2004 Presidential Campaign Blog

George W. Bush Minneapolis Victory 2004 Rally

President George W. Bush attended a Victory 2004 Rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 30, 2004.

Before the President arrived, Senator Norm Coleman held up a copy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press showing the paper's endorsement of the President for re-election. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty held up and turned upside down a large maroon and gold flag with the University's "M" which he said meant Minnesota stood for "W." Brock Lesnar also spoke and endorsed the President.

The crowd estimated at over 20,000 cheered loudly when the large video screen on the scoreboard showed the President and First Lady Laura Bush arriving on Air Force One.

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice introduced President Bush and presented him with a personalized Vikings jersey with the number 1 on the back. With only days before the election President Bush thanked everyone for coming and said "We are here to ask for your vote. We are here to ask for your help."

The President closed with these words "When I campaigned across this state four years ago, I made this pledge that if I got elected, I would uphold the honor and the dignity of the office to which I had been elected. With your help, with your hard work, I will do so for four more years. God bless. Thank you all for coming." Continuing with that theme, the closing song for the event was Ricky Martin's "The Cup of Life," which was used during the 2000 campaign.

Photos Video

"Your Hands" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

NEW KERRY AD: “Soon the Campaign Will End and the Election Will be in Your Hands”

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign today released the new television ad “Your Hands.” With the campaign in the closing days, the 30-second spot sums up the choice for voters on November 2nd, urging those who want a fresh start in Iraq and a president who fights for the middle-class at home to vote Kerry.

“Your Hands” will air in several battleground states beginning today and throughout the weekend. It can be viewed online at: www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Your Hands”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/28/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

JOHN KERRY: “Soon the campaign will end, and the election will be in your hands.”
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe we need a fresh start in Iraq…
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe we can create and keep jobs here in America…
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe we need to get health care costs under control…”
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe in the promise of stem cell research…”
JOHN KERRY: “If you believe our deficits are too high…”
JOHN KERRY: “…and we’re too dependent on Mideast oil…”
JOHN KERRY: “…then I hope you’ll join me, and together, we’ll change America.  I’m John Kerry and I approve this message.”

"Heroes" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Honors America’s Troops

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign Wednesday announced the television ad “Heroes.” With the president sidestepping important questions about missing explosives in Iraq and choosing instead to play politics, the thirty-second spot thanks America’s soldiers and families for their sacrifice and stresses John Kerry’s commitment to always support our troops.  John Kerry believes that we can honor our troops at the same time as changing our direction in Iraq.   

“Heroes” can be viewed online at: www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Heroes”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/27/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

NARRATOR: “Our soldiers fighting in Iraq are heroes, their families have earned our thanks and our support.  As we see the deepening crisis and chaos in Iraq, as we choose a new commander-in-chief and a fresh start, we will always support and honor those who serve.  Strength.  Courage.  Patriotism.” 

CHYRON: “Thank you.”

JOHN KERRY: “I'm John Kerry and I approve this message.”

"Whatever It Takes" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "Whatever It Takes"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Whatever It Takes."  The ad features the President discussing his resolve to win the War on Terror.      

Script For "Whatever It Takes"

President Bush:

These four years have brought moments I could not foresee and will not forget. I’ve learned first hand that ordering Americans into battle is the hardest decision, even when it is right. I have returned the salute of wounded soldiers who say they were just doing their job. I have held the children of the fallen who are told their dad or mom is a hero but would rather just have their mom or dad. I’ve met with the parents and wives and husbands who have received a folded flag. And in those military families, I have seen the character of a great nation. Because of your service and sacrifice, we are defeating the terrorists where they live and plan and you’re making America safer. I will never relent in defending America, whatever it takes.

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

"Obligation" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad on Bush Failure to Secure Explosives /Misjudgments that Have Made America Less Secure

Washington, DC – The Kerry-Edwards campaign released the new television ad “Obligation” Tuesday. Emphasizing that it is the obligation of a Commander-in-Chief to keep our country safe, the 30-second television spot focuses on George W. Bush’s misjudgments that have put our soldiers at risk and made America less secure, including his failure to secure 380 tons of explosives in Iraq.

