2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowa GOP Lincoln Day Dinner Photos

Iowa GOP Lincoln Day Dinner Photos

Iowa GOP Lincoln Day Dinner Photos

Mike Huckabee And His Band Will Play For Iowa GOP

Former Governor Mike Huckabee and his Band will Play for GOP Crowds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Des Moines, IA – Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (AR) will take a brief musical break from the campaign trail as he and his band, “Capitol Offense,” play for a GOP crowd in Des Moines, IA, on Saturday, April 14, it was announced today.

The eight-member “Capitol Offense” band formed shortly after Huckabee became Governor of Arkansas in 1996. The band has opened for Willie Nelson, Percy Sledge, .38 Special and Grand Funk Railroad, in addition to playing at President George W. Bush’s inaugural ball in 2000 and 2004.

Clinton Outlines Comprehensive 10-Point Government Reform Plan

Clinton Outlines Comprehensive 10-Point Government Reform Plan

MANCHESTER, N.H.--In a major policy speech at St. Anselm College today, Hillary Clinton proposed a series of measures to restore Americans’ confidence in their government by increasing transparency and cutting waste and corruption.

“This is a plan to enhance accountability and transparency and make government more efficient and effective for taxpayers,” Clinton said. “To restore competence and end the culture of cronyism. To replace secrecy and mystery with transparency. A plan to make our government work for all Americans again.”

Clinton would ban cabinet officials from lobbying her administration and strengthen whistleblower protections to encourage those uncovering fraud and abuse.

Decrying the Bush Administration’s hand outs to donors and special interests, Clinton vowed to end abuse of no-bid contracts and post all contracts and agency budgets online. Competitively bid contracts have fallen from 79% in 2001 to 48% in 2005. She also pledged to implement an America Results initiative to track the effectiveness of government programs and make the findings public.

“When I’m President, the entrance to the White House will no longer be a revolving door for just the well-connected -- but a door of opportunity for the well-qualified,” Clinton said.

Clinton pledged to cut the number of government contractors by 500,000, saving between $10 and $18 billion a year, and track and eliminate unnecessary corporate subsidies through a new agency focused on evaluating corporate welfare.

Finally, Clinton proposed harnessing the latest information technology to make government scientists’ findings public on critical issues like global warming and food and drug safety.

Clinton’s 10-point plan includes:

• Banning Cabinet Officials from Lobbying a Hillary Clinton Administration
• Strengthen Whistleblower Protections
• Creating a Public Service Academy
• Ending Abuse of No-Bid Government Contracts and Post All Contracts Online
• Cutting 500,000 Government Contractors
• Restore the Office of Technology Assessment
• Publishing Budgets for Every Government Agency
• Implementing Results America Initiative to Track Government Effectiveness
• Tracking and Eliminating Corporate Welfare
• Expanding Voting Access and Safeguarding Machines

Giuliani Campaign Announces First Quarter Financials

Giuliani Campaign Announces First Quarter Financials
Reports Over $10.8 Million Total Primary Cash on Hand,
Nearly $12 Million Total Cash on Hand

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today a strong fundraising showing with a total of $11.9 million cash on hand – $10.8 million for the primary and $1.13 million for the general.  The campaign reported total receipts of $16.6 million for the quarter and over $18 million for the cycle, including $14.7 million raised for the first quarter of the year and $1.85 million transferred from Friends of Giuliani.  $13.6 million of the total first quarter contributions is in primary dollars. 

The campaign’s growing momentum is evident in the $11.4 million raised in the month of March alone $9.9 million of which is for the primary.  Contributions have been received from all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.      

“The numbers speak for themselves – we are running an efficient campaign and our fundraising efforts are strong,” said Roy Bailey, National Finance Chairman.  “We believe the Mayor’s optimistic message will continue to resonate with voters and financial supporters across the country.”

