2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

The Denver Post Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

THE DENVER POST ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

"GOP Nominee: Romney Would Be A Better Executive"
The Denver Post
February 1, 2008

"Republicans have weeded a diverse and talented field of presidential candidates down to two finalists and a beguiling but quirky pair of also-rans, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul.

"Arizona Sen. John McCain, now the frontrunner, is an American hero, a foreign-policy expert and a veteran of the Washington trenches. But with a volatile economy overtaking Iraq as a chief concern among voters, we believe that Mitt Romney is the best choice for Colorado Republicans.

The New York Post Endorses John McCain For President

THE NEW YORK POST ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"America is at war - in Iraq, and against a global Islamist terror network committed to the nation's destruction. McCain indisputably understands the nature of the threat, and what it will take to defeat it ... Come November, McCain's experience would stand in sharp contrast to Barack Obama's sparse resume. And his candor, character and honor would be the antithesis of a Clinton II candidacy." -- New York Post

Excerpts From "McCain For The GOP"

Editorial
New York Post
February 1, 2008

Residents of 21 states, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, go to the polls Tuesday in what amounts to a national primary election.

For Republicans, the choice is clear:

Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

John McCain 2008 Launches New Television Ad: "True Conservative"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD: "TRUE CONSERVATIVE"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released a new television ad to air across the nation in the run-up to Super Tuesday. The ad, entitled "True Conservative," focuses on John McCain's commitment to conservative principles on economic, social and national security issues as well as his readiness to lead as commander in chief on day one.
"True Conservative" will run on national cable and in select February 5th states starting today.

Script For "True Conservative" (:30-TV)

ANNCR: As a prisoner of war, John McCain was inspired by Ronald Reagan.

JOHN MCCAIN: I enlisted as a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution.

ANNCR: Guided by strong conservative principles, he'll cut wasteful spending and keep taxes low.

A proud social conservative who will never waver.

The leadership and experience to call for the surge strategy in Iraq that is working.

John McCain:

The true conservative

Ready to be commander-in-chief on day one.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Theodore B. Olson Endorses John McCain for President

THEODORE B. OLSON ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson has endorsed John McCain for president. Mr. Olson will serve as Co-Chairman of the McCain Judicial Advisory Committee.

"I have long admired John McCain for his courage, character, and integrity," said Mr. Olson. "He is the candidate best prepared to lead as commander in chief from day one. John McCain has a deep-rooted conservative philosophy and I trust him to appoint strict constructionists, like Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito, to judicial positions."

John McCain thanked Mr. Olson for his support, stating, "Ted Olson is among our nation's most distinguished experts on the rule of law. I am honored to have his support, and I look forward to his counsel and leadership on judicial issues."

Mike Huckabee issues Statement On Year-End 2007 FEC Filing

MIKE HUCKABEE ISSUES STATEMENT ON YEAR-END 2007 FEC FILING

Little Rock, AR - Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee issued the following statement today:

"My presidential campaign has defied the odds, and will continue to do so, as we head into the Super Tuesday primaries, proving the power of message over money and mechanics. I believe the record will show that mine has been one of the most cost-effective presidential campaigns in recent history -- at a time when the campaign season has been the longest.  This affirms what I have always known, that this country is not for sale and the office of president cannot be bought.

"My campaign filed our year-end 2007 FEC report in compliance with federal law -- and all of the details are available online.  While my fund-raising has increased significantly, with each quarter outperforming the previous one, a majority of my donors are a part of a grassroots army of concerned citizens from across America -- individuals who may have limited financial means but who care about this country deeply and are giving what they can to support my campaign. 

"At every juncture, I've been amazed at the power of the people, who represent the core strength and values of this country. I am deeply appreciative of their support, which has fueled my candidacy and will continue to power our campaign in the weeks and months ahead."

