2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Troop Funding"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "TROOP FUNDING"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "Troop Funding." The ad highlights Barack Obama's record of failing to call a single oversight hearing on NATO's mission in Afghanistan, failing to visit our troops on the ground in Iraq for over 900 days and failing to support our troops when he voted against critical funding in 2007. The ad will air on national cable and in key states.

Script For "Troop Funding" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.

He hasn't been to Iraq in years.

He voted against funding our troops.

Positions that helped him win his nomination. Now Obama is changing to help himself become president.

John McCain has always supported our troops and the surge that's working.

McCain. Country first.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

AD FACTS: Script For "Troop Funding" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.

· Barack Obama: "I became Chairman of this committee at the beginning of this campaign, at the beginning of 2007. So it is true that we haven't had oversight hearings on Afghanistan." (MSNBC Democratic Presidential Debate, 2/26/08)

ANNCR: He hasn't been to Iraq in years.

· Barack Obama Has Not Been To Iraq Since January 2006. "The fact that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama hasn't visited Iraq since January 2006 well before the troop surge has become a spirited campaign issue. On the home page of the Republican National Committee a live streamer lists the days, hours, minutes and seconds since Obama's only trip to Iraq. His lack of a recent firsthand view means he "has no credibility discussing the future of Iraq," says Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan." (Philip Dine, "Obama Takes Heat On Lack Of Iraq Trips," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 6/15/08)

· Barack Obama Has Been To Iraq Once -- In January 2006. "Obama, the nation's only black senator, met with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Saturday. He said before his two-day trip to Iraq that he wanted to ask U.S. Commanders for a realistic time frame on bringing troops home." (Jason Straziuso, "U.S. Senate's Only Black Member Says Minorities Must Be More Involved In Iraq's Government," The Associated Press, 1/7/06)

ANNCR: He voted against funding our troops.

· Barack Obama Voted Against Providing $94.4 Billion In Critical Funding For The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)

ANNCR: Positions that helped him win his nomination. Now Obama is changing to help himself become president. John McCain has always supported our troops and the surge that's working. McCain. Country first.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

JOHN MCCAIN'S PLAN TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOBILE SECTOR

JOHN MCCAIN'S PLAN TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOBILE SECTOR

"The visit highlights the ingenuity of America's workers and John McCain's innovative approach to solving our energy needs that his energy plan, the Lexington Project, will encourage." -- Taylor Griffin, McCain spokesman

Today, John McCain Addresses His Plan For Creating Jobs And Ensuring America's Energy Independence. At the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, where GM is developing the Chevy Volt -- the next generation of electric vehicle -- John McCain highlighted how his Lexington Project will encourage ingenuity in America's automobile industry.

John McCain Has Outlined A Clean Car Challenge That Will Increase Access To Zero Emission Cars. John McCain will issue a Clean Car Challenge to the automakers of America, in the form of a single and substantial tax credit for the consumer based on the reduction of carbon emissions. He will commit a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys a zero carbon emission car, encouraging automakers to be first on the market with these cars in order to capitalize on the consumer incentives. For other vehicles, a graduated tax credit will apply so that the lower the carbon emissions, the higher the tax credit.

John McCain Has Proposed A $300 Million Prize To Improve Battery Technology For Full Commercial Development Of Plug-In Hybrid And Fully Electric Automobiles. A $300 million prize should be awarded for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars. That battery should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs. At $300 million, the prize is one dollar for every man, woman and child in this country -- and a small price to pay for breaking our dependence on oil.

John McCain Supports Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) And Believes They Should Play A Greater Role In Our Transportation Sector. In just three years, Brazil went from new cars sales that were about 5 percent FFVs to over 70 percent of new vehicles that were FFVs. American automakers have committed to make 50 percent of their cars FFVs by 2012. John McCain calls on automakers to make a more rapid and complete switch to FFVs.

