2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Victory Rally With Mitt Romney In Nashua, New Hampshire On Friday, September 7, 2012

Victory Rally With Mitt Romney In Nashua, New Hampshire On Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday, September 7, 2012

Doors Open 4:30 PM

Event Begins 6:30 PM

Holman Stadium
67 Amherst St
Nashua, NH 03063

Mitt Romney to Address The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) National Convention on Monday, September 17, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA

Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney to Address USHCC National Convention

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) announced today that Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney will address its upcoming 33rd Annual National Convention on Monday, September 17 in Los Angeles, CA.

"Every presidential election cycle, we invite the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to address our National Convention", said Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the USHCC. "Governor Romney's attendance demonstrates the important role that Hispanic business plays in our national political conversation."

This year's convention will address key themes affecting Hispanic business leaders, including Latino entrepreneurship, procurement opportunities for Hispanic-owned firms, corporate diversity and inclusion, and the development of young Latino entrepreneurs. As a hub of Hispanic business, Los Angeles was selected as the ideal host city of the 2012 Convention, which is the country's largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders.

"The USHCC Annual National Convention provides an important forum for Governor Romney to address key economic issues that directly impact the country's 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses," said Nina Vaca, USHCC Chairman of the Board.  "We are thrilled that Governor Romney has accepted our invitation."

Victory Rally with Paul Ryan in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Victory Rally with Paul Ryan in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Doors Open 7:30 AM

Program Begins 9:30 AM

WestPac Restorations
765 Aviation Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80916

Former Senator Norm Coleman Statement On 2012 Democratic Party Platform

SEN. NORM COLEMAN: THE DEMOCRATS’ NEW PLATFORM SIGNALS A RADICAL SHIFT AWAY FROM ISRAEL

Boston, MA – Former Senator and National Co-Chairman of the Romney Jewish Coalition Norm Coleman made the following statement today on the Democratic Party removing pro-Israel language from its platform: 

“I am alarmed by the changes regarding Israel in the Democratic Party platform.  Anyone familiar with the way in which these documents are drafted understands the care that is taken with every word. By failing to mention Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, by no longer insisting that Palestinian refugees be settled inside a future Palestinian state rather than in Israel, and by failing to condemn Hamas—all new positions from four years ago—the Democratic Party is signaling a radical shift in its orientation, away from Israel. Does the document accurately mirror Barack Obama’s views? Given that his top aides have said that the platform reflects his policies, and given that his official White House spokesman has also refused to name Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, that is now an urgent question to which the American people deserve an immediate and unequivocal response.”

Excerpts of Mayor Julian Castro's Remarks to the 2012 Democratic National Convention

Excerpts of Mayor Julian Castro's Remarks to the Democratic National Convention

"My grandmother didn't live to see us begin our lives in public service.

"But she probably would've thought it extraordinary that just two generations after she arrived in San Antonio, one grandson would be the mayor and the other would be on his way - the good people of San Antonio willing-to the United States Congress!

"My family's story isn't special. What's special is the America that makes our story possible.

"Ours is a nation like no other-a place where great journeys can be made in a single generation...no matter who you are or where you come from, the path is always forward."
…

"Texas may be the one place where people actually still have bootstraps...and we expect folks to pull themselves up by them. But we also recognize there are some things we can't do alone.

"We have to come together and invest in opportunity today for prosperity tomorrow."
…

"Now, like many of you, I watched last week's Republican Convention. They told a few stories of individual success...we all celebrate individual success. But the question is, how do we multiply that success. The answer is President Barack Obama."
…

"Mitt Romney, quite simply, doesn't get it. A few months ago he visited a university in Ohio and gave the students there  a little entrepreneurial advice.

"'Start a business,' he said. But how? 'Borrow money if you have to from your parents,' he told them. Gee -- why didn't I think of that?"
…

"We all understand that freedom isn't free. What Romney and Ryan don't understand  is that neither is opportunity. We have to invest in it.

"Republicans tell us that if the most prosperous among us do even better, that somehow the rest of us will too. Folks...we've heard that before.

"First they called it 'trickle-down.' Then 'supply side.' Now it's 'Romney/Ryan.' Or is it 'Ryan/Romney'?

"Either way, their theory has been tested. It failed. Our economy failed. The middle class paid the price. Your family paid the price. Mitt Romney just doesn't get it."
…

"Four years ago, America stood on the brink of a Depression. Despite incredible odds and united Republican opposition, our President took action. And now we've seen 4.5 million new jobs. 

"He knows better than anyone that there's more hard work to do. But we're making progress. And now we need to make a choice. It's a choice...between a country where the middle class pays more, so that millionaires can pay less...

"Or a country where everybody pays their fair share. It's a choice between a nation that slashes funding for our schools and guts Pell grants...Or a nation that invests more in education. It's a choice between a politician who rewards companies that ship American jobs overseas...Or a leader who brings jobs back home.

