Bill Richardson will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota the evening of June 14, 2007 and the morning and afternoon of June 15, 2007 for fundraising. No word on if any public events are scheduled. Minnesota for Richardson supporters marched in the recent Cinco De Mayo parade. in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Kucinich Presidential Campaign Unveils First TV Spot
'No More Blood for Oil'
CLEVELAND- The Kucinich Presidential campaign has unveiled its first television commercial -- "No more blood for oil" -- and is previewing it with supporters and friends on the campaign website and on popular Internet sites, including YouTube and MySpace.
Using the all-too-familiar sights and sounds of a gas pump ringing up the higher and higher cost of filling up the tank, the pump then begins registering even higher and more disturbing numbers: dead and wounded U.S. soldiers; innocent Iraqis killed, wounded, and displaced; the staggering profits of oil companies; potential profits from "stealing Iraq's oil;" and U.S. tax dollars spent on the war in Iraq. It concludes with the message: "No more blood for oil."
Kucinich, D-OH, is the only Presidential candidate who voted against the original war authorization in 2002 and every war-funding appropriation since. He recently delivered an unprecedented hour-long speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives documenting that an Administration "benchmark" buried deep in the recent war supplemental appropriation would actually allow international oil companies to privatize Iraq's oil industry and gain control of upwards of 80% of Iraq production and reserves.
"Congressman Kucinich has been absolutely right about this since the beginning, and only recently have some of the other Democratic candidates recognized that they were wrong in authorizing and continuing to fund this war for all these years," the campaign said in a statement. "They had a chance to stop it before it began, and they could have stopped funding it anytime since. They didn't."
The commercial provides a dramatic and powerful visualization of the consequences of those decisions. It was produced by the campaign's in-house creative staff, headed by Chad Ely, National Media Director, and video editor Eric Blumrich. The campaign is planning a wider distribution in the near future.
Brownback Will Compete In The Ames Straw Poll
Looks forward to going head-to-head against Mitt Romney
DES MOINES – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today announced that he will compete in the Ames Straw Poll on August 11, 2007.
"I am excited and honored by the opportunity to participate in the Ames Straw Poll and I reaffirm my intention to compete in Ames," said Brownback. "I stand in solidarity with the Iowa Republican Party leadership in recognizing the importance of this event. I look forward to going head-to-head against Mitt Romney. Iowa voters have a great responsibility and have always been influential in choosing the Republican nominee. People deserve to know where a candidate stands, and you don't declare yourself the winner before the game is played. I am confident that my message of uniting social and fiscal conservatives will resonate with Republicans across the Hawkeye State, and especially those attending the Straw Poll."
Brownback challenged Romney and the other candidates participating in the Straw Poll to a series of debates across Iowa that will highlight the candidates' differing stands on the issues prior to the Straw Poll.
"This will be a great contest between a Midwestern conservative farmer and a Northeastern liberal Republican who has flip-flopped on fundamental issues and will find limited support in Iowa as the summer goes on," said Rob Wasinger, Brownback for President campaign manager. "The Brownback campaign looks forward to this match-up as it will be a great opportunity for Iowa conservatives to decide the direction of our country and our party. In this regard, we expect to be very competitive."
Brownback made the announcement at his Iowa campaign headquarters in West Des Moines.
Brownback also announced a new website, http://www.brownbackevents.com, that will help organize his grassroots support for the Straw Poll.
Barack Obama will be at International Market Square in Minneapolis for a Minnesota Kick-Off on Friday, June 29, 2007.
Brownback to Announce Ames, Iowa Straw Poll Intentions
DES MOINES, Ia—U.S. Senator Sam Brownback will hold a press conference at noon on Friday at the Brownback for President Iowa Headquarters to announce his intentions for the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll
Gilmore Will Join Candidates Bypassing Iowa Straw Poll
SPRINGFIELD, VA - Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore said today his campaign will not participate in the Aug. 11th Iowa straw poll. Gilmore said today the resources of his campaign will be better utilized if they are instead focused on the Iowa caucuses in January.
Gilmore has made a half dozen trips to Iowa in recent months, has a campaign staff member at work in the state and made the official announcement of his candidacy from Iowa GOP headquarters in Des Moines.
Gilmore said today "unfortunately, the results of the August Iowa straw poll are going to be determined solely by which candidate is willing to spend the most money and will have little to do with the candidate's conservative appeal to Republican voters."
The Republican campaigns of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Sen. John McCain have announced they are by passing the August straw poll as well. Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a potential candidate, is also reported to be considering not participating in the straw poll.
