2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Remarks by Rick Berg, U.S. Representative from North Dakota at the 2012 Republican National Convention

The Hon. Rick Berg, U.S. Representative from North Dakota

(Remarks as Prepared for Delivery)
August 28, 2012

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and delegates,

It is a privilege to share with you North Dakota's success story and to voice my support for our
next President, Mitt Romney.

President Obama has put America on the wrong track, but my home state, North Dakota, shows a
different way forward.

We have less than 3% unemployment, rising salaries, and a budget surplus.

Mr. President, if you're still looking for an example where the private sector is actually doing
fine, you can look to North Dakota.

That is because we don't burden our job creators with red tape.

We understand - just like Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan - that small businesses are the engines of
our economy, so we get government out of their way and let entrepreneurs build their businesses.

We trust the individual - not big government - to make decisions about their money, families,
and opportunities.

This is the North Dakota way.

And it works.

Mitt Romney shares an understanding of the solutions North Dakota has developed and is
prepared to lead where President Obama has left broken promises.

With Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in the White House and a Republican majority in the Senate,
our North Dakota way can be the American way.

Thank you and God Bless.

Remarks by Reince Priebus, Chairman, Republican National Committee at 2012 Republican National Convention

Reince Priebus, Chairman, Republican National Committee

(Remarks as Prepared for Delivery)
August 28, 2012

Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Republicans, it is my distinct honor to welcome you to the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Here we will nominate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to be the next President and Vice President of the United States of America!

But first I would like to offer our thoughts and prayers for the safety of all those in the pathway of the hurricane.

On behalf of our party, let me extend our sincere gratitude to the people of Tampa. We're just thrilled to be here-and humbled by your hospitality.

Thanks to the tireless work of our convention staff and volunteers, this will be an inspiring three days-a convention truly worthy of the next President of the United States.

From this stage, we'll hear from some of our party's most inspiring leaders. With us and with the entire country, they will share their stories and our vision for a better future.

We have a message for America: Elect Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, and they will get this country working again. We will restore the idea that every person in America can live the American Dream. We embrace success, and we want everyone to be successful.

As we gather here, the nation we love is a country in turmoil. Twenty-three million of our fellow Americans are struggling for work. Families are hurting. Wages are shrinking. The debt is rising. And just to make sure no one forgets that, we've installed two big debt clocks to remind America of Obama's fiscal recklessness.

We've seen what Obama and Biden offer. It looks nothing like hope or change. Give them another term, and we'll just get four more years of failure.

But with Mitt Romney's experience and Paul Ryan's expertise, we can expect great things from a Romney-Ryan administration.

We must send America's comeback team to Washington, so the middle class can thrive-and wages can rise-and our children can succeed once again.

Republicans believe American greatness comes from the American people-not from the federal government.

But Barack Obama thinks the government is at the center of the economic universe. He thinks that if you started a business, "You didn't build that."

Well, how would he know? President Obama's never run a company. He hasn't even run a garage sale or seen the inside of a lemonade stand. So it's time for a President with real experience in the real economy.

Mitt Romney will be that President.

Barack Obama and his party may be satisfied with attacking the American Dream.

But Republicans won't be satisfied until we've rebuilt the American Dream.

We will fight for a future where government spends tax dollars wisely. Where every American has the education needed to succeed. Where energy is affordable because America is energy independent, and where the middle class is growing because incomes are rising.

We invite all Americans who believe our children deserve this better future to join with us. A victory for the Romney-Ryan ticket is not merely a Republican victory. It is a victory for America.

So welcome to Tampa, to our convention, and to the beginning of a better future.

Thank you and God Bless you. Let's have a great week.

The 2012 Republican National Convention Releases Speech Excerpts of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's Prepared Remarks

Republican National Convention Releases Governor McDonnell Speech Excerpts

Tampa, Fla. - The 2012 Republican National Convention released the following excerpts of
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's prepared remarks to be delivered to the convention today,
August 28.

"The times call for new leadership to get this great nation out of debt and back to work.

The choice is clear: the status quo of the entitlement society, or dynamic change to an
opportunity society.

We need a President who will say to a small businesswoman: congratulations, we
applaud your success, you did make that happen, you did build that!

Big government didn't build America: You built America!

Small businesses don't come out of Washington D.C. pre-made on flat bed trucks.

That coffee shop in Henrico; that florist in Virginia Beach....that bakery in
Radford...they were all built by entrepreneurial Americans with big dreams....not a big
spending government with a wide open wallet full of other people's money!"

...

"Conservative fiscal policies are working, and so are more Americans in states with
Republican governors.

Now, just think what we can do if we had a President who would support us, not obstruct
us.