"This is the choice before us. And to me, to my generation, and for all the generations that will come after us, our choice is clear. Our choice is a man who's always chosen us.

"A man who already is our President -- Barack Obama."

Grassroots Event With The Obamas And Bidens In Portsmouth, New Hampshire And Iowa City, Iowa On Friday, September 7, 2012

GRASSROOTS EVENT WITH THE OBAMAS AND BIDENS IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IOWA CITY, IOWA

CHICAGO—On Friday, September 7, President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Iowa City, Iowa  after formally accepting their presidential and vice presidential nomination.  In New Hampshire and Iowa, the President and Vice President will discuss the choice in this election between two fundamentally different visions on how to build an economy built to last.

The President and Vice President will lay out what’s at stake for the middle class in this election – the choice between continuing to move forward to an economy built to last that’s grounded in a strong middle class, and going back to the same “top-down” economic policies of the last decade that crashed our economy and punished the middle class.  They will discuss their plan to restore middle-class security by paying down our debt in a balanced way that ensures everyone pays their fair share and still invests in the things we need to create jobs and grow our economy over the long term, like education, energy, innovation, and infrastructure.  

Following the events in Iowa City, IA and Portsmouth, NH, President Obama will begin on a two-day bus tour through Florida on Saturday, September 8, and Vice President Biden will travel to Ohio on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9. The Vice President’s two-day swing will include stops in southern and eastern Ohio.   Additional details on the President’s bus tour through Florida and the Vice President’s travel to Ohio are forthcoming.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Grassroots Event with the Obamas and Bidens in Portsmouth, NH

Estimated Event Time: 12:20PM EDT

Where:          

Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801                           

Grassroots Event with the Obamas and Bidens in Iowa City, IA

Estimated Event Time: 5:20 PM CDT

Where:          

University of Iowa
Jessup Hall Lawn
5 West Jefferson
Iowa City, Iowa

Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Announces Permanent Officers of the 2012 Democratic National Convention

Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Announces Permanent Officers of the 2012 Democratic National Convention

Charlotte – Today, Tuesday September 4th, the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee announced the Convention Officers for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The Rules Committee of the Convention is the body that is charged with recommending the Convention Officers. The election of the Convention Officers will be officially ratified as part of the Rule Committee Report.

Included below are the officers, their titles and short biographies.

Permanent Officers of the 2012 Democratic National Convention:

Permanent Chair

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor Villaraigosa, a one-time student organizer, has dedicated his career to civic engagement and empowering people at the grass-roots. Prior to his election as Mayor, he served on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly, where he served as Speaker. 

Secretary

Alice Germond
Alice Germond currently serves as Secretary of the Democratic National Committee and is a member of the Rules and Bylaws Committee and Executive Committees.

Parliamentarians

Congressman Steny Hoyer
Congressman Hoyer represents the 5th District of Maryland and serves as the House Democratic Whip. In Congress, Steny Hoyer has built an outstanding record of achievement and earned a reputation as a strong leader and an able legislator. Congressman Hoyer has served as parliamentarian for the past 6 Conventions.

Helen McFadden
Helen McFadden has served as Parliamentarian of the Democratic National Convention since 1996.  She also serves as Parliamentarian for the Democratic National Committee. 

Mayor Michael Coleman
Mayor Michael Coleman has been mayor of Columbus, Ohio, since 2000.  Mayor Coleman has built Columbus’ reputation as one of the best cities in the nation by building stronger, safer neighborhoods and creating jobs by maintaining a high quality of life. Prior to his election as mayor, he was president of the Columbus City Council. 

Cassandra Q. Butts
Cassandra Butts is senior advisor in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.  She previously served as deputy White House Counsel, focusing on domestic policy and ethics. 

Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez
John Perez is Speaker of the California State Assembly, where he represents the 46th District.  Speaker Perez is the first openly gay Speaker of the California State Assembly and became active in the labor movement, where he spent over 15 years working to create jobs, expand health care and protect workers’ rights.

Smita Shah
Smita N. Shah is the Vice Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission and the first person of Asian/ Indian decent to serve as Parliamentarian. She is the founder and President of SPAAN Tech Inc, where she proudly creates jobs and builds America's infrastructure.

Sergeant-at-Arms

Congressman John Lewis
A civil rights leader for over five decades and advocate for equality for all, Congressman Lewis was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986, where he represents the 5th District of Georgia. Prior to his election to the U.S. Congress, Congressman Lewis served on the Atlanta City Council.

Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez
Nydia Velazquez represents the 12th Congressional District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves as the Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee.  She was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. House.

