2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Eugene McCarthy 1968 Announcement

Press Conference of Senator Eugene J. McCarthy in the Senate Caucus Room, Washington, D.C. on November 30, 1967.

"I intend to enter the Democratic primaries in four states: Wisconsin, Oregon, California and Nebraska. The decision with reference to Massachusetts, and also New Hampshire, will be made within the next two or three weeks.

My decision to challenge the President's position and the Administration's position has been strengthened by recent announcements out of the Administration--the evident intention to escalate and to intensify the war in Vietnam and, on the other hand, the absence of any positive indications or suggestions for a compromise or for a negotiated political settlement. I am concerned that the Administration seems to have set no limit to the price which it is willing to pay for a military victory.

I am hopeful that this challenge which I am making--which I hope will be supported by other members of the Senate and other politicians--may alleviate at least in some degree of this sense of political helplessness and restore to many people a belief in the processes of American politics and of American government; that on the college campuses especially and also among adult, thoughtful Americans, it may come to the growing sense of alienation from politics which I think is currently reflected in a tendency to withdraw from political action, to talk of non-participation, to become cynical and to make threats of support for third parties or fourth parties or other irregular political movements. 

I do not see in my move any great threat to the unity and strength of the Democratic Party--whatever that unity may be today and whenever that strength may be. 

Let me say that—as I am sure I shall be charge—I am not for peace at any price, but for an honorable, rational and political solution to this war; a solution which I believe will enhance our world position, encourage the respect of our Allies and our potential adversaries, which will permit us to get the necessary attention to other commitments--both at home and abroad, militarily and did not militarily--and leave us with resources and moral energy to deal effectively with a pressing domestic problems of the United States itself.  In this total effort, I believe we can restore to this nation a clear sense of purpose and of dedication to the achievement of our traditional purposes as a great nation in the twentieth century."

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George Romney 1968 Announcement

Governor George Romney of Michigan announced his candidacy for President of the United States at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Detroit on November 18, 1967.

"One was aspires to the Presidency should be confident he can be useful and capable of providing the needed leadership. 

I decided to fight for and win the Republican nomination and election as President of the United States.  I have made my decision with a great earnestness. 

We can, we must, solve the problems on which the Federal bureaucracy has so obviously failed. Our national government must lead in identifying national problems, establishing priorities, and encouraging maximum state, local, and private effort in their solution. To succeed we must decentralize problem-solving responsibility and action.

If we do those things at home, we will have taken the first giant step for re-establishing the influence of the United States in the World.

To apply these principles, to achieve these goals, to build a new America, we must have a Republican President.

The Republican Party has the faith in the individual, and voluntary cooperation, private competitive enterprise, free collective bargaining, and state and local government needed to apply these principles at home. A Republican President can work for a just peace in Vietnam unshackled by mistakes of the past. A Republican President can restore truth to government and regain the confidence of the people.

We need leadership that can elevate religion and morality to their position of paramount importance and thus eliminating growing selfishness, and immorality, and materialism. We must end the spirit of “anything goes,” and restore the importance and quality of our personal lives.

A New America requires leadership which, by word and deed, merits the confidence of the people and is worthy of God’s blessing.

Because I believe that, working together, we can build a New America, I will work toward this goal with all my heart, mind, and new spirit. I pledge energy and honesty to the task."

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Mark Warner Forward Together PAC Web Site

Mark Warner launched the new Forward Together PAC Web Site with this blog entry.

"Hi, thanks for stopping by the Forward Together website. While you?re here, I hope you?ll check out some of the information about what we?ve been working on in Virginia over the last four years. As well as some of our ideas of where the country needs to head in the coming months and years.

We?ve just finished a hard campaign with a terrific victory. The win was an affirmation of what we?ve been doing in Virginia over the past four years, with Governor-elect Tim Kaine a partner by my side in that effort. The win was a rejection of the relentless negative campaigning by the other side. What struck me was that 98% of the job of being Governor dealt with things the opposition was not talking about?things like balancing the budget, keeping education fully funded, and grappling with transportation issues. I think Virginians saw that too. The message that won was positive and forward looking, focused on results and solutions.

