2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Billie Jean King Endorses Clinton

Billie Jean King Endorses Clinton

Sports legend and social activist Billie Jean King announced her endorsement of Hillary Clinton today.

“What I learned when I first met Hillary, and what I know now, is that she is qualified to lead this country.  As a young woman, mother, advocate, First Lady and Senator she has continually shown us she is passionate about improving family issues, healthcare, equal pay and the challenges that people all across this nation face on a daily basis,” King said. “Hillary and I both believe strongly in equal rights and opportunities for all people. She is a winner and I am standing beside her because she has the vision, the drive and the knowledge to lead this country.” 

Named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life Magazine, King gained worldwide acclaim when she defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous Battle of the Sexes tennis match in 1973. Over the course of her hall of fame career, King won 39 Grand Slam titles and helped start the first professional tour for women’s tennis. She also founded the Women’s Tennis Association, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and co-founded World TeamTennis.

“Billie Jean King is an inspiration to women everywhere who were told they couldn’t compete in sports and in life,” Clinton said. “She has spent her life breaking down barriers, and I’m honored to have her support.”

Rudy's Economic Record At-A-Glance

RUDY’S ECONOMIC RECORD AT-A-GLANCE

Before Mayor Giuliani took office in 1994, New York City faced economic crisis and urban decay. Through a combination of tax cuts, economic revitalization and fiscally conservative governance, Mayor Giuliani turned a $2.3 billion deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus, created a smaller and more efficient government, spurred private-sector job growth and gave New Yorkers their lowest tax burden in decades.

Fiscal Discipline
• Turned Deficit into Surpluses: Mayor Giuliani inherited a $2.3 billion dollar budget deficit and turned it into a $2.9 billion surplus while cutting taxes 23 times and delivering balanced budgets.
• Controlled Spending: The Giuliani Administration saved taxpayers more than $11.9 billion by controlling the projected growth of city-funded spending.
• Practiced Fiscal Discipline: Giuliani reduced government spending as a portion of the city’s economy for six straight years and kept the growth of government spending to nearly half the growth of the city economy.

Cut Taxes
• Mayor Giuliani cut more taxes than any mayor in New York City history, reducing or eliminating 23 city taxes, ranging from personal income tax to the sales tax on clothing purchases to taxes on commercial rents. As he said in his first budget address to the people of New York, “We’re going to cut taxes to attract jobs so our people can work.”
• These tax cuts saved individuals and businesses a total of over $9 billion.
• By the end of Giuliani’s term in office, New Yorkers enjoyed their lowest taxes in decades.

Reduced the Size of Government
• Eliminated Bureaucracy: Giuliani created a smaller, more efficient government by cutting the number of full-time city-funded jobs by nearly 20%, excluding cops on the street and teachers in the classroom.
• Reformed Welfare: When Rudy took office, 1.1 million New Yorkers – one out of every seven – was on welfare. Under his leadership, the City cut welfare rolls by more than 640,000 – to the lowest number since 1966 – eliminating fraud and abuse and turning Welfare Offices into Job Centers. Giuliani said: “At the core of our approach to welfare reform is the basic concept of a social contract—that for every right there is a duty, for every benefit an obligation.”
• This was accomplished while keeping the growth of government budgets smaller than the growth of the city economy – all while working with a City Council controlled by Democrats.

Privatized Government-Owned Businesses
Mayor Giuliani also streamlined the activities of city government by privatizing numerous government-controlled enterprises, providing revenues from the sales themselves and taxes paid by the newly privatized organizations.
For example:
• Sold WNYC radio for $20 million, WNYC-TV for $207 million, and the 54th Street Municipal Garage for $14 million.
• Divested the United Nations Plaza hotel for $85 million and annual property taxes.
• Sold the New York Coliseum to private developers for $345 million, creating the Time-Warner Center and spurring the revitalization of Columbus Circle.
• Sold city-owned vacant lots to private benefactors which were converted into community gardens.
• Oversaw a 70% drop in the number of housing units managed by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
• Contracted city services from building inspections to bail processing, saving taxpayers money and creating private sector jobs.

Supply-Side Economics
Rudy is a strong advocate of supply-side economics because, as he says, “we practiced it for eight years in New York City and saw it work.”
• Unemployment was cut in half from 10.4% in January of 1993 to a low of 5.0% in May of 2001.
• 423,000 new private sector jobs were created.
• Building permits increased by more than 63 percent, to 87,000 in FY2001 from 53,000 in FY1993.
• Personal income in New York City increased by nearly 50% while taxes as a percentage of personal income dropped from 8.8% to 7.3%.
• A key example of the ability of tax cuts to spur growth was the reduction in the hotel occupancy tax. By cutting the tax from an effective
20.6% to 14.6%, hotel guests saved more than $161 million in hotel taxes from 1995 to 2002. At the same time, New York City increased its revenue from the hotel tax by nearly 90%–from $127 million in FY94 to $239 million in FY01.

Mitt Romney Announces Additions To South Carolina Team

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO SOUTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN TEAM

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Rick Adkins, Kathy Bigham and Paul Thurmond have joined his South Carolina campaign as Statewide Grassroots Co-Chairs. Together, they will help to further develop and build Governor Romney's grassroots operation in the Palmetto State.

