2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Dodd Draws Clear Distinctions, Wins First Iowa Debate

DODD DRAWS CLEAR DISTINCTIONS, WINS FIRST IOWA DEBATE Presidential Candidate Demonstrates Mastery of Issues, Highlights Proven Leadership Experience

DES MOINES, IA - Highlighting his record of successful, proven leadership on issues affecting Americans and proposing bold solutions to the nation's most pressing problems, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd outshined his competition at Sunday's debate in Des Moines, Iowa. Explaining that there is a difference between having mere experience and having a proven record of success, Dodd drew clear distinctions between himself and the other candidates.

Making the case for experience in the wake of the failed Bush-Cheney administration Dodd said, "You're not going to have time in January of '09 to get ready for this job."  Dodd, who has been involved in nearly every major foreign policy decision in the last 26 years and won Head Start's Senator of the Decade Award, has a proven record of experience on both domestic and foreign affairs.

"Senator Dodd displayed the vast experience he will draw from when elected President. From being the first candidate to call for suspending Chinese imports to protect the safety of our children to providing our troops protective body armor while simultaneously proposing a responsible plan to get our troops out of Iraq, Senator Dodd is the only candidate with a proven record of success," said Dodd Communications Director Hari Sevugan. "Dodd is the best candidate for President because his vision for America reflects his experience, his mastery of the most complex issues facing our country and his ability to connect with everyday Americans. Today's performance is just another example that Senator Dodd's message of proven, bold leadership is resonating with American voters."

"Let me point out it's about getting the job done.  We don't elect a king or a queen or a dictator in November.  We elect a president.  That margins are thin.  No 1 political party is going to write all of this.  It takes leadership that knows how to bring people together.  It's what I've done for 26 years.  When I wrote the Family Medical Leave Act, it took me 3 presidents, 2 vetoes to go through in 7 years, but I brought Republicans to the table around a Democratic principle," said Dodd, the author of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Dodd, who has fought for the middle class throughout his career, is drawing attention to the middle class squeeze through a series of policy proposals entitled Middle Class Matters.

The Reviews Are In: Hillary 'Rising Above,' 'The Strongest,' 'Tough and Well Prepared'

The Reviews Are In: Hillary 'Rising Above,' 'The Strongest,' 'Tough and Well Prepared'

ABC NEWS' RICK KLEIN - HILLARY 'RISING ABOVE THE REST OF THE FIELD': "Clinton still rising above the rest of the field -- why not, as long as you're leading in the polls?" [ABC News Political Radar, 8/19/07 ]

MARK HALPERIN 'I THINK SENATOR CLINTON ONCE AGAIN.WAS THE STRONGEST' [ABC Iowa 5, 8/19/07]

MSNBC'S DOMENICO MONTANARO - CLINTON WAS 'TOUGH AND WELL PREPARED' "Clinton was again solid, no gaffes as usual. She is tough and well prepared." [MSNBC, First Read, 8/19/07 ]

NEW YORK TIMES' KATHARINE SEELYE - A 'STANDOUT' ANSWER TO CLOSE THE DEBATE: "Mrs. Clinton, the last to speak, had more time to think about her answer and had the standout: 'I could not be standing here without the women's movement,' she said. It helped women and people of color become part of the American Dream. She paid homage to her mother, who never went to college, 'but gave me the belief that I could do whatever I set my mind to.'" [New York Times, 8/19/07 ]

WASHINGTON POST'S CHRIS CILLIZZA - HILLARY 'PUSHED BACK EFFECTIVELY' WHEN ATTACKED: "Clinton pushed back effectively by noting that 'we' (she and Bill Clinton presumably) had been fighting and beating back Republicans for more than a decade and that the idea that the GOP would not attack any candidate who was the Democratic nominee was naive." [Washington Post's The Fix, 8/19/07 ]

HUFFINGTON POST'S RACHEL SKLAR - HILLARY SOUNDS 'STRONG AND AUTHORITATIVE' ON IRAQ: Sklar commented on Clinton's response on withdrawing American troops in Iraq: "She sounds strong and authoritative here." [Huffington Post, 8/19/07 ]

HUFFINGTON POST'S GLYNNIS MACNICOL - 'HILLARY IS REALLY GOOD ON STAGE. SO POLISHED'  [Huffington Post, 8/19/07 ]

Hillary: The Strength and Experience to Deliver Change

Hillary: The Strength and Experience to Deliver Change

This morning in Des Moines, Hillary showed that she is the Democrat with the strength and experience to beat the Republicans in 2008 and deliver the big change Americans want.

With Hillary it's not an either/or: She has 35 years of experience fighting for real change and she will use her experience to change Washington starting on day one.

Speaking personally, Hillary paid tribute to the work of all those women who helped change America - thus making her historic candidacy for change possible.

On Iraq, Hillary talked about her three-step plan to get our troops home in the smartest, safest way we can. And she pressed the Pentagon to begin planning to redeploy our troops safely, so that we are better prepared to get out of Iraq then we were getting in. She made it crystal clear that if George Bush won't end this war before he leaves office, as President, she will.

