2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Mason City Iowa Photos

What They're Saying About Governor Mitt Romney At The Des Moines, Iowa GOP Debate - Volume II

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING: ABOUT GOV. MITT ROMNEY AT THE DES MOINES, IOWA GOP DEBATE - VOLUME II

Des Moines Register's David Yepsen: "[Gov. Romney] turned in his usual polished, executive-like debate performance." (David Yepsen, Op-Ed, "Romney Finds A Foothold To Continue Upward Climb," Des Moines Register, 8/6/07)

Yepsen: "He also got off one of the best one-liners of the day when he attacked Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama. Romney said: 'In one week, he went from saying he's going to sit down, you know, for tea, with our enemies, but then he's going to bomb our allies. I mean, he's gone from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove in one week.'" (David Yepsen, Op-Ed, "Romney Finds A Foothold To Continue Upward Climb," Des Moines Register, 8/6/07)

Republican Pollster Frank Luntz: "Romney is winning in both Iowa and New Hampshire. And his lead seems to be growing with every survey. One of the reasons is his debate performances. They've been categorically successful. People listen to him and they like what they hear." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 8/6/07)

Luntz: "And we're going to show you a clip of Romney right now with our exclusive Fox overlay.  … The higher that the lines climb the more favorable the response. Here is Mitt Romney talking about budgets, taxes, and expanding the economy. Watch how high those lines climb. That's a very favorable reaction. … You've got middle income Americans sitting in our groups and they're listening to Mitt Romney and saying that's what I want to hear from and that's what I want see from the next president." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 8/6/07)

Watch Frank Luntz's Analysis Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BhD-9nW9kM

ABC's Rick Klein: "It was Romney who had the best zinger of the morning (Obama has 'gone from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove in one week,' he said.)" (Rick Klein, "The Note," ABC News, 8/6/07)

Klein: "And most importantly, it was Romney who was prepared for the inevitable attacks, which he parried like a pro. ('I get tired of people that are holier than thou because they've been pro-life longer than I have,' he said of Brownback's criticism of his abortion record.)" (Rick Klein, "The Note," ABC News, 8/6/07)

Fox News' Carl Cameron: "Some will tell you that Mitt Romney was the clear winner in this." (Fox News' "The Big Story," 8/5/07)

Des Moines Register's Jason Clayworth: "When it came time to pick a winner of the debate, however, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had the most votes. Some participants said his cool demeanor and articulate speaking set him apart." (Jason Clayworth, "'Dial Testing' Measures Debate Messages," Des Moines Register, 8/6/07)

Human Events'Jed Babbin: "Iowa frontrunners Romney (26%) and Giuliani (14%) got the chance to showcase their ideas, poise and style." (Jed Babbin, Op-Ed, "Duel In Des Moines," Human Events, 8/6/07)

Babbin: "Mitt Romney – speaking late in that round – made a great call for a surge in Americans' support for the troops." (Jed Babbin, Op-Ed, "Duel In Des Moines," Human Events, 8/6/07)

Rocky Mountain News' Mike Littwin: "Mitt Romney was ready. He dominated the debate …" (Mike Littwin, Op-Ed, "How Are Dems Doing? Watch The GOP," Rocky Mountain News, 8/6/07)

MSNBC's First Read: "Focus group dial tester Rich Thau's Message Jury scored the debate for Romney …" (Chuck Todd, et al, "First Read," MSNBC, http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/, 8/6/07)

Thompson Committee Launches New Website

Thompson Committee Launches New Website

Nashville, Tenn. -- The Fred Thompson testing the waters committee announced that it launched an upgrade and redesign of its website www.imwithfred.com today.

The website will allow Americans to show their support for a potential Fred Thompson presidential bid as he continues to travel the country.

The Friends of Fred Thompson committee has been a leader in using interactive tools to communicate with a fast-growing list of friends and supporters. The new website will build on those tools to create a community of Americans who share Thompson’s vision for America.
The newly revised action center creates more tools for web visitors to show their support for Thompson—tools such as organizing local community events, voter registration information, and ways to share information with friends and supporters.

The website also has a “FredCast” section that will let visitors experience Thompson’s public events and messages. In “Principles,” supporters will be able to hear Thompson speak on a range of issues that make up the core principles that are the foundation of our country. 

Thompson is enjoying a broad base of support all across the country. This website will allow even more Americans to learn about his experience and his values and sign up to join this dynamic and groundbreaking effort to urge Thompson to run for president.

