2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Clinton Campaign YouTube Debate Reviews

The Reviews Are In: 'Polished,' 'Amazing,' 'Commander-in-Chief'

NBC NEWS’ CHUCK TODD – HILLARY’S RESPONSE WAS A ‘COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ANSWER’: “Clinton is always focused on the general election when it comes to foreign policy questions. Her answer on who she would meet with in terms of controversial foreign leaders was an example of how she's having a better time selling experience than anyone else on that stage. That was a Commander-in-Chief answer. Obama's answer was fine but she found the hole in his answer (propaganda) and filled it brilliantly.” [MSNBC’s First Read, 7/23/07 ]

NBC NEWS’ DOMENICO MONTANARO – HILLARY 'USED THE PENTAGON LETTER TO HER ADVANTAGE': "Clinton again has used the Pentagon letter to her advantage. She is flexing her newly found anti-war muscles and the letter has been her Creatine -- so to speak." [MSNBC's First Read, 7/23/07 ]

HUFFINGTON POST’S JOHN NEFFINGER – CLINTON ‘STRONG ENOUGH TO BE COMMANDER AND CHIEF’: "The challenge for any woman candidate is to appear strong enough to be Commander in Chief. Hillary has thoroughly checked that box. You never hear the word "weak" used with her." [Huffington Post, 7/23/07 ]

HUFFINGTON POST’S JOHN NEFFINGER – CLINTON ‘CLEARLY IN COMMAND OF THE ISSUE’: “She's clearly in command of the issue. Very strong on the policy elements of this. It's interesting to hear her discuss military operations in that level of detail." [Huffington Post, 7/23/07 ]

WASHINGTON POST’S CHRIS CILLIZZA PRAISES CLINTON AS ‘STRONG AND STEADY’: “Clinton is, well, Clinton. Strong and steady.” [The Fix, 7/23/07 ]

WASHINGTON POST’S CHRIS CILLIZZA – HILLARY’S ANSWER TO GENDER QUESTION ‘WAS POLISHED’ [The Fix, 7/23/07]

ABC NEWS’ RICK KLEIN – HILLARY ANSWER ABOUT DIPLOMACY WAS THE STUFF OF ‘EXPERIENCE': "That was an interesting division between Obama and Clinton on whether the president should meet with the leaders of rogue nations. Obama's answer was strong, but Clinton's was the stuff of -- wait for it -- experience." [ABC News, 7/23/07 ]

ABC NEWS’ RICK KLEIN – 'CLINTON IS JUST AMAZING IN THIS FORMAT': "I'm sick of saying it myself, but Clinton is just amazing in this format. Really nice answer about why Congress isn't acting faster to end the war." [ABC News, 7/23/07 ]

ABC NEWS’ RICK KLEIN – HILLARY'S ANSWER ABOUT HER GENDER WAS 'CONCISE AND RIGHT-ON': "Experienced and strong leadership" -- there's the Clinton message. Like in previous debates, her answer was concise and right-on." [ABC News, 7/23/07 ]

MYDD.COM – CLINTON’S SELF-IDENTIFICATION AS A ‘MODERN PROGRESSIVE’ IS A ‘PRETTY GOOD ANSWER’ [MyDD.com, 7/23/07 ]

Clinton Campaign Statement On The South Carolina Debate

Hillary: The Strength and Experience to Make Change Happen

Tonight in South Carolina, Hillary again demonstrated that she has the strength and experience to lead our country and deliver the change Americans want.

Hillary made it clear that she would engage in diplomacy around the globe, but would not meet unconditionally with dictators like Fidel Castro and Kim Jong Il who have shown no willingness to come to the bargaining table.

And she pressed President Bush to begin planning to redeploy our troops safely, so that we are better prepared to get out of Iraq then we were getting in.

Americans are ready for change, and Hillary showed she is ready to lead that change. She demonstrated her deep understanding of the issues and proved that she has the strength to tackle the big challenges facing America today. She outlined her plan to create a $50 billion strategic energy fund that would end tax breaks for oil companies and spur innovation and investment in clean and renewable technologies.

Hillary made clear: “We may be able finally to break that hardest of all glass ceilings, but obviously I’m not running because I’m a woman. I’m running because I think I’m the most qualified and experienced person to hit the ground running in January 2009.”

Governor Bill Richardson Releases New Ad, Praises America's Heroes

Governor Bill Richardson Releases New Ad, Praises America's Heroes
"Heroes" Ad Details Richardson's Efforts to Get Decent Life Insurance for National Guard Soldiers, Proposes "Heroes Health Card" for Veterans

SANTA FE, NM -- Only a few hours before this evening's CNN-YouTube Democratic Presidential Debate, Governor Bill Richardson's campaign continued his focus on the health and welfare of American soldiers with the release of his latest TV ad "Heroes." The ad will run in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Following closely on the heels of his previous TV ad "Stand Up" that highlighted his call for the removal of all troops from Iraq by the end of the year, "Heroes" details how Governor Richardson led the national effort to raise death benefits for the families of fallen soldiers.