John McCain Believes Alcohol-Based Fuels Hold Great Promise As Both An Alternative To Gasoline And As A Means of Expanding Consumers' Choices. Some choices such as ethanol are on the market right now. The second generation of alcohol-based fuels like cellulosic ethanol, which won't compete with food crops, are showing great potential.

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "God's Children"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "GOD'S CHILDREN"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "God's Children." The ad features John McCain's remarks at a June 2007 debate in New Hampshire honoring the service and sacrifice of Hispanics in our Armed Forces. The ad will air in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

Script For "God's Children" (TV 1:00)

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, I want you the next time you're down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite. You'll find a whole lot of Hispanic names.

When you go to Iraq or Afghanistan today, you're going to see a whole lot of people who are of Hispanic background. You're even going to meet some of the few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country, who love this country so much that they're willing to risk their lives in its service in order to accelerate their path to citizenship and enjoy the bountiful, blessed nation.

So let's from time to time remember that these are God's children. They must come into country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them.

Thank you.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

John McCain Arriving At Minneapolis St. Paul Airport Photos

John McCain Minnesota MSP Airport Arrival Photos

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Love"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "LOVE"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "Love." The ad highlights John McCain's record of putting his country first and taking on the tough challenges confronting our country even when it was not popular or in his self-interest. The ad will air on national cable and in key states.

Script For "Love" (TV 1:00)

ANNCR: It was a time of uncertainty, hope and change. The "Summer Of Love."

Half a world away, another kind of love -- of country.

John McCain: Shot down. Bayoneted. Tortured.

Offered early release, he said, "No." He'd sworn an oath.

Home, he turned to public service.

His philosophy: before party, polls and self ... America.

A maverick, John McCain tackled campaign reform, military reform, spending reform.

He took on presidents, partisans and popular opinion.

He believes our world is dangerous, our economy in shambles.

John McCain doesn't always tell us what we "hope" to hear.

Beautiful words cannot make our lives better.

But a man who has always put his country and her people before self, before politics can.

Don't "hope" for a better life. Vote for one.

McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

Minnesota Small Business Leaders Endorse John McCain's Jobs for America Economic Plan

Minnesota Small Business Leaders Endorse John McCain's Jobs for America Economic Plan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced its Minnesota Small Business Leaders for McCain coalition chairs. Today several metro area small business owners endorsed John McCain's economic plan, joining business leaders across the country who have praised John McCain's jobs-first plan to grow the economy as president.

"John McCain is committed to holding the line on taxes and keeping regulations simple," said Paul Burke, who owns and operates Mike's Clean Sweep, a Minnesota-based industrial cleanup company. "He knows that the key to growing jobs and turning our economy around is not to stifle small business, but to promote it."

Burke joined with fellow small business people and entrepreneurs in Minnesota, many of whom spoke about current economic challenges to their businesses, and discussed their strong belief that John McCain's jobs first plan shows the right vision and approach to the U.S. economy and American jobs.

"Higher taxes would be terrible for small businesses," said Nkajlo Vangh, President of the Hmong American Federal Credit Union. "John McCain's support of lower taxes makes him the best choice to lead this country forward."

Today in Denver, Colorado, John McCain announced his Jobs for America economic plan, kicking off a week of events focusing on his jobs-first proposal in critical battleground states.

SMALL BUSINESS LEADERS FOR MCCAIN

Co-Chairs, Paul and Pam Burke -- Owners, Mike's Clean Sweep
Co-Chair, Nkajlo Vangh -- President, Hmong American Federal Credit Union
Co-Chair, Dirk Bak -- CEO, SDQ, Ltd.
Co-Chair, Steve Williams -- Owner, Bobby and Steve's Auto World
Richard Aguilar -- CEO, Aguilar Productions
Jon Ball -- Detailing Group
Kirstin and Mike Beach -- Beach Expeditions
Dick Pellow -- All State Salvage
Ron Zenk -- CEO, Humanetics
Mike Hickey -- Mike Hickey and Associates
Greg Frankenfield -- Magenic
Joan Thompson -- CFO, Minnesota Wire
Steven Langsdale -- Mohawk Moving & Storage
Greg Merz -- President, GTM Consulting Inc.
Martin Mohamed -- African Chamber of Commerce
Sheldon Anderson -- Capital Investigation & Security
Joe Swanson -- Lighthouse Financial Marketing Services
Max Pizano -- Pizano Insurance Agency

John McCain Returns To Wisconsin For A Town Hall Meeting On Friday, July 11th In Hudson

John McCain returns to Wisconsin for a Town Hall Meeting on Friday, July 11th in Hudson.

