2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Lyons Joins Supporters Of McCain In New Hampshire

LYONS JOINS SUPPORTERS OF MCCAIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that John E. Lyons, Jr. an influential Republican leader in New Hampshire, has joined the team.

Lyons will serve as chairman of Educators for McCain and campaign advisor to Senator McCain's New Hampshire presidential exploratory committee.

Lyons was a key supporter of George W. Bush's election campaign in New Hampshire in 2000.

"Senator McCain possesses the common sense conservatism that this country needs," Lyons said. "I'm confident that his conservative voice will resonate with grassroots Republicans in New Hampshire."

Senator McCain stated that he was pleased with the addition of John Lyons to his New Hampshire organization. "I'm proud to have John Lyons working with my campaign," Senator McCain said. "Lyons is a true community leader and a strong advocate for education issues facing New Hampshire and our nation."

New Duncan Hunter For President Website Launched

The new Duncan Hunter for President website went live late tonight with this statement.

Peace through strength is my belief and conviction

“Peace Through Strength” are three words that, when uttered with conviction by a man of principle and great leadership, and backed up by decisive action, had the power to free hundreds of millions of people from the oppression of communism and saved this country from the specter of “mutually assured destruction.” 

It was in a speech entitled, “A Time for Choosing”, that Ronald Reagan ignited the conservative movement in America and began the death knell of communism. “Peace Through Strength” became our charge. I firmly believe that it will take continued, unwavering dedication to that same calling to achieve victory against the evil terrorist threat we now confront.

I firmly believe that it will take continued, unwavering dedication to that same calling to achieve victory against the evil terrorist threat we now confront.

I was swept into office by that Reagan revolution, arriving in Congress the same year Reagan arrived in Washington. He ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity by cutting taxes, limiting government and wining the Cold War. It is a time for choosing again.

Do we as a people choose appeasement in the name of tolerance and political correctness?
If so, then we are saying to the world that what we are really willing to tolerate is evil in the World. Or, instead, do we stand firm in our resolve that this nation shall remain a beacon of freedom to people of goodwill everywhere?

Do we as a people choose dependence on a bigger, and ever-more-intrusive government?
Or do we choose self-reliance, recognizing that we know better than government how to spend our money, raise our children, provide for our families.  I hope you agree with me that we Americans have the self-reliance and the character to remain free.

Join me in a new American sunrise of opportunity, faith and freedom for the citizens of our great nation.

Yours for America,
Duncan Hunter

Obama Statement on Senator Kerry's Decision Not to Run for President in 2008

Obama Statement on Senator Kerry's Decision Not to Run for President in 2008

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on Senator Kerry's decision not to run for President in 2008:

"From his earliest days in Vietnam to the Presidential Election in 2004, John Kerry has fought his country and his ideals. I am proud to call him a friend and a colleague in the United States Senate, and know that he will continue to serve his country with honor and distinction in the years to come."

Vilsack Statement on Senator Kerry's Decision Not To Seek Democratic Nomination

Vilsack Statement on Senator Kerry's Decision Not To Seek Democratic Nomination

DES MOINES - Democratic candidate for president Tom Vilsack today, on the news that Senator John Kerry had decided not to seek his party's presidential nomination, praised the Massachusetts senator's service to the Democratic Party and the United States:

"Christie and I send our warmest regards to John and Teresa," said Vilsack. "Senator Kerry has served our nation as a decorated war hero, a distinguished leader in the US Senate and the Democratic nominee for President in 2004. I am grateful for Senator Kerry's leadership and service both to our party and our nation. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Kerry to change our nation's course in Iraq and fight for the priorities of working Americans."

Then-Iowa Governor Vilsack was on the short list of final prospects that Kerry considered to be his running mate in 2004.

John Kerry Announces That He Will Run For Re-Election To The Senate And Not For President In 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2007

John Kerry: Still Fighting

Senator Kerry today sent the following email to the 3 million person johnkerry.com community.

