarding foreign policy, that convinced me that he is the right person for the job at the right time.”

The Biden Campaign has rolled out a number of endorsements in New Hampshire over the past several weeks, including State Representatives Jim Ryan (Franklin), Committee to Elect House Democrats Chairman; Steve Shurtleff (Concord), Assistant Majority Leader; Robert Haley (Manchester), Manchester Fire Commissioner; Mark Preston (Portsmouth); Bill Hatch (Gorham); Mike Marsh (Greenland); and Jim Webber (Kensington). Additionally, the campaign announced a number of town leaders and key state activist endorsements, including Ron Pieper, Milford Democratic Town Chair; State Senator Bob Preston (Hampton); Mayor Eileen Dondero Foley (Portsmouth); Mary Carey Foley, activist, teacher (Portsmouth);Joe Russell, Stratham Planning Board; Steve Arnold, Detective. Former President of NH Police Association; Rep. Scott Green (Manchester); and Andy Sanborn, Sanbornton Town Chair (Sanbornton).

Romney For President Launches New Radio Ad, "Exceptional"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW RADIO AD, "EXCEPTIONAL"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest radio ad, "Exceptional."  The ad highlights Governor Romney's plan to cut back federal funds from cities that adopt sanctuary policies and ignore federal immigration laws.  Governor Romney has a record of enforcing our immigration laws.  He deputized the State Police to enforce federal immigration law, opposed drivers' licenses for illegal immigrants, and insisted that our children learn in English.

The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign's rotation today in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Script and viewing link are below.

In conjunction with the release of the new radio ad, Romney for President is also launching an online ad campaign on his opposition to sanctuary policies.  To view the ad graphic, please see:  http://www.mittromney.com/img/Sanctuary_Web_Ad/index.html

Script For "Exceptional" (Radio:60):

ANNOUNCER:  "Immigration laws don't work if they're ignored.

"That's the problem with cities like Newark, San Francisco and New York City that adopt sanctuary policies.

"Sanctuary cities become magnets that encourage illegal immigration and undermine secure borders.

"As Governor, Mitt Romney didn't wait on Washington.  He acted to make our immigration laws work.

"Mitt Romney is the exceptional Governor who took a stand so State Police could enforce federal immigration laws.

"Mitt Romney said 'No' to drivers' licenses for those here illegally.

"Mitt Romney insisted on teaching our kids in English.

"And as President, Mitt Romney will cut back federal funds to cities that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "Legal immigration is great.  But illegal immigration, that we've got to end.  And amnesty is not the way to do it."

ANNOUNCER:  "Mitt Romney – an exceptional leader for exceptional new challenges."

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

ANNOUNCER:  "Paid for by Romney for President, MittRomney.com." 

Governor Bill Richardson A Winner at Sunday's DNC/ABC Debate In Iowa

Governor Bill Richardson A Winner at Sunday's DNC/ABC Debate in Iowa Richardson offers "Two for one," candidate of change and most experience

SANTA FE, NM -- In yesterday's DNC/ABC Democratic Presidential debate in Iowa, Governor Bill Richardson clearly showed the differences that make him the only candidate who offers both unmatched experience and the ability to bring about the change America needs to move forward. The biggest and most important difference among the candidates is their individual plans to end the war in Iraq. Governor Richardson showed he has the strongest, most sensible plan- get all US troops out of Iraq with no residual forces left behind, then use intense diplomacy to stabilize Iraq and calm the region. He also received an enthusiastic ovation from the studio audience when he stressed the importance of education reform and outlined his one-point plan for No Child Left Behind: "Scrap it."

National media reporting and commenting on the debate was highly complimentary of Governor Richardson's performance. A few examples:

Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post's The Fix said that Governor Richardson and Senator Obama were the two winners of the debate.

Click here to read the article.

David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register -- one of the two moderators of the debate -- agreed that Governor Richardson was a winner of the debate. Yepsen called this debate Richardson's "best performance" and said that "Richardson has been moving up in polls in Iowa, and Sunday's performance should help."