Please visit the website by pointing your internet browser to: www.imwithfred.com

What They Are Saying About Mike Huckabee At The GOP Presidential Debate

MIKE HUCKABEE IS DECISIVE WINNER OF GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Former Arkansas Governor is Tied for Third Place Among Declared Candidates

Des Moines, IA – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee came out as the obvious winner in today's Iowa Republican debate in Des Moines, Iowa, according to news reports. The victory comes on the heels of Huckabee's strong showing in the latest ABC News-Washington Post telephone poll of 402 likely caucus-goers (conducted July 26-31). The new poll places Huckabee in a tie for third place among declared candidates – and gaining momentum.

The campaign welcomed the good news, which comes in the final week before the August 11th Ames Straw Poll. "Iowa voters saw Mike Huckabee define himself again today as a candidate with executive experience and a message focused on a strong, safe, economically vibrant America .  He has what it takes to restore America's greatness," said Bob Vander Plaats, who chairs Huckabee's campaign in Iowa .

According to ABC News and the Washington Post, Huckabee did particularly well, also placing third for his understanding of the problems, likeability and being close to voters on the issues. The survey has a margin of 5 percentage points. He also is an appealing candidate to Evangelicals, placing second at 17 percent, followed by Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.

"Americans, and in particular, Iowans, are having a chance to see that Gov. Huckabee's message is right on target on Iraq, health care, national infrastructure and other vital issues of importance to our country," said Campaign Manager Chip Saltsman, who noted that Huckabee returned to Iowa on Aug. 1 and will campaign extensively around the state through the Aug. 11 straw poll.

On the issue of Iraq, Huckabee told ABC host George Stephanopoulos there is a successful compromise in the debate over staying in or pulling out of Iraq . "Certainly there's a middle ground George. And the middle ground is that we win this war and we do it with honor," Huckabee said. "We don't just stay indefinitely.  We put some pressure – just like we have been the last week, with Secretary Rice and Secretary Gates – on the Saudis."
Huckabee said the Iraqi people need to take on more military and financial responsibility for themselves, and America need to end its dependence on foreign oil. "If we can feed ourselves, if we can fuel ourselves, if we can manufacture the weapons to fight for ourselves, we're a free people.  If we can't do those three things, we're not free," Huckabee said to a round of applause.

In the area of health care, Huckabee stressed the need to focus on prevention rather than intervention.

"You know, if you want to know how to fix it, I've got a solution. Either give every American the same kind of health care that Congress has, or make Congress have the same kind of health care that every American has," Huckabee said.

Huckabee said "it's time for a major overhaul of our tax system" and urged others to support the Fair Tax.

"The reality is, if we could have the fair tax, you take $10 trillion parked offshore, bring it home, you rebuild the 'made in America' brand, you free up people to earn money, to work, you don't penalize them for taking a second job, you don't penalize them for investing, you don't penalize them for savings," Huckabee said.

"As Gov. Huckabee travels across Iowa , his message is connecting with the people," Saltsman said. "This poll shows that his momentum is growing and we expect that to continue in the weeks and months to come."

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani

Townhall.com’s Matt Lewis: “I've got to declare Rudy Giuliani the winner today.” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lewis: “[I]t has now become apparent that Rudy Giuliani is the leader when it comes to ideas. Several times, he has injected a new idea which then, other candidates copied.” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lewis: “Rudy has clearly thought-through the questions and answers to a greater degree than the other candidates.” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

ABC News’ Rick Klein: “[Giuliani] has some serious support in the hall …” (Rick Klein, “Live Blogging From Sunday’s Democratic Debate,” ABC News’ “Political Radar” Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Klein: Rudy “got what appeared to be the most applause upon entering the room …” (Rick Klein “Live Blogging From Sunday’s Democratic Debate,” ABC News’ “Political Radar” Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

The American Spectator’s Jennifer Rubin: “Rudy shows most command of detail and is making his case effectively that NYC experience matters.” (Jennifer Rubin, “Debate 5,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=7507, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Rubin: “[Giuliani] weaves his command of detail and his NYC experience into answers impressively.” (Jennifer Rubin, “Debate Wrap Up,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=7510, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

The New York Times’ Katharine Q. Seelye: “Giuliani took to the question [on raising taxes] the way King Kong might take the Empire State Building.” (Katharine Q. Seelye, “Sunday Morning Debate Blogging,” The New York Times’ “The Caucus” Blog, http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