Please visit www.johnkerry.com to view Senator Kerry’s webcast to hear John Kerry’s announcement on a new mission for the johnkerry.com community.

Below is a copy of the email:

Dear Friend,

I wanted to start by just saying thank you -- thank you to each and every one of you who have come together in the johnkerry.com community.

Thanks to you, we have a new Democratic Congress that is fighting to stop the administration's disastrous course in Iraq, thanks to you we can be a Congress that addresses issues like climate change and health care, and thanks to you, change is coming to Washington.

Over the last two years, when you could've walked off the field after getting knocked down in 2004, you didn't walk away, you kept fighting. Together, three million strong, you helped provide $14 million to more than 260 candidates, committees and progressive causes. Nineteen of those candidates received over $100,000 each in donations from our community. Just think of the special support that you helped us provide to veterans running for office -- helping to make Chris Carney, Tim Walz, Joe Sestak, and Patrick Murphy members of Congress today. And because you dug in early when a lot of people said it couldn't be done, you helped a courageous Vietnam veteran Jim Webb on his march to become the 51st Senator and give Democrats our majority in the Senate.

I hope you are as proud of what you've accomplished as I am. But this isn't a time to rest on our accomplishments.

The work isn't over. Today I hope you'll help me with another big mission.

35 years ago, I got into public life to end a war that was wrong. I believe now as strongly as I did then that it is wrong to ask more young Americans to die for anyone's mistakes. And I believe that a Congress that shares responsibility for getting us into this war must bear responsibility for getting us out.

Americans went to the polls and voted for change in Iraq. They sent a strong and clear message to all of us, on both sides of the aisle, that they wanted real change in Iraq. They certainly did not vote for us to sit by while some national leaders actually advocate escalating the war and sending more American troops into the middle of an Iraqi civil war. We must stand for a change in Iraq, or we don't stand for anything at all.

This mission, this responsibility, is something all of us must accept. As someone who voted for the resolution that gave the president the authority to go to war, I feel the weight of a personal responsibility to act.

I sought the presidency to lead us on a different course. There are powerful reasons to want to continue that fight now. But I've concluded this isn't the time for me to mount a presidential campaign. It is the time to put my energy to work as part of the new Democratic majority in the Senate, to do all I can to end this war and strengthen our security and our ability to fight the real war on terror.

The people of Massachusetts have given me an incredible privilege to serve in the Senate, to represent the birthplace of freedom, the cradle of liberty, and a state where in Faneuil Hall patriotic dissenters stood on principle. I want to continue representing Massachusetts, and that's why I am running for reelection so I can use my voice all day every day to end this war and galvanize grassroots action to force Washington and our Democratic Party to live up to its responsibility.

Together, all of us, starting with the three million of you who have built this online community, must remain steadfast in protecting the principles we fought for every day of our campaign. You have a responsibility to urge those who are running this time to step up and address those issues, and particularly on Iraq to find not just a new way forward, but the right way forward.

Above all else, the mission we must all join is to end the war in Iraq.

Our first step toward that goal is to force President Bush to set a deadline to redeploy our troops.

I hope you will...take the opportunity to speak out on the importance of setting a deadline to redeploy our troops and bring our heroes home.

Now that a new Democratic Congressional majority has convened in the U.S. Capitol, a deadline must be set. Working together as Americans, holding leaders accountable, is our best hope to ensure that it is.

Thank you,

John Kerry

Edwards Statement On The Announcement By Senator John Kerry That He Will Not Seek The Democratic Nomination For President In 2008

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN KERRY THAT HE WILL NOT SEEK THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement today about the announcement by Senator John Kerry that he will not run for President in 2008.

“Elizabeth and I know John’s decision not to run for President in 2008 is a difficult one, because we know his first instinct is always to respond to any call to serve his country. He and Teresa have our very best wishes as they concentrate on other ways to continue the exemplary service that has improved the lives of so many in so many ways.