I?ve still got two months of being Governor in Virginia, and have a few new initiatives and a budget to produce. After I finish this job, I want to be one of the voices that debate where the Democratic Party is headed. I plan on blogging more often too. Again, thanks for checking out Forward Together."

Ronald Reagan 1980 Announcement

Ronald Reagan delivered this speech to the nation, announcing his candidacy for President of the United States at the New York Hilton, New York, NY on November 13, 1979

"Good evening. I am here tonight to announce my intention to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

I'm sure that each of us has seen our country from a number of viewpoints depending on where we've lived and what we've done. For me it has been as a boy growing up in several small towns in Illinois. As a young man in Iowa trying to get a start in the years of the Great Depression and later in California for most of my adult life.

I've seen America from the stadium press box as a sportscaster, as an actor, officer of my labor union, soldier, officeholder and as both a Democrat and Republican. I've lived in America where those who often had too little to eat outnumbered those who had enough. There have been four wars in my lifetime and I've seen our country face financial ruin in the Depression. I have also seen the great strength of this nation as it pulled itself up from that ruin to become the dominant force in the world.

To me our country is a living, breathing presence, unimpressed by what others say is impossible, proud of its own success, generous, yes and naive, sometimes wrong, never mean and always impatient to provide a better life for its people in a framework of a basic fairness and freedom.

Someone once said that the difference between an American and any other kind of person is that an American lives in anticipation of the future because he knows it will be a great place. Other people fear the future as just a repetition of past failures. There's a lot of truth in that. If there is one thing we are sure of it is that history need not be relived; that nothing is impossible, and that man is capable of improving his circumstances beyond what we are told is fact.

A troubled and afflicted mankind looks to us, pleading for us to keep our rendezvous with destiny; that we will uphold the principles of self-reliance, self-discipline, morality, and--above all--responsible liberty for every individual that we will become that shining city on a hill.

I believe that you and I together can keep this rendezvous with destiny.

Thank you and good night."

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Bob Dole 1988 Announcement

Announcement Speech of Senator Bob Dole in Russell, Kansas on November 9, 1987.

"I know many of you have come a good distance, and I'm thankful for that. I also recall a time in 1976 when President Gerald Ford joined me here, and that was another great day for Russell. I enjoy showing Russell off, although it doesn't take a whole lot longer now than it did when I was a boy.

When I look out on Main Street this morning, I see the faces of people who know me best -- or their children or grandchildren -- people who have always accepted me, and believed in me.

There are people standing here who long ago put quarters they couldn't spare in this cigar box. That generosity helped reshape my life.

I remember the experience -- many years ago -- that began when I felt a sting in the shoulder. I remember the first thing I thought about was home.

The goodness of the people of Russell over the years has been the source of my inspiration and my strength. The people who settled this community, like so many others across America, were immigrants and frontiersmen and homesteaders who knew that grit and endurance and reliance on one's neighbors were needed to build a better life for their children. They were optimists and builders; they harnessed invention and hard work to carve a life out of the wilderness. I have carried the spirit of this place with me throughout my life.

That is why I have come back home today to announce before family and friends, that I am a candidate for my party's nomination to the office of President of the United States."

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DNC Announces Dates for 2008 Democratic Convention

DNC Announces Dates for 2008 Democratic Convention

Washington, DC - DNC Chairman Howard Dean today announced that the 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held Monday, August 25th through Thursday, August 28th. The late August convention date will allow the Democrats to host their convention after the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

“I’m pleased to announce that the 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held in late August 2008,” said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. “I look forward to joining with Democrats from across the country August 25-28th, as we gather to formally nominate our 2008 Presidential ticket.”

John McCain Launches New Straight Talk America Web Site

John McCain launched the Straight Talk America Web Site with this Statement.

