2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Academy Award-Winning Actor Jon Voight Endorses Mayor Giuliani

Academy Award-Winning Actor Jon Voight Endorses Mayor Giuliani

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced that accomplished actor Jon Voight has endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President of the United States and will campaign on his behalf in both Florida and California later this month.

“America is approaching one of its most important elections in history and we must elect a leader with the strength and resolve of Rudy Giuliani,” said Voight. “His commitment to keeping our military strong and his track record of transforming New York makes him the right man at the right time for our country.”

“I am honored to have Jon Voight’s help on the campaign trail,” said Mayor Giuliani. “Our shared vision of maintaining America’s strength and providing the focus for the challenges we face is one that is shared by countless others who are supporting our campaign.”

The Daytona Beach News-Journal Endorses John McCain For President

THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"Arizona Sen. John McCain's candidacy stands out on several grounds: experience, a record of bipartisanship, moderation on critical issues (immigration, energy, global warming) ... and more inclination to speak unpopular truths, even if it costs him votes." -- Daytona Beach News-Journal

McCain's Experience, Moderation Stand Out
Editorial
Daytona Beach News-Journal
January 13, 2008

Arizona Sen. John McCain's candidacy stands out on several grounds: experience, a record of bipartisanship, moderation on critical issues (immigration, energy, global warming), less inclination to exploit personal faith or forced folksiness to political advantage, and more inclination to speak unpopular truths, even if it costs him votes.

McCain is neither a newcomer -- he's been in the Senate 22 years and was in the House of Representatives for four -- nor a prototypical insider. The Republican establishment preferred to back George W. Bush in the 2000 election, due in part to McCain's independence. Going back to his days as a congressman during the Reagan administration, McCain has been unafraid to follow his conscience even when his vote went against the party line. One early, mostly forgotten example during McCain's first year in Congress: He voted in the minority and against extending President Reagan's deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983. Twenty-five days later, a suicide bomber killed 241 Marines as they slept in their barracks. ...

Eight years ago, McCain easily won the New Hampshire Republican primary and looked ready to roll through subsequent primaries aboard his "Straight Talk Express," as he called his campaign bus. His appeal to independents and conservative Democrats was apparent until he was routed by Bush in South Carolina, following one of the ugliest primary campaigns in the nation's history. ... Today, he looks rejuvenated, determined and ready to lead Republicans in the November election.

The Pensacola News Journal Endorses John McCain For President

THE PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"McCain offers something voters are desperate for in the White House: integrity. ... McCain has earned voters' respect from his service in Vietnam and his experience in the Senate. In being himself, his essential integrity has shone through." -- Pensacola News Journal

For President -- Our Recommendations
Editorial
Pensacola News Journal
January 13, 2008

The Florida Legislature's decision to move the presidential primaries to Jan. 29 -- an attempt to make the state more important in the nominating process -- backfired. ...

But Florida remains important -- and will be more so if, as some think, the national parties recant before the conventions and let all the delegates in.

So voters should not stay home. Go the polls Jan. 29 and participate in selecting the party candidates for president. ...

Republican: John McCain

The Bradenton Herald Endorses John McCain For President

THE BRADENTON HERALD ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"With solid domestic policies and vital experience in foreign affairs, McCain is the right Republican candidate at the right time in history. Above all else, this nation needs a strong leader, one who can be trusted. John McCain is that kind of leader." -- Bradenton Herald

The Republican: John McCain
Editorial
Bradenton Herald
January 13, 2008

The oft-told story about John McCain's military service resonates to this day because it says so much about his integrity, strength and patriotism.

After being shot down and taken prisoner during the Vietnam War -- and suffering many beatings -- he was set to be released after the North Vietnamese learned his father was a prominent U.S. admiral. His captors wanted to score propaganda points. McCain, though, insisted prisoners held longer be freed first. He was kept in prison -- for five years in all -- and beaten again and again.

Even Hollywood would have a tough time matching that heroic plot line.

Today, McCain continues to be a man of strong conviction and unquestionable character. His leadership skills and experience make him the best Republican candidate in the field, and we support his nomination.

The Greenville News Endorses John McCain For President

THE GREENVILLE NEWS ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"No issue is more important than this nation's security, and no Republican on Saturday's ballot is better qualified to offer steady, tested, reassuring leadership than Arizona Sen. John McCain. ... McCain could bring traits to the White House that are needed most during dangerous times. He is an independent thinker, a coalition builder and an intuitive leader. John McCain is the strongest candidate on the GOP ballot ... John McCain can be trusted with this nation's security, and that's a powerful reason for South Carolina Republicans to vote for him Saturday." -- The Greenville News

McCain Has What It Takes To Be President
He's The Strongest Candidate On The GOP Ballot Saturday

Michigan Newspapers Endorse John McCain For President

MICHIGAN NEWSPAPERS ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT
Kalamazoo Gazette, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, Port Huron Times-Herald And Jackson Citizen Patriot Endorse John McCain

"McCain is our pick, in part, because we believe he would be the best standard-bearer for the GOP in November. He would have the broadest appeal in a general election. But more important, we believe he would be the better president of those running in the Republican field. [McCain] knows about enduring adversity in a way that none of the other candidates could possibly know. He certainly has more experience in foreign policy matters than the others. He knows how to work with both Republicans and Democrats." -- Kalamazoo Gazette
"McCain is a solid conservative whose views resonate with Livingston County Republicans. He is a pragmatic, tested politician who will forge necessary alliances, whether with Democrats when bipartisan solutions are needed or with other nations in battling terrorism. ... Perhaps most important to Republicans, McCain is the conservative that will likely fare best in November against whomever the Democrats nominate." -- Livingston County Daily Press & Argus