FEC Quarterly Report Highlights:

• Primary Election Cash on Hand: $10,814,834 (91%)
• General Election Cash on Hand $1,134,900 (9%)
• Total Cash on Hand: $11,949,734
• Total Receipts: $16,623,410 (includes $1,850,000 transferred from Friends of Giuliani)
• Total Raised in March: $11,482,486

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee hosted a conference call today, Friday, April 13th, to discuss highlights from the committee’s FEC Quarterly Report. During the call it was mentioned that the campaign raised one million dollars online during the first quarter.

Mitt Romney Announces South Carolina Veterans Chairmen

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SOUTH CAROLINA VETERANS FOR ROMNEY CHAIRMEN

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Lieutenant General Claudius "Bud" Elmer Watts III and Brigadier General Thomas R. Mikolajcik will serve as Chairmen of South Carolina Veterans for Romney, a coalition of veterans who will work to expand Governor Romney's base of support in the Palmetto State.

"Generals Watts and Mikolajcik served America with great distinction, and I am honored to have them as part of my South Carolina team," said Governor Romney.  "Together, we recognize that our nation is confronting a new generation of global challenges, and we need to invest more in our military and expand our Armed Forces.  At the same time, we must always remain steadfast in our commitment to those who have been willing to sacrifice for this great country." 

With today's announcement, Lieutenant General Watts said, "Governor Romney understands the nature of the threats facing our nation and will make sure that our men and women in uniform have the very best training and technology to get the job done."

Joining General Watts, Brigadier General Mikolajcik said, "Governor Romney's record on veterans' issues is very strong.  He firmly believes that the commitment to our troops doesn't end when their service is finished and that we must take care of those who have sacrificed to protect us.  I look forward to telling my fellow veterans in South Carolina of his plans to keep America secure."

Earnest Tapped To Lead Obama’s Iowa Communications Team

Earnest Tapped To Lead Obama’s Iowa Communications Team

DES MOINES – Senator Barack Obama’s campaign for president today announced the hiring of Josh Earnest to lead the campaign’s communications operation in Iowa.  The announcement comes one week after Senator Obama completed his fifth trip to Iowa and visited his 20th county since declaring his candidacy for president two months ago.

“Earnest’s hiring reflects our campaign’s commitment to dedicating significant resources and talent to talk to Iowans about Senator Obama’s vision for changing politics as usual in Washington, DC,” said Iowa State Director Paul Tewes.  “We’re pleased he’s agreed to lead the talented team that we already have in place in Iowa.”

Earnest will lead an Iowa communications staff that includes Iowa Press Secretary Tommy Vietor who was a spokesman in Senator Obama’s Senate office, Iowa Deputy Press Secretary Gannet Tseggai formerly a press aide for Senator Ted Kennedy and Iowa Press Assistant Bobby Gravitz who filled a similar role on former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s campaign for president.

Earnest served as National Communications Director for Tom Vilsack’s presidential campaign until the former Iowa governor ended his campaign in February.  Last year, Earnest was the Communications Director for Jim Davis’s campaign for Florida governor.  Before moving to Florida, Earnest did a 2 ½ year stint at the Democratic National Committee, including a year as National Press Secretary in 2005.

Romney For President Announces Story County Leadership Team

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES STORY COUNTY LEADERSHIP TEAM

Boston, MA – Romney for President today announced its Story County Leadership Team, which includes current and former elected officials and long-time Republican Party activists.  Story County is the home of Ames, Iowa.

Romney for President makes the announcement the day before Governor Romney visits central Iowa, where he will address the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Day Dinner in Des Moines.

"We have put together a strong team in Story County, one that is motivated to help Governor Romney share his vision for America," said Iowa Campaign Manager Gentry Collins. "This is a talented, experienced group of individuals, and they will be a tremendous help to our Ames efforts."

Kevin Kimle will chair the campaign's efforts in Story County.  He has been involved in a number of campaigns at the local, state and national level.

