2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch Joins Romney For President

AMBASSADOR JULIA CHANG BLOCH JOINS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch has joined Romney for President as National Co-Chair of Asian Pacific Americans for Mitt.  Recently, Ambassador Sichan Siv was announced as National Chair.  Ambassador Bloch will also provide Governor Romney with important counsel on foreign policy issues.   

"Today's announcement is another indication of the strong Asian Pacific American coalition that is forming around our message of change in Washington.  Ambassador Bloch has a distinguished career serving our country and is a leader in the Asian Pacific American community.  I am proud that she has joined our team," said Governor Romney. 

Joining Romney for President, Ambassador Bloch said, "Governor Romney is a proven leader with the energy to bring change to Washington.  We need his leadership today if we are to meet the challenges facing our country both here and abroad.  I look forward to being a strong surrogate for his message in the Asian Pacific American community, as well as offering my counsel and advice on foreign affairs."

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Homeland Security Advisors

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Homeland Security Advisors

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced members of the Mayor’s Homeland Security Advisory Board. These individuals have provided input and recommendations on Mayor Giuliani’s commitment to ensure American communities are prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.  They also provide a constant source of information on issues pertaining to terrorism, homeland security and domestic emergency preparation.

The Mayor’s advisors are well-respected leaders in homeland security and emergency preparedness. The group is led by Board Chair Louis Freeh, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and previously announced as a campaign advisor.  Also leading the team is former U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Robert Bonner as the campaign’s Chief Homeland Security Advisor. Joining Freeh and Bonner is U.S. Congressman Peter King (R-NY).

“Rudy Giuliani is the most qualified candidate to prepare Americans to protect our homeland and respond to natural disasters and terrorist attacks,” said Freeh. “He demonstrated unparalleled leadership as Mayor of New York City by creating the city’s first Office of Emergency Management, while improving preparedness for potential threats that helped create a more resilient city.”

In addition, the advisory board has 15 total members including Joe Whitley, former Acting Associate Attorney General; Joshua Filler, former Director of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of State and Local Government Coordination; and Jon Odermatt, former Commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management; Richard Sheirer, former Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management; and Thomas Von Essen, former Commissioner, New York City Fire Department.

“This is a world-class team of advisors with years of security and emergency preparedness experience that will serve the Mayor well,” said Bonner. "Nobody understands the necessity of emergency preparedness better than Mayor Giuliani nor has anybody better demonstrated the ability to lead our citizens in a resilient response."

Congressman King added: “I am convinced that regardless of the challenges we face, Mayor Giuliani is the best qualified to prepare and protect America. He has the best vision and knows that homeland security and national security are inseparable. America has a real leader in Rudy Giuliani.

About the Homeland Security Advisory Board:

Louis Freeh, Chairman
Former Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Rob Bonner, Chief Homeland Security Advisor
Former Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Peter King
U.S. Congressman, New York

Joe Whitley
Former General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Joshua Filler
Former Director, Department of Homeland Security, Office of State and Local Government Coordination

Andrew Maner
Former Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Jon Odermatt
Former Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management

Howard Safir
Former Commissioner, New York City Police Department

Richard Sheirer
Former Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management

Stewart Verdery
Former Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Thomas Von Essen
Former Commissioner, New York City Fire Department

Seth Stodder
Former Director of Policy and Planning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Peter Beering
Indianapolis, Indiana Terrorism Preparedness Coordinator

Daniel Johnson
Former Director of Homeland Security for the State of Minnesota

John Rabin
Former Program Director, Department of Homeland Security’s Lessons Learned Information Sharing

Veteran GOP Communications Strategist Karen Hanretty Joins Friends of Fred Thompson

Veteran GOP Communications Strategist Karen Hanretty Joins Friends of Fred Thompson

McLean, VA - The Friends of Fred Thompson committee announced today the hiring of veteran GOP communications strategist Karen Hanretty as Deputy Communications Director.  Hanretty will assist in the coordination of all communications and media strategy and will serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for the committee. 

