2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Voting At The Iowa Straw Poll

VOTING AT THE IOWA STRAW POLL: FRAUD-PROOF, HONEST & SECURE

The Republican Party of Iowa will host the Iowa Straw Poll on August 11, however, the voting procedure will be conducted with the assistance and oversight of the Story County Auditor's Office with assistance from the State Auditor's Office.

"Voting at the Iowa Straw Poll will follow procedures unique to this event," stated Chuck Laudner, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Iowa. "You will need to prove your Iowa residency during the credentialing process. This means you will need to display an Iowa driver's license, military ID, student ID, or other legitimate form of photo identification."

Only upon being successfully credentialed will the Straw Poll voter be given a paper ballot to cast their vote. An electronic scan of the photo ID will verify its authenticity and prevent multiple voting attempts. All Iowa residents who will be 18 years old on or before November 4, 2008, will be eligible to be credentialed and vote upon successful completion of that process.

Officials with the Republican Party of Iowa believe all official elections in Iowa should require every voter show a photo ID to vote. "It is unacceptable to engage in a voting process open to fraud," Laudner stated. "There should be no more important tenant in any election than one person, one vote." He went on to say only liberals oppose requiring showing a photo ID before voting. "Intentional fraud and illegal voting can mean the difference between victory and defeat in many elections," he said. "The steps we are requiring before ballots are cast at the Straw Poll are the minimum we believe should be used in each election in this state."

Voters at the Straw Poll will dip their thumb in purple ink to indicate they have cast their ballot. "We recognize the great privilege of voting by tipping our hat to the Iraqi people who cast their first votes in a free and democratic election," Laudner explained. "Iowans will be just as proud to display their inked thumb as the newly liberated Iraqi people were."

Voting begins at 10:00 a.m. and continues until 6:00 p.m. when the voting areas are shut down. Voting machines provided by the Story County Auditor will be used. These are the same machines used for every official election held in Story County. The machines will be positioned on the concourse level of Hilton Coliseum, Scheman Building, and CY Stephens auditorium. Votes will be tallied by the State Auditor's Office and results will be announced by emcee.

Randy Enwright Named National Political Director for Friends of Fred Thompson

Randy Enwright Named National Political Director for Friends of Fred Thompson Committee

McLean, Va.—Randy Enwright, a Florida native and a veteran campaign and political operative, was officially named as the National Political Director for the Friends of Fred Thompson testing the waters committee.

“Randy has the background, skill set, and proven track record to help us move forward,” said former Senator Fred Thompson.  “He is one of the most respected political operatives in the nation and his understanding of grass-roots organizing is second to none.  We are very fortunate to have him on board and to have someone of his caliber leading our political activity.”

In addition to being a senior advisor to President George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns, he was also a senior advisor to the re-election campaign of Florida Governor Jeb Bush in 2002.

Enwright worked for President George H. W. Bush as his Missouri campaign director in the 1987-88 presidential election.

Enwright’s political network and experience is broad and deep, according to the Thompson committee.  He has been regional political director for the RNC covering Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Iowa.

From 1989 to 1992, Enwright was the executive director of the Iowa Republican Party after a turn as political director of the Missouri GOP in the 1985-86 election cycle.

“I am honored to have been chosen to help direct the political portion of this effort,” Enwright said.  “Working with Fred is far more than just another political job; it is an opportunity to be an important part of a great team.”

Obama Campaign Begins Airing New Television Ad in Iowa "What If?"

Obama Campaign Begins Airing New Television Ad in Iowa “What If?” 

DES MOINES – The Obama campaign today announced it will continue to supplement its aggressive grassroots outreach operation in Iowa by running a new television advertisement called “What If?” that discusses the biography and record of Barack Obama and highlights his ability to inspire hope and to unite America.   

The television ad presents hypothetical question “What If?” and challenges Iowans to join Obama in his belief that the American people will be better served by a politics of hope instead of fear, a politics of unity instead of division.  The ad recounts Senator Obama’s success in bringing people together to solve important challenges.  The 60-second ad will run on broadcast and cable outlets across Iowa beginning today.   

“All over the state, Iowans are responding to Senator Obama’s vision for bringing Americans to build a movement to change Washington,” said Obama’s Iowa Communications Director Josh Earnest.  “By learning how Obama has successfully dedicated his life to these values, Iowa voters will better understand that Obama’s vision for bringing the country together to solve important problems is not just campaign rhetoric, but the cause of his life.” 

