2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Convention Veteran Tapped to Lead Official Proceedings At The 2008 Republican National Convention

Convention Veteran Tapped to Lead Official Proceedings
Kahler's 'veteran leadership' will be asset, says convention CEO

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - Adding 20 years of experience to a key position, 2008 Republican National Convention President and CEO Maria Cino today announced the appointment of Rachel Card Kahler as the Director of Official Proceedings.

This is Kahler's fifth GOP convention, having served in various operations roles in the Houston (1992), San Diego (1996), and Philadelphia (2000) conventions; and as Deputy Director of Operations at the New York convention in 2004.

"Rachel's veteran leadership will be an asset to our convention planning, as we prepare for the most exciting and energetic convention in Republican history," Cino said. "The official proceedings of our convention are key to presenting Sen. John McCain's vision to the world, and successfully launching him on to the White House."

Kahler's responsibilities include the line-by-line production of the convention, including the scheduling of participants and working with the convention's executive producer to run the official program. Kahler will manage a staff of more than 50 people who will ensure the proper following of parliamentary procedures in the nomination of Sen. McCain and the Republican vice-presidential candidate, and the adoption of the rules and platform of the Republican National Committee for the next four years.

"Our convention will be the center of the political universe, and I am honored to have a role in helping nominate Sen. McCain," Kahler said. "I am very proud to be a Republican, and very proud to do my part in presenting our party, and our presidential nominee, to the people of America and the world."

A lifelong Republican, Kahler began her career in politics at the age of four, gathering signatures for her father, former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, in his run for the Massachusetts State House of Representatives.

Ricky Martin Endorses Hillary for President

Ricky Martin Endorses Hillary for President

Today, the Clinton campaign announced the endorsement of Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin.

"These elections will have historic repercussions both in the United States and the world. Senator Clinton has always been consistent in her commitment with the needs of the Latino community. Whether fighting for better education, universal health care and social well-being, as First Lady and Senator from New York -- representing millions of Latinos --she has always fought for what is most important for our families," said the 5-time Grammy award winning artist.

"I am honored to have Ricky Martin's support," said Senator Clinton. "In addition to his great talent, Ricky is committed to improving the world through his philanthropic work, and I am grateful for his support. He is a very important voice in the Latino community and together we will work to improve the lives of families and children across the country."

Martin joins other figures -- including Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Longoria, Jack Nicholson, America Ferrera, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Michael Douglas, Robert Kennedy Jr., Quincy Jones and Magic Johnson, among others -- in support of Hillary Clinton.

In First Montana TV Ad Hillary Says “I Intend To Be A President Who Stands Up For All Of You”

In First Montana TV Ad Hillary Says “I Intend To Be A President Who Stands Up For All Of You”

The Clinton campaign today unveiled is first Montana television ad, “Only One.” In the 30-second spot, Hillary says “it’s time to level the playing field against the special interests,” and states that she intends “to be a President who stands up for all of you.”

The ad highlights that Hillary is the only candidate in the campaign who voted against the Bush energy bill, the only one with a universal health care plan, and the only who will end the 55 billion dollars in giveaways to corporate special interests and cut taxes for the middle class.

The ad will be being airing statewide today.

Following is the complete script of the ad.

"ONLY ONE"
TV :30

HRC:  "It's time to level the playing field against the special interests."

ANNCR: She's the only one in this campaign who voted against the Bush energy bill against six billion dollars to the oil companies, the only one taking on the insurance companies to guarantee health coverage for every American and she's the one who'll end fifty five billion dollars in giveaways to corporate special interests and cut taxes for the middle class instead.

HRC: "I intend to be a President who stands up for all of you."

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

Bobblection Returns To St. Paul Saints On August 9, 2008

Baseball Fans Head To Polls
Bobblection Returns Following Successful Prediction of 2004 Campaign

ST. PAUL, MN (January 30, 2008) - In 2004, George W. Bush won a narrow victory over John Kerry in the U.S. Presidential Election.  National polls varied widely in the weeks leading up to the election as media outlets scrambled to predict which candidate would win.

One poll, taken three months prior to the election, would ultimately prove both prophetic and the most fun to execute.

