2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Ovide Lamontagne Joins Romney For President In New Hampshire

OVIDE LAMONTAGNE JOINS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the endorsement of 1996 Republican nominee for Governor, Ovide Lamontagne.  Lamontagne will provide support and insight to the Romney campaign, assisting the campaign in its efforts to reach out to the business community and conservatives in the State and the region.

"I am proud to welcome Ovide to our team.  He has had an impressive career of service to his community and standing up time and again for sound conservative principles.  I know he will be a tremendous addition to our campaign," said Governor Romney.   

In joining Romney for President, Lamontagne said, "I have been impressed by Governor Romney's record of service and championing of important conservative principles.   During his term as Governor, he promoted fiscal responsibility, advanced the culture of life, and defended the institution of marriage.  He rightly recognizes that the source of America’s strength is rooted in strong families, safe communities and a commitment to traditional values.  I am honored to be a part of his team."

Alabama Veterans Support John McCain

ALABAMA VETERANS SUPPORT JOHN MCCAIN
Fisher And Day To Lead State Veterans Advisory Committee

ARLINGTON, VA. – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced that United States Marine Corps veteran Don Fisher and Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander Roland Day have joined the Arizona Senator’s team and will chair his 65-member Veterans Advisory Committee in Alabama.

In addition, Charles Ingram, a retired U.S. Army Major General of Troy, and Hal Pierce of Daphne, a retired Captain in the U.S. Navy, will serve as regional vice-chairs.

Fisher, who also serves on the Veterans for McCain national steering committee, has a background in building coalitions from having served as the statewide grassroots coordinator for Gov. Bob Riley’s 2006 re-election campaign and regional coordinator for his 2002 effort.

“John McCain’s military record proves he has the courage, wisdom, and judgment that are needed to serve as our nation’s Commander-In-Chief,” said Fisher.  “I’m proud to join my fellow veterans in supporting his candidacy and building a grassroots network across the state.”

VFW Commander Ronald Day, another national steering committee member, said Senator McCain’s experience and long record of service to his country make him uniquely qualified to serve as president.

“Few men have served their country as admirably or faithfully as John McCain, and his service continues to this day,” said Day.  “Veterans across the state tell me every day that they are prepared to support John McCain for president and to thank him for the sacrifices he has made for his country.”

Pierce, who served in the Navy for more than 30 years, said McCain’s continuing desire to serve America drew him to support him for president.

“From the Navy, to the U.S. House and Senate John McCain has worked for decades serving his fellow Americans,” Pierce said.  “As president, John McCain will continue his strong record of support for veterans.”

Ingram said his reasons for supporting McCain were simple.

“John McCain can be summed up in two words – American hero,” Ingram said.  “Our nation has seen few men of his caliber come along in our history and we need him leading our country at this time.”

Senator John McCain said he was proud to have the support of veterans in Alabama, and across the nation, and thanked them for their commitment and military service.

“These men and women have fought and worked to spread freedom and democracy around the world and I can never thank them enough for their service,” said Senator John McCain.  “I thank them for their support, and our campaign will be looking to them for input and guidance as we continue to build an unrivaled grassroots network in Alabama.”

South Carolina Leaders Stand With John McCain

SOUTH CAROLINA LEADERS STAND WITH SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced its South Carolina leadership team is organized, active, and prepared for the campaign’s official launch in the Palmetto State on Thursday, April 26th.

The influential leadership team will continue to build Senator McCain’s organization in South Carolina and is led by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, and Attorney General Henry McMaster.

"What the people of South Carolina see in Senator John McCain is leadership," said Senator Graham.  "In Congress, he's fought for twenty-four years to reign in government spending, to protect innocent life, to keep our families safe from dangers foreign and domestic, and to ensure American prosperity endures for generations to come. That kind of record speaks for itself. Senator McCain, above all others, is ready to assume the role of Commander-in-Chief beginning day one."

Senator McCain stated he was pleased by the broad base of support he has received from leaders across the state.  “South Carolina is a place where our common sense conservative message is resonating,” said Senator McCain.  “I am proud to have such strong support and I am grateful for the all the hard work conducted by these well respected and highly regarded leaders.”