Yesterday, the Obama for America campaign announced a contest called “Grilling with Barack” that will give Senator Obama the opportunity to have dinner with 10 Iowans on August 18, the day before the ABC debate at Drake University.  Iowans will submit questions they’d like to ask Obama online at Iowa.BarackObama.com to be chosen for the event.   

Obama “What If” :60 for TV 

VISUAL  VOICE

The Obama Story: Inspiring Hope
OBAMA: I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

What if?
ANNCR V/O: What if?
ANNCR V/O: What if there was hope…instead of fear? Unity…instead of division? What if we had a President who believes that we are one nation?
OBAMA: There is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America. Thank you.
ANNCR V/O: Barack Obama.

Grassroots organizer
Helped devastated communities
ANNCR V/O: An organizer who helped communities devastated by plant closings.

State legislator
Worked across party lines
ANNCR V/O: A state legislator who brought Republicans and Democrats together.

State legislator
Won healthcare for 150,000
ANNCR V/O: Who won healthcare for 150,000 people.

Courageous leader
Opposed war before it began
ANNCR V/O: A leader with the judgment to oppose the Iraq war before it began.

U.S. Senator
Reined in lobbyists
ANNCR V/O: A Senator who championed reforms to rein in the power of lobbyists.
ANNCR V/O: What if we could restore America’s place in the world…and people’s faith in our government?

Join us.
Obama ‘08
BarackObama.com
APPROVED BY BARACK OBAMA AND PAID FOR BY OBAMA FOR AMERICA
OBAMA: We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

Jeff Link Endorses Edwards, Joins Campaign To Change America

JEFF LINK ENDORSES EDWARDS, JOINS CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE AMERICA Veteran Strategist Has Proven Record of Success in Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa – The John Edwards for President Campaign announced today the addition of Jeff Link as an adviser on message and strategy. Link, a Burlington native, is widely respected as one of the top Democratic operatives in Iowa.

“I’m honored to have Jeff Link joining our campaign,” Senator Edwards said. “He shares my view that we need real change in this country, and that change begins in Iowa. His skills and experience will help us to engage Iowans in an important cause: ending the war in Iraq, guaranteeing health care to all, and expanding opportunities for every American.”

“Not only does John Edwards have the boldest agenda of change and taking on special interests, but he is the strongest candidate to carry our party to victory next November,” Link said. “He is the only candidate who has won in a solidly red state and in poll after poll he is the best Democratic candidate against whomever the Republicans nominate. I’m honored to be a part of his team.”

Jeff Link has nearly two decades of Iowa political experience and is widely respected as one of the state’s top political strategists. During law school, Link founded LinkStrategies, ran the Gore-Lieberman 2000 campaign in Iowa. Link served as Senior Communications Strategist for former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s presidential campaign.

Romney For President Launches New Iowa Television Ad, "Change Begins"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW IOWA TELEVISION AD, "CHANGE BEGINS"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Change Begins."  The ad features Governor Romney talking directly to the people of Iowa about the need to attend the Republican Straw Poll in Ames and register their support for his message of conservative change in Washington.  Change in America begins in Ames, Iowa, on August 11th.   

The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign's rotation today in Iowa.  Script and viewing link are below.

Script For "Change Begins" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "Thousands of miles across Iowa for the Romney family, and the next miles take us to Ames for the Republican Straw Poll, Saturday the 11th.

"I hope you'll join us to send a message to Washington.

"Washington politicians in both parties have proven they can't control spending, and they won't control our borders.

"I will, but I need your help to do it.

"So come on to Ames.  After all, changing America always starts in Iowa.

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

Bill Lacy Named Thompson Committee Manager

Bill Lacy Named Thompson Committee Manager Former GOP, Presidential Campaign Strategist Joins Effort

Washington, D.C.—Former Reagan White House political aide Bill Lacy today was named manager of Fred Thompson’s testing the waters committee. 

“Bill Lacy worked in the campaigns of President Reagan, President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole from 1980-1996,” Thompson said. “He turned around my campaign for Senate in 1994 and, as I move toward a decision on whether to run for President, I am confident he will take our operations to the next level.” 

Lacy will have full operational control of the Friends of Fred Thompson committee and will report directly to Thompson.

“It is an honor to be working with Fred again,” said Lacy, who is taking a leave of absence as Director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. “My immediate goal to provide stable, hands-on leadership and to retool the Thompson operation to implement a non-traditional, message-driven effort.” 

