2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Announces Deborah VonSprecken As Jones County Chair In Iowa

Rudy Giuliani Announces Deborah VonSprecken as Jones County Chair in Iowa

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that Deborah VonSprecken from Olin, Iowa will serve as the Jones County Chair.  As part of Mayor Giuliani’s Iowa leadership team Mrs. VonSprecken will spearhead the campaign’s organizational efforts in the county.  The announcement followed a visit from Rudy Giuliani to the VonSprecken’s family farm in Olin where Mayor Giuliani apologized for the misunderstanding surrounding his last visit to the state.  After spending nearly two hours visiting with Mr. and Mrs. VonSprecken, Deborah expressed her interest in supporting Mayor Giuliani and leading his efforts in Jones County.

“I am honored to have Deborah as part of my team in Iowa.  As the hard-working owner of a family farm she understands the importance of cutting taxes and implementing fiscal discipline to grow the economy and increase opportunity,” said Mayor Rudy Giuliani. “Her support is tremendous and will be of great value to our efforts in Iowa.”

Rudy Giuliani Co-Chair And Advisor Steve Forbes Statement On The Club For Growth White Paper

Statement from Rudy Giuliani National Campaign Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor Steve Forbes

New York City – Rudy Giuliani National Campaign Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor Steve Forbes made the following statement today regarding the Club for Growth White Paper:

“In praising Mayor Giuliani’s ‘years of remarkable fiscal discipline’, the Club for Growth confirmed today why many conservatives agree with me that Rudy is the true fiscal conservative we need as President.  Mayor Giuliani used fiscally conservative principles to achieve unprecedented pro-growth results in the nation’s largest city and one of it's most liberal.” 

“We need a President that can actually turn conservative philosophy into real results as Rudy did when he cut taxes and limited spending in New York City for the first time in history.”

Clinton Campaign Launches Text Messaging Effort To Continue Conversation With Voters

Clinton Campaign Launches Text Messaging Effort to Continue Conversation With Voters
Supporters Can Text "Join" to 77007 to Receive Regular Campaign Updates 

When Hillary Clinton said she wanted to have a conversation with Americans, she really meant it. She’s been visiting Americans in their local communities and has done live video conversations on the Internet, now she’s taking it to a whole new level: text messaging Americans throughout the country.

Clinton’s campaign is launching an innovative new initiative today to reach supporters across the country utilizing cell phone text messaging. Clinton’s text messaging effort is focused on maximizing her efforts to communicate directly with supporters by giving them regular campaign updates, including information about the campaign and photos from events.

“By harnessing the power of text messaging, we can engage voters in the political process using the latest technology and provide personalized, local campaign updates to our supporters nationwide,” Clinton said. “This is an exciting step forward that I hope will continue our conversation with voters in a new format.”

How does it work?  For supporters to join, they can simply text ‘JOIN’ to 77007. Hillary will first ask people to join at today’s endorsement event in Albany where she will receive the support of Governor Eliot Spitzer, Lt. Governor David Paterson and all of New York’s statewide officials. Voters can also sign up to join Hillary’s network on the campaign website at www.hillaryclinton.com.

What information will voters receive via text message?  Supporters will get regular updates from Hillary’s campaign, including messages and photos that are personalized for their area. The campaign will also ask for voters’ input and offer a feature allowing supporters to surf Hillary’s website on their mobile phones.

Relevant Facts and Figures

• There are currently 236,000,000 cell phone users in the U.S. – 76% penetration.
• 10.5% of homes in the U.S. are wireless only (projected to be 30% by end 2008)
• In December 2006 alone, there were 18.7 billion text messages sent – up 92% from 9.7 billion in December 2005. 195 billion for the year
• In the first six months of 2006, the number of subscribers to two-way SMS (text messaging) grew by 88%.
• According to the NPD Group, by mid-2006, 42% of all wireless subscribers used their wireless phone as their primary phone.
• By the middle of 2006, almost half of wireless customers in the U.S. were using some form of wireless data – surfing the wireless web, sending text and photo-messages, or downloading and playing games, ringtones, or music files.

Dodd For President Relaunches Website, Announces Innovative Internet Strategy

DODD FOR PRESIDENT RELAUNCHES WEBSITE, ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE INTERNET STRATEGY

Senator Chris Dodd's Presidential campaign rolled out a new and improved website this morning and plans to continue its innovative internet strategy in the months to come.

The total revision of the site includes a clean look, easy navigation and digestible information about Senator Dodd and his plans for America.

"The Dodd for President campaign will continue to be on the cutting edge in its use of internet technology and outreach," said Dodd internet strategist Tim Tagaris. "Like his Kitchen Table Campaign, Chris Dodd's website reflects his belief in the importance of a direct conversation between voters and the campaign."

