2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama for President

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama for President

Wisconsin Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 133.5 To Go

Wisconsin Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 133.5 To Go

CHICAGO, IL – Today, Wisconsin Superdelegate State Senator Lena Taylor endorsed Barack Obama, citing his ability to unite Americans for change.

Taylor’s endorsement means that Obama has been endorsed by 289.5 superdelegates. Obama is 133.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Taylor said, “After much reflection and soul searching I am pleased to announce my endorsement for Senator Barack Obama.  After a review of my recent County Executive race I am more aware then ever of the need to galvanize, motivate and inspire political participation by every member of society. Senator Obama has been a lightening rod in the effort to return citizens to the process. He’s awakened a sleeping giant – the people.  He has reenergized those weary of politics as we have come to know it by demonstrating both character and personal strength. He has connected with a cross-section of Americans, with a desire to do things better then we have done before.  He has an energy and commitment that is inclusive, thoughtful, contagious and deliberate. Senator Obama has the essential skill set to foster positive changes desperately needed for our nation.  His track record on policy, his diplomatic approach to conflict resolution and his keen awareness of the issues have positioned him to be the catalyst for change we need. Visionary, courageous and capable, Senator Obama is not only prepared to answer that 3am crisis phone call, he’s smart and experienced enough to avert it. I’m proud to endorse him today.”

RNC STATEMENT ON EDWARDS’ ENDORSEMENT OF OBAMA

RNC STATEMENT ON EDWARDS’ ENDORSEMENT OF OBAMA

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released the following statement today:

“Barack Obama and John Edwards share an out-of-touch agenda that would raise taxes on families while cutting funding for our troops.  The only question is why didn’t Edwards endorse sooner?  Edwards’ endorsement of a candidate he previously blasted as inexperienced, hypocritical, and lacking substance will not help Obama with voters looking for real change.”

Statement from Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe

Statement from Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe

Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe made the following statement today in response to former Sen. John Edwards’ endorsement of Sen. Obama.

“We respect John Edwards, but as the voters of West Virginia showed last night, this thing is far from over.”

Bob Barr Announcement Transcript

NEWS CONFERENCE WITH FORMER REPRESENTATIVE BOB BARR (R-GA) TO ANNOUNCE HIS CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT REPRESENTING THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY DATE: MONDAY, MAY 12, 2008

MR. BARR: Thank you. If you all could scoot in a little bit.

Russ, thank you very much. We are indeed honored to have heading up our team Russ Verney. For those of you who have not had, as I have had and as Jerry has had, the pleasure of meeting and now working with Russ Verney, he has tremendous experience running not only national campaigns but third-party campaigns as well.

When we searched the length and breadth of the country to find somebody who really could put together a winning effort, who had the winning attitude and who had the knowledge and the background and the history of how to do this, there was one name that was always at the top of everybody’s list, and that is Russ Verney.

Russ, thank you very much for heading up our effort here. Thank you.

My name is Bob Barr, and I am a candidate for the presidency of the United States of America. (Applause.) I will be seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party, for which I am a proud life member. And my wife Jeri is here and one of our sons, Derek, who works with me in my Atlanta office, and a number of other friends and colleagues, many of whom were introduced to you by Russ Verney just a few moments ago.

You might say, “Bob Barr, why are you running for president? Isn’t there a field already out there? Don’t we already have candidates out there? Aren’t the issues already being discussed? Will not there be a fair debate of the issues that are important, not just to the American people today but to their children and their grandchildren?”

And the answer is no, we do not. We do not have a field of candidates, currently or anywhere on the horizon, that understands and will raise the issues that are important to the great heritage of America, the history of this great land, the principles on which this great land was founded, the principles of fiscal conservancy, and who will work dramatically to help reshape this country in the image of our Founding Fathers and in the image of all those who have given so much to preserve liberty and freedom in this land.

And that is why, after very careful consideration, after having traveled many, many miles and many more on the Internet — taking lessons from my son Derek here, who is the millennial generation and who knows what the Internet is; he has taught me a great deal — but after having spent, over the last several weeks since we formed our exploratory committee in America’s heartland, I have heard from Americans from all walks of life, both here and abroad.

I just returned, for example, last evening from a debate in the UK, in the United Kingdom, and met several Americans over there who were students. And I heard the same thing from them as I hear from Americans here in this great land of ours, and that is, they want a choice. They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us.