"Governor Romney has a positive, optimistic vision for this country's future, and he will lead with steadfast conviction," said Kimle.  "He is a great candidate with a growing grassroots team here and across Iowa, and I look forward to working with his campaign in the coming months."

Also serving on the Story County Leadership Team will be former Senator Stewart Iverson, the former Senate Majority Leader who previously represented the eastern half of the county, Representative Dave Deyoe, Gannon Hendrick as Co-Chair, Mary Mosiman and Rick and Sandy Hoenig.

All Candidates Confirmed For South Carolina First-In-The-Nation Presidential Debate

ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO - ALL CANDIDATES CONFIRMED FOR SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S PATH TO THE PRESIDENCY 2008 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

First-In-The-Nation Presidential Debate to air on NBC News April 26 Live From SC State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina

Orangeburg, SC – With less than two weeks before South Carolina makes history with the first presidential debate for either party in the 2008 cycle, officials from the South Carolina Democratic Party and South Carolina State University announced today that all systems are ready and on track for a both a successful and a historic Path to the Presidency Debate on SC State’s campus Thursday, April 26, 2007.

"I am pleased to see the tremendous work South Carolina State and the South Carolina Democratic Party have put into to making the first debate of the '08 presidential campaign a huge success," said Congressman James Clyburn. "Due to their amazing efforts and the community involvement, I believe this debate is going to set a high standard for future debates to meet."

All eight Democratic presidential candidates have confirmed to attend the debate, which will be Thursday, April 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Theater, located on the campus of SC State. The debate will be live on MSNBC News, MSNBC.com, and South Carolina’s NBC affiliates in addition to South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV). The debate kicks off the South Carolina Democratic Party’s historic Path to the Presidency weekend, which also includes the State Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Congressman Clyburn’s World-Famous Fish Fry, and the State Democratic Party Convention on Saturday, April 28.

Under the leadership of State Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin and SC State President Andrew Hugine, a team of key University staff and State Party activists and officials has been working for more than two months with officials from NBC News to prepare for the debate.

“ I am proud to report today that all systems are go for our historic debate, “ said State Party Chair Joe Erwin. “When we first announced our intentions to come to SC State, I was very excited to be a part of the history and tradition of this great university, the alma mater of my good friend Congressman Clyburn. Now that our team has worked with the SC State family, we truly understand where their great reputation comes from. We could not have asked for better hosts than President Hugine and his team of top-notch professionals at State. These folks just get it done – no matter what the request. If they don’t have the resources, they find someone to sponsor it or someone to lend us some help, if it wasn’t something in their current schedule, they change it.”

With the combined efforts of the South Carolina Democratic Party and SC State Debate team, work is well underway to transform the campus into a 21st century debate headquarters. Workspace for NBC News, the campaigns, and the media is being converted and a debate office is open. In addition, the SC State Foundation and the Democratic Party have secured sponsors to help bring critical technology and infrastructure to the campus and provide more opportunities for students and the community to watch the debate.

One of those important sponsors was announced this morning at a press briefing on SC State’s campus. The County of Orangeburg and the Economic Development Authority will host a special community viewing celebration for more than 3,000 people in the S-H-M gymnasium the night of the debate from 6:00 – 10:00 PM. The viewing party/after party will feature food and entertainment, as well as the debate live on a big screen, and will be open to students and community members. Candidates will stop by after the debate and visit. Tickets are free but will be required for admittance and details about ticket distribution will be available next week.

“The eyes of the world will be on our campus at the end of April and SC State will make the South Carolina proud,” said SC State President Dr. Andrew Hugine. “We know that putting on a successful debate in April isn’t just a one-day phenomenon. The experience of putting on this debate will go a long way to opening the doors of opportunity for the campus, the community, and the State of South Carolina. We are committed to transforming the energy and excitement of this one event into a lasting legacy and we thank the people of Orangeburg, the leaders of this county, and the city for their continuing support and encouragement.”