2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Victory Rally with Paul Ryan in Greenville, North Carolina on Monday, September 3, 2012

Victory Rally with Paul Ryan in Greenville, North Carolina on Monday, September 3, 2012

Boston, MA – On Monday, Paul Ryan will attend a Victory rally at East Carolina University.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Event: Congressman Ryan Attends Greenville Victory Rally 

Location:                 

Student Recreation Center
East Carolina University
128 Student Recreation Center
(At East 7th & Cotanche Streets)
Greenville, North Carolina 

Doors Open: 11:00 AM EDT

Invite Time: 1:00 PM EDT

Program Time: 1:20 PM EDT

Vice President Biden to Address the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO Labor Day Rally

Vice President Biden to Address the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO Labor Day Rally

CHICAGO -- On Monday, September 3, Vice President Biden will address the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO Labor Day Rally in Detroit, Michigan.

When: Monday, September 3, 2012

Event start time: 12:00 PM ET

Where: Washington Blvd & Michigan Avenue

EXCERPTS: Vice President Biden’s Remarks at a Grassroots Event in Lordstown, Ohio

EXCERPTS: Vice President Biden’s Remarks at a Grassroots Event in Lordstown, Ohio

Below are excerpts of the Vice President’s speech as prepared for delivery --

“You heard Congressman Ryan on Wednesday night, blame the closing of a GM plant in his hometown of Janesville on the President.

“Folks, let’s look at the facts.w

“Congressman Ryan was right about one thing. It was devastating for the community and those people.

“But what he didn’t tell you was that plant in Janesville actually closed while President Bush was still in office.

“And what they didn’t say is, but for the sacrifices you made, and the courage of the President, all those GM plants would have closed.

“The 200,000 auto workers who’ve been added to the employment rolls would not be working. And a million jobs would have been lost.

“GM wouldn’t have been reorganized. It would have been liquidated. Along with Chrysler.

“And as the Chairman of the Board of Ford told me, without a reorganization, they would have been devastated too --because the supply chain would have evaporated.

“What they didn’t say is because of the auto rescue, there are 4,500 of you working here today. And GM is adding 2 shifts.

“And GM just announced they’re investing another $200 million in Lordstown.

“And combined, the auto companies have committed to invest billions in expansion, not the Bain way, not in Mexico, not in China, not in Vietnam, but in Lordstown, in Detroit, in Toledo, in Cleveland. In America.

“And what they didn’t acknowledge is Governor Romney’s position was Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.

“He said if we stepped in to help, GM would be ‘the living dead.’

“You know, he is absolutely against the federal government or any government using funds to save jobs, to save industries.

“It’s bad business, he says.

“Except when it comes to his business.

“Let me quote from recent reporting. ‘Romney was willing to go to extremes to secure a federal bailout’ when Bain Consulting was on the verge of collapse.

“The way they reorganized cost the government $10 million.

“Imagine that—

“It was one thing when a million middle class jobs were on the line.

“It was another when his own financial interests were on the line.

“And—now—they say they care about the middle class?”

Romney For President Launches "Text-To-Donate" Program

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES “TEXT-TO-DONATE” PROGRAM

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President announced the launch of “Text-to-Donate,” giving supporters a new and easy way to donate to the campaign over mobile phones.

“We recognize that people lead busy lives, but they still want to support Governor Romney with whatever means they have. This technology gives our incredible supporters the ability to make a donation in seconds – not minutes – with a text message,” said Zac Moffatt, Digital Director for Romney for President.

Mobile phone users can now donate $10 to the Romney for President campaign by texting the word GIVE to 37377.

Text-to-donate campaigns have become popular over the past few years during relief efforts for natural disaster charities. A recent FEC ruling allows for the political donations via text messaging. Building on their innovative online, offline, and mobile solutions, this program provides advocates of Governor Romney and Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan another way to donate to the campaign.

“Our goal is to breach the wall that has traditionally kept activists and citizens from contributing to the campaign,” said Moffatt. “Whether through our website, the Mitt Romney store, our Victory Wallet solution, and now over cell phones, voters can make secure donations to the Romney-Ryan campaign, regardless of where they are.”