Here at home, she demonstrated her lifelong commitment to the Middle Class and fighting the special interests, vowing to achieve universal health care and helping create new jobs at good wages for hard working Americans.  She demonstrated her commitment to helping family farmers with the challenges they face.

That's why polls this month have Hillary surging to more than 20-point leads in the Democratic primary and to leads over each of her Republican competition.

Biden Campaign Debuts First TV Ads In Iowa

BIDEN CAMPAIGN DEBUTS FIRST TV ADS IN IOWA

Des Moines, IA (August 19, 2007) -- This morning, the Biden Campaign 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.

Mike Huckabee Announces Speaker Bill Howell As Presidential Campaign Virginia State Chair

Mike Huckabee Announces Speaker Bill Howell as Presidential Campaign Virginia State Chair

Little Rock, AR – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President and will serve as his Virginia State Chair, it was announced today.

"I'm very pleased that Speaker Howell has agreed to join my campaign in this capacity," Huckabee said. "Bill has a distinguished track record of success in Virginia . His impressive record of accomplishment and outstanding reputation will help build our organization."

"I'm excited to be Governor Huckabee's Virginia Chair," Howell said. "He is the leader our country needs and one I am honored to serve as state chair for his campaign."

"Since our 2nd place finish in the Iowa straw poll on Saturday, the energy and momentum of our campaign has continued to exceed expectations," said Chip Saltsman , Huckabee's Campaign Manager. "We expect Speaker Howell to be the first of many distinguished individuals to join our team."

"Governor Huckabee embodies the values and aspirations of the people of Virginia ," said Howell. "He will work vigorously to spread his principled, conservative message, earning the support of others around the country, and I look forward to being an active part of that dynamic effort."

"We are honored to have Speaker Howell lead our Virginia team," Huckabee said on Thursday. "Bill has earned the respect of those elected to govern the Commonwealth of Virginia and his endorsement is further indication of our growing momentum."

Former U.S. Senator Joins Giuliani’s Wisconsin Team

Former U.S. Senator Joins Giuliani’s Wisconsin Team Robert W. Kasten, Jr. To Serve As State Chair

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that former Wisconsin U.S. Senator Robert Walter Kasten, Jr. will serve as the campaign’s Wisconsin State Chairman.

“Mayor Giuliani has a record of solving tough problems and showing strong leadership that will really resonate with Wisconsinites,” said Kasten. “I am proud to join Rudy’s team in this capacity and lead the efforts in our state to help promote his 12 Commitments to the American People.”

Giuliani’s Deputy Political Director Rick Wiley, the former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said Kasten will be a powerful addition to Rudy’s Wisconsin efforts. “There is no one better than Senator Kasten to help spread the Mayor’s positive vision for our country in Wisconsin and continue his already strong support in the state,” Wiley said.

Kasten was previously announced as a senior member on Mayor Giuliani’s Foreign Policy Advisory Board and will continue to serve in that capacity.

About U.S. Senator Bob Kasten:

Senator Kasten represented Wisconsin, serving as a U.S. Representative from 1975 to 1979 and as a U.S. Senator from 1981 to 1993, where he was an outspoken conservative.

Kasten served as delegate to the United Nations General Assembly during his first term in the U.S. Senate. He served as Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee and also served on the Appropriation’s Defense Subcommittee.

Prior to serving in Congress, Kasten served in the Wisconsin State Senate and in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Arizona and received a graduate degree from the Columbia Business School.

Millions Of New Thomas Jefferson $1 Coins Roll Into Circulation

MILLIONS OF NEW THOMAS JEFFERSON $1 COINS ROLL INTO CIRCULATION

WASHINGTON (August 16, 2007) – The Nation is getting a new coin today – the Thomas Jefferson $1 Coin – the third coin in the United States Mint’s new Presidential $1 Coin series.

Thomas Jefferson $1 Coins are available at most banks and financial institutions throughout the country, starting today.  The golden-colored Thomas Jefferson $1 Coins may also be purchased in collector bags and rolls on the United States Mint’s Web site, http://www.usmint.gov/, at noon ET.

The new Thomas Jefferson $1 Coin is the third coin in the series, because Thomas Jefferson was the Nation’s third President.  But a survey released this week by the United States Mint found that only 30% of Americans know that fact.  According to the Presidential $1 Coin Survey, only seven percent of Americans can name the Nation’s first four Presidents in order:  George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.   

“That’s what’s great about the Presidential $1 Coin Program,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. “These dramatic new Presidential $1 Coins provide a perfect opportunity for Americans to learn more about our Presidents and the critical roles they played in some of our Nation’s historic milestones.”

To help Americans brush up on their Presidential history, the United States Mint provides on its website downloadable lesson plans for teachers and parents; background information on the Presidents featured in the Presidential $1 Coin Program; and other fun interactive options. Information and materials are free at http://www.usmint.gov/. 

The United States Mint inaugurated the Presidential $1 Coin series with the George Washington Presidential $1 Coin on February 15, 2007 in time for Presidents Day Weekend. The John Adams Presidential $1 Coin followed in May. The James Madison Presidential $1 Coin will be introduced on November 15, 2007.