The Dodd campaign also announced the hiring of Matt Browner-Hamlin to serve as the campaign's chief blogger. Browner-Hamlin, an experienced blogger whose work has been posted at The Huffington Post, My Left Nutmeg and The Right's Field, will travel with Senator Dodd to offer updates from the field.

"Bringing an experienced blogger like Matt aboard gives us the exciting opportunity to provide Democratic primary voters with the kind of window into a campaign that hasn't been seen before in Presidential politics," said Tagaris. "With Matt's help, the campaign will be able to successfully reach out to the blogosphere and the netroots and engage them in Senator Dodd's bold and exciting run for the White House."

Dodd's campaign has already provided a window to the public, including near real-time behind-the-scenes video during the candidate's appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and a live two-way conversation between viewers and the campaign's policy staff during the first Presidential Primary Debate using technology that, at the time, was barely a month old. The new site will build off those successes, incorporating technology previously unexplored by Presidential campaigns, including:

• Twitter, a real-time blogging tool that will enable live updates from the field, delivering real-time updates to anyone interested in the campaign via the website, SMS and instant messanger technology.
• Ustream, a real-time streaming video and audio site that will allow anyone to join Senator Dodd on the campaign trail from the primary states.
• Social networking platforms, continuing to engage users of MySpace, Facebook and other sites as a means of internet outreach.

"The Dodd campaign is innovating online politics," said Tagaris. "Instead of rehashing the same software and strategies from last cycle, we're inventing new ways to make the campaign available to anyone and to connect with everyone."

Blog post.

"I wanted to tell you about what I'll be doing for the Dodd campaign. As you can tell, we've just launched a redesigned version of ChrisDodd.com. I've joined the campaign to help add content to the site so that Senator Dodd's supporters will know what he and his campaign staff are doing as it's happening. I'll be traveling with Senator Dodd on his campaign trips. My blog posts will aim to give readers a window into the Dodd campaign - what we're doing, where we're going, and what Senator Dodd is talking about.

But my job will go far beyond writing about the campaign. As I travel with Senator Dodd around America, I'll be posting videos from the trail. Lots of video. We're going to be doing exciting things with live streaming web video that will provide viewers an insiders look into what Senator Dodd is doing. This campaign is going to be transparent in real time because we believe that the more people get to know Senator Dodd, the more they will like him.

I'm also going to be posting Twitter updates that are fed directly into the front page of ChrisDodd.com."

Bill Richardson Receives Endorsement From Key Southern California Leader, Gloria Molina

Governor Bill Richardson Receives Endorsement from Key Southern California Leader, Gloria Molina
Influential LA County Supervisor calls Governor Richardson "Clearly the most qualified candidate"

LOS ANGELES, CA - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today received the endorsement of Gloria Molina, a Los Angeles County Supervisor and one of the most influential political leaders in Southern California. Mrs. Molina announced her support of Governor Richardson following a town hall meeting in Monterey Park, CA with more than 200 of her constituents, local leaders, and business people.

"Governor Richardson is one of the most effective and responsive leaders I have ever worked with," said Supervisor Molina. "His experience is what sets him apart from the crowded field of Presidential candidates. I believe he is the right man at the right time to be the next President of the United States."

"I am honored to receive this important endorsement. I have known Gloria for many years and admire what she has been able to get done for the people of her district, for California, and for Latinos across the country," said Governor Richardson.

Two Iowa Christian Alliance Board Members Annnounce Support For Huckabee Candidacy

TWO BOARD MEMBERS OF IOWA CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR HUCKABEE CANDIDACY

WEST DES MOINES – Rev. Brad Sherman and Scott Spray, board members of the Iowa Christian Alliance, today announced their personal support for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s campaign for president.

Sherman, who is pastor of the Solid Rock Christian Church in Coralville, and Scott Spray of Johnston, lauded Huckabee’s conservative credentials as they announced their support.

“Mike Huckabee is a man of deep convictions, with a strong conservative record of chief executive experience as Governor of Arkansas,” Spray said.  “I believe he has the right positions on social, fiscal, and national security issues. Importantly, he has demonstrated an ability to work with people of both parties and get things accomplished without compromising his core values.”

Sherman said, “Phony photo-op politicians are easy to spot – and that is not Mike Huckabee. He is a genuine man of faith who is not only right on the issues, but he also struck a chord in my heart that no other candidate has been able to do. America needs a man like Mike Huckabee now, with the leadership skills and vision to move our nation forward, now more than ever.”