Congresswoman Judy Chu
Judy Chu was the first Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represents California’s 32nd District.  She is also Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. In Congress, Representative Chu has used her extensive experience to help improve our nation’s education system, helping pass a landmark college affordability bill to boost federal college grants and keep student loan interest rates low.

Doorkeeper
Bruce Rohwer
Mr. Rohwer currently serves as vice president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. For over a hundred years, Bruce's family has farmed the land in Northwest Iowa. Today, Bruce works over a thousand acres, raising corn and soybeans and horses and hogs. His son and daughter are the next generation that will lead this family farm.  This year, Bruce is a member of the Rural Iowans for Obama Steering Committee.

Timekeeper
Judy Hines
Judy Hines was an elementary school teacher for over 35 years and comes from a family that treasures public service. Since retiring, Judy continues to fight for support of public education and is active in helping organize her community, and this year she is a Neighborhood Team Leader in her hometown.

Grassroots Event With The Obamas And Bidens In Portsmouth, New Hampshire On Friday, September 7, 2012

Grassroots Event with the Obamas and Bidens

Friday, September 7, 2012

Doors open at 10:00 a.m.

Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock St
Portsmouth, NH 03801

2012 Democratic National Convention Podium Schedule "Americans Coming Together" Tuesday, September 4, 2012 *Updated

2012 Democratic National Convention Podium Schedule *Updated

Tuesday, September 4, 2012
"Americans Coming Together"
Time shown as local – Charlotte, North Carolina, EDT

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (LOCAL)
 
Call to Order
The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
 
Invocation
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas
Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Detroit
 
Presentation of Colors
Disabled American Veterans, The Stanly County Chapter 12 Honor Guard
 
Pledge of Allegiance
3rd Grade Class, W.R. O’Dell Elementary School
Concord, North Carolina
 
National Anthem
Amber Riley
Singer/Songwriter and ‘Glee’ Actress
 
Remarks
Stephen J. Kerrigan
Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention Committee
 
Welcome Video
 
Presentation of Credentials Committee Report from Co-Chairs
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
First woman Elected as Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Honorable Julián Castro
Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
 
Presentation of Rules Committee Report from Co-Chairs
The Honorable Kamala D. Harris
State Attorney General of California
The Honorable Martin O’Malley
Governor of Maryland
 
Appointment of Convention Officers
 
Gaveling-in of Permanent Chair
The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee
Mayor of Los Angeles, California
 
Remarks
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Parliamentarian of the 2012 Democratic National Committee Convention
Democratic Whip and Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland
Andrew Tobias
Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee
Alice Germond
Secretary of the Democratic National Committee
 
Roll Call for Attendance
 
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (LOCAL)
 
Platform Committee Remarks
The Honorable Barbara Lee
Member of the US House of Representatives, California
Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy (Retired)
First woman to reach rank of three-star general in the US Army
 
Platform Video and Remarks
The Honorable Cory A. Booker
Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
 
Remarks
The Honorable Bev Perdue
Governor of North Carolina
 
American Hero Video: Education
 
American Voices Remarks
Ryan Case
 
Remarks
Mary Kay Henry
International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
 
 
Remarks from Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Honorable Charles Gonzalez
Member of the US House of Representatives, Texas
Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
 
Remarks
The Honorable Pat Quinn
Governor of Illinois
 
Remarks
Doug Stern
Cincinnati, Ohio Firefighter
 
Remarks
The Honorable Tim Kaine
Candidate for the US Senate, Virginia
Former Governor of Virginia
Former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
 
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL)
 
Remarks
The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx
Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
The Honorable Harry Reid
Democratic Majority Leader and Member of the US Senate, Nevada
 
An Economy Built to Last Video: Education
 
Women of the US House of Representatives
 
Remarks
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader and Member of the US House of Representatives, California
The Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro
Member of the US House of Representatives, Connecticut
The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
The Honorable Allyson Schwartz
Member of the US House of Representatives, Pennsylvania
The Honorable Gwen Moore
Member of the US House of Representatives, Wisconsin
The Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
Tulsi Gabbard
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Hawaii
Joyce Beatty
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Ohio
 
Jimmy Carter Video
 
Remarks
The Honorable Ken Salazar
 
Kennedy Family Tribute Video
 
Remarks
Joe Kennedy III
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Massachusetts
 
Live Performance
Ledisi
Singer/Songwriter
 
Remarks
The Honorable Robert Wexler
President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace
Former Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
 
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (LOCAL)
 
Remarks
The Honorable R.T. Rybak
Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Honorable Jared Polis
Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado
 
Stronger Together Video: Reproductive Choice
 
American Voices Remarks
Maria Ciano
 
Remarks
Nancy Keenan
President of the National Abortion Rights Action League - Pro-Choice America (NARAL)
 