National Review Online’s Kathryn Jean Lopez: Rudy displayed “the right instincts.” (Kathryn Jean Lopez, “The Right Instincts,” National Review Online’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MWNiMmU5NDZiNmU2ZjU4MGRlNWNkODk3NDIzYzU1MTE, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lopez: Rudy’s answer on his mistakes was “realistic and good.” (Kathryn Jean Lopez, “Rudy On Mistakes,” National Review Online’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YjFhYjhjNTgwOTAzNzQ1ZGMxOWNlYzRlN2NiOWFlNTA, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Townhall.com’s Matt Lewis: “Rudy is brillaint [sic] at these debates.” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b,, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lewis: “[Giuliani] refuses to accept the assumptions of the questioners … Other candidates should learn this lesson.” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b,, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lewis: “Rudy makes … a very, very good point” on democracy building. (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b,, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lewis: “Rudy scores points by being the first to refer to ‘socialized healthcare.’” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b,8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Lewis: “Giuliani points out that in 4 Democrat debates, the words Islamic extremism were never mentioned. He points out that Iraq is a battle in a larger war.” (Matt Lewis, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Townhall.com’s Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/5ad983e3-7d46-421f-93c8-74d5f8e26d2b,, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

The Washington Posts’ Chris Cillizza: “Giuliani is certainly on message.” (Chris Cillizza, “Giuliani Continues To Slam Democrats,” The Washington Posts’ “The Fix” Blog, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/08/giuliani_continues_to_slam_dem.html, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

Cillizza: “Giuliani’s strident criticism of Democrats on security and taxes are aimed at showing Republican primary voters that he is plenty conservative to represent them in the general election.” (Chris Cillizza, “Giuliani Continues To Slam Democrats,” The Washington Posts’ “The Fix” Blog, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/08/giuliani_continues_to_slam_dem.html, 8/5/07, Accessed 8/5/07)

John McCain At ABC News GOP Debate

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
John McCain At ABC News GOP Debate John McCain Is Prepared To Lead From Day One

McCain: "I love my country. I've had the great honor for more than 50 years of serving it in the military, in Congress, in the United States Senate. And I am fully prepared ... more than anyone else running on either side to fight the transcendent challenge of this nation ... the struggle against radical Islamic extremism. We must win. We will win. And we will never surrender. They will." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

John McCain Will Veto Pork-Barrel Spending

McCain: "We passed a $50 billion transportation bill that had $2 billion in pork-barrel earmark projects, $233 million for a bridge to nowhere in Alaska, to an island with 50 people on it. Not one dime in those pork-barrel projects was for inspection or repair of bridges ... I'll veto every single bill that comes across my desk and make the authors of those pork-barrel bills famous." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

John McCain On The Need For Victory In Iraq

McCain: "We are winning. We must win. ... This is a seminal moment in American history. We must succeed. There will be a big debate coming up in September on the floor of the Senate. We will win that debate because the American people understand the consequences of failure." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

John McCain Will Simplify The Tax Code

McCain: "I believe that we have to simplify the tax code but one of the first areas we have to go after is the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is going to eat into 20 million American families if we don't eliminate it and very quickly. Look, when we found out that Congress could not close a single military base when we had a huge number of them ... we passed a law where we appointed a commission [that] said we would close so many bases and Congress votes up or down. I would find Alan Greenspan. I'd say give us your recommendations, we'll pass a law and we will vote on his commission's recommendations, yes or no; up or down. That's the way you're going to simplify the tax code, which now requires $140 billion of American families' income to prepare their tax returns." (John McCain, ABC News GOP Debate, Des Moines, IA, 8/5/07)

What They're Saying: John McCain At ABC News Iowa Debate

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: JOHN MCCAIN AT ABC NEWS DEBATE

John McCain "Shines When He Reminds Us Of Stakes In Iraq"

The American Spectator's Jennifer Rubin: "McCain ... Shines When He Reminds Us Of Stakes In Iraq." (Jennifer Rubin, "Debate 5," American Spectator Blog, 8/5/07)

ABC News: "McCain Looks Strong On The War Again." (ABC News, "Live Blogging From Sunday's Democratic Debate," "Political Radar" Blog, 8/5/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez Cheers McCain Iraq Stance: "You Go, Senator." "John McCain feels my pain. 'We will not set a date for surrender, as the Democrats want us to.' You, go, senator." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review's The Corner Blog, 8/5/07)