“The Presidential $1 Coins not only have educational value,” said Director Moy. “They offer Americans a choice when it comes to their currency.  While the dollar bill is useful in many instances, there are other times when a coin is more convenient, such as at vending machines and transit kiosks.”

More than half a billion George Washington and John Adams Presidential $1 Coins have been ordered by the Federal Reserve for circulation.  Public awareness of the new Presidential $1 Coins has tripled from approximately 18 percent in November 2006, when the designs of the coins were unveiled, to 64 percent in June 2007.  The United States Mint is offering financial institutions and retail businesses free informational materials via http://www.usmintinfo.gov/$1coin.

History of the Presidential $1 Coin Program
Congress authorized and President Bush approved the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005.  The Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue Presidential $1 Coins honoring the United States Presidents in the order in which they served, with four new designs annually. 

Each President will be honored with a single Presidential $1 Coin, regardless of the number of consecutive terms he served, except for Grover Cleveland, the only U.S. President to serve non-consecutive terms. He will be honored on two coins. No living, former or current President can be honored on a Presidential $1 Coin.

Unique Designs Honor Historic Figures
The design of the Thomas Jefferson $1 Coin, like all of the Presidential $1 Coins, was created to be bold and dramatic. Edge-lettering also draws attention to the inscriptions “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust,” as well as the date and the mint mark, distinguishing Presidential $1 Coins from all other coins in circulation today.

The obverse (heads side) of the Thomas Jefferson Presidential $1 Coin was designed and sculpted by Joe Menna, a United States Mint Medallic Artist.  The reverse (tails side) on all the Presidential $1 Coins is a magnificent image of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

The new Presidential $1 Coins are identical in color and size to the Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea, and have the same distinctive rim and tactile features to assist the visually impaired.  The obverse (heads side) of each coin will feature an image of a former President and the years of his term of office. The reverse (tails side) displays an image of the Statue of Liberty and the inscriptions “United States of America” and “$1.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads In South Carolina

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads in South Carolina

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced it will launch two radio ads in South Carolina on Thursday entitled, “Out of Control” and “Fence.”    

“Out of Control” focuses on Rudy Giuliani’s accomplishments as Mayor of New York City including reducing crime and cutting the welfare rolls.  “Fence” highlights one of Giuliani’s 12 Commitments to the American People which calls for ending illegal immigration, securing our borders, and identifying every non-citizen in our nation. 

“Rudy Giuliani enjoys strong and growing support throughout South Carolina,” said Director of Strategy Brent Seaborn.  “The launch of these two ads is an expansion of our radio campaign, as we continue to spread Rudy Giuliani’s positive, forward-looking message across the country.” 

Scripts and audio links are below.

Script for “Out of Control” (Radio 60 seconds): 

AUDIO LINK

GIULIANI:         Every promise I made running as Mayor of New York City they said couldn’t be done… said I couldn’t cut crime… New York City was the crime capital of America… can’t be done.

VOICE OVER:  Under Rudy Giuliani’s leadership crime in New York City dropped 56%.

GIULIANI          New York City was the welfare capital of America… 1.1 million people on welfare. You can’t cut welfare… can’t be done.

VOICE OVER:   Welfare rolls went down by a staggering 58%.

GIULIANI:         They said we couldn’t reduce taxes in New York. They said you couldn’t get control of spending.  That’s impossible.

VOICE OVER:   Rudy Giuliani turned a 2.3 billion dollar deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus and cut or eliminated 23 taxes.

GIULIANI:         My focus when I ran for Mayor of New York City was on the future, and it will be in this campaign. Leadership is about what we can do, what we can accomplish, never taking “No” for an answer. This is all about how America can grow, how America can get stronger, how America can be the country that realizes all the potential that we know we have.

VOICE OVER:   Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated.

Visit joinrudy2008.com

GIULIANI: I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message

Script for “Fence” (Radio 60 seconds): 

AUDIO LINK

Voice Over: “Here’s Rudy Giuliani”

Mayor Giuliani:  “It frustrates me that if someone comes here illegally, in addition to everything else that’s involved in that, if they commit a crime, we don’t throw them out of the country.  As the mayor of New York I wanted to see if I could get the Immigration Service to help me. Let’s see if you could get rid of the drug dealers who are coming out of jail. It makes no sense – after they have been in jail for selling drugs in the United States – we now have to keep them in the United States. They couldn’t do it because they had other people lined up to throw out. They had like a professor who over-stayed his visa. I had a drug dealer who had maybe killed people. A person who comes here illegally and commits a crime should be thrown out of the country. People that come in illegally we gotta stop. You stop illegal immigration by building a fence, a physical fence and then a technological fence.  You then hire enough Border Patrol so they can respond in a timely way. And then, if anybody becomes a citizen, we should make certain that they can read English, write English and speak English, because this is an English speaking country.” 

Voice Over: “Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated. Visit joinrudy2008.com.”

Mayor Giuliani:  “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Barack Obama Iowa Federation Of Labor Photos

Hillary Clinton Iowa Federation Of Labor Photos