2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Oberstar, Sertich Head Up Obama’s Iron Range Leadership Committee

Oberstar, Sertich Head Up Obama’s Iron Range Leadership Committee

ST. PAUL – Stressing Barack Obama's strength on handling the economy, Minnesota House Majority Leader Tony Sertich and several other Iron Range leaders unveiled Senator Barack Obama's Iron Range Leadership Committee today in Chisholm. The announcement came the same day thousands of Minnesotans were expected to attend Obama's Minnesota rally at the Target Center and a day after Chisholm-native Congressman Jim Oberstar endorsed Obama for president.

“At this unique moment in history, we need a leader who can overcome our differences and speak to our hopes and dreams as a state and a country,” Sertich said. “Barack Obama is the one candidate who can bring us together and actually make progress on good-paying jobs and other important issues that we face. I will be supporting Barack Obama because he is the candidate who can bring us real change in Washington, and is most looking towards our future.”

Obama has laid out a 21st century economic agenda to help ensure that America can compete in a global economy, and ensure the middle class is thriving and growing. Obama's plan increases investments in infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and development; modernizes and simplifies our tax code so it provides greater opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implements trade policies that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.

The members of Obama's Iron Range Leadership Committee are:

•       Congressman Jim Oberstar, Chisholm
•       Rep. Tony Sertich, Chisholm
•       Rep. Tom Anzelc, Balsam Township
•       Paul Cerkvenik, Virginia
•       Kathleen Murray, Virginia
•       Aaron Brown, Balsam Township
•       Nevada Littlewolf, Virginia
•       John Grahek, Virginia

John McCain 2008 Announces Tennessee Leadership Team

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 ANNOUNCES TENNESSEE LEADERSHIP TEAM

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its Tennessee Leadership Team. The leadership team will contribute to the growing grassroots organization on behalf of John McCain's candidacy in the state.

"The Volunteer State is looking for a president who understands what service to our country really means and has the leadership traits to guide us through very uncertain times," said Sam Bartholomew. "John McCain can bring us together as a nation like no other candidate. Americans will sleep well knowing our commander in chief will make wise decisions. His life has been full of bravery, courage and integrity, and I am confident he will do the right thing for our great nation."

John McCain thanked the Tennessee leaders, stating, "I am very proud of the team we have put together in Tennessee, and I am confident that with their hard work and support we will be successful on February 5th."

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 TENNESSEE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Honorary Chair 
Former U.S. Senator Howard Baker. Huntsville

State Co-Chairs
Captain Sam Bartholomew, Nashville
Former Congressman Van Hilleary, Spring City
Fred Smith, Memphis
Former Governor Don Sundquist, Townsend
The Honorable Harry Wellford, Memphis

Tennessee Leadership

Robert Alderson 
CEO Kirklands, Knoxville

Pat Brock 
CEO Brock Candy Co. Ret., Chattanooga

State Senator Tim Burchett 
R-7, Knoxville 

Todd Gardenhire, Chattanooga

Gordon Grigg 
CEO ProTrust Management, Franklin

State Representative Michael Harrison 
R-9, Sneedville

Ron Jackson, Normandy

Preston Lamm 
President River City Management, Chattanooga 

Fred Lawson, Maryville
Former Commissioner of Financial Institutions

David Lillard, Memphis
Shelby County Commission Chairman; Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee for the Tennessee State Republican Party Executive Committee

Albert McCall 
D.T. McCall & Sons, Lebanon 

State Representative Joe McCord 
R-8, Maryville

State Representative Gerald McCormick 
R-26, Chattanooga

Scott McCormick, Memphis
Memphis City Council Chairman

State Representative Steve McDaniel
R-72, Parkers Crossroads

Frank McGill, Oak Ridge 
Former Commissioner of Labor

State Senator Randy McNally 
R-5, Oak Ridge

State Representative Richard Montgomery
R-12, Seymour

Wendell Moore, Nashville 
Former Deputy to Governor Sundquist

Claude Ramsey, Chattanooga 
Hamilton County Mayor

Master Sergeant Kenny Reich, Lebanon
Wilson County Commissioner

Jim Rout, Memphis 
Former Shelby County Mayor

Jack Sammons, Memphis
Former Memphis City Council Chairman

Larry Scroggs, Germantown
Former State Representative

Maida Pearson Smith, Germantown
Former Republican National Committeewoman

Bill Stokes, Knoxville
Former Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Employment Security; Special Assistant to the Governor

State Representative Eric Swafford
R-25, Pikeville

Bill Swann, Morristown

Bill Watkins, Germantown
Former Shelby County RNC Chairman

Buckner Wellford, Memphis
Former Shelby County Commission Chairman

Becky West, Memphis 
President WestRodgers

Steve West, Maryville
Former Mayor of Maryville

Jim Williams, Mount Juliet 
CEO Digital Communications

State Representative Kent Williams 
R-4, Elizabethton

Susan Richardson Williams, Knoxville
Former Tennessee State Party Chairman

Eleanor Yoakum, Tazewell
Former Commissioner of Personnel

Tennessee Veterans for McCain Honorary Chairs
Dr. David Fox, WWII, Nashville 
Col. Roger Ingvalson, Vietnam POW, Chattanooga