"I am very pleased to welcome these talented Republican leaders to my South Carolina campaign effort," said Governor Romney.  "With primary day fast approaching, their dedication and hard work will help me to communicate my optimistic vision for America's future to every corner of the state."

Steve Forbes Joins Team Rudy As National Co-Chair And Senior Policy Advisor

Steve Forbes Joins Team Rudy as National Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee today announced that Steve Forbes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Forbes and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine, has endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President of the United States.  Mr. Forbes will serve as a National Campaign Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor. 

“I am honored to support Rudy Giuliani for President,” Steve Forbes said. “As Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani showed how exercising fiscal discipline – including tax cuts – lowers deficits, spurs economic growth, and increases revenue.  It is time the rest of the country benefit from a true fiscal conservative leader who gets real results.”

“Steve and I share an economic vision that embraces supply-side economics, tax relief, and spending restraint,” said Mayor Giuliani.  “I look forward to working with Steve and am proud to have him as a member of our team.”

About Steve Forbes:

Mr. Forbes is a distinguished leader in the business community.  He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Forbes and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine, and is also a frequent business commentator for Fox News Channel’s “Forbes on Fox”.   

In 1985, President Reagan appointed Mr. Forbes as Chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting (BIB), where he directed the programming for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty.  He was reappointed by President George H.W. Bush and served until 1993. 

In 1996 and 2000, Mr. Forbes ran as a Republican candidate for president on a platform that advocated a flat income tax. 

He is currently on the boards of The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, the Heritage Foundation and The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, and is the author of two books on political and economic policy issues.

Final GOP Presidential Debate Before "Super-Tuesday" To Be Held At Reagan Library

FINAL GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BEFORE “SUPER-TUESDAY” TO BE HELD AT REAGAN LIBRARY

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation will host the final GOP presidential debate before the 2008 “Super-Tuesday” primary in California and several other key states. Mrs. Ronald Reagan will extend invitations to the front-runner GOP Presidential candidates to return to the Reagan Library for this final debate, which will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. The event will give voters one last opportunity to hear the GOP front-runner candidates discuss their positions in a debate format before casting their votes in the February 5, 2008 primary. This will serve as a follow-up to the first debate of the full field of GOP Presidential candidates that will be held at the Reagan Library on May 3, 2007.

“Ronnie always believed that debates are a great way for voters to hear candidates discuss the issues,” said former first lady Nancy Reagan. “He would be so pleased that his Presidential Library is serving such an important role in the election process.”

“What better way to determine who will carry on in the tradition of Ronald Reagan than two strategically timed debates held at the Reagan Presidential Library,” said Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., chairman of the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation. “The first debate in May will provide a chance to introduce the full field of Republican Presidential candidates to the American voter. The final debate will allow the top contenders to make their case for the Republican nomination as primary voters in California and several other states head for the polls.”

Details of this debate will be announced at a later date.

Located in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library houses over 55 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential and personal papers, an extraordinary collection of photographs and film, and over 100,000 gifts and artifacts chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Home to Air Force One 27000, it now also serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President.

Greg Ganske To Serve As Iowa Co-Chair

GREG GANSKE TO SERVE AS IOWA CO-CHAIR
Former Congressman Joins Growing List Of McCain Supporters

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced that former Congressman Greg Ganske will serve as co-chair of Senator McCain’s Iowa campaign.  Ganske is the second co-chair named in Iowa, joining former State Auditor Richard Johnson.

“Senator McCain’s common sense conservative leadership makes him the right candidate to lead our country during these challenging times,” said Ganske.  “He is the true fiscal conservative in this race and I'm confident Iowans will want a leader who is not afraid to take on the special interests.”

Greg Ganske represented Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in the United States Congress from 1995 until 2003.  He was the Republican Party’s nominee for United States Senate in 2002.  Ganske earned a reputation in Congress as an advocate for conservative reform, fiscal responsibility, and increasing access to affordable health care.

Senator John McCain expressed his appreciation for Ganske’s support.  “During his tenure in Congress, Greg demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the people of Iowa,” said Senator McCain.  “I’m proud to have a dedicated public servant like Greg as part of our Iowa organization.”

Congressman David Obey Endorses John Edwards

CONGRESSMAN DAVID OBEY ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that Wisconsin Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, endorsed Senator John Edwards as the Democratic nominee for President. 

"Dave is a good friend and a true leader on the important issues facing our country - improving our schools, guaranteeing quality, affordable health care and protecting our natural resources," said Edwards.  "I am honored to have his support.  Working together, we can change America with big ideas and bold solutions."   

Obey endorsed Edwards saying, "When John Edwards talks about tackling the problems that matter most to America's working class families - things like affordable health care, access to quality education and strengthening retirement security - I believe that he really means it. That is the kind of man I want as my President."

Palm Beach Republicans Stand With Senator McCain

Palm Beach Republicans Stand With Senator McCain

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty and former Florida state Representative Joe Negron will support the Arizona Senator and serve on his Palm Beach County Steering Committee.