Straight Talk America Joins Fight for Reform:
All Americans Invited to Serve in the Cause
U.S. Senator John McCain has opened a new front in his fight for reform of government and politics. In establishing Straight Talk America Political Action Committee, McCain stated: "Americans instinctually understand that we are an unfinished nation, a great but not perfect one. The organization will help muster millions of reform-minded Americans to the cause of assuring that the institutions of our government and the conduct of our politics are worthy of America's greatness and reflect the country's highest ideals and aspirations for good.

"America's greatness has always been rooted in our principles: honoring Man's inalienable right to personal, political and economic freedom; devotion to the common good; service to causes greater than self; and a unifying patriotism. Straight Talk America has been conceived to serve those ideals and advance the cause of reform to assure that government and politics reflect our time-honored values," McCain said.

Straight Talk America's mission is threefold: To enlist Americans in the cause of reform that serves America's ideals; give financial assistance and support to candidates for political office who will best reflect the reform ethic; and provide a straight talking and potent voice in advancing the reform agenda that includes:

The cause of...creating a leaner, more responsible, effective and accountable federal government that serves interests of our people rather than the ambitions of our politicians
The cause of...assuring that the federal budget is managed in a manner that is fiscally responsible, cuts waste, invests wisely, husbands taxpayer dollars respectfully and is mindful of our obligations to future generations
The cause of...faithfully discharging America's responsibility to advance the ideals of liberty, human rights, self-governance and the rule of law throughout the world
The cause of...assuring a strong, capable and ready military that serves the cause of peace, is able to defend America's interests and values wherever and whenever they are threatened, and that cares conscientiously for the well-being of our young men and women in uniform
The cause of...protecting the security of our homeland and safeguarding the freedoms that are the birthright of all Americans
The cause of...supporting the health, strength and dignity of the American family and culture across the span of generations
The cause of...sustaining a strong economy devoted to rewarding initiative and to making accessible the American dream to all, so that all may share in the blessings of freedom
The cause of...energizing American leadership in science, technology, medicine, education, training and mastery in the skills of the future to secure the nation's prosperity and serve the upward march of humanity
The cause of...providing conscientious stewardship of our precious natural heritage for the benefit of this and future generations
The cause of...advancing the ethic of service and devotion to causes greater than self by all Americans
The cause of...building pride and full public participation in the nation's democratic institutions and the conduct of American politics
The cause of...inspiring youth to devote their energies, passion and talents to the betterment of America and mankind
The cause of...promoting straight talk in our political campaigns and policy debates
In the weeks ahead the Straight Talk America web site will provide more information about the mission, structure and activities of the organization and the Straight Talk movement.

The site will provide up-to-date information on the reform activities of Senator McCain and the reform agenda. It will let our fellow citizens know how they can contribute to the mission of reform, the betterment of America, and causes greater than oneself. And consistent, with Senator McCain's values of inclusion, transparency, and straight talk it will provide candid discussion of the reform issues facing the nation, and a full accounting of how and by whom the organization's activities are funded.

There are many causes greater than oneself for which it's an honor to serve. The cause of reform is one among them, but one that is eminently worthwhile. However you choose to serve or participate, Straight Talk America hopes it's a cause you will want to join because the nation is calling, the cause is honorable and be assured: Senator John McCain Wants You!

Howard Baker 1980 Announcement

Presidential Announcement Statement by Honorable Howard H. Baker. Jr.

"I am a candidate for President of the United States.

The greatness of America has always been written in the confidence of her people as they summon the will to shape their future. Throughout our history, days of trouble have turned to years of pride through a renaissance of the American spirit. Once again America knows days of trouble. Once again we will recover in pride. But only if we are honest enough to admit our peril.

I don’t honestly know whether I can beat both Jimmy Carter and Teddy Kennedy on this treaty this November. It is very close. But I guarantee you that I’ll beat either Jimmy Carter or Teddy Kennedy in the voting booth next November.

Watch me. Judge me. Then come with me. Let's reach for the future and make it ours."

Full Speech Text