Jeff Lamberti To Serve As Iowa Co-Chair For John McCain

Jeff Lamberti To Serve As Iowa Co-Chair
Former State Senate President Joins Senator McCain's Growing Iowa Organization

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former state Senate President Jeff Lamberti will join Senator McCain's Iowa campaign. Lamberti will serve as a co-chair and provide leadership to the campaign in the state.

"I'm committed to electing John McCain because he is a problem solver who believes in smaller government, responsible spending reform, and traditional values," said Lamberti. "John McCain is a proven leader who will make the tough decisions to ensure that future generations are safe and prosperous."

Jeff Lamberti served two terms as an Iowa state Senator and two terms as a state Representative. He was elected president of the Iowa Senate by his colleagues in 2004. Lamberti was the Republican Party’s nominee for United States Congress in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District in 2006. He currently serves on the board of the On With Life Foundation and serves as a board member of the Ankeny Community School District Foundation.

Senator John McCain expressed his appreciation for Lamberti's support. "During his career in public service, Jeff has been a tireless advocate for our shared common sense conservative values," said Senator McCain. "Jeff is a respected Iowa leader and I'm proud to have his support as we continue to build our grassroots organization."

Romney Announces Support Of Wisconsin Social Conservative Leader Camille Solberg

GOVERNOR ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF WISCONSIN SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE LEADER CAMILLE SOLBERG

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Camille Solberg, a prominent social conservative leader in Wisconsin, will be joining his campaign for President of the United States. 

Solberg most recently served as President of the Wisconsin Coalition for Traditional Marriage where she led the successful ballot initiative to defend traditional marriage.  This initiative passed with nearly 60% of the vote.  She is currently editor of the Wisconsin Christian News.

"I am proud to have Camille's support.  For years, she has been a leader in defending traditional marriage and strengthening the American family.  Every day, she continues to build on her impressive career of standing for sound conservative principles.  I am pleased that she has joined our team," said Governor Romney.

With today's announcement, Camille Solberg said, "Governor Romney has a strong record on the issues that matter most to social conservative voters.  Facing unprecedented challenges to some of our most basic values, he acted to promote a culture of life, defend traditional marriage and strengthen the family.  His is a record of action and a platform social conservatives can and are supporting.  I am honored to be a part of his team."

Bill Richardson Calls First Democratic Presidential Debate An Opportunity To Take On The "Leaders"

Governor Bill Richardson Calls First Democratic Presidential Debate an Opportunity to Take on the "Leaders"

Governor Bill Richardson today urged Americans to watch tomorrow’s Democratic Presidential debate, saying it will help move the primary discussion from a media popularity contest to an honest discussion of issues and experience.  The debate is scheduled for tomorrow at 7 p.m. EDT in South Carolina.

“This will be the first chance for Americans to see all of the Democratic candidates together and to see who is the most qualified and best prepared to be President on day one,” said Governor Richardson. “We won’t be debating the poll numbers, we’ll be debating and stating our opinion on real issues, and people will see a difference.  There are important differences in the qualifications and accomplishments of the candidates.  They’ll see that I would get our troops out of Iraq, all of our troops, with no residual forces.  I’ve been there, I know the region, and I know our presence is no longer helping.  They’ll see that I believe we can provide universal health coverage for all Americans without raising taxes. In New Mexico I expanded access to health care while cutting taxes.  They’ll see how I plan to help the American middle-class prosper, and how I believe we can improve our schools and give every child the opportunity to go to college or vocational school. This is the best and brightest field of Democratic candidates ever, but there are real differences that people need to know before they make up their minds.”

The debate is being held at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  It will be broadcast live on MSNBC on Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. EDT.  It will also be shown live on MSNBC.com.

Edwards Statement On Toyota Outselling General Motors

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON TOYOTA OUTSELLING GENERAL MOTORS

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards today released the following statement on the news that Toyota has outsold General Motors to become the worldwide leader in auto sales for the first time in history:

"The news that Toyota has passed GM as the world's top automaker while President Bush stubbornly pursues a one-sided trade deal with South Korea vividly demonstrates the stakes of the next election for American workers.  For decades, American automakers and auto workers haven't just built automobiles, they've built the American middle class that's now been decimated by the failure and neglect of our national economic policies.   A dangerous combination of bad trade policies and inattention to economic crises like out-of-control health care and energy costs is squeezing the life out of our manufacturing economy. This pattern will continue until we have an administration that focuses first on the needs of ordinary Americans instead of catering to those on top.