Lacy was a GOP campaign professional in Washington from 1977-1996. He ran Ronald’s Reagan 1980 Maryland primary campaign, and served as Deputy Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee in 1981-82 before joining the White House staff as Deputy Director of Political Affairs. During Reagan’s reelection campaign in 1984 he was Political Director of the Republican National Committee and afterwards rejoined the White House as Director of the Office of Political Affairs.

Lacy held a senior role in Sen. Bob Dole’s 1988 campaign and served as Deputy National Chairman and strategist in Dole’s 1996 primary campaign. Lacy served as Thompson’s strategist and management consultant in his 1994 campaign until Thompson, down 20 points in the polls and written off by most of the pundits, persuaded Lacy to move to Nashville and take over day-to-day management of the campaign.

In 1996 Lacy assumed a senior management role in a privately held family business and in September 2004 was selected to be the Director of the Dole Institute of Politics.

“Every day at the Dole Institute I told students and others how important it is to get involved in politics, to take a greater interest in the affairs of our country,” Lacy said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to serve, an obligation in my view; I am honored that Fred Thompson has given me this chance.”

Thompson Highlights Economic Success Story

Thompson Highlights Economic Success Story

Washington, D.C.—Former Senator Fred Thompson pointed out the continuing strength of the U.S. economy in a commentary posted on his newly redesigned web site: www.imwithfred.com.

“The economic reality I'm talking about, and about which I've written on numerous occasions, is how well our country is doing economically thanks to the hard work of the American people, the innovation and competition our free market encourages, as well as the Bush tax cuts that helped spur 5½ years of economic growth,” said Thompson. 

The commentary noted more than 8 million jobs have been created, unemployment and inflation remain at historically low levels, and workers’ salaries have risen by $1.2 trillion over the last three years. 

“No matter how you slice this story, this economic record is one we should be proud of,” Thompson noted. “But America should not rest on these accomplishments, or abandon fiscal restraint and other commonsense principles like fighting inflation and keeping regulation to a minimum. Our economy looks great right now, but a rosy outlook isn’t going to pay the bills or ensure a strong economy.

“We need to make sure that America remains the most innovative economy in the world and the best place to invest, start a business, and create jobs.”

Joe Biden At The AFL-CIO Presidential Forum

BIDEN SHINES AT AFL-CIO FORUM Commits to Fight for America’s Workers as President

Chicago, IL (August 7, 2007) – During this evening’s AFL-CIO Presidential Forum at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sen. Joe Biden stood head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field, pointing to his long record of working for labor’s interests and reiterating his commitment to reinvigorate the union movement that built the middle class in America.

During the 90-minute forum, Sen. Biden pledged that starting on Day One as President of the United States, he will end the war the Bush Administration has waged on labor.

“The war in Iraq is not the only war this President has waged” said Sen. Biden. “He has waged a reckless war on labor’s house – the house that built the middle-class and the house that built our neighborhoods.”

Sen. Biden has been leading the fight for organized labor his entire career -- including serving as  co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, fighting for better labor and environmental standards in trade agreements and opposing new trade agreements that don’t meet high standards, just to name a few. See the attached document to view Sen. Biden’s Record on Labor.

 “This upcoming election could very well be the most important election in the history of organized labor since 1932.  This could be the year when a friend of organized labor takes back the White House and the White House begins to speak again for the middle class” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro. “We need a Democrat who can win a general election and deliver results when he or she gets there – and that Democrat is Joe Biden.”

Bill Richardson At The AFL-CIO Presidential Forum

Governor Bill Richardson Strongest Candidate for American Working Men and Women At AFL-CIO Forum, Richardson details record on and plans for exiting Iraq, creating quality jobs and a fair economy, and universal healthcare

CHICAGO, IL -- Governor Bill Richardson demonstrated why he is the best candidate for working men and women with a strong showing today at the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum in Chicago.

"America should never have a trade agreement unless it protects labor," Governor Bill Richardson said. "What we need to do from now on is say, no child labor, no slave labor. We need to make sure there is freedom of association, collective bargaining, and we need to make sure that wage disparity doesn't exist."

Governor Richardson has long been a proud supporter of organized labor. In New Mexico, one of his first acts as Governor was to reinstate collective bargaining for public employees. He made the state's prevailing wage a union wage, secured the first public works labor agreement in New Mexico history, and presided over an economy that has created nearly 90,000 new jobs.

"As President I will get rid of all of the union-busting attorneys in the Department of Labor and at the Occupational Health and Safety Administration."