Red State's California Yankee: "My Favorite Moments ... McCain Remains Firm On The War ..." (California Yankee, "Republicans Debate In Iowa," Red State Blog, 8/5/07)

John McCain "Awesome" When Decrying Pork-Barrel Spending

The New York Sun's Liz Mair: "McCain Is On Pork. Awesome. ... This Is Where I Love McCain." (Liz Mair Blog, www.lizmair.com, 8/5/07)

The American Spectator's Jennifer Rubin: "McCain gives it to Congress for porkbarrel spending rather than infrastructure maintenance ..." (Jennifer Rubin, "Debate 5," American Spectator Blog, 8/5/07)

The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "[McCain] appeared to come to life when he was able to address a favorite topic: pork. Decrying the earmark-heavy highway bill that included the now-famous 'bridge to nowhere,' McCain pointed out that the same legislation included 'not one dime' for 'bridge inspection.'" (Jonathan Martin, "A Good Moment For McCain," The Politico's "Jonathan Martin" Blog, 8/5/07)

McCain Brings Humor To Morning Debate

MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro: "McCain bringing a little humor to it with what the responsibilities of a VP should or would be. He said he's thought a lot about it having been considered for that post several times one of those responsibilities is being aware of the president's health! Ha." (Domenico Montanaro, "And We're Back," MSNBC's First Read Blog, 8/5/07)

Time Magazine's Ana Marie Cox: "[McCain] gets off a great, relaxed line about how the VP has two duties: to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate and 'inquire daily as to the health of the president.' ... He sums up seriously, saying that he'd give the VP a portfolio, but that he'd make sure 'that everyone understands there's only one president.' Snap." (Ana Marie Cox, "Liveblogging: Girding Loins In Des Moines," Time's "Swampland" Blog, 8/5/07)

Thompson Calls To Eradicate Breast Cancer By 2015

Thompson Calls to Eradicate Breast Cancer by 2015 Sets Himself Apart as the Healthcare Candidate

As Secretary, Tommy Thompson made a difference by helping seniors with prescription drugs. Today, during the ABC Presidential Debate, Thompson called for eradicating breast cancer by 2015.

"I know that there are treatments and potential remedies that we may not be considering in the United States. It's essential that this be a global fight with the best minds from across the globe engaged in the effort."

"Here's the bottom line: The only way to find the cure for breast cancer is for the President of the United States to set a goal and motivate our government and private companies to reach it. We can afford to do it and it's the right thing to do," said Thompson

The key points to the Thompson Breast Cancer Plan include:

1) Recruit a successful corporate executive to lead a team of doctors, researchers, nurses and breast cancer victims who will be charged with setting benchmark goals and making recommendations for research funding.

2) Establish fifteen $10 million prizes for corporations, Universities or research centers that solve benchmark problems related to curing breast cancer.

3) Double the budget of the National Institute of Health to $56 billion from its current level of $28 billion. Direct the additional funding to worthy public and private research projects.

4) Travel to key countries in the world recruiting their governments and research universities to join the effort. Tommy Thompson will re-establish America's leadership role and do it with medical and health care breakthroughs.

5) Create an open source research community on the Internet where research can be organized and discussions can be conducted with experts. This online community will be a centralized repository for research where all of the world's people can contribute their time, money or expertise toward helping with this global fight.

At the ABC News debate in Des Moines, Iowa, this morning, former Governor and HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson clearly demonstrated his knowledge and understanding of the problems facing the health care industry, and separated himself from the field of candidates by outlining his plans for reform.

Thompson's plan for health care reform includes the following points:

We must build a system centered on preventive medicine, rather than curative. In this country, we wait until people get sick and then spend billions of dollars to try to make them well again. Why not invest up front in keeping our families healthy in the first place?

We must use information technology to cut costs, reduce medical errors and create a more efficient health care system. Our doctors use the latest technology to cure your illnesses, but manila folders to keep track what's wrong with you. The industry needs to work together to overcome the barriers to implementing information technology in the health field. We must make sure different systems to communicate with each other, so the information on a patient from a doctor's office in Iowa is useful to a hospital in California. Doctors, nurses and technicians must know how to use this new technology and health care providers must be sure the technology is having the intended effect - that is, to save money and more importantly, to save lives.

