2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Mike Hatch Minnesota Governor Announcement

Mike Hatch announced his candidacy for Minnesota Governor at the Minnesota Nurses Association Centennial Celebration in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 24, 2005. Minnesota Attorney General Hatch spoke at a rally in support of Senator John Edwards, 2004 vice presidential candidate in Rosemount, Minnesota on August 13, 2004.

Jerry Brown 1992 Announcement

Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s Announcement Speech at Independence Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 21, 1991.

"We gather today at the most sacred site of American democracy. It was right here two centuries ago that our forebearers forged the miracle of America, and they called it "A New Order of the Ages."

In that hall, ordinary people not any different from you and me, struggled and argued and finally agreed on the ideas which make our government and the people of the United States stand apart from all others.

I have come here today because I care about my country and its future, and I care about the future of this earth on which we all depend.

I love being an American and I love the freedom and the creativity it makes possible.

I love the things which our democracy stands for--the ideals and truths which were worked out just a few feet away. These ideas have power and they are stirring the human imagination in Eastern Europe and Burma and the furthest reaches of Asia.

In that spirit, I am here in Philadelphia to stand as a candidate for President of the United States in 1992."

Full Speech Text

Political Wire Interviews John Edwards

Political Wire interviews John Edwards about today, 2004 and 2008.

PW: What was the biggest lesson you learned running for president in 2004?

JE: "First of all, it was an honor to be able to run for president and to meet so many wonderful people from all over the country..."

John McCain '08 Media Strategy

John Friedman's Article in Marketwatch concerning John McCain's '08 media strategy includes this quote about previous campaigns.

"McCain is realistic about the topsy-turvy nature of presidential politics, too much so to make any hard and fast predictions. Yes, he conceded, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton was indeed the "odds-on favorite" to seize the Democratic nomination in 2008. "But we all remember Ed Muskie and George Romney," he added, referring to two candidates who were heavily favored to lock up nominations from their parties in 1972 and 1968, respectively, but fell short in the end"

Governor George W. Bush 2000 Website Redesign

The George W. Bush Website was redesigned on this day in 1999.

Governor Bush Unveils Innovative New Website
AUSTIN, TX –Governor George W. Bush today launched an innovative new design for his presidential campaign website, www.georgewbush.com, that includes personalization, a Hispanic site, a special section for children and 50 individual state websites.
"The internet is an efficient and innovative way to reach people directly with information and issue positions," said Gov. Bush. "This new design allows individuals to personalize the website to their interests and to get the latest news about the campaign in both Spanish and English. I hope it will be a useful tool for people who are interested in learning more about my presidential campaign."
The redesigned site allows people to create a personalized page with news and information in which they are interested. For example, a voter from Virginia who is most interested in education and economic issues can create a home page that always contains the latest news on those issues, information about the campaign in Virginia and photos and details about the Governor’s travel to Virginia. After the individual site is created, it comes up on the screen each time the person logs in.
The new website also includes a comprehensive Hispanic site. This site provides information in Spanish including campaign speeches, positions on issues, news releases, and video testimonials of Hispanic supporters.
The Youth Zone portion of the website is designed to teach children more about the presidential election by using America’s game, baseball, as a kid-friendly reference point. Children can learn about the election process and see the differences and similarities between politics and baseball in a fun and appealing way.
The newly redesigned website also offers the following information and options:
• Campaign activities in each of the 50 states;
• Photos and details of Gov. Bush’s travel across the country to meet with voters;
• Text of Gov. Bush’s speeches, including a video link to view a speech;
• A photo journal of Gov. Bush’s life from his childhood in Midland, to the birth of his twin daughters to his work as the managing general partner of the Texas Rangers;
• The opportunity to sign up for volunteer activities;
• Information about Gov. Bush policy proposals.

Evan Bayh 2008 Bumper Sticker Slogan

Politcal Wire's "Quote of the Day" features Evan Bayh talking in the Des Moines Register about a possible 2008 bumper sticker slogan.

"The former Indiana governor has said he will make his official decision on whether to run for president after the 2006 elections. The Iowa caucuses are expected to lead off the presidential nominating process in 2008.

He joked about a bumper sticker that could play off his last name, pronounced "buy."

"I kind of like 'Bayh-partisan,' " he told Democrats at a lunch meeting in Des Moines."

This slogan was previously used by his father, Birch Bayh (candidate for president in 1976) on various state and national campaigns.

Dennis Kucinich 2004 Announcement

Dennis John Kucinich Formal Announcement Speech in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, October 13, 2003.

"Thank you for joining me for this important moment, not only for myself but for the Cleveland community. My brothers and sisters will remember this story. There is a fiery torch which lights the night skies over our beloved Cleveland. It rises from the furnace of a steel mill. I remember a time when that light played against the interior of our car. As a young child I pressed my face against the car window and watched as the flame reached up. It filled me with wonder, it gave me a spark of hope. It made me forget that my mom and dad, my brothers and sisters, all seven of us, were living in that car.