"McCain is the one who deserves the victory. The state's voters gave McCain a stunning victory eight years ago. There are strong reasons to do so again. In a field of capable candidates, McCain shines." -- Port Huron Times-Herald

"Fundamentally, [McCain] is a straight shooter who has stood by our involvement in Iraq and the need for immigration reform even if it has cost him votes. On Thursday, McCain candidly acknowledged that some jobs have left Michigan and South Carolina, another upcoming primary state, for good. While Romney has shifted positions on substantive issues, there's no doubt where McCain stands. ... McCain or Romney would do the job well, but our vote is for McCain." -- Jackson Citizen Patriot

Tampa Tribune Endorses John McCain For President

TAMPA TRIBUNE ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"John McCain is the Republican presidential candidate best prepared to lead America forward in a muscular yet compassionate way. ... We respect his backbone, his honesty and his unwavering patriotism. ... McCain is a good and principled man who stands behind his beliefs. He would keep the country safe and secure. He is the right man for America." -- Tampa Tribune

McCain Is Our Man
Editorial
Tampa Tribune
January 11, 2008

When the 2008 presidential campaign began so long ago, everyone believed the Iraq War would be the defining issue. But as violence lessened, talk turned to health care, immigration and the sputtering economy. Now, everyone's talking about change, change, change.

America's desire for change taps a yearning to feel optimistic about the future again, to feel confident that the country is headed in the right direction. But change for change's sake is a risky proposition. More important is a clear sense of purpose, a strong set of values and the ability to get things done.

In our considered opinion, Arizona Sen. John McCain is the Republican presidential candidate best prepared to lead America forward in a muscular yet compassionate way. Today we recommend him for your consideration.

South Carolina's Largest Newspaper Endorses John McCain For President

SOUTH CAROLINA'S LARGEST NEWSPAPER ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"Experience, certainly. Integrity, even more so. But John McCain's most conspicuous virtue is courage. He is a brave and tough man who unlike some candidates has no need to bluster, but is able to speak with humility and generosity to those with whom he disagrees. A McCain presidency would do much to restore confidence in American leadership, at home and abroad." -- The State

John McCain Clearly The Best In GOP Primary
Editorial
The State (Columbia, SC)
Sunday, January 13, 2008

"For South Carolina, and to some extent for the nation, the choice among Republican candidates for president has come down to two men.

First Rudy Giuliani, then Mitt Romney looked at political realities and fled the Palmetto State, deciding their priorities lay elsewhere. Fred Thompson seems to be running in this first-in-the-South primary just to say he did. Ron Paul keeps on being Ron Paul, former nominee of the Libertarian Party.

The two remaining contenders here happen to be the two strongest candidates -- Mike Huckabee and John McCain. ...

It's not just about Iraq and Afghanistan. As freshly demonstrated by the incident involving U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz last week and the assassination earlier of the opposition leader in the world's most volatile democracy (which possesses nuclear weapons, and shelters Osama bin Laden), our commander in chief will need a far broader and deeper understanding of our relationship to the world than on-the-job training can adequately provide.

Clearly, the best Republican candidate to lead our nation at this time is U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona. He has the necessary experience, not just in time served, but in the quality of understanding he exhibits across the board..."

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Endorses Obama

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Endorses Obama

OMAHA, NE – Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) today endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing Obama's ability to bridge the partisan divide and to carry Democratic candidates across the country to victory in 2008.

"Those of us on both sides of the aisle who have made it our purpose to set aside partisanship to address some of the important issues of the day want a president that will join the effort, not foil it. Barack Obama, to me, represents the best hope for our own political reconciliation and a future where the cogs of government are working smoothly for progress instead of being gummed up by partisanship," said Senator Nelson. "Barack Obama will be the strongest candidate in the heartland, because he puts solutions and consensus fist and he inspires great crossover appeal among Republicans and independents."

"Senator Nelson represents how Washington should work – he reaches across the aisle to make progress where there is common ground," said Senator Obama.   "Senator Nelson understands that Americans in the heartland do not believe the country is divided into red states and blue states, they are ready to unite around a common purpose to bring the change we so desperately need.   As a Governor and a Senator, Ben Nelson led the fight to bridge the divide between urban and rural communities, to expand health care for children, to boost the production of renewable fuels, and to strengthen our military.   Independent-minded leaders across the country are joining my campaign because they know we'll need to unite Americans of all ideologies and from all walks of life to bring change we can believe in."

Mike Huckabee Adds James P. Pinkerton to Campaign Staff

Mike Huckabee Adds James P. Pinkerton to Campaign Staff

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- James P. Pinkerton has become a senior advisor to former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign, it was announced today.

"I am excited and honored to become part of Mike Huckabee's campaign. I have thought for a long time that he had the best ideas and the best message for our time--and when I met him, I saw that he was the best person for the job," Pinkerton said. "And then Ed Rollins, my old boss at the Reagan White House and at the Reagan Bush '84 campaign, said that I could help the Governor restore the magnificent Reagan coalition, I jumped at the opportunity."

Pinkerton has been a columnist for Newsday since 1993. He worked on domestic policy issues in the White House under presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. He worked in the 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1992 Republican presidential campaigns.