2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Former U.S. Senator Joins Giuliani’s Wisconsin Team

Former U.S. Senator Joins Giuliani’s Wisconsin Team Robert W. Kasten, Jr. To Serve As State Chair

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that former Wisconsin U.S. Senator Robert Walter Kasten, Jr. will serve as the campaign’s Wisconsin State Chairman.

“Mayor Giuliani has a record of solving tough problems and showing strong leadership that will really resonate with Wisconsinites,” said Kasten. “I am proud to join Rudy’s team in this capacity and lead the efforts in our state to help promote his 12 Commitments to the American People.”

Giuliani’s Deputy Political Director Rick Wiley, the former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said Kasten will be a powerful addition to Rudy’s Wisconsin efforts. “There is no one better than Senator Kasten to help spread the Mayor’s positive vision for our country in Wisconsin and continue his already strong support in the state,” Wiley said.

Kasten was previously announced as a senior member on Mayor Giuliani’s Foreign Policy Advisory Board and will continue to serve in that capacity.

About U.S. Senator Bob Kasten:

Senator Kasten represented Wisconsin, serving as a U.S. Representative from 1975 to 1979 and as a U.S. Senator from 1981 to 1993, where he was an outspoken conservative.

Kasten served as delegate to the United Nations General Assembly during his first term in the U.S. Senate. He served as Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee and also served on the Appropriation’s Defense Subcommittee.

Prior to serving in Congress, Kasten served in the Wisconsin State Senate and in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Arizona and received a graduate degree from the Columbia Business School.

Millions Of New Thomas Jefferson $1 Coins Roll Into Circulation

MILLIONS OF NEW THOMAS JEFFERSON $1 COINS ROLL INTO CIRCULATION

WASHINGTON (August 16, 2007) – The Nation is getting a new coin today – the Thomas Jefferson $1 Coin – the third coin in the United States Mint’s new Presidential $1 Coin series.

Thomas Jefferson $1 Coins are available at most banks and financial institutions throughout the country, starting today.  The golden-colored Thomas Jefferson $1 Coins may also be purchased in collector bags and rolls on the United States Mint’s Web site, http://www.usmint.gov/, at noon ET.

The new Thomas Jefferson $1 Coin is the third coin in the series, because Thomas Jefferson was the Nation’s third President.  But a survey released this week by the United States Mint found that only 30% of Americans know that fact.  According to the Presidential $1 Coin Survey, only seven percent of Americans can name the Nation’s first four Presidents in order:  George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.   

“That’s what’s great about the Presidential $1 Coin Program,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. “These dramatic new Presidential $1 Coins provide a perfect opportunity for Americans to learn more about our Presidents and the critical roles they played in some of our Nation’s historic milestones.”

To help Americans brush up on their Presidential history, the United States Mint provides on its website downloadable lesson plans for teachers and parents; background information on the Presidents featured in the Presidential $1 Coin Program; and other fun interactive options. Information and materials are free at http://www.usmint.gov/. 

The United States Mint inaugurated the Presidential $1 Coin series with the George Washington Presidential $1 Coin on February 15, 2007 in time for Presidents Day Weekend. The John Adams Presidential $1 Coin followed in May. The James Madison Presidential $1 Coin will be introduced on November 15, 2007.

“The Presidential $1 Coins not only have educational value,” said Director Moy. “They offer Americans a choice when it comes to their currency.  While the dollar bill is useful in many instances, there are other times when a coin is more convenient, such as at vending machines and transit kiosks.”

More than half a billion George Washington and John Adams Presidential $1 Coins have been ordered by the Federal Reserve for circulation.  Public awareness of the new Presidential $1 Coins has tripled from approximately 18 percent in November 2006, when the designs of the coins were unveiled, to 64 percent in June 2007.  The United States Mint is offering financial institutions and retail businesses free informational materials via http://www.usmintinfo.gov/$1coin.