As told in the TV ad, after learning that families of soldiers killed in combat were only receiving $12,000, "Bill Richardson passed the first law in the nation giving National Guard soldiers $400,000 in life insurance. 18 states followed his lead." The ad also notes his call for a "Heroes Health Card" that would allow all veterans to "receive health care wherever they need it."

"This ad shows how the Governor has long supported our troops and has fought to honor their service with meaningful life insurance benefits and a health care proposal that would make health care much more accessible for veterans who live great distances from V.A. hospitals," said campaign manager Dave Contarino.

Governor Richardson's TV ads, produced by Mark Putnam and Steve Murphy of Murphy Putnam Media, have helped lead to a rising level of support and momentum in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire, most recently lifting the Governor into a tie for third with John Edwards in a CNN poll of New Hampshire voters, and even leading Barack Obama among the most likely caucus attendees in Iowa.

With Congress again unable to pass legislation setting a strict timeline for the removal of troops from Iraq, Governor Richardson also continues to set himself apart from the other top four Democrats with the strongest message on Iraq.

"We need to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of the year," Governor Richardson said today. "The American people want us out. The Iraqi people want us out. But some people in Washington have voted to leave troops in Iraq indefinitely. I think that's wrong."

The Richardson campaign also hinted that tonight's debate telecast would feature a preview of another Richardson TV ad that is slated to run in the near future.

"The Governor is running an aggressive campaign built on substance, passion and humor," said Contarino. "We think tonight's debate performance and accompanying video will continue to show the breadth of the Governor's message and appeal. It's time for the rest of the country to see what many Iowa and New Hampshire voters already know - that Governor Richardson is the most substantive and qualified candidate in the race, but that he also doesn't take himself too seriously. Stay tuned and watch the debate this evening to see the story."

Dodd Campaign Provides Wall-To-Wall Debate Coverage

DODD CAMPAIGN PROVIDES WALL-TO-WALL DEBATE COVERAGE Live Chat with Dodd from Spin Room to be Featured on CNN. Continues Innovative and Interactive Campaign at YouTube Debate.

CHARLESTON, SC - Tonight, the Dodd for President Campaign will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the CNN/YouTube Presidential debate.  Beginning at 5:30 p.m. CDT, the Dodd Campaign will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the debate on D-TV, including live-streaming pre and post debate coverage with Dodd Senior Staff, a return of the famed "Talk Clock", and a special YouTube behind the scenes video where Senator Dodd will answer some of the highest rated questions submitted by YouTube users. 

Dodd, who has been "more open and expansive with his Internet video strategy than most of the candidates," according to Jeff Jarvis of the Washington Post's Channel '08, will also hold a live chat with supporters after the debate, as well as have live-streaming coverage of his time in the post-debate spin room.  CNN will be on hand to cover D-TV's live-stream of the spin room after the debate. 

"With D-TV we are able to use groundbreaking technology to give supporters across the country a window into the campaign," said Internet Director Tim Tagaris. "Our debate coverage will let the viewer see, up close and personal, how it feels to be in the heart of the action and hear from the players in real-time." 

Last week, more than 9,000 viewers tuned in for the inaugural day of extended D-TV coverage, which included live two-way chats with members of the senior staff, including Communications Director Hari Sevugan, Deputy Campaign Manager Matt Butler, Political Director Scott Arceneaux, Internet Director Tim Tagaris and Policy Director Amos Hochstein.

Clinton Campaign Announces Grassroots Drive To Reach One Million Supporters

One Million Making History
Campaign Announces Grassroots Drive To Reach One Million Supporters; Millionth Supporter Will Hit Campaign Trail With Hillary

As Hillary galvanizes grassroots support across the country, her campaign announced the “One Million Making History” drive today to sign up Hillary’s one millionth supporter.

Hillary’s one millionth supporter and a current supporter will be given a chance to hit the campaign trail with Hillary, joining her and her staff for a whirlwind day of campaigning.

“Every letter of support you’ve sent, every dollar you’ve contributed, every friend you’ve recruited, every blog you’ve written, every house party you’ve attended, every petition you’ve signed, every time you’ve shown your support, every one of these actions is the heart and soul of my campaign,” Clinton said.

Within 48 hours of launching her campaign, 100,000 people signed up to join Hillary’s effort. Six months later, the campaign is closing in on one million supporters, with more than 981,000 signed up today.

Grassroots support for Hillary’s historic candidacy is broad and deep. Supporters have joined Hillary’s email list, filled out supporter cards at rallies, made donations, signed up to volunteer, joined Women for Hillary, added their names to online petitions and held hundreds of debate watch parties

Brownback Campaign Announces Homeschool Coalition

Brownback Campaign Announces Homeschool Coalition
Parents praise Brownback's longstanding support for home educators

DES MOINES – The Brownback for President campaign today announced the Homeschoolers for Brownback Coalition. Iowa home educators Mark and Marie Scherbaum of Marion will chair the coalition.

"Sam Brownback understands the unique role that parents play in the lives of their children and he believes that parents should have the freedom to homeschool their children," said Marie, a mother of five and member of the Marion Home School Assistance Program. "For years, Senator Brownback has been a consistent advocate of parent's rights and expanded access to educational opportunities for home educators, and there is no better champion than Sam Brownback for the fundamental family values we cherish so dearly."