During California's historic gubernatorial recall campaign of 2003, Hanretty served as press secretary to Arnold Schwarzenegger's successful campaign for Governor  and managed the press operation for the governor-elect during his transition into office. In the capacity of press secretary, Hanretty helped coordinate communications and media strategy for one of the country's most talked about political campaigns and served as a principal spokesperson to hundreds of media outlets throughout the country and around the world. 

"Quite simply, Karen is one of the best there is and she will be an enormous asset to our team," said Todd Harris, Communications Director for the Friends of Fred Thompson committee.   

From 2003-2005, Hanretty was Communications Director for the California Republican Party.  In this senior-level position, she served as chief spokesperson for the Party, coordinated communications and media strategy and developed rapid response effort on behalf of the party operations and Governor Schwarzenegger's 2005 special election campaign.

Hanretty has also been a national political commentator, regularly appearing on Fox News Channel, MSNBC and CNN to provide political analysis on programs such as The O'Reilly Factor and Hardball with Chris Matthews. She is a frequent guest on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes where she has appeared as guest host for the popular show.

Obama Campaign Announces Iowa Labor Steering Committee

Obama Campaign Announces Iowa Labor Steering Committee

DES MOINES – The Obama for America Campaign today announced a 25-member Labor Steering Committee to lead union outreach efforts for Barack Obama’s Iowa campaign.  These steering committee members from across Iowa will serve as a sounding board for the labor community, lead efforts to organize union workers and discuss Barack Obama’s commitment to fighting special interests and protecting workers’ rights.

“From the picket lines of Chicago to the halls of the U.S. Senate, I have consistently fought to protect the rights of our workers,” Barack Obama said.  “That’s why I am honored to have the support of these union members from across Iowa who are committed to transforming the way we do politics in Washington, D.C. and will play an instrumental role in leading our outreach efforts to the labor community.”

As a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side, Barack Obama stood side by side with workers affected by steel mill closings.  As he’s done throughout his career in public service, Obama brought together different groups of people – local residents, activists, churches, and local workers – to restore economic opportunity and hope to the community.  In the U.S. Senate, Obama continued the fight by cosponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act and working to expand collective bargaining rights, overtime pay, and workers’ rights. 

“Throughout his career, Barack Obama has been a consistent champion of the organized labor movement, fighting for workers’ rights and to improve the lives of working families,” union member Greg Simpson of Dubuque said.  “This commitment is the reason why we’re proud to support Barack Obama’s campaign to challenge the conventional thinking in Washington, D.C. that has continued to block progress on the tough issues we face.”

Edwards Receives Support Of Steelworkers And Mine Workers Unions

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF STEELWORKERS AND MINE WORKERS UNIONS

Official endorsement at Pittsburgh Labor Day rally gives Edwards largest bloc of union support among presidential candidates so far

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president. Following the Thursday endorsement of Edwards by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in America, the two endorsements announced today at a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh with union members and their families give Edwards the largest bloc of union support so far – combined, more than 1.8 million members and retirees – among any of the presidential candidates.

“I am especially honored to receive the support of the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions,” said Edwards, “These are the workers who built the middle class in America, and they are the backbone of the American labor movement. They understand how important it is to fight back when jobs, safety, standards and our values are at risk – and they know what’s at stake in this election.”

“These workers have felt the negative impact of a broken system in Washington that is rigged against America’s working families for far too long – whether it’s the tragic lack of oversight in mine safety, trade agreements written to benefit multinational corporations while they ship American jobs overseas, or the millions of working Americans who still can’t afford health insurance,” added Edwards. “As president, I will proudly lead the fight on behalf of working families with their support – and together we will win.”

Representing 1.2 million workers and retirees, the USW is the nation’s largest private sector industrial union. Following extensive outreach to USW members that included a poll of the union’s 15,000 activists, as well as a nationwide survey of the union’s membership, the USW International Executive Board voted unanimously on Sunday, September 2nd to endorse Edwards.

