2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Top Republican Media Talents Join Rudy Giuliani Campaign

Top Republican Media Talents Join Rudy Giuliani Campaign

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the campaign’s media team. This group of experienced media professionals includes Scott Howell and Company, Chris Mottola and Associates, BrabenderCox and Crossroads Media.

Heath Thompson of Scott Howell and Company will serve as the campaign’s Lead Creative Consultant. A tested political veteran of President George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns and numerous statewide campaigns, Thompson brings a blend of unrivaled political and media experience to Team Rudy.

“This team brings together diverse talents and years of invaluable media expertise to the campaign’s overall communications effort. I look forward to working with Heath and this team. All of these individuals are at the top of the field,” said Brent Seaborn, Giuliani’s Director of Strategy.

Scott Howell and Company, one of the most successful Republican media firms in the nation, has a 15 year record of success with clients that include President George W. Bush, the Republican National Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Republican Governor’s Association and Senators John Thune, Norm Coleman, Jim DeMint, Saxby Chambliss, and Kay Bailey Hutchison. 

The BrabenderCox team has helped elect Republican Senators, Governors, and Congressmen all over the nation. Chris Mottola and Associates is a nationally recognized media firm that played a key role in President Bush’s elections, while Crossroads Media is a premier Republican media services firm specializing in advertising strategy and placement for political candidates.

Giuliani’s Senior Advisor Chris Henick added, “This group will be instrumental in communicating Mayor Giuliani’s strong leadership, proven record as an experienced executive and optimistic vision to Americans. We are fortunate to have such campaign-tested individuals and look forward to growing our already strong media team.”

About the Giuliani Media Team:

Heath Thompson
Thompson directed Bush’s historic win in the South Carolina Republican Primary in 2000. He worked on local political races in South Carolina during the 1990s. He served as a consultant on U.S. Senator Norm Coleman’s victory in Minnesota in 2002.

Scott Howell
Howell was a member of the successful Bush/Cheney media team in 2004.

Chris Mottola
Mottola of Chris Mottola and Associates is a nationally recognized media consultant who has produced and directed nationally award-winning commercials.

John A. Brabender
Brabender is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of BrabenderCox, a national Republican media firm. 

Patti Heck
Heck is the President of Crossroads Media, a premier Republican media services firm specializing in advertising strategy and placement for political candidates.

South Carolina Business Leaders Join Team Rudy

South Carolina Business Leaders Join Team Rudy

Columbia, SC – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the leadership team for South Carolina Business Leaders for Rudy. These businessmen and women from across the state will help promote Rudy’s commitment to cutting wasteful government spending, restoring fiscal discipline and cutting taxes.

“These business leaders are supporting Rudy because they know he is a strong fiscal conservative who will encourage economic growth,” said Barry Wynn, Giuliani’s South Carolina State Chairman and CEO of the Colonial Group in Spartanburg. “His commitment to looking after American taxpayers is backed up by his remarkable fiscal record as Mayor of New York City.”

During his eight years as the Mayor of New York City, Giuliani helped stimulate the local economy by cutting taxes 23 times and turning a $2.3 billion deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus.  As part of Rudy’s 12 Commitments to the American People, Mayor Giuliani pledges to restore fiscal discipline to Washington, while cutting wasteful spending and taxes.

South Carolina Business Leaders for Rudy Leadership Team:

Tim Cantrell - CTMI, Spartanburg
John Cattano - Value Place Hotels, Columbia
Coker Day - Daybreak Adult Care services, Aiken
Jason Edens - Edens Equipment Sales, Columbia
Daniel Lawrence - Dan Lawrence, AIA, Gaffney
Mark Lazarus - Wild Water Water Park, Myrtle Beach                                             
William Milner - CARElina Homecare, Charleston
O'Neal Mintz - Mintz Scap Metal, Chesnee
Thomas Parsell - Hospitality Management Corporation, Charleston
Evelyn Reis Perry - Carolina Sound Communications, Charleston
William Somers - Deck Pro, INC, Beaufort

Dodd Takes Issue With Those Who Downplay Importance Of Iowa “First In The Nation” Caucuses

DODD TAKES ISSUE WITH THOSE WHO DOWNPLAY IMPORTANCE OF IOWA “FIRST IN THE NATION” CAUCUSES

Presidential candidate Chris Dodd issued the following statement today, reaffirming his commitment to the importance of Iowa’s “First in the Nation” Caucuses:

“I disagree with those candidates who would say that they are ‘running a national campaign’ and accept the political maneuvering to preempt Iowa’s time-tested and important role in the process of choosing which candidate would make the strongest nominee and strongest President.   

“Such a strategy only reinforces the role of big money and big rally sound bites and strikes another blow at the very heart of what makes the Iowa Caucuses so important -- this year more than ever.  The next President is going to inherit the most complicated set of circumstances in a generation and must not only be ready to lead from day one but also have demonstrated a proven ability to bring people together and get things done.  Making that important decision about who is best qualified to do that must be done in small settings where voters get the chance to ask the important and direct questions of each of us.   That is what happens in the living rooms, schools, and farms of Iowa, and it should remain that way.

“In this year where the media focus seems to be on celebrity and sound bites, it is more important that ever that Iowa remains the first in the nation caucuses.”

Fred Thompson Wins Surprise Write-In Victory In HRCC Straw Poll

Thompson Wins Surprise Write-In Victory in HRCC Straw Poll

(St. Paul) Hundreds of Republican activists gathered at the St. Paul River Center to cast ballots in a non-binding Presidential Preference Straw Poll Wednesday night. The poll was sponsored in conjunction with a House Republican fundraiser and included party leaders, Republican Legislators, Former Republican Lawmakers, party activists and boosters for various candidates. 