Joe Negron spoke to the importance of Senator McCain's fiscal responsibility. "Senator McCain has fought to reduce wasteful government spending in Washington," said Negron. "He is a principled leader whose message of reform will resonate with Florida voters."

Senator John McCain welcomed the support of these two Palm Beach County Republicans. "These key leaders have worked hard to secure the best possible future for the people of Florida," said Senator McCain. "I am pleased to have their support and I look forward to working with them to communicate our shared conservative values."

Top Sanford Aide Joins Giuliani Campaign

Top Sanford Aide Joins Giuliani Campaign

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee announced today that Jason Miller, former Campaign Manager and current Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Mark Sanford, will join the Committee as a Deputy Communications Director in April. Miller joins Deputy Communications Director Maria Comella who overseas the regional media operation and serves as a spokeswoman for the committee.

Miller brings more than a decade of national political experience to the Committee, having won elections and shaped messages for successful House, Senate, and gubernatorial campaigns in California, Florida, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Miller has also worked as a staffer in both chambers on Capitol Hill, most recently as Chief of Staff to Florida Congressman Ric Keller.

Miller's role will be to oversee the Committee's national rapid response and surrogate speaker efforts from the headquarters in New York City, while also contributing to the Committee's organization-building efforts in South Carolina and several other early-primary states.

"With Jason we get an experienced communications professional who has campaign expertise in more than a half-dozen states across the country, and a proven coalition-builder whose understanding of the political ground game gives him unique insight for a national effort," said Committee Communications Director Katie Levinson.

John Edwards For President Campaign Announces Communications Staff

JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today its top communications and policy staff. The team includes veterans of numerous campaigns with years of strategic, policy, and communications experience, who will help share Senator Edwards' vision of change with the country.

The team includes:

Deputy Campaign Manager, Jonathan Prince Prince has more than fifteen years experience in strategic communications, message development, crisis management, writing, politics and government. During Senator Edwards' 2004 campaign, Prince served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Strategy and Policy. In addition to Senator Edwards' 2004 campaign, he is a veteran of both Clinton presidential campaigns.

Senior Advisor for Communications, David Ginsberg Ginsberg currently serves as Vice President at PSB. Ginsberg has held senior positions in several presidential campaigns, including Senior Advisor for Communications in the Kerry/Edwards presidential campaign. He served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Communications in Senator Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign and as Research Director of Gore/Lieberman in 2000.

Policy Director, James Kvaal

Deputy Policy Director for Domestic and Economic Policy, Heather McGhee McGhee

Deputy Policy Director for Foreign Affairs and National Security, Michael Signer

Policy Communications Coordinator, Alex Navarro. In 2004, he worked as Press Secretary for Senator Edwards' New York campaign.

National Spokesman and Senior Advisor for Communications, Mark Kornblau Kornblau will serve as Senator Edwards' traveling spokesperson.  He returns to the Edwards team after serving as Senator Edwards' Press Secretary during the 2004 general election. Kornblau has years of political experience, working as New Hampshire Communications Director for Senator Kerry's presidential primary campaign and later as a National Spokesman.

Research Director and Senior Advisor for Communications, Christina Reynolds. Reynolds was the Research Director during his 2004 presidential primary run.

Deputy Research Director, Peter Bondi

Director of Communications Planning, Candace McAdams. In 2004, she worked on Senator John Kerry's presidential campaign.

Deputy Director of Communications Planning, Teresa Wells. Previously, Wells worked on the presidential efforts of Senators John Kerry and Bill Bradley.

Deputy Press Secretary, Andrea Purse

Deputy Press Secretary, Jenni Lee
During the 2004 campaign, she worked as Assistant to the Campaign Manager for the Vice Presidential nominee.

National Press Secretary, Eric Schultz
In 2004, Schultz was the New Hampshire Communications Director for the Kerry/Edwards campaign and the New Hampshire Deputy Communications Director for the Kerry campaign during the primaries.

Deputy National Press Secretary, Kate Bedingfield
She worked on the Kerry-Edwards general election campaign.

Director of Internet Operations, Aaron Myers Myers was Director of Internet Development for the Kerry/Edwards campaign.  He was also Internet Director for Senator Edwards during the 2004 primaries.  Myers was Senior Web Producer for Gore/Lieberman in 2000.

Senior Advisor for Online Communications, Mathew Gross Gross was Director of Internet Communications for Governor Howard Dean's presidential campaign in 2003 and 2004.

Senior Advisor for Online Communications, Ryan Montoya During the 2004 general election, Montoya served as Mrs. Edwards' Trip Director.  In 2000, he served Vice President Gore in several capacities, including Director of Advance in New Hampshire and Director of Scheduling and Advance for Vice-Presidential nominee Senator Joe Lieberman.  Montoya worked also on Clinton/Gore '96. 

Director of Online Communications and Organizing, Ben Brandzel
He worked as an organizer on Governor Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign. 

Online Communications Manager, Tracy Russo

Senior Advisor, Jennifer Palmieri
Palmieri, who served as National Press Secretary in the 2004 Edwards for President campaign will be an advisor to the campaign.