History of the Presidential $1 Coin Program
Congress authorized and President Bush approved the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005.  The Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue Presidential $1 Coins honoring the United States Presidents in the order in which they served, with four new designs annually. 

Each President will be honored with a single Presidential $1 Coin, regardless of the number of consecutive terms he served, except for Grover Cleveland, the only U.S. President to serve non-consecutive terms. He will be honored on two coins. No living, former or current President can be honored on a Presidential $1 Coin.

Unique Designs Honor Historic Figures
The design of the Thomas Jefferson $1 Coin, like all of the Presidential $1 Coins, was created to be bold and dramatic. Edge-lettering also draws attention to the inscriptions “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust,” as well as the date and the mint mark, distinguishing Presidential $1 Coins from all other coins in circulation today.

The obverse (heads side) of the Thomas Jefferson Presidential $1 Coin was designed and sculpted by Joe Menna, a United States Mint Medallic Artist.  The reverse (tails side) on all the Presidential $1 Coins is a magnificent image of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

The new Presidential $1 Coins are identical in color and size to the Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea, and have the same distinctive rim and tactile features to assist the visually impaired.  The obverse (heads side) of each coin will feature an image of a former President and the years of his term of office. The reverse (tails side) displays an image of the Statue of Liberty and the inscriptions “United States of America” and “$1.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads In South Carolina

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads in South Carolina

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced it will launch two radio ads in South Carolina on Thursday entitled, “Out of Control” and “Fence.”    

“Out of Control” focuses on Rudy Giuliani’s accomplishments as Mayor of New York City including reducing crime and cutting the welfare rolls.  “Fence” highlights one of Giuliani’s 12 Commitments to the American People which calls for ending illegal immigration, securing our borders, and identifying every non-citizen in our nation. 

“Rudy Giuliani enjoys strong and growing support throughout South Carolina,” said Director of Strategy Brent Seaborn.  “The launch of these two ads is an expansion of our radio campaign, as we continue to spread Rudy Giuliani’s positive, forward-looking message across the country.” 

Scripts and audio links are below.

Script for “Out of Control” (Radio 60 seconds): 

AUDIO LINK

GIULIANI:         Every promise I made running as Mayor of New York City they said couldn’t be done… said I couldn’t cut crime… New York City was the crime capital of America… can’t be done.

VOICE OVER:  Under Rudy Giuliani’s leadership crime in New York City dropped 56%.

GIULIANI          New York City was the welfare capital of America… 1.1 million people on welfare. You can’t cut welfare… can’t be done.

VOICE OVER:   Welfare rolls went down by a staggering 58%.

GIULIANI:         They said we couldn’t reduce taxes in New York. They said you couldn’t get control of spending.  That’s impossible.

VOICE OVER:   Rudy Giuliani turned a 2.3 billion dollar deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus and cut or eliminated 23 taxes.

GIULIANI:         My focus when I ran for Mayor of New York City was on the future, and it will be in this campaign. Leadership is about what we can do, what we can accomplish, never taking “No” for an answer. This is all about how America can grow, how America can get stronger, how America can be the country that realizes all the potential that we know we have.

VOICE OVER:   Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated.

Visit joinrudy2008.com

GIULIANI: I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message

Script for “Fence” (Radio 60 seconds): 

AUDIO LINK

Voice Over: “Here’s Rudy Giuliani”

Mayor Giuliani:  “It frustrates me that if someone comes here illegally, in addition to everything else that’s involved in that, if they commit a crime, we don’t throw them out of the country.  As the mayor of New York I wanted to see if I could get the Immigration Service to help me. Let’s see if you could get rid of the drug dealers who are coming out of jail. It makes no sense – after they have been in jail for selling drugs in the United States – we now have to keep them in the United States. They couldn’t do it because they had other people lined up to throw out. They had like a professor who over-stayed his visa. I had a drug dealer who had maybe killed people. A person who comes here illegally and commits a crime should be thrown out of the country. People that come in illegally we gotta stop. You stop illegal immigration by building a fence, a physical fence and then a technological fence.  You then hire enough Border Patrol so they can respond in a timely way. And then, if anybody becomes a citizen, we should make certain that they can read English, write English and speak English, because this is an English speaking country.” 