When the candidates were asked about how they would handle the threat of al-Qaeda, the Governor responded with the strongest answer.

"I will take whatever steps are necessary to protect the security of the United States. We can get the three groups together. We can have an all-Muslim peacekeeping force. Then we can focus on what really affects American policy - fighting international terrorism, reducing greenhouse gases, a measure to ensure that there are no dirty bombs and fission devices around the world."

When answering a question from an Iraq veteran, who upon arriving home found himself out of a job, Governor Richardson responded, "I would protect their pensions. I would protect their health care. As an Iraq veteran, when you come home, I will have guarantees to protect our veterans, support VA hospitals. Something else I will do for all of our veterans is guarantee health care, with a Heroes' Health Care Card that will allow our veterans to get care outside of the VA system."

Throughout the forum Governor Richardson showed why he is the best candidate to jumpstart the economy and create quality jobs for American workers. As President, Governor Richardson's Secretary of Labor will be a union member. He will protect the right to collective bargaining and support the Employee Free Choice Act.

"I believe I have the most experience in foreign policy," Governor Richardson said. "I represent change, experience, and electability. I believe that I would have the ability to bring this country together, to implement universal health care, and to heal the divisions of the Iraq war."

Earlier in the day Governor Richardson outlined his bold plan to deliver choices of health coverage to every American, without raising taxes, at a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Chris Dodd At The AFL-CIO Presidential Forum

DODD SHOWS DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE, PROVEN LEADERSHIP AT AFL-CIO FORUM Presidential Candidate Shows Leadership; Highlights Longstanding Relationship with American Workers

CHICAGO - Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd highlighted his long history of working for American workers and illustrated his proven, bold leadership abilities tonight at the AFL-CIO Candidate Forum. Citing the enormous challenges that the next President will face, Dodd distinguished himself from the pack by pointing to his bold policy solutions, history of bringing people together to address America's problems, and strong record of legislative accomplishments, including the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act, which has helped millions of American workers avoid the painful choice between the job that they need and caring for a family member they love.

Dodd set the tone for the forum when he said: "I'm a union guy, I am proud to be a union man?. "I happen to believe that putting our country back to work begins by cutting the funding for the war in Iraq. Spending $12 billion every month, spending two billion dollars every week, has got to stop if we are going to have a different set of priorities in our country.?

"We ought to be investing in the bridges and highways, in the water systems, the safe drinking systems in our country here. In fact just five or six days ago, after working a year and a half on this issue, Keith, I introduced legislation to do exactly that. For every one billion dollars we spend in that area 40,000 jobs could be created in the United States of America. Those are the things I'll do as President of the United States if elected by my party and I'm confident a Democrat is going to be elected president of the United States in November of 2008."

"Senator Dodd tonight displayed the vast experience he will draw from when elected President. From infrastructure issues to currency manipulation to providing our troops protective body armor while simultaneously proposing a responsible plan to get our troops out of Iraq, Senator Dodd is the only candidate with a proven record of getting things done," said Dodd spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan. "His vision for America reflects his experience, his mastery of the most complex issues facing our country and his ability to connect with everyday Americans, and makes him the best candidate for President. Tonight's performance is just another example that Senator Dodd's message of proven, bold leadership is resonating with American voters."

Dodd also addressed his leadership in the ongoing Iraq debate by saying:
"I believe - and I've led on this over the last several months - we must begin redeploying our troops immediately. We can do so with two and a half divisions coming out each month done safely and reasonably well. We then need to have a robust approach on diplomacy. This administration has treated statecraft and diplomacy as if it were a gift to our opponents, a sign of weakness. The United States has been successful in both Democratic and Republican administrations over the years when we have drawn the diplomatic arrow out of our quiver to make a difference around the world. We shouldn't be selling arms to Saudi Arabia while they're refusing to support us in Iraq. We need to have a clear message to everybody in the region, that we want them to be part of the solution."

"Senator Dodd has been a longtime friend of American workers both in Connecticut and across the country," said head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO and Dodd supporter John Olsen. "His bold policies and proven ability to work to better our nation, especially the lives of the middle class make Chris Dodd uniquely qualified to be the next President of the United States."

The AFL-CIO Forum was broadcast from Soldier Field in Chicago on MSNBC. Dodd will return to New Hampshire tomorrow, where he will campaign in the state through Saturday and spend Wednesday and Thursday unveiling his comprehensive education policy.