2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Remarks From Columbia, South Carolina

Rudy Giuliani Remarks from Columbia, South Carolina

New York City - Mayor Rudy Giuliani made the following remarks on the passing of Reverend Jerry Falwell while in Columbia, South Carolina today:

"I express my condolences to his family, Reverend Falwell's family, and to his much larger family ...He was a man who set a direction.  He was someone who was not afraid to speak his mind.  We all have great respect for him ... he is a person who told you what he thought and you knew where he stood. ... My sympathies and my prayers go out to his family..."

Rudy Giuliani Announces Deborah VonSprecken As Jones County Chair In Iowa

Rudy Giuliani Announces Deborah VonSprecken as Jones County Chair in Iowa

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that Deborah VonSprecken from Olin, Iowa will serve as the Jones County Chair.  As part of Mayor Giuliani’s Iowa leadership team Mrs. VonSprecken will spearhead the campaign’s organizational efforts in the county.  The announcement followed a visit from Rudy Giuliani to the VonSprecken’s family farm in Olin where Mayor Giuliani apologized for the misunderstanding surrounding his last visit to the state.  After spending nearly two hours visiting with Mr. and Mrs. VonSprecken, Deborah expressed her interest in supporting Mayor Giuliani and leading his efforts in Jones County.

“I am honored to have Deborah as part of my team in Iowa.  As the hard-working owner of a family farm she understands the importance of cutting taxes and implementing fiscal discipline to grow the economy and increase opportunity,” said Mayor Rudy Giuliani. “Her support is tremendous and will be of great value to our efforts in Iowa.”

Rudy Giuliani Co-Chair And Advisor Steve Forbes Statement On The Club For Growth White Paper

Statement from Rudy Giuliani National Campaign Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor Steve Forbes

New York City – Rudy Giuliani National Campaign Co-Chair and Senior Policy Advisor Steve Forbes made the following statement today regarding the Club for Growth White Paper:

“In praising Mayor Giuliani’s ‘years of remarkable fiscal discipline’, the Club for Growth confirmed today why many conservatives agree with me that Rudy is the true fiscal conservative we need as President.  Mayor Giuliani used fiscally conservative principles to achieve unprecedented pro-growth results in the nation’s largest city and one of it's most liberal.” 

“We need a President that can actually turn conservative philosophy into real results as Rudy did when he cut taxes and limited spending in New York City for the first time in history.”

Giuliani Presidential Committee Names Bob Holste As National Coalitions Director

Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Names Bob Holste as National Coalitions Director

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that Bob Holste will serve as National Coalitions Director for Mayor Giuliani’s Presidential campaign.   Mr. Holste will oversee coalition development across the country and build organizations in each state.

“We are excited to have Bob Holste join Team Rudy and direct our national coalition efforts,” said National Political Director Mark Campbell.  “Bob has over 20 years of campaign and outreach experience and he is a valued addition to our team.”

Team Rudy Announces Campaign Executive Directors In Iowa And New Hampshire

Team Rudy Announces Campaign Executive Directors in Iowa and New Hampshire

New York City –The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today Joe Jarabek will be the campaign’s Executive Director for Iowa and Jennifer Hallowell will serve as Executive Director for New Hampshire.  Jarabek and Hallowell will oversee all aspects of the Giuliani campaign in those respective states, from building solid grassroots organizations to promoting Mayor Giuliani’s message of leadership throughout the state. 

“Mayor Giuliani’s vision for America is resonating with voters and generating a great deal of positive support in Iowa and New Hampshire,” said Giuliani’s campaign manager Michael DuHaime. “We are lucky to have Joe Jarabek and Jennifer Hallowell. They will take our momentum and build strong organizations in these key early voting states.”

Anne Dunsmore Named Giuliani Deputy Campaign Manager for Finance

Anne Dunsmore Named Deputy Campaign Manager for Finance

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced that Anne Dunsmore has been hired to serve as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Finance overseeing fundraising strategies and activities. 

“Anne brings a tremendous amount of experience to our campaign and will be a valuable asset to us as we continue to build upon the strong support for Rudy across the country.  She is a great addition to our finance team,” said campaign manager Michael DuHaime.

As Chair, CEO and Founder of Capital Campaigns, a premier fundraising and event planning firm, Anne has developed one of the most advanced and comprehensive fundraising operations in the country – raising over $2 billion for more than 500 political and non-profit clients over the last 27 years.