The Goldklang Group’s Bobblection, held August 2, 2004, allowed minor league baseball fans arriving at the ballpark to cast votes by choosing a bobblehead doll with either Bush or Kerry’s likeness.  It was the first organized promotion of its kind and left pollsters asking the question if bobbleheads are the answer to the nation’s election problems.

This summer, fans will cast their votes in six different ballpark polls August 6-11 as part of Bobblection Week 2008.  Fans bobblehead choices will help national pollsters gain a feel for each state’s electorate.

“Even though we don’t know who the two candidates will be, we wanted to assure the pollsters that we’ll be back for this year’s general election,” said Goldklang Group President Mike Veeck.  “We didn’t want our friends at Gallup getting nervous.”

Bobblection Week 2008 will feature the six teams operated by the Goldklang Group, a sports entertainment consulting and management firm.  The schedule is as follows:

August 6:          New York (Hudson Valley Renegades)
August 7:          Massachusetts (Brockton Rox)
August 8:          South Carolina (Charleston RiverDogs)
August 9:          Minnesota (St. Paul Saints)
August 10:        South Dakota (Sioux Falls Canaries)
August 11:        Florida (Ft. Myers Miracle)

As fans pass through stadium turnstiles, they will be directed to election booths where they’ll have the option of casting their vote for either the Democratic or Republican candidate.  For participating in the voting, they will receive the bobblehead doll of their candidate.  When one candidate runs out of dolls, he or she will be declared the winner of that ballpark’s Bobblection.

Bush won in four of the seven participating ballparks in 2004.  The closest race was in St. Paul, MN where Kerry won by 18 bobbleheads.

HIghlights Of Letter To Superdelegates On Why Hillary Is The Strongest Candidate

WHY HILLARY IS THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE

*In a letter and memo sent to superdelegates today, Hillary lays out the case for why she is the strongest candidate to put together a winning coalition and beat John McCain in the Fall.

*Hillary has earned more votes than anyone in the history of the Democratic primaries, and she will lead in the popular vote with more than 17 million ballots cast when the primaries conclude on June 3rd.

*Not only is Hillary the top vote-getter, poll after poll shows she fares better against Sen. McCain in large swing states than Sen. Obama. She is the only candidate winning in the battlegrounds of Ohio and Florida.

*Hillary’s candidacy has attracted a broad coalition of new voters. In fact, the highest increases in turnout have come among her core supporters—millions of new women, Latinos and people over 45 voted in the primaries for the first time.

*In the coming days, superdelegates will have a clear choice: who is ready to serve as President on day one and who is best able to beat John McCain in November? When you look at her wins in the important swing states and her strength against Sen. McCain in head-to-head matchups, there’s no question that Hillary is the strongest candidate.

DNC Statement On The Rules and Bylaws Committee Meeting

DNC Statement on RBC Meeting

Washington, DC - Today the DNC issued the following statement:

"Last night members of the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee received a 17 page memo that outlined a staff analysis of the Michigan and Florida challenges.  Included in the materials were copies of the challenges, and an overall timeline re-capping the process from the decision in 2004 to establish a Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling, through to current events. 

"The staff analysis is intentionally neutral; it does not make specific recommendations.  The analysis lays out a rules framework for each challenge, and the issues raised within each challenge.    
     
"The analysis maintains that the RBC did have proper authority and jurisdiction in imposing the 100% sanction.  The RBC had wide latitude in that decision.   

"The document also examines the 50% automatic sanction and how to implement such a sanction:  Under this scenario, one option would be to reduce the total number of delegates by half; the second option for consideration by the RBC would be to reduce the delegation's votes by half, so that each delegate gets a half vote. 

"We look forward to a thorough discussion of these issues at the Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting this Saturday, May 31st in Washington, DC."

One Week Out: Campaign Announces A Clinton In South Dakota Every Day Leading Up To June 3

One Week Out: Campaign Announces A Clinton in South Dakota Every Day Leading Up to June 3
Clinton Campaign's Commitment to South Dakota is Clear.

The Clinton campaign today announced that Hillary, President Clinton or Chelsea Clinton will combine to visit South Dakota every day leading up to June 3.

One week from election day, the campaign continues to build on the surging momentum and grassroots energy generated by the Hillary and President Clinton’s previous visits and their continued travel to the state. 