Debate Reactions: Barack Obama At The CNN Politico Debate

Debate Reactions: Barack Obama At The CNN Politico Debate

A focus group of Independent voters watch the Democratic debate, and when it ends, overwhelmingly come down in support of Barack Obama...

More rave reviews...

Time (Halperin): Tenaciously drove his four core issues (change, unity, inspiration, problem solving), and incorporated them into almost every answer. LINK

Atlantic (Marc Ambinder): … I’ll give Obama the edge LINK

MSNBC (Richard Wolffe): …This was by far his best debate

NBC (Chuck Todd): … And then came Iraq and Clinton once again showed why the issue has been such an Achilles heel. Obama just has an easier time talking about his position. Clinton has to sit there and re-explain why she was for it and why she's not for it now. LINK

Politico (Ben Smith): “Obama's comfortable turf”: His trump card is his vote against the war, and he's moved toward a new argument for why it's relevant. "I think I will be the Dem who will be most effective in going up a John McCain...because I will offer a clear contrast," he says. "I don’t want to just end the war, I want to end the mindset that got us into war in the first place." LINK

More Reviews Are In: Hillary Clinton At The CNN Politico Debate

More Reviews Are In: Hillary Clinton At The CNN Politico Debate

CNN’s Bill Bennett – ‘It’s a victory for Hillary Clinton… I don’t think [Obama] had enough.’ “Frankly, I think it was a little disappointing, from my perspective. I think Barack Obama had to do more than he did. I thought she won - I’ll just be crude and say she won the debate – I thought she was in control… He’s the challenger. He’s an athlete, he should know that he had to work a little harder. He was civil, he was very good on his details, I don’t think he really challenged her. And I think that’s going to be a problem. I think it’s a victory for Hillary Clinton. Super Tuesday’s coming up, I don’t think he had enough.” [CNN, 1/31/08]

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza – Hillary ‘face the tougher questions tonight… handled them with aplomb.’ “Give Clinton credit. She has faced the tougher questions tonight and has generally handled them with aplomb.” [Washington Post’s The Fix, 1/31/08]

National Review’s Jim Geraghty – ‘I would give the win to Hillary.’ “So both were good, but I give the win to Hillary. " [National Review’s The Campaign Spot, 1/31/08]

ABC News’ Rick Klein – Hillary 'was at the top of her game tonight. '    [ABC’s News Blog, 1/31/08]

CNN’s Erica Hill – ‘Clinton really scored big.’ “Despite initial high marks from both on immigration, Clinton really scored big with this sideswipe… while Obama's accusations of Clinton's flip-flopping on driver licenses for illegal immigrants fell flat.” [CNN, 1/31/08]

Reviews Are In: Hillary Clinton At The CNN Politico Debate

Reviews Are In: Hillary 'Eminently Likeable,' 'Really Impressive,' 'Presidential'

ABC News’ Jake Tapper – ‘Clinton has a really steady tone tonight, solid and presidential. Eminently likeable.’ [ABC News Political Radar, 1/31/08]

CNN’s Bill Schneider – 'Clinton comes across as more polished and knowledgeable.’ [CNN Political Ticker, 1/31/08] 

New Republic’s Michael Crowley – ‘Hillary has a really impressive fluency and confidence in the details.’ [New Republic’s The Stump, 1/31/08]

NBC News’ Domenico Montaro – Hillary ‘knocked it out of the park.’ “Hillary's been asked that question before and it is central to Obama's argument -- why should the country vote for a Clinton when there's been either a Bush or a Clinton on the ballot for a generation. She knocked it out of the park with a line she's used before, saying, it took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and it might take another Clinton to clean up after this Bush. It's about as good as she could answer it and it got a standing ovation.”