IOWA LEADERS JOIN TEAM MCCAIN
Campaign Unveils Additions To Leadership Team
ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the North Iowa Leadership Team in advance of Governor Tim Pawlenty's visit to the area on behalf of the Arizona Senator. This leadership team includes elected officials, longtime Republican Party activists, veterans, and other Iowans who are energized by Senator McCain's common sense conservative message.
"John McCain has demonstrated that he will take on the big challenges that face our country and get results that benefit all of us," said North Iowa McCain Chair and influential Republican activist De Byerly. "I look forward to working with my fellow Iowans to spread Senator McCain's common sense conservative message throughout the Hawkeye State."
This influential leadership team will continue to build on Senator McCain's volunteer grassroots organization.
"Iowa conservatives have a clear choice in the 2008 Presidential race," Winnebago County Chair Jerry Tweeten said. "John McCain has a consistent record of fighting for traditional values, and as President he will be a powerful advocate for conservative principles."
Senator John McCain expressed his gratitude for the group's support. "I am extremely grateful to have this gifted group of Iowans volunteering their time on my behalf," said Senator McCain. "With their help we will continue to grow our strong organization of committed grassroots supporters."
North Iowa Leadership Team
Cerro Gordo County
De Byerly - North Iowa McCain Chair
Candi Schickel - Cerro Gordo County McCain Chair
State Representative Bill Schickel
Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb
OJ Tomson
Marti Rodamaker
Jean Groth
Gary Wattnem - Veterans for McCain Leadership Team
Gene Madson - Veterans for McCain Leadership Team
Floyd County
Scott Jensen - Floyd County McCain Chair
Nora Springs Mayor George Andersen
Mitchell County
Verne Tanner - Mitchell County McCain Chair
Winnebago County
Jerry Tweeten - Winnebago County McCain Chair
Rudy Giuliani Announces Iowa State Campaign Chair Paul Pate
New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee reaffirmed its commitment to winning the Iowa Caucuses by announcing today that former Iowa Secretary of State and former Cedar Rapids Mayor Paul Pate will serve as the campaign’s Iowa State Chairman.
Pate will spearhead the campaign’s efforts across the state by communicating with other political leaders, building upon the campaign’s fundraising network, and increasing support at the grassroots level.
“Mayor Giuliani is honored to have a well-respected Iowan like Paul Pate leading his efforts in the state,” said Giuliani’s Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime. “Iowa is a critical part of our campaign’s strategy and a great showing in the Iowa Caucuses is key to Rudy Giuliani winning the Republican nomination.”
“Iowa caucus-goers are looking for a strong leader like Rudy Giuliani. They want a candidate they know can get results on the difficult issues facing our country,” said Pate. “We will work hard to share Mayor Giuliani’s strong vision for the future and his record of turning around New York City.”
Paul Pate is the latest Republican leader in Iowa to endorse Mayor Giuliani, joining former Congressman Jim Nussle, Iowa Senate Minority Leader Mary Lundby, and Iowa State Senator Jeff Angelo.
Statement On The Ames Straw Poll
Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President spokesman Kevin Madden issued the following statement on the Ames Straw Poll:
"Governor Romney has put in the time, built the organization and communicated his message to the voters of Iowa. It's a message focused on bringing conservative change to Washington, and it is resonating with Iowa voters because it matches his record of accomplishment as governor.
"Our plan all along has been to play in the Iowa straw poll, and that hasn't changed. Campaigns that have decided to abandon Ames are likely doing so out of a recognition that their organizations are outmatched and their message falls flat with Republican voters in Iowa.
"It looks as if we just beat those campaigns in Iowa two months earlier than we had planned on beating them."
STATEMENTS FROM TERRY NELSON AND DAVE ROEDERER
ARLINGTON, VA - Terry Nelson, Campaign Manager for John McCain 2008 issued the following statement:
"John McCain has built a solid grassroots organization in Iowa and intends to win the state's caucuses. He appreciates the unique and critical role the caucuses play in the nomination process and enjoys traveling the state, meeting Iowans, and holding town hall meetings.
"In light of today's news, it is clear that the Ames Straw Poll will not be a meaningful test of the leading candidates' organizational abilities, so we have decided to forego our participation in the event."
DES MOINES, IA - Dave Roederer, Iowa Chairman for John McCain 2008 issued the following statement:
"This weekend, Senator McCain will hold his 20th town hall meeting in our state. His straight talk on the challenging issues facing our country continues to resonate with Iowans and we are confident that his commitment to restraining government spending, protecting traditional values, and defeating Islamic extremists will ultimately lead him to victory in the caucuses."