Click here to read David Yepsen's article.

Click here to read David Yepsen's blog post.

Rick Klein of ABC's The Note concurred that this was Governor Richardson's "strongest" debate performance. In his liveblog of the debate, he wrote: "Richardson is cooking at this debate -- he is coming across really, really well."

Click here to read Rick Klein's debate wrap-up.

Click here to read Rick Klein's liveblog.

If you did not get to see the debate,  you can find the full transcript here.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe Endorses Hillary Clinton For President

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

(Little Rock) Calling her the Democrats’ best shot at winning Arkansas and the White House in 2008, Governor Mike Beebe today endorsed Hillary Clinton for President.

“As the first lady of Arkansas, I watched Hillary Clinton stand up for working families by helping to organize Arkansas Advocates for Children and families and leading a taskforce to improve education standards across our great state,” Beebe said. “As a Senator I have applauded her work to strengthen the Children's Health Insurance program, which increases coverage for our children in low income and working families.

“Senator Clinton has the right vision for Arkansas and the right vision for America,” Beebe continued. “And that’s why I know she is the Democrat with the best chance of winning this state in November of 2008.”
Clinton and Beebe appeared together at a campaign event downtown Little Rock, where they were joined by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters.

Clinton applauded Beebe’s first seven months in office, highlighting his success in cutting the state grocery tax in half, creating new economic development projects that have brought new jobs to the state, expanding preschool programs in Arkansas, and fighting for children’s health insurance.

“Governor Beebe is one of those leaders who consistently over-delivers,” Clinton said.  “I’m so proud, so grateful, and so honored for the support and friendship that he and his extraordinary wife, Ginger, have shown me.  And I’m looking forward to traveling with them from one end of this state to the other – talking to people about why I’m the candidate with the most experience to bring real change to Washington.”

Mike Beebe was elected the 45th governor of Arkansas in 2006, following more than two decades of dedication to Arkansas public service.  As a state senator and attorney general, Mike Beebe worked for more than 20 years to represent the people of Arkansas.  First elected to the Arkansas Senate in 1982, Beebe has a proven track record of working across party lines and finding common sense solutions for the state’s problems

Giuliani Campaign Announces Iowa Field Directors

Giuliani Campaign Announces Iowa Field Directors

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today seven regional field directors to organize campaign operations in communities across Iowa. The Giuliani campaign has also named Bruceanne Phillips as Iowa Coalitions Director and Jarrod Agen as Iowa Communications Director.

The campaign staff will work closely with Iowa Executive Director K.C. Jones, who manages the day-to-day campaign operations throughout the state, and Iowa Political Director Tony Delgado, who has been on the ground in Iowa for months building grassroots support and a volunteer base.

“Rudy Giuliani is the best Republican candidate to defeat the Democrats in the general election. Rudy is building a campaign staff in Iowa focused on winning the Caucuses in January,” said Giuliani’s Iowa Chairman Paul Pate.

Iowa Regional Field Directors
Nicole Barrett, Southwest Iowa Field Director
Michael Carpenter, Northwest Iowa Field Director
Jeff Daker, East Central Iowa Field Director
James Garcia, Jr., Northeast Iowa Field Director
Alex Gehring, North Central Iowa Field Director
Tracie Gibler, Southeast Iowa Field Director
Brenna Wieker, Central Iowa Field Director

Missouri Legislators Endorse Governor Mitt Romney For President

MISSOURI LEGISLATORS ENDORSE GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that State Legislators Gary Nodler (R-MO) and Bryan Pratt (R-MO) have endorsed his campaign for President of the United States.  Senator Nodler and Representative Pratt will help expand Governor Romney's grassroots campaign in Missouri and will help communicate Governor Romney's message of conservative change in Washington. 

"I am proud to announce the addition of these two distinguished leaders to our strong and growing grassroots team in Missouri," said Governor Romney.  "Senator Nodler and Representative Pratt will help me communicate my vision of a stronger military, stronger economy, and stronger families to voters throughout Missouri."