This exciting program will launch with popular cellular providers such as Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular customers starting this week. Other carriers, including AT&T, will be joining text-to-donate shortly.

We're proud to announce this easy-to-use avenue to help elect Governor Romney. It's one more way that we've been able to involve busy Americans this election cycle.

Contributions or gifts to Romney for President, Inc. are not tax deductible. Contribution charged to your cell phone bill. Must be 18 or older. Standard message and data rates may apply. Additional information at http://mi.tt/SMSgive . For help, text HELP. Text STOP to cancel messages. Powered by payvia.

Romney Campaign: What They Are Saying About Mitt Romney's Speech At The 2012 Republican National Convention Part III

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE FINAL NIGHT OF THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

“Confident” … “Rousing” … “Endearing” … “Deeply Emotional”

The Associated Press: “A Rousing, Remarkably Personal Speech…” “Mitt Romney launched his fall campaign for the White House with a rousing, remarkably personal speech to the Republican National convention and a prime-time TV audience Thursday night, proclaiming that America needs ‘jobs, lots of jobs’ and promising to create 12 million of them in perilous economic times.” (The Associated Press, 8/31/12)

The New York Times: “Confident And At Ease…” “For nearly 40 minutes, Mr. Romney spoke — confident and at ease, alone on the huge stage erected for this moment — and accepted the Republican nomination for president.” (The New York Times, 8/31/12)

Politico: “Showed How His Experience At Bain Capital, Starting It As A Small And Struggling Business And Taking It To Riches, Informs His Worldview About The Power Of Markets…” “He showed how his experience at Bain Capital, starting it as a small and struggling business and taking it to riches, informs his worldview about the power of markets and his belief that the purpose of government is to clear obstacles to individual achievement rather than promote collective entitlements. The subtext of the address was that his business career has showed his ability to focus on the critical task at hand, in comparison to Obama’s tendency to get lost in gassy words and unrealistic promises.” (Politico, 8/31/12)

The Atlantic: “Neatly Encapsulated The Theme Of Disappointment Turning A Page To Hope.” “In what struck me as the speech's best line, Romney contrasted Obama's lofty, unfulfilled goals with his own, more human promise: ‘President Obama promised to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet," he said. ‘My promise is to help you and your family.’ … But it neatly encapsulated the theme of disappointment turning a page to hope.” (The Atlantic, 8/31/12)

Boston Herald: “Confident And At Times Deeply Emotional…” “A confident and at times deeply emotional Mitt Romney used the most important speech of his political life to deliver stirring recollections of his family, a plan to turn around the economy and a blistering indictment of President Obama’s term.” (Boston Herald, 8/30/12)

NBC’s Peter Alexander: “Encouraged People To Consider Whether Their Lives Were Better Now Than They Were Four Years Ago…” ALEXANDER: “Last night, Mitt Romney encouraged people to consider whether their lives were better now than they were four years ago and urged them not to feel guilty for giving up on President Obama.” (NBC, 8/31/12)

The Hill’s Christian Heinze: “A Very Good Night For Romney.” “So yes, this was a very good night for Romney. He was, above all, finally vulnerable, and that might be the thickest armor he has heading into the campaign’s final stage. Grade: A” (The Hill, 8/31/12)

BuzzFeed’s John Ellis: “Left People With The Impression That Things Just Might Get Better If He Is Elected President.” “The questions that remain, then, are these: Which is the best way forward? Which is the best way back? Romney’s speech was fine in that regard. He left people with the impression that things just might get better if he is elected president.” (BuzzFeed, 8/31/12)

Political Commentator Ruben Navarrette: “Romney Was Funny, Affable, Vulnerable, And Even Endearing.” “At times during his speech, Romney was funny, affable, vulnerable, and even endearing.” (CNN, 8/31/12)

DNCC Announces Full Performance Schedule for the 2012 Democratic National Convention

DNCC Announces Full Performance Schedule for the 2012 Democratic National Convention

In support of President Obama, Charlotte to host an impressive line-up of musical acts including Foo Fighters, Mary J. Blige, James Taylor, Marc Anthony and Earth, Wind and Fire

CHARLOTTE, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following last week's announcement of iconic North Carolina artists, today the Democratic National Convention Committee announced the full line-up of performers set to take the stage at Time Warner Cable Arena and Bank of America Stadium next week.