She has served as Finance Director for many statewide and down-ballot campaigns throughout the country.  Additional, clients include the Republican National Committee, both of George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns and the first inaugural, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Progress for America and the Republican Governor’s Association.

Giuliani Campaign Announces Growing New Hampshire Leadership Team

Giuliani Campaign Announces Growing New Hampshire Leadership Team

New York City–Following a successful New Hampshire trip, the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today the newest members leading Mayor Giuliani’s efforts in the state.

The New Hampshire statewide team will be led by former Manchester Mayor and Executive Council Member Raymond Wieczorek, former State House Speaker Douglas Scamman, Tom Christo and Georgi Hippauf.  More than 100 locally elected officials, party and coalition leaders also signed on with Team Rudy from across the Granite State.  The coalition leaders include veterans, small business owners, first responders and sportsmen.

They join former New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman and current Giuliani State Chairman Wayne Semprini.  Former U.S. Congressman Representative Bill Zeliff is also serving as an advisor.

“We are excited to have such a strong team from all across the state in New Hampshire,” said National Political Director Mark Campbell. “Each member of Team Rudy will help communicate the Mayor’s record of proven leadership and results to the New Hampshire voters and continue to grow our efforts in the Granite State.”

Statement from Mayor Rudy Giuliani On Supreme Court Decision

Statement from Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold the Congressional Ban on Partial Birth Abortion

New York City – Rudy Giuliani made the following statement today regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Congressional ban on partial birth abortion:

"The Supreme Court reached the correct conclusion in upholding the congressional ban on partial birth abortion. I agree with it."

Giuliani Campaign Announces Growing Finance Team

Giuliani Campaign Announces Growing Finance Team

New York – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced a growing finance team of Executive Committee members, State Finance Chairs and Co-Chairs, and industry leaders who will help lead Mayor Giuliani’s fundraising and grassroots efforts. 

“Our team is proud to welcome these respected leaders in the Republican Party, business community, and financial industry, to help lead our fundraising efforts,” said Roy Bailey, National Finance Chairman.  “They will help continue to build support and ensure our campaign has the necessary resources to communicate Mayor Giuliani's positive message and results-driven record around the country."

Wheelock Whitney, Minnesota State Finance Chair

Previous Vice President, Chairman of the Board and CEO of J. M. Dain & Company, Wheelock Whitney was President of the Investment Bankers Association of America, the largest trade association in the securities industry.  Whitney was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator in 1964, was the Independent-Republican nominee for Governor of Minnesota in 1982, State Chairman of Governor Arne Carlson’s campaign from 1990 to 1999, and in 2006 served as Finance Chairman for Governor Pawlenty’s success re-election campaign. 

Giuliani Campaign Announces First Quarter Financials

Giuliani Campaign Announces First Quarter Financials
Reports Over $10.8 Million Total Primary Cash on Hand,
Nearly $12 Million Total Cash on Hand

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today a strong fundraising showing with a total of $11.9 million cash on hand – $10.8 million for the primary and $1.13 million for the general.  The campaign reported total receipts of $16.6 million for the quarter and over $18 million for the cycle, including $14.7 million raised for the first quarter of the year and $1.85 million transferred from Friends of Giuliani.  $13.6 million of the total first quarter contributions is in primary dollars. 

The campaign’s growing momentum is evident in the $11.4 million raised in the month of March alone $9.9 million of which is for the primary.  Contributions have been received from all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.      

“The numbers speak for themselves – we are running an efficient campaign and our fundraising efforts are strong,” said Roy Bailey, National Finance Chairman.  “We believe the Mayor’s optimistic message will continue to resonate with voters and financial supporters across the country.”

FEC Quarterly Report Highlights:

• Primary Election Cash on Hand: $10,814,834 (91%)
• General Election Cash on Hand $1,134,900 (9%)
• Total Cash on Hand: $11,949,734
• Total Receipts: $16,623,410 (includes $1,850,000 transferred from Friends of Giuliani)
• Total Raised in March: $11,482,486

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee hosted a conference call today, Friday, April 13th, to discuss highlights from the committee’s FEC Quarterly Report. During the call it was mentioned that the campaign raised one million dollars online during the first quarter.