"I appreciate the support of Mark and Marie Scherbaum and their leadership of the Homeschoolers for Brownback Coalition," said Brownback. "I will continue to stand up for the rights, values and opportunities of homeschooling families."

In recent weeks Senator Brownback has announced Iowa Catholics for Brownback and his Iowa Faith and Family Leadership Committee.

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads In New Hampshire and Iowa

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads In New Hampshire and Iowa

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced it will launch radio ads in New Hampshire and Iowa on Tuesday entitled: “Out of Control,” “Will Do” and “Garbage Can.”

“Today’s ads once again make clear Mayor Giuliani is the true fiscal conservative in this race with the track record to back it up, not just empty rhetoric,” said Director of Strategy Brent Seaborn.  ‘“Out of Control,’ ‘Will Do’ and ‘Garbage Can’ – which will air across New Hampshire and Iowa – are the first of many ads our campaign will release in the months to come.” 

“Out of Control” highlights Rudy Giuliani’s accomplishments as Mayor of New York City including reducing crime and cutting the welfare rolls.  Giuliani’s 12 Commitments to the American People, specifically his commitment to restore fiscal discipline, cut wasteful Washington spending and reform the tax code, are the focus of “Will Do” and “Garbage Can.”

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

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 the 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 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 “Will Do” (Radio 60 seconds): 

VOICE OVER: Here is Rudy Giuliani talking about his 12 Commitments to the American People; including his commitment to restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.

GIULIANI: This is what I did in New York City.  I restored fiscal discipline and I held spending in New York City, a city that was out of control in spending, to less then the rate of inflation and the growth of the population.

VOICE OVER: Leading George Will to say Rudy Giuliani's eight years as Mayor were “the most successful episode of conservative governance in this country in the last 50 years."

GIULIANI: We will require agency heads to present 5 to up to as much as 20% reductions in their annual budget.  It’s the only way to reduce spending. And we’ll make sure we do away with earmarks in which anonymous spending is done in the billions and billions and billions of dollars. I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.

VOICE OVER: To find out more about all twelve of Rudy Giuliani’s Commitments to the American People visit joinrudy2008.com.  Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated.

GIULIANI:  I am Rudy Giuliani, and I approve this message.

Script for “Garbage Can” (Radio 60 seconds): 

VOICE OVER: Here’s Rudy Giuliani, talking about his 12 Commitments to the American People, including his commitment to cut taxes and reform the tax code.

GIULIANI: I believe that you collect more money from lower taxes then you collect from higher taxes. I believe in it because I saw it work.

I was given a report, shortly after I was Mayor-Elect, and the report was all of the things that should be done to take New York City out of the deficit.  The biggest ones were raise taxes. They asked me what I was going to do with the report, and I said I’m going to throw it in the garbage. It doesn’t make any sense.  It’s exactly why we are in the trouble we are in, and then I went ahead and reduced taxes. I reduced the rate for income tax by about 23-24 percent. The revenues from the income tax went up 40 percent. That’s what we have to do. I will cut taxes and reform the tax code because I realize that that’s how you stimulate an economy.

VOICE OVER: Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated. Visit joinrudy2008.com

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

John Edwards To Ride With Lance Armstrong in RAGBRAI

JOHN EDWARDS TO RIDE WITH LANCE ARMSTRONG IN RAGBRAI Edwards Will Ride Portions of Day 4 Route on Wednesday

Des Moines, Iowa – The John Edwards for President Campaign today announced that Senator John Edwards’ will join cancer survivor and seven consecutive Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in this year’s RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Edwards will join riders on Wednesday for a portion of the fourth day of the week long ride. starting in Hampton.

RAGBRAI is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state and is the longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world. Always the last full week of July, this year’s 472-mile ride begins today, Sunday the 22nd, and ends on Saturday the 28th.

“RAGBRAI is a great Iowa tradition that is renowned across the country and across the world,” Edwards said. “Elizabeth and I have always admired Lance Armstrong not only for his achievements but for his commitment to the fight against cancer. I am looking forward to joining with him and so many other RAGBRAI riders to call attention to this important cause.”

Hunter's Presidential Campaign Begin's In Iowa

Hunter's Presidential campaign has officially begun in Iowa

Duncan Hunter’s Presidential campaign has officially begun in Iowa with the announcement of a statewide director during his campaign swing through in Iowa this weekend (July 21-23). 

Patrick R. Anderson of Hubbard, Iowa, has taken the reins of Hunter’s Iowa bid for the White House.  Anderson, known throughout the state for his expertise with successful candidates, said he is thrilled by the appointment.  “My objective is to promote Hunter’s conservative values throughout the state so that the voters will get to know him.  He is an outstanding candidate with strong credentials and a firm stance on vital issues.  Iowans will soon learn about the real Duncan Hunter and will jump on board with this campaign.” 

Anderson has had a world of political experience.  Most recently, he was the Collation Director of Field Operations for John McCain for President Campaign and Iowa coordinator for the John Cox for President.

Tommy Thompson "Common Sense Solutions" Tour Across Iowa