“Obligation” will run in markets that Bush campaigns in this week. It can be viewed online at: www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Obligation”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/26/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

JOHN KERRY: “The obligation of a Commander in Chief is to keep our country safe.  In Iraq, George Bush has overextended our troops…”
VISUAL: John Kerry.
JOHN KERRY: “…and now failed to secure 380 tons of deadly explosives.” 
VISUAL: New York Times article headlined “Huge Cache of Explosives Vanished from Site in Iraq,” Source: New York Times, October 25, 2004
JOHN KERRY: “The kind used for attacks in Iraq, and for terrorist bombings.”
VISUAL: “Iraq insurgents may have missing explosives cache” Source: WCNC, Charlotte, NC, October 25, 2004
JOHN KERRY: “His Iraq misjudgments put our soldiers at risk, and make our country less secure.  And all he offers is more of the same.  As President, I’ll bring a fresh start to protect our troops and our nation.  I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.
VISUAL: John Kerry.  Approved by John Kerry & Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

John Edwards "Fresh Start for America" Rally

On Tuesday, October 26, 2004, actor Ashton Kutcher, musician Max Weinberg, Chris Heinz and Andre Heinz joined Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards for a “Fresh Start for America” rally at the University of Minnesota’s Sports Pavilion in the Twin Cities.

"The Choice" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "The Choice"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "The Choice."  The ad discusses the choice voters face on the War on Terror, tax relief, health care and Social Security.  The ad will begin running tomorrow on national cable and in select local markets.      

Script For "The Choice"

Voice Over:
When it’s finally quiet, here’s the choice:
President Bush and Congressional allies:
- strong leadership to protect America
- tax relief
- common sense healthcare
- strengthen and protect Social Security
John Kerry and liberal allies:
- higher taxes
- voting to tax Social Security benefits
- government-run healthcare
- a record of slashing intelligence and
- reckless defense cuts
Alone in the booth…why take the risk?

President Bush:
I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

"Protect" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

Kerry Campaign Unveils New Response Ad “Protect”

Washington, DC -  The Kerry-Edwards campaign responded to the latest desperate attack ad from the Bush-Cheney campaign today with the new ad “Protect.” The ad features John Kerry talking about his plan to make America safer at home and respected in the world.

“Protect: can be viewed online at www.johnkerry.com

Title: “Protect”
Type:  :30 TV
Date:   10/22/04
Paid for By: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

AD SCRIPT

JOHN KERRY:  “To make America safer, we can no longer go it alone in the world.  We need to move in a new direction.  When it comes to protecting our nation, I will stop at nothing to find and kill the terrorists.  If I'm president, America will always have the strongest military.  But I will return our foreign policy to the values that have always earned us the respect of the world.  I'm John Kerry and I approve this message because to be safer at home, America must be respected in the world.”

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New TV Ad, "Wolves"

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "Wolves"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Wolves."  The ad notes that just one year after the first World Trade Center bombing, John Kerry and the liberals in Congress voted to slash America's intelligence operations by $6 billion across the board, cuts so deep they would have weakened America’s defenses.  The ad will begin running today on national cable and in select local markets.      

Script For "Wolves"

Voice Over:
In an increasingly dangerous world… Even after the first terrorist attack on America… John Kerry and the liberals in Congress voted to slash America’s intelligence operations. By 6 billion dollars… Cuts so deep they would have weakened America’s defenses. And weakness attracts those who are waiting to do America harm.

President Bush:
I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

Kerry Campaign Statement on New Bush Ad “Wolves”

Washington, DC - Statement by Kerry Edwards 2004 on the new Bush campaign ad “Wolves”:

“Instead of giving voters even one good reason to vote for him, George W. Bush has chosen to scare the American people with images of wolves.  In three debates, voters saw for themselves the kind of strong and principled leader John Kerry will be.  He is a leader who will wage a tougher, smarter war against terror, and fight here at home to strengthen the middle class.”

John Kerry "Fresh Start for America” Rally

John Kerry returned to the Gopher State Thursday, October 21 for a “Fresh Start for America Rally”  in front of a record breaking 30,000-plus supporters in Minneapolis.

The rally took place outside the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on the east side in the parking lot located at South 5th Street and South 11th Avenue.