Tennessee Veterans for McCain Co-Chairs
1st Lieutenant Harvey Cameron, Jasper
Staff Sergeant Scooter Clippard, Nashville
Lt. Col. Mark Cuttle, Ooltewah
Vice Admiral Ron Eytchison, Chattanooga
Rear Admiral Vance Fry, Chattanooga
Brigadier General Wendell Gilbert, Lebanon
Dr. Mark Green, Nashville 
Major Mark Green, Clarksville
Col. Dan Lindsey, Newburn
Col. Tom McConnell, Chattanooga 
Major General Bill Raines, Chattanooga 
Capt. Gary Roden, Murfreesboro
Dr. Ross Rogers, III, Signal Mountain
Captain Robert Segrest, Ooltewah
Lt. Gen. Robert A. Tiebout, Townsend
Capt. David Townsend, Hendersonville
Major General Jackie "Dan" Wood, Nashville

Tennessee Attorneys for McCain
Melinda Arrington, Franklin
Mike Baisley, Rockwood
Marnee Baker, Nashville
Letitia Baldwin, Nashville
Russ Baldwin, Nashville
Rob Bateman, Clarksville
Dennis Brooks, Knoxville
Christopher Chi, Nashville
Evan Cope, Murfreesboro
Kevin Douglas, Nashville
Renard Francois, Nashville
Ronald Fults, Hermitage
Mark Kenneth Green, Brentwood
Pele Houk, Spring Hill
Chad M. Jackson, Red Boiling Spring
Rockford King, Nashville
Richard E. Ladd Jr., Bristol
William Outhier, Nashville
Courtney Pearre, Nashville
Justin Pitt, Franklin
Brian Roark, Nashville
Charles Sanger, Nashville
Kenneth Sanney, Nashville
Alex Tolbert, Nashville 

Barack Obama Minneapolis Live Streaming Video

Barack Obama Target Center Minneapolis Minnesota Live Streaming Video

Ann Romney To Visit Mitt Romney Minnesota Phone Bank Sunday

Ann Romney will rally supporters at a Mitt Romney phone bank Sunday in Oakdale, Minnesota.

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

U.S. SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI (R-AK) ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Boston, MA – Today, just days ahead of Alaska's Caucus, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced her endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States.  Senator Murkowski joins a strong Romney for President team in Alaska that includes Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell.    

"Governor Romney is the proven executive that Alaskans and all Americans need in the White House.  At this time of economic uncertainty, we need a leader who actually understands how the economy works and why jobs are created.  That leader is Mitt Romney.  Furthermore, he has promised to tackle some of our country's most long-standing challenges, including energy independence.  Like most Alaskans, he also supports opening up ANWR," said Senator Murkowski.  "On Tuesday, Republicans in Alaska face a critical decision, and the choice is Mitt Romney."

Announcing Senator Murkowski's support, Governor Romney said, "Senator Murkowski has been a strong voice in the United States Senate for confronting the long-term economic challenges confronting her state and our nation today.  She understands the importance of making our country independent of foreign oil and recognizes we can do that by developing more sources of domestic energy.  In the coming days and months, I look forward to working with her to build a stronger America."

Steve Forbes Endorses John McCain for President

STEVE FORBES ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Steve Forbes has endorsed John McCain for president.

"More and more Americans will be impressed by John McCain's efforts to reform our convoluted, growth retarding, anti-opportunity tax code." said Mr. Forbes. "He understands that dollars and decisions are best left to hard-working Americans. John McCain's pro-growth plan to cut taxes, stop wasteful spending and reform our healthcare system will secure our nation's prosperity for generations to come. He is the best candidate to ensure our economic and national security. I look forward to working with him in the days ahead."

John McCain thanked Mr. Forbes, stating, "Steve has been a major contributor to the tax reform movement in our country. He is a successful business leader and an effective advocate for reducing the burden of a heavy-handed government. I appreciate Steve's advice and counsel on the important economic issues facing our nation, and I am grateful to have him on our team."

Steve Forbes currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Magazine and Chairman / CEO of its parent company, Forbes Media.

Mitt Romney Will Hold A "Change Begins With Us" Rally Saturday In Edina, Minnesota

On Saturday, February 2, Governor Mitt Romney will campaign in Minnesota

Location:

Frauenshuh, Inc.
1st Floor Atrium
7700 France Avenue
Edina, MN 55439

Time: 7:30 p.m.

                                                                                                

Hillary Clinton Coming To Minnesota Sunday

Former Senator Mark Dayton, Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman announced today that Hillary Clinton will hold an event Sunday in Minnesota. Further details will be announced as they come available.

Obama Receives Endorsement Of Over 80 Newspapers

Obama receives endorsement of over 80 newspapers

To date, Barack Obama has received over 80 endorsements from newspapers in early states and states with February 5 primaries around the country.

Below are a few excerpts, followed by a list of the endorsements with links to the full articles.