The UMWA represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. Their membership includes more coal miners than any union in the world

Both Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard and UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts announced their endorsement by making clear the stakes hard-working families face and laying out why Sen. Edwards is the best candidate to lead the fight for change in America. 

“Senator John Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government,” said Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard. “Edwards is right on the issues that matter to us, and he’s the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election. The big corporations don’t need another president who does their bidding. It’s time we had a president who will fight for working people – and that’s what John Edwards will do.”

“Senator Edwards’ positions on the issues of importance to UMWA members make him the best fit of all the candidates for president,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “We need a president who cares about ordinary working people instead of the richest Americans and the big multinational corporations. We believe John Edwards is that person, and we will work as hard as we know how on his behalf anywhere and everywhere we can.”

Close to 1,000 people were expected at the Pittsburgh Labor Day rally where the unions’ official endorsements were announced. Sen. Edwards was joined on stage by USW President Leo Gerard, UMWA International President Cecil Roberts and local union members. Elizabeth Edwards and Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior also attended the event.

Hunter Wins Texas GOP Straw Poll

Hunter aces two major Texas Straw polls…receives a huge “kick” for his campaign

Fort Worth, Texas.  September 2, 2007…Texas residents gave Duncan Hunter his second Texas victory with huge margin in the statewide GOP straw poll Saturday (Sept. 1).  The California Congressman more than doubled his vote over the next nearest contender.  Only GOP party activists who had been a delegate or alternate to a recent GOP state or national convention were qualified to vote.

Hunter, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving his 14th term in Congress, said his message of strong national security seemed to resonate with the Texas delegates.  “I think we go on to great things, and we're going to carry this message for a strong America,'' added Hunter, who also won the Coryell County, Texas Presidential straw poll last month, with a whopping 35% of the vote.

“We are elated with the confidence the Texan voters gave us Saturday in their straw poll.  We simply presented our vision for solutions to current problems, and the residents listened. We are gratified with this vote, “said Hunter. 

Hunter received 41.1% of the vote total from the delegates casting their ballots, beating Fred Thompson, more than two to one.  Texas candidate Ron Paul, finishing with only 16.17% of the votes had expected a stronger finish in his home state but was defeated by Hunter almost three to one. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee finished fourth with 6.4% followed by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani who received 6% of the votes.  Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney finished in sixth place with 4.7%.

Sharing the remaining 61 votes (4.74%) was counter-terrorism candidates Ray McKinney, snaring 28 votes, topping Senator John McCain, Senator Sam Brownback, Congressman Tom Tancredo, Chicago businessman John Cox and Hugh Cort

Hunter’s Texas victory adds to the long list of straw polls that he has won in Southern and Western States.  His message of strong border security, fair trade policies with China, and returning high paying jobs back to Americans has resonated with the residents of the state.  “We know when we have the opportunity to present our vision of protecting America, the voters get the message.  We are taking this vision for a greater future to every state in the union,” said Hunter.

John Kerry 2004 Announcement Speech Anniversary

John Kerry Presidential Announcement Tour, September 2, 2003

"This is no ordinary campaign because this is no ordinary time. We have lived through the most deadly attack on our people in American history, the greatest job loss since the Great Depression, and the greatest loss of wealth and savings ever recorded.  But every time our country has faced great challenges, we have come through --  and come out stronger --  because courageous Americans have done what's right for America.

This is a time for the same kind of courage.

I learned something about service from two people I wish could be here today.  My father, who as a member of the Greatest Generation, enlisted in the Army Air Corps even before Pearl Harbor, and served in the State Department at the height of the Cold War.  And my mother, 50 years a Girl Scout leader, a community activist with a passion for the environment who took me into the woods as a young boy and simply said "listen."

As I look around at my crewmates and the veterans here today, I am reminded that the best lessons I learned about being an American came in a place far away from America -- on a gunboat in the Mekong Delta with a small crew of volunteers.  Some of us had been to college; others were just out of high school.  But we grew up together on that tiny boat.  It was our sanctuary -- and a place for bridging distances between California and South Carolina, Iowa and Massachusetts.  We were no longer the kid from Arkansas or the kid from Illinois.  We were Americans -- together -- under the same flag -- giving ourselves to something bigger than each of us as individuals.