"The President should abandon his dogged pursuit of a trade deal that kicks American automakers when they're down. We already buy more than 100 times more South Korean cars than they buy from us.  Any trade deal should start with South Korea fully and fairly opening their market to American autos.  For over 50 years, South Korea has been one of our most valuable allies in Asia, but even friends should bargain fairly and, unfortunately, we know from previous experience that South Korea has not lived up to its agreements on autos."

Obama Campaign Announces New Iowa Website

Obama Campaign Announces New Iowa Website

DES MOINES – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today announced that he has introduced an Iowa-specific campaign website to help Iowans stay informed and get involved in his campaign. Obama’s Iowa website can be viewed at www.barackobama.com/iowa and will include a calendar of events and activities, contact information for Obama’s 12 Iowa offices, a blog, videos and more.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for Iowans to stay informed and get involved in this campaign,” Obama said. “If we want to change the way our political system is run so that our voices – and not just the lobbyists and the special interest groups – are heard in Washington, then ordinary citizens need to join together and organize for change. My hope is that this website will provide another tool for Iowans across the state to do just that.”

Obama’s Iowa website further demonstrates his commitment to competing in Iowa and adds to his already impressive efforts to help ordinary citizens organize online. Currently, Iowans and Obama supporters across the country are using my.barackobama.com  to organize their friends and communities.

This past weekend, Senator Obama made his 6th visit to Iowa since announcing his candidacy for President in early February.

Jim Gilmore To Officially Announce Candidacy In Live Webcast From Iowa GOP Headquarters

GILMORE TO OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE CANDIDACY IN LIVE WEBCAST FROM IOWA GOP HEADQUARTERS 

DES MOINES – Making his third visit to Iowa in three weeks, former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore will officially announce as a candidate for President of the United States Thursday in a live webcast from the Republican Party of Iowa headquarters.

Gilmore’s entry in the race comes as conservatives in Iowa and elsewhere continue to express their dissatisfaction with the so-called front runners for the Republican nomination.  A tax cutting former Virginia Governor, Gilmore is a leading authority on homeland security and is making the need for a more secure America a central part of his campaign message.

Gilmore’s official announcement of candidacy will be at 12 noon Thursday at GOP headquarters, 621 East 9th Street in Des Moines. The announcement will be broadcast live on the web at www.gilmoreforpresident.com.  Following the announcement, Gilmore will answer questions from voters on a live blog chat. 

A native of Richmond Virginia, Gilmore, 57, is the son of working class parents. As Governor of Virginia, he became a champion of the taxpayers by reducing taxes on working men and woman by $1.5 billion.  He has been awarded the Friend of the Taxpayer Award three times by Americans for Tax Reform.  He is a former chairman of the Republican National Committee and is a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Gilmore, who served as a noncommissioned officer in U.S. Army counter-intelligence and was a tough crime busting prosecutor in Virginia, was Governor of Virginia when terrorists flew a plane into the Pentagon on 9/11. He was appointed by Congress as the chairman of a Congressionally created national commission charged with making recommendations on ways to prevent and respond to terrorism, which became known as the Gilmore Commission.

Mitt Romney Names New Hampshire Statewide Finance Committee

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY NAMES NEW HAMPSHIRE STATEWIDE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced seven members of his New Hampshire Statewide Finance Committee.  These New Hampshire community and business leaders will help Governor Romney expand his base of support in the state and raise the resources needed to be competitive throughout the election process.

"New Hampshire has the distinction of being first in the nation for their primary, and this is a first rate team to go along with that designation.  I am grateful to have these leaders on my team as I discuss how to address a new generation of challenges and keep our county strong," said Governor Romney. 

With today's announcement, State Chair Bruce Keough said, "This outstanding group of New Hampshire leaders will help deliver the support needed to make New Hampshire Romney country.  We've already seen the results of their hard work.  Combined with Governor Romney's optimistic vision for the future, they raised more money from New Hampshire residents than all other candidates in the first quarter.  Together, our team will continue to work to make sure Governor Romney has the resources he needs to bring real change to Washington."