"This roster of performances only adds to the excitement building in Charlotte for the historic week ahead of us," said 2012 Democratic National Convention Chair Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "The tens of thousands who will attend Convention events in person, and all those tuning in across the country, should be ready for quite a show."

The schedule of performances at the 2012 Democratic National Convention:

Thursday, September 6 (Bank of America Stadium)
Foo Fighters
Mary J. Blige
Earth, Wind and Fire
James Taylor
Delta Rae
Inspire the Fire
Marc Anthony (national anthem)

Wednesday, September 5 (Time Warner Cable Arena)
DJ Cassidy
Jessica Sanchez
Branford Marsalis (national anthem)

Tuesday, September 4 (Time Warner Cable Arena)
DJ Cassidy
Ledisi
Amber Riley (national anthem)

Mitt Romney New Campaign Airplane Photo With Logo, Lakeland, Florida, August 31, 2012

Photo by Eric Appleman, P2012

Romney Campaign: What They Are Saying About Mitt Romney's Speech At The 2012 Republican National Convention Part II

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: MITT ROMNEY’S “DEFINING SPEECH” AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

“Reaganesque Themes” … “Enduring Sense Of Optimism” … “Chance To Recapture The American Dream”

McClatchy News: “Appealed To The Nation’s Enduring Sense Of Optimism.” “Mitt Romney presented the first crucial chapter Thursday of his bid to become the country’s 45th president, accepting the Republican nomination and urging the nation to look closely at his résumé, his vision and his remedies for the ailing economy. … He appealed to the nation’s enduring sense of optimism.” (McClatchy News Service, 8/31/12)

The New York Times: “A Direct Appeal To Americans Who Were Captivated By President Obama’s Hopeful Promises Of Change…” “Mitt Romney accepted the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday by making a direct appeal to Americans who were captivated by President Obama’s hopeful promises of change, pledging that he could deliver what the president did not and move the country from its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.” (The New York Times, 8/31/12)

The Washington Post: “Romney Spoke Emotionally About His Mormon Faith And Church Community, About His Romance With Ann And Raising Five Boys…” “In accepting the Republican nomination, Romney spoke emotionally about his Mormon faith and church community, about his romance with Ann and raising five boys, about his mother’s feminist streak and his father’s entrepreneurial spirit.” (The Washington Post, 8/30/12)

CNN: “Romney Offers Reaganesque Themes In Defining Speech” (CNN, 8/31/12)

NPR: “Spoke To Those Disillusioned With President Obama … Genuinely Moving Interludes.” ” “It spoke to those disillusioned with President Obama, and criticized his record on the economy and lack of business experience, while stressing his own. And it had its genuinely moving interludes…” (NPR, 8/30/12)

Fox News’ Martha MacCallum: “That Is What We Saw Out There Tonight: A Man Who Is Compassionate And Capable.” (Fox News, 8/30/12)

The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin: “An Optimistic Picture For The Future … The Chance To Recapture The American Dream.” “Romney painted an optimistic picture for the future, describing the election as the chance to recapture the American dream. ‘Now is the moment when we can stand up and say, ‘I’m an American. I make my destiny. And we deserve better! My children deserve better! My family deserves better. My country deserves better!’’ That drew an ovation.” (The Washington Post, 8/30/12)

BuzzFeed’s Ben Smith: “The Thing About Romney: He Does Deliver. This Is The Speech He Needed To Give.” (Twitter.com, 8/30/12)

National Journal’s Tim Alberta: “A Full-Spectrum Speech…” “This now a full-spectrum speech, and Romney hitting Obama at every possible turn. Very, very aggressive.” (Twitter.com, 8/30/12)

Roll Call’s David Drucker: “Mitt Romney Nailed Acceptance Speech.” “Mitt Romney nailed acceptance speech. Right amount of red meat fervor. Great swing-state tone. His best moment when it was needed.” (Twitter.com, 8/30/12)

Fox News’ Bill Hemmer: “This Is Why They Came To Tampa…” “These delegates loved it. Loved every minute of it. This is why they came to Tampa…” (Fox News, 8/31/12)