In a joint statement, Senator Nodler and Representative Pratt said, "We're looking forward to helping lead the Romney campaign to victory in Missouri.  Governor Romney is a turnaround artist.  He has successfully solved difficult problems in both the public and private sectors.  He is the only candidate with the experience and leadership needed to get Washington back to conservative principles; less government, lower taxes, and less spending.  We are proud to endorse Governor Romney's campaign for President of the United States."

Biden Once Again Commands The Stage At ABC Debate

BIDEN ONCE AGAIN COMMANDS THE STAGE AT ABC DEBATE Campaign Also Debuts First TV Ads in Iowa

Des Moines, IA (August 19th, 2007) – At this morning’s ABC/Iowa Democratic Party debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Sen. Joe Biden once again displayed presidential leadership and showed clearly why he is the best candidate to lead the country out of Iraq without leaving chaos behind.

“Joe Biden continues to show that he is the only candidate who has the right experience among the field and a true understanding of all the critical issues, especially Pakistan and Iraq, necessary to lead this country into what is bound to be an incredibly difficult decade,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro. “He is the truth-teller about the war in Iraq and he will continue to focus his efforts on bringing our troops safely without leaving chaos behind. This morning we saw many on the stage utter the words ‘Joe is right’ in one form or another.”

This morning, the Biden Campaign also launched its first television ads, a 30-second ad entitled “Cathedral”, which debuted during the debate on ABC and a 60-second ad, entitled “Security”, which will begin airing today on all major networks in Iowa. 

In “Cathedral”, Sen. Biden recounts a story from one of his seven trips to Iraq, during which he found himself on a C-130 transport plane with a flag-draped coffin. Sen. Biden describes the sacred commitment he felt to our troops during that moment. That moment manifested itself in Sen. Biden’s successful effort in Congress earlier this year to secure funding for new mine resistant vehicles for our troops in Iraq.

In “Security”, Sen. Biden lays out the case for why his leadership qualities and life experiences prepare him to be Commander-In-Chief and President of the United States. The current campaign is scheduled to run through Labor Day weekend at a cost of approximately a quarter of a million dollars.

The Reviews are in... Obama is the winner

The Reviews are in... Obama is the winner

Fox (Frank Luntz): You've got a clear winner here... Obama is the winner.  (Based on the focus group of Iowa voters he conducted which showed that Obama won over converts through his performance.  Full transcript below.)

ABC (Klein): "...Obama still gets applause by saying we should have figured out how to get out of the war before we got in. Clearly Democrats still care about who was against the war from the start..."
LINK  

Washington Post (Cillizza): "Obama: On Message": "A nice moment for Obama: Remind voters of his initial opposition to the war and cast himself as the unconventional candidate in the field." LINK  

ABC (Goldman) "Dems Come out Swinging on Experience vs. New Vision": "With the debate focused in its first moments on Obama, the first-term senator took the opportunity to lighten the mood. 'To get ready for this debate I rode the bumper cars at the state fair,' he said. LINK  

Focus Group Transcript: Worth the read...

Luntz:  Our respondents here have a very interesting reaction.  How many of you walked in here backing Barack Obama as your first choice? Raise your hands.

(Few hands go up.)

Luntz:  How many of you honestly thought Obama won the debate?

(Clear majority of hands go up.)

Luntz:  Almost everybody.

Frank: Now you are not a supporter of his but you thought he won why?

Participant: I feel that the first ten minutes of the debate pile on Barack. They were attacking him and his comeback to about going to the fair, practicing bumper cars to practice for the debate it immediately put the man in control.

Frank: So you liked his humor

Participant: He was sincere, he was comfortable with himself

Frank: Christian?

Christian: I think he continues to demonstrate that he's got a nuanced approach to the answers and he understands that they are not easy and he is willing to look at all siudes and involve that in his policy.

Frank: more than any other candidate?

Christian: More than any other candidate and he's more precise with how he responds.