Sherman and Spray emphasized that their endorsements do not reflect a similar position by the Iowa Christian Alliance, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

“True leaders are people who stand up for their beliefs and values at critical times,” Huckabee said.  “Brad Sherman and Scott Spray are standing up for their core values. Their support means a tremendous amount to me and my campaign. I share their commitment to authentic conservative values such as the sanctity of life, protection of traditional marriage and protection of our religious freedoms – and l look forward to our important work together in the coming weeks and months.”

Governor Mitt Romney Names Mid-Michigan Leadership Team

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY NAMES MID-MICHIGAN LEADERSHIP TEAM

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced the Romney for President Mid-Michigan Leadership Team.  These men and women will help Governor Romney build on his already strong base of support in the Mid-Michigan area. 

"I look forward to campaigning with these Michigan leaders as I talk to voters about bringing real conservative change to Washington," said Governor Romney.  "With their help, we will ensure that America is prepared to meet a new generation of challenges, and that we continue to strengthen our nation's economy, military, and families."

With today's announcement, U.S. Representative and Romney for President Michigan Co-Chair Dave Camp said, "Governor Romney has a record of proven leadership and a lifetime of real world experience outside of Washington.  I am looking forward to helping him win in Michigan on his way to winning the Republican nomination."

McCain Unveils South Carolina County Leadership

MCCAIN UNVEILS SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY LEADERSHIP
Top Republican Activists From All 46 Counties Join Arizona Senator's Team

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced its South Carolina county chairs. The eighty-two member committee includes representatives from each of South Carolina's forty-six counties.

The county chairs will serve as the building blocks of Senator McCain's grassroots structure in the Palmetto State. Each chair will organize their respective county and provide the campaign with valuable leadership.

"Right out of the gate, Senator McCain has made clear his goal of building a top-notch operation in South Carolina," said Dorchester County Chair Arthur Bryngelson. "As someone who has been through a campaign or two, I can say without a doubt this is the strongest grassroots organization I have ever had the privilege of working with."

"Because of his proven record of conservative leadership, Senator McCain has had considerable success assembling a team of Republican leaders who will get results," said Lancaster County Chair Donnie Birchfield. "He has shown time and again that he's right on eliminating wasteful spending and winning the battle against extremists."

Senator John McCain expressed his confidence in, and appreciation for, the latest additions to his team.

"I am very proud of the team we are assembling in South Carolina," said Senator McCain. "I am thankful for their hard work and confident that with their support our efforts in South Carolina will be successful."

John Edwards For President Campaign Releases Iowa Specific Website

JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN RELEASES IOWA SPECIFIC WEBSITE
www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa gives voters direct link to campaign in their area

Des Moines, Iowa – The John Edwards for President campaign today released a website specifically for Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus goers. The web site, www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa, provides Iowans with information on how to get involved in the campaign as well as details on Edwards’ bold and specific plans on issues from Iraq to universal health care.  It also tracks John and Elizabeth Edwards travels throughout Iowa and it will include pictures and video of their discussions with everyday Iowans.

“Iowa is the first stop in our drive to change America – and success here is going to be critical,” said Edwards. “Elizabeth and I have had many opportunities to visit with Iowans over the past few years, but this web site will give Iowans the chance to learn more about my plans for bold change.  Most importantly, it is a tool that will help Iowans get involved in the important challenges facing our country today.”   

The Iowa website -- which will be regularly updated -- includes:

• News from the campaign trail
• Pictures and video of John and Elizabeth Edwards as they visit with Iowans
• Downloadable fact sheets and other items so that caucus goers can learn about Edwards’ positions on the issues – and then share that information with friends and neighbors
• A six minute video detailing John Edwards plan for universal health coverage
• Lists of upcoming events

Many ways to get involved, including registering as a supporter of the campaign, offering to volunteer, and an email feature allowing Iowans to invite friends and family to visit the site and learn more about the campaign
A page allowing caucus goers to get in contact with the nearest campaign office
Additional features and information will be added throughout the campaign, and Edwards invited Iowans – whether they are already supporters or still undecided -- to check back at the page frequently to hear the latest news from the campaign

Biden Campaign Announces New Hampshire Deputy State Director

BIDEN CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPUTY STATE DIRECTOR 
Former State House Democratic Caucus Director Joins Biden Team

Wilmington, DE – The Biden for President Campaign today announced that Heidi Mitchell, former State House Democratic Caucus Director, will join the campaign as New Hampshire Deputy State Director.

During the campaigns of 2004, Mitchell worked on Sen. John Edwards’ 2004 Presidential Primary Campaign and coordinated volunteers during the State Party’s GOTV efforts for the General Election.

“Heidi’s arrival is representative of the momentum that our organization is building in the Granite State,” said Luis Navarro, Biden’s Campaign Manager.  “She understands the centrality of New Hampshire in the presidential nomination process, and I am confident that she will prove to be an invaluable member of our team in the months to come.”