Light has the power to enkindle dreams. And though we lived in 21 different places by the time I was 17, including a couple of cars, I breathed in the image of blazing light and I breathe it out at this very moment.

The scriptures bid us to send forth our light and our truth and when children carry within their hearts the torch of hope, they learn the darkness yields not only to man-made fire, but to starlight, the rising sun, and to the light of the soul.

So I dedicate this day to the light bearers of today and tomorrow. The children who seek hope, who seek homes, who seek our help to be lifted up, to learn how to look for the light, how to read, how to dance, how to sing, how to play, how to love, how to summon from seemingly nothing the new realities which some call miracles. Miracles occur when our faith meets inner vision, where believing is seeing.

This moment, this moment, which evolved as the dream of an inner city child who once lived in a car, to become President of the United States celebrates not my potential but the creative potential of each and every child to be somebody, to be loved, to serve, to lead, to be carried into the myth and magic of the express power of the American Dream and our responsibility to make each child's dreams come true.

Cleveland is my home. Cleveland is where my heart resides. Cleveland is where my dreams started. Cleveland is where I've learned the lessons I want to share with every American: The lesson that one person can make a difference; the lesson that anyone can, and anyone should be able to rise from humble beginnings to lead a nation; the lesson that we can change the outcome; the lesson of the power of the human heart, and the power of the human spirit to transform the world. I have seen miracles. I have seen the people of Cleveland create miracles. During my career you have helped me to save a municipal electric system when it was already sold. You have helped me to keep hospitals open when they were already closed. You have helped me to save a steel mill, to help keep that bright light burning over the industrial valley when other communities' hopes were extinguished. Because of you, because of you, because of you, I know the power of hope, the power of optimism, the power of light!

So, by the lights which guided my grandfather to America; by the light still shining celebrating public power; by the lights which still emblazon the sky over Cleveland's steel valley, I stand here, ready to light up America. I am Dennis John Kucinich and I am running for President of the United States!"

Full Speech Text

George Bush 1988 Announcement

George Bush Announcement Speech in Houston, Texas on October 12, 1987

"I am here today to announce my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States. I mean to run hard, to fight hard, to stand on the issues -- and I mean to win.

For seven years, I have devoted myself, as a Vice President should and must, to helping a President conduct the most difficult job on earth. The President asked for, and received, my candor he never asked for, but received, my loyalty. I had much to say to him, and I spoke with trust. But now I am a candidate for President, and now it is my responsibility to turn to the American people and share with them my hopes and intentions, and why I wish to lead.

I am following a great Presidency -- and a great President. Ronald Reagan returned dignity and good sense to the high office he holds. Seven years ago, a nation that needed to trust again turned to him -- and refound its spirit. I am proud to have been his partner; I am proud to have been part of his great work. 

For seven years now, I have been with a President -- and I have seen what crosses that big desk. I have seen the unexpected crises that arrive in an urgent cable; I have seen the problems that simmer on for decades and suddenly demand a resolution. I have seen modest decisions made with anguish, and crucial decisions made with dispatch.

The Presidency isn't like anything else. It isn't like the Senate, only more so. And it isn't like a governorship. A presidency can shape an era -- and it can change our lives. A successful presidency can give meaning to an age; a failed presidency can give us problems it takes generations to undo.

And so I know what it all comes down to, this election -- what it all comes down to, after all the shouting and the cheers -- is the man at the desk. And who should sit at that desk.

I am that man.

I love my country too much -- I love my children and grandchildren too much -- to campaign for the job if I didn't think, if I didn't know that I am the best man for it.

And so it begins. And I ask for your help.

Will you join me?

Will you help me complete our triumph? It's going to be a great adventure. Come -- and we'll do it all, with trust in the future, with trust in each other -- together, as one nation, under God.

Thank you all -- thank you very much."

Full Speech Text

Patrick Ruffini Named RNC eCampaign Director

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman today announced that Patrick Ruffini has been selected to assume the role of RNC eCampaign Director.

Patrick Ruffini served as Webmaster for Bush-Cheney ?04 where he was responsible for managing President George W. Bush?s reelection campaign website. 

?We are very happy to welcome Patrick back to the RNC as eCampaign Director,? Chairman Mehlman said.  ?He has been at the forefront of innovative political communications and he will enable the Republican Party to become even more effective at communicating our positive vision for the country.?

John Kerry Campaigns in St. Paul for Chris Coleman

John Kerry campaigned for Chris Coleman at a rally Monday, October 10th at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Kerry endorsed Coleman for mayor of St. Paul in an email to the Minnesota members of the johnkerry.com grassroots community. This was Kerry's second trip to Minnesota this year. He traveled to Saint Paul in May for a town hall meeting on his Kids First legislation.