Elizabeth and I forged a special friendship with John and Teresa in the 2004 campaign, both as competitors and as teammates.  We will be forever grateful to them for the opportunity to work and fight together in our common effort to change the course of our country.  We will forever remember public and private moments all across the country with these dear friends.  And their friendship did not end with election day, for no one outside of our family was more supportive of Elizabeth as she battled cancer than John and Teresa.

In the months and years ahead, all Americans are fortunate to have John’s experience, insight, and conscience in the Senate as our government tackles critical problems including finding an appropriate exit from the war in Iraq.  In Vietnam, in public office, and in private life John Kerry has always fought the good fight for the right cause.  Our country and our party need John Kerry, and we are proud to know that our friend will respond to that call as he always has.”

Barack Obama Announces Iowa Leadership Team

New Obama Iowa Staff Announced

David Plouffe, Iowa Campaign Manager of the Obama Exploratory Committee announced today the beginnings of his staff leadership team in Iowa.

Plouffe said, "Paul Tewes and Emily Parcell, who are already at work, represent a new generation of individuals with experience in the best of Iowa caucus traditions and a vision of how to run an inclusive grassroots campaign."

"As we come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans, we are working to change politics in our country - and that starts in Iowa."

Senator Chris Dodd's Statement Regarding Senator John Kerry's Decision not to Enter the 2008 Presidential Race

Senator Chris Dodd's Statement Regarding Senator John Kerry's Decision not to Enter the 2008 Presidential Race

WASHINGTON - The following is Senator Dodd's statement on Senator Kerry's decision not to enter the 2008 Presidential race -

"I have great respect for Senator Kerry, who is a valuable member of the Senate and has been a tremendous asset to our country. He served our country as a young man during a time of war and proudly carried the mantle of our party three years ago when he ran a tough and honorable race against a sitting President, again during a time of war.

"We traveled in the Middle East together last month and his belief that America can regain our leadership in the world as well as once again be respected and admired was apparent. He will continue to be an important voice on both the world stage and in the Senate."

Schmitz Named National Political Director For Thompson Campaign

THOMPSON NAMES FORMER BUSH CAMPAIGN AIDE NATIONAL POLITICAL DIRECTOR

MADISON, Wis. - Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson today announced the addition of Darrin Schmitz to serve as national political director for his presidential exploratory committee.

Schmitz is the former press secretary and deputy campaign manager to Governor Thompson.

"Darrin is a great addition to the team and I'm happy to have him on board the exploratory committee," Thompson said. "We're quickly building an experienced and committed team of individuals who will help move America forward."

In 2000, Schmitz served as Executive Director for George W. Bush's Wisconsin presidential campaign, which produced one of the narrowest state margins in the country and established Wisconsin as a battleground state.

"I'm excited about Governor Thompson's potential campaign. His ideas - like welfare reform and school choice - launched some of the largest changes to America's social policy in generations," Schmitz said. "He has a proven track record of leadership and policy initiatives that America is looking for in a presidential candidate."

Mitt Romney Announces Pete Hoekstra As Intelligence Adviser

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES REPRESENTATIVE PETE HOEKSTRA AS INTELLIGENCE ADVISER

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, will be joining the Romney for President Exploratory Committee. Representative Hoekstra will serve as Governor Romney's adviser on all matters pertaining to U.S. intelligence.

Governor Romney also named Representative Hoekstra as a Co-Chair of his Michigan state organization helping to organize areas of Western Michigan.

"I am honored that Representative Hoekstra will serve as my intelligence adviser. From his many years of service on the House Intelligence Committee, he has become a leader in America's Intelligence Community," said Governor Romney. "Today, our country faces grave threats and our intelligence professionals must have the resources necessary to safeguard the American people. Our first priority is a safe America and that requires a strong Intelligence Community."

Joining the Romney for President Exploratory Committee, Representative Hoekstra said: "As a governor and as chief executive of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Governor Romney knows good intelligence is necessary for our security. Governor Romney will provide those on the frontlines of the war against radical militant Islam with the resources necessary to win. I know that the professionals who serve in the Intelligence Community will be well served under Governor Romney."