Third, we must use the private sector and public sector to provide health insurance for all. It is a basic common sense approach to keeping people healthy and reining in health care costs. Governor Thompson proposes requiring states to organize purchasing pools among the uninsured. Such an arrangement would provide health insurance for families, while allowing the purchasing pools to negotiate better prices for care. It is unfair that the uninsured are often the only ones to be charged full price for health care, simply because they don't have the purchasing power of those with health insurance.

We must, once and for all, make sure health care and long-term care is affordable. For government, our Medicare and Medicaid systems will soon break the budgets – and families across America are grappling with how to pay for long-term care for themselves and for their parents. This isn't a problem that will go away if we simply ignore it.

What They're Saying About Governor Mitt Romney At The Des Moines, Iowa GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE DES MOINES, IOWA GOP DEBATE

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "Former Gov. Mitt Romney is the frontrunner in Iowa and he's at the center of the debate at its start." (Chris Cillizza, "Republican Debate In Iowa Begins," Washington Post's The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ 8/5/07)

Time's Mark Halperin: "I think Governor Romney had the best performance overall. He's been strong in all the debates, comes very well prepared." (ABC WOI-DM's "Vote 2008 Special," 8/5/07)

· Time's Mark Halperin: "Mitt Romney gets an A. I couldn't find a lot of things to criticize in his performance. He faced some tough questions, but he did a good job handling it. It's becoming cliché to say, but he looks and sounds like a president. For a lot of voters that's important." (ABC WOI-DM's "Vote 2008 Special," 8/5/07)

ABC News Political Director David Chalian: "I think Mitt Romney had a really strong performance. … I think from then on out, he had a very smooth, solid performance, and continues to show why he is leading in these early states." (ABC WOI-DM's "Vote 2008 Special," 8/5/07)

The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "The pre-packaged one-liner of the morning. At least so far. Romney on Obama's desire to meet with enemy leaders and hawkish views on Pakistan: 'He's gone from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove in one week.'" (Jonathan Martin, "The View From Across The Street," The Politico, http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/ 8/5/07)

· National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "I didn't know where [Romney]'d go from the McCain, Giuliani start there.... hitting Obama 'from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove' was pretty funny, and to point. And a good ending on the military and the surge." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "The Corner," National Review Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com\ , 6/5/07)

The Politico's Jonathan Martin "Republican pollster and author Frank Luntz and Fox News have set up a dial group of 29 GOP primary voters from the Des Moines area … Asked who was winning the debate so far, about a dozen said Romney." (Jonathan Martin, "The View From Across The Street," The Politico, http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/ 8/5/07)

· The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "One small but influential group of voters -- a bit like Iowa itself, come to think of it -- had Mitt Romney winning at the halfway point." (Jonathan Martin, "The View Across The Street," The Politico, 8/5/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "From the 'normal American' focus group that just dropped by my Corner Debate Watching Headquarters ... 'Romney seems the most pleasant and presidential.' Coming off that YouTube fighting with that radio host, he seems like a guy revving for the fight. (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "The Corner," National Review Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com\ , 6/5/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "'Moving Islam toward modernity'… Romney's attitude sounds a little like Ronald Reagan's cultural exchanges with the Soviet Union. And it strikes me as a real-world approach taking into consideration the problems we face run deep." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "The Corner," National Review Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/ , 6/5/07)

ABC News Political Radar: "Romney has a pretty effective – if not down-the-line conservative – answer on healthcare: 'We have to have our citizens insured.' And he took a subtle jab at Giuliani's new health care plan, which relies on tax breaks to encourage individuals to obtain health coverage." (ABC News, "Live Blogging From Sunday's Democratic Debate," http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/, 8/5/07)

Thompson Iraq Plan From ABC News Iowa Debate

Thompson Iraq Plan From ABC News Iowa Debate

The next President needs to focus on setting the stage for peace in Iraq not inciting backlash from peaceful Muslims across the world.

Additionally in the debate, Governor Thompson outlined his three point plan for Iraq. First, Governor Thompson calls on the Iraq government to hold a vote, reaffirming their support for American troops in Iraq. Second, Iraq should be divided into 18 geographically defined states; where Sunnis will elect Sunnis, Shi'ites will elect Shi'ites, and Kurds will elect Kurds. Second, oil revenues should be split equally between the federal government, the state governments, and every man woman and child, just is done in Alaska to jumpstart the Iraq economy.