Chicago Tribune: "Barack Obama is the rare individual who can sit in the U.S. Senate yet have his career potential unfulfilled. He is the Democrat best suited to lead this nation. We offer him our endorsement for the Feb. 5 Illinois primary."

Arizona Republic: "We believe Barack Obama has the best chance of moving Washington and the nation beyond the poisonous partisanship of recent decades. He appeals to independent voters and Republicans, in addition to members of his own party. His promise to unite is convincing."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Barack Obama is aware of yesterday, but he is about today and tomorrow and next year. In a strong field of Democratic presidential contenders, he offers the best hope of transforming the debate and moving on to what America can be in the 21st century."

San Francisco Chronicle: "In a Jan. 17 meeting with our editorial board, Obama demonstrated an impressive command of a wide variety of issues. He listened intently to the questions. He responded with substance. He did not control a format without a stopwatch on answers or constraints on follow-up questions, yet he flourished in it. He radiated the sense of possibility that has attracted the votes of independents and tapped into the idealism of young people during this campaign. He exuded the aura of a 46-year-old leader who could once again persuade the best and the brightest to forestall or pause their grand professional goals to serve in his administration."

Newspapers that have endorsed Barack Obama:

AL – Tuscaloosa News
AZ – The Arizona Republic
CA – Black Voice News
CA – Chico News & Review
CA – Fresno Bee
CA – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
CA – Long Beach Leader
CA – Los Angeles Daily News
CA – Los Angeles Sentinel
CA – Los Angeles Wave
CA – Marin Pacific Sun
CA – Modesto Bee
CA – North Bay Bohemian
CA – North Coast Journal
CA – Palm Springs Desert Sun
CA – Pasadena Star-News/San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Whittier Daily News
CA – Precinct Reporter
CA – Riverside Press-Enterprise
CA – Sacramento Bee
CA – San Diego City Beat
CA – San Francisco Bay Guardian
CA – San Francisco Bay View
CA – San Francisco Chronicle
CA – San Jose Mercury News
CA – Santa Barbara Independent
CA – Santa Cruz Sentinel
CA – Tri County Bulletin
CA – Stockton Record
CO – Aspen Times
CO – Colorado Springs Independent
CT – Connecticut Post
CT – Norwich Bulletin
CT – The Day
CT – Yale Daily News
FL – Gainesville Sun
FL – Palm Beach Post
FL – Tampa Tribune
FL – St. Petersburg Times
GA – Atlanta Journal Constitution
GA – Atlanta Daily World
IA – Ames Iowa State Daily
IA – Des Moines El Latino
IA – Iowa City Press Citizen
IA – Iowa City Daily Iowan
IA – Sioux City Journal
IA – Logan Herald-Observer
IA – Ottumwa Courier
IL – Chicago Defender
IL – Chicago Sun-Times
IL – Chicago Tribune
IL – Daily Herald
IL – Belleville News Democrat
MA – Bay State Banner
MA – Boston Globe
MA – Boston Phoenix
MA – Daily News Tribune
MA – The Springfield Republican
ME – Portland Press Herald
MN – Minnesota Daily
MO – Kansas City Call
MO – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
NH – Littleton Courier
NH – Nashua Telegraph
NH – Portsmouth Herald
NH – Valley News
NJ – The Trenton Times
NV – Elko Daily Free Press
NV – Las Vegas Review Journal
NV – Reno Gazette Journal
NY – Daily Star
NY – Gay City News
NY – New York Observer
NY – New York Post
NM – Santa Fe New Mexican
NM – Santa Fe Reporter
PA – Philadelphia Inquirer
SC – The State
SC – The Rock Hill Herald
SC – The Greenville News
TN – Tri-State Defender
TX – Dallas Morning News
WA – The Seattle Times

Huckabee Campaign Promotes Faith And Pro-Tax Message In New Ad Buy

HUCKABEE CAMPAIGN PROMOTES FAITH AND PRO-TAX CUT MESSAGE IN NEW AD BUY

Little Rock, AR - Presidential Candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is hitting the airwaves with two television ads geared to help Feb. 5 primary state voters understand his record in public service, vision for America's future, and plans to strengthen the U.S. economy.

"Believe," a 30-second ad, will be a part of a national cable buy that was launched Jan. 31st.  It will also broadcast in key Southern states, including: Alabama, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

"Faith doesn't just influence me, it really defines me," says Huckabee on camera, echoing a sentiment he often expresses on the campaign trail.  "Believe" reiterates Huckabee's strong stand on pro-life issues, including his belief that life begins at conception, and dedication to conservative values.  "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics.  Not now. Not ever."

The second 30-second ad, "Common Sense," begins airing on Friday, February 1st, on national cable networks.   "Common Sense" highlights Huckabee's Main Street message and the need for major reform in Washington, beginning with abolishing the IRS and ensuring that taxation, regulation, litigation are kept to the bare minimum.

The ad echoes a major campaign theme by Huckabee that he'll lead the fight to help Americans keep their jobs and paychecks. "This ad highlights a high priority for Governor Huckabee, that he wants to be the president that nails the going out of business sign on the IRS," said Campaign Manager Chip Saltsman.