Someone who has created jobs in the private sector, who understands the economy, and
who has actually balanced a budget....or heck, for that matter, who has actually passed a
budget!

We need President Mitt Romney!

When Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan get to work with Susana Martinez...Scott
Walker...John Kasich ....Terry Branstad and governors from both parties across this
country, we will get people back to work!"

Remarks by Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day

Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day
(Remarks as Prepared for Delivery)
August 28, 2012

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Welcome everyone to my home State of Florida!

We are honored to host you and I am honored to serve as the RNC Co-Chair.

Every election we hear that this is the most important election of our lifetime. This election is more than that. It is the most important election in our nation's lifetime.

In 1775 our Founding Fathers rose up to establish our liberty. Today, we need to defeat a President whose actions threaten our liberty!

In this way, we are in a similar position as our Founding Fathers. Just as they were called upon, we are being called upon. What they started, what they believed in, we must defend!

The danger for America is already here, in the form of the Democratic leaders in Washington.

We have a Democrat Senate leader who refuses to meet his moral obligation to pass a budget for the government.

We have a Democrat House leader that wouldn't allow a major piece of legislation-Obama Care-to be read before it was passed. She stated to the world, and I quote "We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it."

We have a President that has bypassed the Senate confirmation process in order to appoint unaccountable czars to make and enforce policies on America's citizens.

A President that by executive action has changed immigration laws, imposed unconstitutional burdens on our states, and issued over-reaching regulations.

We know the problem, America-their names are Obama - Biden - Reid - Pelosi - Holder. What they have done-and will continue to do, should Obama be re-elected-runs contrary to the values we believe in and the principles we stand for.

It is our duty, as citizen activists, of this great Republican Party, to fight to restore the values of our Founding Fathers.

My fellow members, this fight is not just about an election, and it is not about our party.

Our fight is about our country, and we must not lose!

Our Founding Fathers made huge personal sacrifices for what they believed in. The time is now for us to do the same!

I am a proud grassroots activist, one of many in my state and countless others from across the country.

Today we need as many grassroots activists from all walks of life and throughout this great nation to stand with us.

The sacrifices we need to make are nothing compared to the sacrifices our children and our grandchildren will face if we don't take back our country on November 6th.

We must take this election house-by-house, precinct-by-precinct, city-by-city, state-by-state, to bring our proud conservative message of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to every voter.

When we leave Florida in a few days, let's commit ourselves to give all that we can to help the Romney/Ryan ticket.

Together, let's make history. Together, let's defeat Barack Obama.

Together, let's save our country for the next generation.

Thank you. God bless each of you. God bless our proud military and their families and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by John Archer, Congressional Candidate, 2nd District of Iowa

John Archer, Congressional Candidate, 2nd District of Iowa
(Remarks as Prepared for Delivery)
August 28, 2012

Greetings to the Iowa delegation and all the great people in the state of Iowa!

Hope and change were elected four years ago, and where has that gotten us?

We have more debt -- almost 16 trillion in debt. This White House believes in a tax and spend philosophy.

We have more doubt -- families don't know how much Obamacare will cost them, and businesses don't know what new regulations will burden them.

We have more despair -- for 42 months, unemployment has been above 8 percent. We keep waiting for it to improve -- and waiting and waiting and waiting.

We don't have to wait any more: We can do better! And we'll do it by talking honestly about the issues.

As we have in Iowa this year, we will continue to talk about big ideas this week:

We'll talk about a balanced budget -- we can do better.

We'll talk about tax relief for working families -- we can do better.

We'll talk about stopping the regulatory attack on farmers and small businesses -- we can do better.

We'll talk about protecting Medicare and Social Security for this generation of seniors and the next -- we can do better.

And we'll talk about getting government out from in-between patients and their doctors by repealing Obamacare -- we can do better.

And we will do better in Iowa and across this great nation by electing Mitt Romney and Paul
Ryan as the next President and Vice President of the United States this November!

Thank you, and God bless Iowa and this great nation!

Barack Obama Iowa State College Tour Photos, Ames, Iowa, August 28, 2012 Part 2 of 2

Barack Obama Iowa State College Tour Photos, Ames, Iowa, August 28, 2012 Part 1 of 2

Obama Campaign to Kick Off “Road to Charlotte” Tours Next Week

Obama Campaign to Kick Off “Road to Charlotte” Tours Next Week

President and Vice President to Celebrate “American Heroes”

CHICAGO -- Obama for America announced today that President Obama and Vice President Biden will hold campaign events across the country next week as part of their “Road to Charlotte” tours leading up to the Democratic National Convention. On the tours, the President and Vice President will be joined by different “American Heroes” – people who have shown grit and determination in overcoming obstacles, highlight the progress we’ve made together in rebuilding our economy, and demonstrate the American values of hard work and responsibility that make our country great. In addition to sharing their stories with the President and Vice President in their home states, some will also share their stories at the Democratic National Convention.

