2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

New Barack Obama Website Launched

The new Barack Obama website was launched with this welcome message.

Welcome to the new BarackObama.com!
By Joe Rospars

Hi, my name is Joe Rospars. I'm the New Media Director here at Obama for America. As we build out the team, I'm also going to be blogging here about the campaign, the evolution of the web site, and anything else you want.

This is your campaign, and we're all here to serve you. Indeed, we're here early. I'm actually writing this on late Thursday night as we ready the new BarackObama.com. If you're reading this, it's probably a few days later after we've launched. I'm writing now because we're making the final tweaks on the initial set of tools and functionality that will hopefully help a lot of people like you hit the ground running and start this campaign off with the culture of self-organizing that Senator Obama wants to build.

Earlier tonight I was with Senator Obama taping a short video message that will go out to folks on Friday, reminding them to watch the live video stream of his announcement speech.

That speech will be when the action really starts here. It will kick off Saturday morning at 10:55 AM Eastern, 9:55 AM Central, when the live stream of the big announcement starts. Senator Obama will be live from Springfield, Illinois, where thousands have already RSVPed to brave sub-freezing temperatures to be part of history. You'll be able to pull up the live video from the front page of the new BarackObama.com.

Before we shot the video tonight, Senator Obama got his final look at the web site to give the thumbs-up. As we put together the final pieces of the puzzle that is launching a new grassroots-driven web site, I can only say that I hope you're as excited as he was about the opportunities you have here to take this campaign into your own hands.

This site -- and this campaign in general -- will always be a work in progress. We're going to experiment, we're going to try new things. Sometimes it will inevitably be a little rough around the edges, for sure, but that's the risk we're going to have to take if we're going to run this campaign in a new way.

Tom Vilsack Unveils List of More than 1,100 Iowa Caucusgoers

Vilsack Unveils List of more than 1,100 Committed Iowa Caucusgoers
Strong Early Support Reflects Superior Ground Organization

DES MOINES, IA -- Today, Democratic candidate for President Tom Vilsack hosted a conference call with reporters to highlight the unprecedented early strength of his field operation in Iowa. To demonstrate that early strength, Vilsack released a list of 1,159 Iowans who have publicly agreed to caucus for Vilsack. In addition, Vilsack told reporters today that his campaign has already opened seven offices across Iowa to recruit volunteers and build on his strong organization.

"Our campaign is making the kind of early investment of time and resources to secure more early support than any presidential candidate in either party," said Vilsack. "We'll use this organization to talk to Iowa voters about our plan to bring change to America, make us independent of Mideast oil and get our troops out of harm's way in Iraq."

Earlier this week, the Vilsack campaign announced that National Field Director Travis Brock has re-located to New Hampshire to build a similarly strong ground operation in the first-in-the-nation primary state. Last week, Vilsack was the first Presidential candidate to call on Congress to act on their constitutional and moral responsibility to get our troops out of harm's way in Iraq.

Jerry Crawford, former chair of the Polk County Democrats and Iowa State Chair of the John Kerry Campaign in 2004, said the Vilsack campaign was building the kind of grassroots support that's critical to winning the Iowa caucuses: "Tom's organizational advantage in Iowa will enable him to win the Iowa caucuses over rock star candidates with more money to spend," said Crawford. "The Vilsack campaign's early strength is evidence that Iowa Democrats are beginning to view Tom as the strongest general election candidate in the Democratic field."

Gordon Fischer, former Chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said Vilsack's courage to create change in America and commitment to getting American troops out of harm's way in Iraq is resonating with Iowa voters. "Iowans recognize that as an outsider, Tom is the Presidential candidate best prepared to move our country forward," said Fischer. "His strong call for an immediate end to the war in Iraq is winning him the support of voters all across Iowa."

Vilsack was the first Democratic candidate for President to announce his candidacy, the first to question the McCain Doctrine, and the first to urge Congress to stop funding the war in Iraq. Vilsack is a Washington outsider with a proven track record of expanding access to healthcare and early education, as well as making Iowa a national leader in renewable fuel production.

Listed below are the locations of Vilsack campaign offices across Iowa:

Des Moines/Polk County, Ames/Story County, Cedar Rapids/Linn County, Davenport/Scott County, Waterloo/Black Hawk County, Sioux City/Woodbury County, and Council Bluffs/Pottawattamie County.

Bramante and Hurst to Co-Chair Huckabee for President Exploratory

Bramante and Hurst Co-Chair Huckabee for President Exploratory Committee in New Hampshire
 
   Nashua, NH – Mike Huckabee announced Friday that New Hampshire State School Board member Fred Bramante and former City Chair of the Manchester Republican Committee Cliff Hurst will serve as the New Hampshire Co-Chairs of his 2008 presidential exploratory committee.
   
“Fred and Cliff have a long history of dedication to the Republican Party in New Hampshire ,” Huckabee said today during a lunch for New Hampshire business leaders in Nashua . 
   
The former Arkansas governor said: “Cliff and Fred are very well-respected in the Granite State and across the country for their commitment to community service.  I’m honored to have them on my team.”
   
Bramante, a two-time GOP gubernatorial candidate, worked on John McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign.  Last week, he announced his endorsement of Huckabee.

Bramante, the founder of Daddy’s Junky Music stores, says he appreciates Huckabee’s passion for education and the role the arts play in it. “Mike Huckabee understands that in order for America to compete, we need to have a creative economy and that comes from arts and education,” Bramante said.
   