Progress for People Video: American Veterans
 
American Voices Remarks
Nate Davis
 
Remarks
The Honorable Tammy Duckworth
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Illinois
Former Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
The Honorable Lincoln Chafee
Governor of Rhode Island
The Honorable James E. Clyburn
Assistant Democratic Leader and Member of the US House of Representatives, South Carolina
 
Progress for People Video: Health Care
 
American Voices Remarks
Stacey Lihn
 
Remarks
The Honorable Xavier Becerra
Democratic Caucus Vice Chair and Member of the US House of Representatives, California
 
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM (LOCAL)
 
The Honorable Ted Strickland
Former Governor of Ohio
The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
The Honorable Rahm Emanuel
Mayor of Chicago, Illinois
Former White House Chief of Staff
 
Remarks
Kal Penn
Actor/Producer
Former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
 
Remarks
Craig Robinson and Maya Soetoro-ng
Brother of Mrs. Obama and Sister of President Obama
 
Stronger Together Video: Equal Pay
 
Remarks
Lilly Ledbetter
Women’s Equality Leader and Namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
The Honorable Deval Patrick
Governor of Massachusetts
 
10:00 PM – 11:00 PM (LOCAL)
 
The Honorable Martin O’Malley
Governor of Maryland
 
Introduction of Keynote Speaker Julián Castro
Joaquin Castro
Brother of Mayor Julián Castro
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Texas
  
Keynote Address
The Honorable Julián Castro
Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
 
Michelle Obama Video and Remarks
Elaine Brye
 
Remarks
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States
 
Benediction
Jena Lee Nardella
Founder and Executive Director of Blood: Water Mission
 
Recess

Democratic National Committee Releases 2012 Democratic Party Platform

Democratic Party Releases 2012 Platform

Charlotte, NC— Today the Democratic National Committee announced that it has posted online the 2012 Democratic Party Platform, which will be officially adopted by the Delegates to the Convention tomorrow, Tuesday, September 4.  The Party Platform articulates clearly President Obama’s vision for moving our country forward by restoring economic security and building an economy that is built to last. 

The Democratic Party Platform reflects President Obama’s vision for the future. Meanwhile, the Republican Party, led by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, approved a platform that supports the same top-down economic policies that hurt the middle class and embraces extreme positions on issues and policies from Medicare to immigration to women’s health.

In July, the Platform Drafting Committee, chaired by former Governor Ted Strickland, met in Minneapolis to receive input from the public and to write the first draft of the Platform. Then on August 11, members of the Platform Committee, chaired by Mayor Cory Booker and retired Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, met in Detroit. At the Platform Committee Meeting in Detroit, committee members submitted amendments to the draft Platform before unanimously approving the draft and sending it to Charlotte for the vote by delegates tomorrow.

You can read the Democratic Platform HERE.

Below please find excerpts from the Preamble of the Platform, which lays out the President’s vision for our country.

Moving America Forward

“Four years ago, Democrats, independents, and many Republicans came together as Americans to move our country forward. We were in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the previous administration had put two wars on our nation's credit card, and the American Dream had slipped out of reach for too many.

“Today, our economy is growing again, al-Qaeda is weaker than at any point since 9/11, and our manufacturing sector is growing for the first time in more than a decade. But there is more we need to do, and so we come together again to continue what we started. We gather to reclaim the basic bargain that built the largest middle class and the most prosperous nation on Earth - the simple principle that in America, hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded, and each one of us should be able to go as far as our talent and drive take us.

“This election is not simply a choice between two candidates or two political parties, but between two fundamentally different paths for our country and our families.

“We Democrats offer America the opportunity to move our country forward by creating an economy built to last and built from the middle out. Mitt Romney and the Republican Party have a drastically different vision. They still believe the best way to grow the economy is from the top down - the same approach that benefited the wealthy few but crashed the economy and crushed the middle class…

“The Republican Party has turned its back on the middle class Americans who built this country. Our opponents believe we should go back to the top-down economic policies of the last decade. They
think that if we simply eliminate protections for families and consumers, let Wall Street write its own rules again, and cut taxes for the wealthiest, the market will solve all our problems on its own. They argue that if we help corporations and wealthy investors maximize their profits by whatever means necessary, whether through layoffs or outsourcing, it will automatically translate into jobs and prosperity that benefits us all. They would repeal health reform, turn Medicare into a voucher program, and follow the same path of fiscal irresponsibility of the past administration - giving trillions of dollars in tax cuts weighted towards millionaires and billionaires while sticking the middle class with the bill. But we've tried their policies - and we've all suffered when they failed…

“The problems we're facing right now have been more than a decade in the making. We are the party of inclusion and respect differences of perspective and belief. And so, even when we disagree, we work together to move this country forward. But what is holding our nation back is a stalemate in Washington between two fundamentally different views of which direction America should take.

“We must keep moving forward and doing the hard work of rebuilding a strong economy by betting on the American worker and investing in a growing middle class.”