The New York Times’ Ross Douthat: “A Highly Effective Reintroduction To Romney The Man…” “It was a highly effective reintroduction to Romney the man, w/absolutely nothing in it to make Americans nervous about voting for him.” (Twitter.com, 8/30/12)

National Review’s Robert Costa: “This Is One Of His Better Speeches. … Romney Showed Heart.” COSTA: “Look, Mitt Romney had to introduce himself to the country tonight. This is one of his better speeches. Why? Romney showed heart.” (CNBC, 8/30/12)

Republican Party of Iowa Statement Following Governor Romney's Speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa

Iowa GOP Chairman Praises Governor Romney's Acceptance Speech
 
DES MOINES, Iowa– The Republican Party of Iowa released the following statement from Iowa GOP chairman A.J. Spiker following Governor Romney's speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa:
"Congratulations to Governor Romney on his official nomination for president and for delivering such an inspiring speech to all the delegates and all of America this evening. Working together, we will unite the Party and deliver Iowa to Republicans in November. We need Mitt Romney, who has experience in the private sector, in the White House to get the government out of the way to unleash the private sector, bringing jobs back to Iowa and the rest of America. We need a president who doesn't want to punish American entrepreneurs. We need a president who understands that prosperity comes from the individual, not the government.  The road to the White House goes through Iowa and I look forward to winning Iowa with Mitt Romney in November."

Romney Campaign: What They Are Saying About Mitt Romney's Speech At The 2012 Republican National Convention

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: MITT ROMNEY’S “FORWARD-LOOKING VISION” FOR AMERICA

“Electrified An Eager Crowd” … “A Sweeping Broadside” … “Romney Pledges To Lead”

National Journal: “A Sweeping Broadside Against Obama's Economic Policies…” “In a sweeping broadside against Obama's economic policies, Romney told delegates in Tampa that the president's promises ‘gave way to disappointment and division;’ that families and businesses expected to be doing better by now; college graduates ‘thought they’d have a good job by now, a place of their own ...’ and the nation expected by now to be ‘paying down the national debt and rolling back those massive deficits.’” (National Journal, 8/30/12)

The Hill: “The Speech Electrified An Eager Crowd…” “The speech electrified an eager crowd of delegates packed into the Tampa Forum, who rose repeatedly to their feet to cheer and applaud the GOP nominee while waving signs that exclaimed ‘Mitt!’ and ‘Believe!’” (The Hill, 8/30/12)

 

• · The Hill: “Romney: What America Needs Is Jobs, Not Hope And Change” (The Hill, 8/30/12) 

The Washington Post: “Where Obama Lacked Business Experience, Romney Has It In Spades…” “Romney’s best moment (to our mind) was when he talked wistfully (and emotionally) about missing the joys of raising kids — a genuinely human moment that almost anyone, no matter their party registration, could relate to. Romney also did well in casting himself as the anti-Obama. Where Obama lacked business experience, Romney has it in spades. Where Obama made sweeping promises, Romney made simple ones. (The most quoted line of the speech will almost certainly be this one: ‘President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet. My promise…is to help you and your family.’)” (The Washington Post, 8/30/12)

Politico: “Threw Down The Gauntlet Against President Barack Obama.” “Mitt Romney accepted the Republican nomination for president with a speech on Thursday night that not only laid out his personal history and his ticket’s policies, but threw down the gauntlet against President Barack Obama.” (Politico, 8/30/12)

Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo: “Romney Is Killing It. Strong Speech. Crowd Can't Get Enough.” (Twitter.com, 8/30/12)

USA Today: “Romney Vows To Put His Soul Into Restoring America” (USA Today, 8/30/12)

NBC News: “Romney Accepts Nomination, Projects Forward-Looking Vision For Nation” (NBC News, 8/30/12)

Reuters: “Romney Makes Appeal To Americans Disillusioned With Obama” (Reuters, 8/30/12)

Fox News: “Romney Pledges To Lead, After 'Disappointment And Division' Under Obama” (Fox News, 8/30/12)

The Washington Times: “Romney: Election About Jobs, Obama Failures; Promises To Help Families” (The Washington Times, 8/30/12)