We arrived as strangers; we left as brothers. We didnt think we were special.  We just tried to do what was right.

And when we came home, we had a simple saying: Every day is extra.  I used my extra days to join other veterans to end a war I believed was wrong.  I saw courage both in the Vietnam War and in the struggle to stop it.  I learned that patriotism includes protest, not just military service. But you don�t have to go half way around the world or march on Washington to learn about bravery or love of country. Again and again, in the causes that define our nation, we have seen the uncommon courage that is common to the American people.

Today, with confidence in the courage of our people to change what is wrong and do what is right, I come here to say why I am a candidate for President of the United States.

Your courage can make sure we do what's right for our country.

Your courage can give America back its future, its strength and its soul.

I am honored to join you in this endeavor as a candidate for President of the United States.

Thank you and God bless you all."

Full Speech Text

Clinton Campaign Signs Pledge To Keep Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada And South Carolina First

Clinton Campaign Statement
The following is a statement by Clinton Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle.

"We believe Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina play a unique and special role in the nominating process.

And we believe the DNC’s rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role.

Thus, we will be signing the pledge to adhere to the DNC approved nominating calendar."

Obama Pledges To Honor Role Of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire And South Carolina In Choosing Democratic Nominee For President

Obama Pledges to Honor Role of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina in Choosing Democratic Nominee for President 

CHICAGO, IL - US Senator Barack Obama today announced his commitment to follow the presidential nomination process sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.

Obama signed a pledge written by the Democratic Party Chairs in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina saying the process ensured that candidates would be tested by the rigors of a retail political campaign while appropriately incorporating the regional and ethnic diversity of the Democratic Party.

“As I have campaigned across America over the last six months, it’s become clear that Governor Dean and the Democratic National Committee have put together a presidential nomination process that’s in the best interests of our party and our nation,” said Senator Obama.  “I look forward to continuing the dialogue with voters and building the kind of grassroots movement in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina and the rest of the country that will send a clear signal to Washington that the American people are ready for change.”

Obama campaign officials also urged states in danger of violating DNC rules to adjust their plans to comply with the DNC’s calendar, so that every state contributes delegates to the nominating process.

“To become the Democratic nominee for president, a candidate must secure a majority of delegates to the national convention,” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.  “Because states that violate DNC rules will not be allowed to contribute to the delegate tally, we urge all states to ensure their compliance with DNC rules so they can participate in our Democratic nominating process. Our campaign will work within the rules established by the DNC to earn the support of Democrats across America and run a grassroots campaign to unite Americans around Senator Obama’s commitment to challenging the conventional thinking in Washington.”

Next week, Senator Obama will celebrate Labor Day in New Hampshire before kicking off a two-day swing through western Iowa.  Obama is scheduled to campaign in Nevada on Thursday.

Edwards Signs Four State Pledge

EDWARDS SIGNS FOUR STATE PLEDGE

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards today signed the “Four State Pledge” to show his support of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.  By signing the pledge, Edwards has agreed not to campaign in any state, other than the 4 designated early states, that schedules a presidential primary or caucus before February 5, 2008.  The pledge is written and sponsored by the State Democratic Parties in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

“This election, more than any other, is about real change and choosing the candidate who is going to fight for that change,” said Edwards.  “Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina need to be first because in these states ideas count, not just money. These are places where voters get to look the candidate in the eye and measure their policies, ideas, and integrity.  That’s why I am signing this pledge.  This tried-and-true nominating system is the only way for voters to judge the field based on the quality of the candidate, not the depth of their war chest.

“I strongly encourage my fellow candidates to support this four state pledge.  The Democratic Party is the party of ideas, not money; Main Street, not Wall Street; and real people, not Washington insiders, and signing this pledge reaffirms that.”