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza – Hillary ‘turned a tough question into a terrific moment.’ “Whether or not Clinton had that line in her hip pocket for tonight, she delivered it well and turned a tough question into a terrific moment.” [Washington Post’s The Fix, 1/31/08]

TPM’s Josh Marshall – ‘Hillary's on a tear here.’ [Talking Points Memo, 1/31/08]

MyDD’s Todd Beeton – ‘Hillary gave a strong answer on her Iraq vote.’ [MyDD, 1/31/08]

Los Angeles Times’ Don Frederick – ‘Clinton got the biggest response of the night’ “Clinton got the biggest response of the night when she reprised a line she's used before about the prospective Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton White House tenures. It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, she said -- clearly knowing it was a surefire line -- and it might take a Clinton to clean up after the second.” [Los Angeles Times blog, 1/31/08]

The Hill's A.B. Stoddard: 'I think she handled herself wonderfully tonight.' [MSNBC, 1/31/08]

ABC News’ Rick Klein – ‘[Hillary] generally excels when the talk is substantive, and she handled the focus on health care rather masterfully.’ [ABC News Political Radar, 1/31/08]

Romney For President Totals Over $27 Million In Total Receipts For The Fourth Quarter

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT TOTALS OVER $27 MILLION IN TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER
$90 Million In Total Receipts For The Year

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President announced it reported over $27 million in total receipts for the Fourth Quarter, ending December 31, 2007.  The Campaign again opted to raise no general election funds and reported $9 million in primary contributions.  The total receipts include Governor Romney's loan of $18 million.

For the entire year, Romney for President had total receipts of $90 million.  In the past month, Governor Romney's message of conservative change in Washington has resonated with people across this country.  Governor Romney has won three states, placed a strong second in another three and had a strong showing in South Carolina. 

In the Fourth Quarter, Romney for President focused on growing its network of grassroots support ahead of the critical early caucus and primary states.  For the year, Romney for President will report more than 119,000 contributors to Governor Romney's effort.  In the Fourth Quarter, Governor Romney focused on meeting with voters across the country and campaigning. 

"Over the past year, our campaign expanded Governor Romney's grassroots support across the country, and we have seen Americans rally to his message of bringing conservative change to a broken Washington.  As this campaign progresses and more Americans cast their vote, we will continue to build Governor Romney's network of grassroots support," said Romney for President national spokesman Kevin Madden.

FAST FACTS About Romney For President's Over $27 Million Fourth Quarter Total:

Amount Reported In Primary Contributions In The Fourth Quarter:  $9 Million
In The Fourth Quarter, Governor Romney Loaned $18 Million To Romney For President
Total Amount Raised In Primary Contributions For The Year: Approximately $53.5 Million
Total Amount Of Revenue For The Year: $90 Million
Total Number Of Donors In 2007:  More Than 119,000
Contributions Received From All 50 States And Washington, D.C.
NO General Election Money Collected In 2007 (General Funds Cannot Be Spent During The Primary Election)

Ron Paul to Rally at the University of Minnesota Monday

Ron Paul to Rally at the University of Minnesota Monday
Republican Presidential Candidate to address Minnesota voters

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will deliver a speech to students, veterans, and other supporters at the University of Minnesota on Monday, February 4.  Ten-term Texas Congressman Paul is the only Republican White House contender seriously campaigning in Minnesota.

Ron Paul Minnesota state coordinator Marianne Stebbins believes that Paul’s message is more in line with Minnesotans’ political views.  “It makes sense that only Congressman Paul would be able court widespread support here,” Stebbins said.  “Only he stays above the shrill bickering and stays focused on liberty.”

Ron Paul is the only republican presidential candidate with offices and staff in the state.  His planned trip stands out among candidates as further evidence that he is paying special attention to Minnesota’s “Super Tuesday” caucus.

“The people of Minnesota are not afraid to take a stand on these crucial issues and Ron Paul knows that,” added Stebbins. “His words are like fresh air in this polluted political scene.”

The rally will take place on Monday, February 4th, from 7:00 – 8:00pm at the University of Minnesota Coffman Union Grand Hall.

Minnesota’s Republican presidential caucuses will take place on Tuesday, February 5.