Frank: You also were not an Obama person but you thought he won. Tell me why?

Participant: I thought he was very relaxed and very honest and he seemed very open. Willing to answer any question straightforward.

Participant: he seemed very sincere.  I was disappointed in Edwards I came in here as an Edwards supporter. And he just seemed too staged too not with it. Obama just seems to stand behind what he says.

Frank: was that enough to change your support?

Participant: At this point yes

Frank: Did anyone else switch from who they came in here for

Participant: Hillary

Frank: Hillary to...?

Participant: I probably would say more Barack Obama now.

Frank: How many of you thought that she was the biggest disappointment of the debate, raise your hand

Frank: Why? Did she not look presidential to you

Participant: She looked very staged. She looked very cold and I was fairly disappointed coming in as a Hillary supporter. Im not saying that it changed my view, but it did disappoint me quite a bit.

Frank: Tell me why?

Participant: She came across as being very, she was very outgoing and very in control but her answers were wishy washy.

Frank: Great. That was, you've got a clear winner here you've got Obama is the winner.  Hillary Clinton is the disappointment of the debate. You know that every time that we do this there is a different answer, there is a different response based on the people that we have here at Des Moines University, but one thing is for clear, Obama is getting better and better as time goes on. The language he uses, the way that he presents himself, his use of facts and figures, he's becoming a whole candidate and I think you'll see that in the polls in the coming weeks.

"Two for One": Richardson The Candidate Of Change And Experience

"Two for One": Richardson the Candidate of Change and Experience at Iowa Presidential Debate

Richardson challenges opponents with a plan to get all American troops out of Iraq with no residual forces left behind

DES MOINES, IA -- Bolstered by growing support in Iowa, Governor Bill Richardson participated in the second DNC-sanctioned Presidential debate this morning in Des Moines, Iowa. The debate was moderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos and David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register.

"Senator Obama provides change and Senator Clinton experience. With me, you get both," Governor Richardson stated. "We're going to need change to become energy independent. We're going to need experience to deal with foreign leaders. I've met already with most of them. All my life I've been a diplomat and from day one I will be ready."

During the debate, Governor Richardson's plan to leave no residual forces behind dominated the discussion on Iraq.

"I have a plan to end this war," Richardson said. "We have to get all our troops out. Our kids are dying, our troops have become targets. We need reconciliation among the three groups, a division of oil revenues, and an all-Muslim peacekeeping force headed by the UN. None of this peacekeeping begins until all of our troops are out. It's critically important that we do this by an orderly timetable. In the Iraq war, through Kuwait, we have moved, over three-month periods, approximately 250,000 of our troops into and out of Iraq. We could move them out through roads to Kuwait. We could move them out through roads to Turkey. We can do this negotiating with the Turks."

Generals and experts agree with Richardson. Once the war is de-authorized and withdrawal begins, all our troops can be redeployed from Iraq in a quick, orderly, and effective manner.

"When a President talks about foreign policy, a President has to be clear," Richardson said. "You can never take the military option off the table. The Bush administration has relied on the military option, preemption. America needs to find ways that it can get its allies to aid in the fight against terrorism."

As the most vocal presidential candidate on the issue of education Richardson reiterated his proposal of a minimum wage for our teachers of $40,000.

"I have a one point plan for No Child Left Behind, as I do for Iraq - scrap it," Richardson stated. "Once again we need to be number one in Math and Science. I would have full-day kindergarten. I would revise our high school curriculum to include arts-in-the-schools."

"This is the Katrina of the mortgage lending industry," Richardson stated in response to a question about the current mortgage crisis. "What we need is more transparency. What we need to do is not appoint officials in the industry to regulate the industry. George Bush has shown a total lack of leadership, a total lack of competence. I strongly support additional measures to increase transparency and build firewalls between credit raters and financial institutions. I have a strong record in New Mexico both on cracking down on unscrupulous lenders and in leading on affordable housing issues. And that is what we have lacked in the last six years, and especially in the last couple weeks on this threat to our economy -- leadership."