July 11th - Women's Town Hall Meeting in Hudson, WI

Town Hall Meeting (Women's Town Hall)
Doors open at 10:00am
J & L Steel Erectors
2365 Willis Miller Drive
Hudson, WI 54016

John McCain 2008 Launches New Spanish Radio Ad: "Colombia Trade"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW SPANISH RADIO AD: "COLOMBIA TRADE"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released a new Spanish radio ad, called "Colombia Trade." The ad features Tony Villamil, the ex-director of Tourism, Commerce and Economic Affairs of Florida, speaking about the importance of trade and John McCain's support for the Colombia Free Trade Agreement which will open an important foreign market to American goods and create jobs here at home. The radio ad will air in Florida.

English Script For "Colombia Trade" (Radio:60)

TONY VILLAMIL: This is Tony Villamil speaking, ex-director of Tourism, Commerce and Economic Affairs of Florida.

When it comes to a strong economy for our state, commercial trade with Latin America is crucial. Three quarters of Florida's exports are with Latin America, and the Colombian Free Trade Agreement would create even more opportunity.

In this election, there are some that talk about revising the Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada and oppose the Agreement with Colombia. This would hurt our economic future.

Last year Florida's exports to Latin America reached almost $45 billion dollars. Colombia is Florida's third most important export market and this trade agreement would create almost 5,000 new jobs

John McCain supports the Colombian Agreement, knows about our alliances with our hemisphere and understands our economy grows thanks to trade.

Remember who stands for prosperity in Florida, our country and our hemisphere. His name is John McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

ANNCR: Paid for by John McCain 2008.

Spanish Script For "Colombia Trade" (Radio:60)

TONY VILLAMIL: Les habla Tony Villamil, ex-director de Turismo, Comercio y Economia de la Florida.

Para una economia fuerte en nuestro Estado, el comercio con Latinoamerica es crucial. Tres cuartas partes de nuestras exportaciones van hacia Latinoamerica y el Tratado de Libre Comercio con Colombia crearia aun mas oportunidades.

En esta eleccion algunos hablan de revisar el Tratado de Libre Comercio con Mexico y Canada y se oponen al tratado con Colombia. Esto danaria nuestro futuro economico.

El ano pasado las exportaciones de la Florida a Latinoamerica fueron de casi $45 billones de dolares. Colombia es nuestro tercer mercado mas importante y este acuerdo crearia unos 5,000 nuevos empleos.

John McCain apoya el tratado con Colombia, conoce las relaciones con nuestro hemisferio y entiende que nuestra economia crece gracias al comercio.

Recuerden quien esta a favor de la prosperidad de la Florida, de nuestro pais y de nuestro hemisferio. Su nombre es John McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

ANNCR: Paid for by John McCain 2008

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Purpose"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "PURPOSE"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "Purpose." The ad highlights the Lexington Project, John McCain's comprehensive plan to achieve strategic energy independence by 2025. The ad will air on national cable and in key battleground states.

Script For "Purpose" (TV:30)

ANNCR: American technology protected the world.

We went to the moon, not because it was easy, but because it was hard.

John McCain will call America to our next national purpose: Energy Security.

A comprehensive bipartisan plan to:

Lower prices at the pump.

Reduce dependence on foreign oil through domestic drilling.

And champion energy alternatives for better choices and lower costs.

Putting country first.

McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.