Hurst served as a civilian clergy in the military in Europe and has worked in various leadership positions in human resources, sales and marketing and public relations.  He recently sat on the executive board of the New Hampshire State Republican Party.
   
“I first met Mike Huckabee in August of 2005 and I’ve never known a person at that level who was so open and had such compassion for people,” Hurst said.  “I feel that character matters, and once you get to know Mike Huckabee, you realize he is truly a man of character.”

Barack Obama Ames Rally With Students And Community New Location

The Barack Obama Rally with Students and Community in Ames, Iowa will move for the second time. Originally scheduled for Beyer Hall and then Howe Hall, the event will now take place Sunday, February 11th at the much larger Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University. Doors open at 11:00 AM.

2008 Candidates Vying For Voters On The Web

Candidates Blaze the Campaign Trail...Online
Internet's Superhighway is the New-Age Road to the White House

By JENNIFER PARKER

Feb 9, 2007— Blogs, podcast, web video — these and other Internet technologies have fast become must-have political tools for the 2008 presidential candidates — and campaigns without them are scrambling to catch up.

With an increasing number of Americans saying they get their political news and information from the Internet, and broadband spreading across remote communities, a number of contenders are vying for voters and the White House on the Web.

ABC News Story

Team McCain Adds Leading Rhode Island Republicans

TEAM MCCAIN ADDS LEADING RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICANS
House Minority Leader, RNC Committeewoman, State Legislators & GOP Leaders Align With Arizona Senator

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that House Minority Leader and state Rep. Robert Watson will serve as Chairman of the Arizona Senator's exploratory committee in Rhode Island.  In addition, Republican National Committeewoman Eileen Slocum will serve as Honorary Co-Chair of Senator McCain's committee in the Ocean State.

Watson and Slocum join Rhode Island legislators and Republican leaders, which are also endorsing Senator John McCain.

Rep. Watson served as chairman of Senator McCain's team in Rhode Island in 2000.

Rep. Watson stated that he was proud to be part of Senator McCain's team again.  "Senator McCain has the support of many Republican legislators and leaders in the state and today's announcement is just the beginning," said Rep. Watson.  "His support in Rhode Island is tremendous and I look forward to communicating his reform agenda."

Eileen Slocum was a leading supporter of then Governor George W. Bush in 2000.

"Senator John McCain has consistently advocated for fiscal responsibility in the nation's capital, while always sticking to his common sense conservative principles," said Slocum.  "I am honored to be a part of Senator McCain's team and will work to build an organization in our state that is second to none."

Senator John McCain stated he was pleased to have the support of these influential Rhode Island Republicans.  "The support of such respected and trusted leaders, like Bob and Eileen, is a deep honor," said Senator McCain. "These distinguished supporters have a profound knowledge and understanding of grassroots politics in Rhode Island.  These are important additions to my team and I look forward to working with them."

John Cogan To Serve As Co-Chair Of Romney Economic Advisory Council

ECONOMIST JOHN COGAN TO SERVE AS CO-CHAIR OF ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL

Boston, MA - Governor Mitt Romney announced today that noted economist John Cogan will serve as Co-Chair of the Romney for President Exploratory Committee Economic Advisory Council.  He will join Glenn Hubbard and Greg Mankiw in advising Governor Romney on economic policy development.

"I am pleased to welcome John Cogan to the Exploratory Committee.  As one of our country's leading economists, John has an accomplished record of successfully developing pro-growth policies based on conservative principles," said Governor Romney.  "As America faces extraordinary competition from abroad, we will work together to develop the policies needed to maintain our economic leadership.  Through sound conservative values like low taxes and smaller government, we can help ensure a more prosperous America."

Governor Romney Delivers Remarks In Iowa

1:00 p.m.       Governor Romney Delivers Remarks At Iowa Event
Tourism Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds
E. 30th Street and University Ave.
Des Moines, IA

Mitt Romney To Visit Iowa As Part Of 2008 Announcement Tour

SCHEDULE OF GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY FOR FEBRUARY 13 TO FEBRUARY 16

Boston, MA – On Tuesday, February 13, Governor Mitt Romney will travel to Michigan, the state where he was born, to formally declare his presidential candidacy.  He will then continue on to Iowa where he will deliver remarks and meet with local residents.  On Wednesday, February 14, Governor Romney will travel to South Carolina and New Hampshire where he will hold additional campaign events.  Governor Romney will close out the week with announcement events in Boston, Massachusetts, on Thursday and Florida, on Friday.

1:00 p.m. Governor Romney Delivers Remarks At Iowa Event
Tourism Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds
E. 30th Street and University Ave.
Des Moines, IA

Candice Miller Announces Support For Giuliani

Miller Announces Support For Giuliani

New York City - Michigan Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI) announced her support for Mayor Rudy Giuliani to be the next President of the United States. Congresswoman Miller will speak about her endorsement this weekend during a speech to the Michigan GOP convention.

In announcing her endorsement Miller said Rudy Giuliani is the candidate ready to lead America.

"When deciding what candidate I wanted to be our next President of the United States I knew we needed someone who would continue the fight against terrorism, who has proven leadership and who has the record and experience of managing government and improving the economy," Congresswoman Miller said. "Again and again on the most important issues facing America I came to the same conclusion, that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is the man we need to lead our nation."

Mayor Giuliani thanked the Congresswoman for her support. "Candice Miller is an excellent public servant for the state of Michigan, and I am honored to have her support."