Results of the Minnesota Republican Presidential Straw Poll are as follows: 

Former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee won a narrow victory, although his name was not on the ballot. As Thompson is not an officially announced candidate, voters had to physically write in his name as their preferred candidate.

House Republican Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) said that it was an exciting event and that the margins were interesting and close. "This shows that the opinions of the Republican Presidential candidates in Minnesota are mixed and up for grabs," Seifert said. "The National Convention will be held in this same building complex roughly a year from now, so this helps kick off some interest."

John Cox, a Chicago businessman, spoke at the event in person and three candidates addressed the crowd via speakerphone and were interviewed live by talk show host Jason Lewis at the event.

Edwards Outlines Vision to End The Game In Washington And Build One America

EDWARDS OUTLINES VISION TO END THE GAME IN WASHINGTON AND BUILD ONE AMERICA Delivers major speech about how we can make Washington work for the American people instead of establishment elites 

Hanover, New Hampshire - During a major speech at the start of his "Fighting for One America" bus tour in New Hampshire, Senator John Edwards today outlined the choice facing our country -- whether we have a government that benefits the establishment or a government that works for the American people -- and his vision of One America where Washington works for regular families, instead of powerful interests and every American has the chance to go as far as their hard work and God-given talents will take them.

"We as a nation must choose whether to do what America has always done in times like these - change direction and move boldly into the future for the sake of our children, if not for ourselves, or wander in the same stale direction we have traveled in our recent past," said Edwards.  "The choice we must make is as important as it is clear. It is a choice between looking back and looking forward. It is caution versus courage. Old versus new. Calculation versus principle. It is a choice between the failed compromises of the past and the bright possibilities of our future. Between resigning ourselves to Two Americas or fighting for the One America we all believe in."

Edwards discussed how our system is rigged against regular Americans.  With more than 60 lobbyists for every member of Congress, powerful interests and their Washington lobbyists write our policies to give themselves every break imaginable, while regular families struggle to get by, let alone get ahead.  From our health care policies to our energy policies to our economic policies, Washington insiders write the laws to increase their power and benefit their bottom lines.  Edwards believes the American people need to take responsibility for our country, and end the game in Washington, so we can return our government to a government of, by and for the people.

"It's time to end the game," said Edwards.  "It's time to tell the big corporations and the lobbyists who have been running things for too long that their time is over. It's time to challenge politicians to put the American people's interests ahead of their own calculated political interests, to look the lobbyists in the eye and just say no.  And it's time for the American people to take responsibility for our government - for in our democracy it is truly ours."

Edwards has been fighting powerful interests his entire life and knows that they will not give up their power without a fight.   He believes we need courage, conviction and big ideas to change our country.  Edwards is a strong supporter of public financing of campaigns and has called for federal candidates to stop taking money from Washington lobbyists.  Edwards believes getting rid of Washington lobbyist money is an important step to ending the game in Washington, but to truly end the game, the American people need to stand up and take our government back.  He has seen firsthand the power of the American people and believes that by joining together and taking action today, we can fundamentally change our country and build One America.

Iowa Women For Obama Announce Leaders In 50 Iowa Counties

Iowa Women for Obama Announce Leaders in 50 Iowa Counties 

DES MOINES – Today, the Obama for America Campaign announced Women for Obama County Leaders in 50 Iowa counties.  Senator Obama’s commitment to changing the conventional thinking in Washington, D.C. has galvanized women across Iowa and inspired them to act. 

To commemorate Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, Women for Obama will come together for more than 30 organizing parties across Iowa to reach out to other women and discuss why they believe Senator Obama is the best candidate to build consensus and make progress on vital issues important to women.    

“The kind of real change we need to transform our country must happen from the bottom-up, not the top-down,” Senator Barack Obama said.  “That’s why I’m honored to have the support of these women across Iowa who have made the commitment to join me as we work together to change the way we do politics in Washington, D.C. and change our country.”

Each Women for Obama party will have an organizing element to build on Senator Obama’s grassroots movement for change.  Following a conference call with actress Alfre Woodard, women will gather to make phone calls, knock on doors, and write postcards to their friends and neighbors discussing Senator Obama’s vision for changing the politics as usual in Washington, D.C. 

Throughout his career, Senator Obama has fought to ensure that every American has equal rights and opportunities, regardless of gender.  For a fact sheet on Senator Obama’s commitment to women and the vital issues women face, click here. 

John Cox and Jason Lewis HRCC Straw Poll

2007 Iowa Straw Poll Video

John Cox Minnesota House Republican Straw Poll

Bill Richardson Statement On Earlier Michigan Democratic Primary

Governor Bill Richardson Statement on Earlier Michigan Democratic Primary

RENO, NV -- Governor Bill Richardson, campaigning in Nevada, today released a statement regarding the Michigan Legislature's vote to move the state's primary date up to January 15.

"This continuing game of 'primary leapfrog' is not constructive and threatens to disrupt the entire process," said Governor Richardson. "I respect and support Iowa's and New Hampshire's rightful places as the first caucuses and first primary, respectively, in the nation, and I call on my fellow Democratic candidates to do the same. We'll deal with the remainder of the calendar when the dust settles."

Governor Richardson is also concerned that the scramble for early dates will negatively impact the Nevada Caucuses scheduled for January 19th.

"The Nevada Caucuses for the first time give the West a critical voice in the selection of the President," said the Governor. "This diversity is essential to ensure that Western values and issues and the concerns of minorities are directly addressed during the campaign."