Voice Over: “Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated. Visit joinrudy2008.com.”

Mayor Giuliani:  “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Barack Obama Iowa Federation Of Labor Photos

Hillary Clinton Iowa Federation Of Labor Photos

Barack Obama Cedar Falls Iowa Photos

Romney For President Launches New Iowa Television Ad, "Thanks Iowa"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW IOWA TELEVISION AD, "THANKS IOWA"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Thanks Iowa."  The ad features Governor Romney's call for change in Washington on Saturday at the Iowa Republican Straw Poll in Ames.  Governor Romney won the Straw Poll with 4,516 (31.5 percent) votes.  The first step toward bringing change to Washington began on Saturday in Iowa.

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

Script For "Thanks Iowa" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "If there's ever been a time that we needed to see change in Washington, it's now.

"First of all, I want to strengthen our military and then strengthen our economy and strengthen our families.

"I will secure our border, and amnesty will not work.

"I want to strengthen marriage…

"Keep our taxes down, keep government small…

"And keep America always the hope of the Earth…

"Change begins in Iowa and change begins today.

"Thank you so very much!

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

To view "Thanks Iowa," please see:  http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=307227

John Edwards Iowa Bus Tour Clear Lake

 

Governor Bill Richardson Highlights Experience And Record Of Creating Jobs In Two New TV Ads

Governor Bill Richardson Highlights Experience and Record of Creating Jobs in Two New TV Ads

"Focused" ad details Richardson's economic successes in New Mexico, Fourth "Job Interview" continues to demonstrate that Richardson is the most experienced candidate to become President

DES MOINES, IA -- Governor Bill Richardson today launched two new television ads in Iowa. The first ad "Focused" showcases his record of achievement creating jobs and building economic momentum in his home state of New Mexico and explaining how he will do it nationally as President. The second ad is the fourth in the unique "Job Interview" commercial series. The new ads come two days before Governor Richardson will formally unveil his plan on jobs and the economy during a major speech in Cedar Rapids, IA.

"Bill Richardson's success in New Mexico is well documented. He has the experience creating new, high-wage jobs, expanding existing industries, supporting R&D and start-up businesses, and building a growing, vibrant economy," said Richardson campaign manager Dave Contarino. "The Governor also has a proven record of fiscal responsibility, balancing five budgets, while cutting taxes and investing in jobs, health care and education. Others talk about it, he's done it."

Governor Richardson's fourth "Job Interview" commercial emphasizes the message that he is the only Democratic Presidential candidate with executive experience and is most prepared on day one to start the necessary work to get our country back on track. The ad touches on a number of the Governor's achievements as Governor of New Mexico, including his record of helping create jobs, balancing budgets and investing in education.

In the last five years, Governor Richardson has created over 80,000 new jobs. New Mexico's unemployment is at its lowest in history. His vision, his ideas, and his leadership have been integral in each of these steps and have paved the way for what is being called the "New Mexico Comeback".

Governor Richardson passed a permanent rural jobs tax credit to spur employment and economic growth in rural New Mexico. And while making New Mexico the clean energy state, Governor Richardson focused on the development of renewable energy initiatives involving wind, solar and biomass to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help the fight against global climate change while simultaneously creating jobs.

"For several years now, the leadership of our country has lost its focus on what is important," Contarino said. "People have lost their jobs, either due to a floundering economy or the outsourcing of jobs. Governor Richardson has retained and created quality jobs in New Mexico, when he's President he will do the same for the country."

The commercials were produced by Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam of Murphy Putnam Media in Alexandria, Virginia. In recent months, Richardson's message has spread and support has grown among Iowans. According to an American Research Group poll conducted in late July, Governor Richardson is now in the double digits in Iowa and within two points of Barack Obama among likely caucus-goers.

Mitt Romney Iowa Straw Poll Video