On the “Road to Charlotte” tours, the President and Vice President will continue to 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, or going back to the same top-down economic policies of the last decade that crashed our economy and punished the middle class. The “American Heroes” that will join the President and Vice President exemplify the importance of this choice and they understand why our economy needs to be built from the middle out, not the top down.

On Saturday, September 1, the President will kick off his “Road to Charlotte” tour in Des Moines, Iowa before traveling across the state to Sioux City.

On Sunday, September 2, the President will then campaign in Boulder, Colorado. On the following day, Monday, September 3, the President will travel to Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio for campaign events. And on Tuesday, September 4, the President will campaign in Norfolk, Virginia.

On Sunday, September 2, Vice President Biden will campaign in the York, Pennsylvania region in addition to Green Bay, Wisconsin. From there, the Vice President will travel to Detroit, Michigan on Monday, September 3.

Additional details on President Obama and Vice President Biden’s campaign events are forthcoming.

Romney for President Releases Television Ad, "Juntos"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT RELEASES TELEVISION AD, “JUNTOS”

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President released a new television advertisement titled “Juntos.” The ad features Governor Romney sharing his concerns about the direction President Obama is taking the country and the adverse impact it’s had on Hispanics. Governor Romney goes on to lay out his vision for strengthening our country’s entrepreneurial spirit, creating good paying jobs and reviving the American Dream.

AD FACTS: Script of “Juntos”:

VIDEO TEXT: “Un Mensaje De Mitt Romney [A Message From Mitt Romney]”

MITT ROMNEY: “I want to share with you why I want be your President. I believe in the promise of America: that with hard work anything is possible regardless of where we come from. But in the last four years, we've seen that promise fade away. Hispanics are hurting, with so many unemployed, and those who are working, are having to do more with less. Families are struggling to save their homes and businesses, they’ve been forced to use their hard-earned savings to pay bills. Can we endure four more years of this poor economy? You deserve better. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must do better. I know how to revive the American Dream. I will not let you down. I will work tirelessly to create more good paying jobs; to reform the education system; and to lower taxes. Juntos [Together] we can revive the American Dream.”

MITT ROMNEY: “I’m Mitt Romney, and I approve this message.”

ROMNEY PARA PRESIDENT LANZA ANUNCIO DE  TELEVISIóN AD, “JUNTOS”

Boston, MA – Romney para Presidente hoy lanzó un nuevo anuncio de televisión titulado “Juntos”. El Gobernador Romney aparece en el anuncio hablando sobre su preocupación con respecto a la dirección en la cual el presidente Obama está llevando al país y el impacto adverso que esto ha tenido en la vida de los hispanos. En el anuncio, el Gobernador Romney también presenta su visión para fortalecer el espíritu empresarial de nuestro país, crear buenos empleos y revivir el sueño americano.

Guión de “Juntos”:

TEXTO DEL VIDEO: “Un Mansaje De Mitt Romney”

MITT ROMNEY: “Quiero compartir con ustedes porque quiero ser su presidente.  Yo creo en la promesa de los Estados Unidos: que trabajando duro todo es posible, sin importar de donde venimos.  Pero en los últimos cuatro años hemos visto esa promesa desvanecerse.  Los hispanos están sufriendo, muchos están desempleados, y quienes tienen trabajo, tienen que hacer más con menos.  Muchas familias están luchando para salvar sus casas y negocios, teniendo que utilizar sus ahorros para cubrir los gastos. ¿Podremos soportar cuatro años más de esta mala economía?  Ustedes merecen algo mejor.  Por el bien de nuestros hijos y nietos, tenemos que hacerlo mejor.  Yo se lo que hay que hacer para revivir el sueño americano.  No los voy a defraudar. Voy a trabajar incansablemente para crear más empleos y mejores sueldos; para reformar el sistema de la educación; y para rebajar los impuestos. Juntos podemos revivir el sueño americano”.

MITT ROMNEY: “Soy Mitt Romney y apruebo este mensaje”.

Federal Election Commission Certifies Federal Matching Funds for Jill Stein for President

Federal Election Commission Certifies Federal Matching Funds for Jill Stein for President 08/28/2012 11:09 AM EDT

WASHINGTON - The Federal Election Commission has declared Jill Stein for President eligible to receive federal matching funds and certified a payment of $100,000 for the 2012 primary election.