"The people of South Dakota have an important voice in picking who should be the next President and they deserve to see and hear from those of us who are seeking their support," Hillary said. "That is why Bill, Chelsea and I plan on returning as often as possible over the next seven days to present real solutions to the challenges families here face."

During an incredible Memorial Day weekend kicked off by events in Brandon and Brookings with Senator Clinton and capped by events with President Clinton in Fort Thompson, Mission and Wagner, as well as dozens of Family Phone Banks and statewide canvasses, the campaign contacted or spoke directly with  thousands of voters over the phone or door to door. Additionally, South Dakotans for Hillary today announced additional grassroots activities across the state, including "Our Voices Matter" phone banks happening tonight across the state. Details are below.

The Clinton campaign also released two new ads that began airing statewide today, including a new television ad focused on Senator Clinton's commitment to reigning in reckless government spending and getting back to balanced budgets as well as a radio ad entitled “Matters” encouraging voters to “Let South Dakota be heard.”

New Ad: South Dakota Can "Pick a President"

New Ad: South Dakota Can "Pick a President"

Two new statewide ads focusing on Hillary’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and the importance of South Dakota’s primary will begin airing statewide today.

The ads, a 30-second spot TV spot entitled "Responsibility" and a 60-second radio spot entitled “Matters,” hit the airwaves one week before election day.

Following are the scripts for the ads.

"RESPONSIBILITY"
TV :30

Hillary Clinton: We are nine trillion dollar debt.

Announcer: George Bush's spending has sent the economy into a tailspin and put social
security in jeopardy.

Hillary Clinton:  "We borrow money from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis."

Announcer: Hillary Clinton will stop spending money America doesn't have.  She'll end fifty five billion dollars in giveaways to corporate special interests, reduce the deficit and protect Social Security.

Hillary Clinton: I will get us back to fiscal responsibility.

I'm Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

‘MATTERS”
:60 RADIO

Announcer: In Washington, some people say the presidential primary in South Dakota doesn't much matter.  That your voice doesn't really count.

But you know what?

Tuesday, we can show 'em.

We can pick a President.

After all, just because South Dakota comes last in the primaries doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be heard loud and clear.

And we can pick the candidate who'll stand up for us.

Hillary Clinton.

She’s tackling the national debt that George Bush is leaving us – nine trillion dollars – because she knows we've got to stop borrowing money from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis.   Hillary knows we’ve got to stop spending money we don’t have so we can protect social security and get back to fiscal responsibility.

Hillary Clinton will turn this economy around.  We’ve done it before.  We can do it again.

Tuesday. Get out and vote. Let South Dakota be heard.

Stand up for Hillary Clinton.  She'll always stand up for us.

Hillary Clinton:  I'm Hillary Clinton, candidate for President, and I approved this message.

Announcer:  Paid for by Hillary Clinton for President.

John McCain 2008 Launches "Accountable" Television Ad In New States

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES "ACCOUNTABLE" TELEVISION AD IN NEW STATES

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign announced that it will run the TV ad, entitled "Accountable," in the important battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania starting tomorrow. The ad focuses on John McCain's innovative pro-growth plans to get our economy back on track.

Script For "Accountable" (TV:30)

JOHN MCCAIN: The great goal is to get the American economy running at full strength again -- creating the opportunities Americans expect and the jobs Americans need.

ANNCR: As president, John McCain will make taxes simpler, fairer;

Energy cleaner, cheaper;

Health care portable and affordable;

Corporate CEOs accountable;

Mortgage debt restructured;

Big ideas for serious problems,

John McCain.

I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Tom Daschle Featured In New Obama Campaign Ad

Tom Daschle Featured in New Obama Campaign Ad

Our campaign in South Dakota will begin airing a new TV ad tomorrow featuring former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.  In the 30-second ad, Daschle, one of Obama’s earliest public supporters, asks voters to join him in backing the candidate who is “rooted in the same values as most South Dakotans.”
“South Dakotans are suffering with the cost of gas and groceries; we need a leader who will take us in a new direction” Daschle says.

“He has an understanding of America, rural and urban alike. He will talk to us straight; we’ve needed that in this country for a long time” Daschle says.