And the reason for that is very simple. They believe in America as I believe in America. We believe in an America that is not and should not be and should never be driven by fear, as current policies on behalf of both parties are in this country. America is a nation formed on courage. It is a nation formed on the power to take risks and to reap the tremendous rewards that come from taking risks.

It is not a country that likes to operate in the cocoon of government power and government stability and government security. Indeed, as one looks across the policy landscape nowadays, one sees not only a lack of discussion of the true problems that face us, and not only superficial solutions that are served up to a somnambulant public, but we see solutions that bear little relationship at all indeed to the principles on which our country was founded, those great constitutional principles that used to have some currency here in Washington, principles such as habeas corpus, the great writ which has fallen into such disrepute under the current administration; principles such as separation of powers, which used to stand for that balancing of powers and keeping powers in check, but yet which similarly has fallen into great disrepute in Washington these days on behalf of both parties; principles such as the rule of law rather than the rule of men, which likewise has been discarded as inconvenient and a quaint notion on the part of the current leadership in Washington.

And this has all had the effect of giving us a government that has run amok fiscally, as the American people see their standard of living dropping. They are bothered by the fact, as I am bothered by the fact, that the standard of their government keeps going up.

I mean, indeed, the figures speak for themselves. During the first three months, during the first quarter of this year, as American businesses, large and small, were losing nearly 300,000 jobs, guess who was hiring. Guess where employment was going up: Government, to the tune of nearly 80,000 jobs. During that same period of time that Americans were losing their jobs in the private sector, government was hiring with enthusiasm.

The American people are bothered by this. As they see their dollar diminishing in value, both at home and abroad, they see no change in Washington’s appetite for their money. The debt is rising to historic levels. The deficit is rising. The budget stands at well over $3 trillion, bloated by such programs as subsidies for agricultural producers, the majority of which go to people and families with incomes in excess of $200,000.

These things bother the American people. They deserve better. They know they deserve better. I believe they deserve better. And the Libertarian Party deserves they believe (sic) better. They believe that they deserve a president who will actually stand up to the forces here in Washington, somebody who is not a part of that fraternity that has given us the crop of current candidates, who will stand up, as precious few presidents previously have, to the powers in Washington that want more, more, more, and say no; who, during his first year in office, his first days in office, will order a freeze on discretionary spending, will then seek to dramatically cut the size, the scope, the power of the federal government, not just in terms of the American taxpayers’ dollars that it spends, but in terms of the power of the American individual that it robs.

So this is a brief overview of those reasons that have gone into the decision-making process that bring me here today to our nation’s capital to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the United States of America.

I am a competitor. The American people are competitors. For far too long, they have been treated as serfs, not competitors, not peers, not equals. We aim to change this. And with the help of the American people, led by the team that Russ Verney has already begun putting together with Doug Bandow and others that have been introduced to you, and many more, we intend to succeed so that in November America will have and see a president who will then be sworn into office on January 20th of 2009 who believes that power resides and vests and shall be returned to the people of this land, not simply the power over their economic future here in this country, where Americans have seen the standards of living of their children being educated — diminished — even as we have an administration that champions the increase in educational standards in faraway lands.

The American people want to be once again in control of their lives, not beholden to those abroad who loan us money so that we can then engage in adventures overseas.

This will be a difficult process, not just the electoral process but the process of governing, of changing the direction of the ship of state that, under Democrat and Republicans alike, in almost similar measure, cycle after cycle after cycle, has simply added to rather than solved the problems that we currently see before us.

We appreciate very much you all coming here today, and we’ll be delighted to answer any questions that you all have. And as Russ mentioned, if there are questions — excuse me — if there are questions that relate to the specifics of the campaign, please see Russ about those.

He is in the process of putting together the team that will lead us through not just the Libertarian Party process, which will culminate in just a couple of weeks in the nomination process, which we’re confident of winning, but then thereafter over the ensuing months to victory in November.

Thank you.

Transcript: Hillary Clinton Delivers Remarks at Charleston, WV Celebration Event

Transcript: Hillary Clinton Delivers Remarks at Charleston, WV Celebration Event

Hillary Clinton delivered the following remarks at a victory celebration in Charleston, WV tonight:

Thank you, West Virginia.

You know, like the song says: “it's almost heaven,” and I am so grateful for this overwhelming vote of confidence.

There are some who have wanted to cut this race short. They say “give up, it's too hard, the mountain is too high,” but here in West Virginia, you know a thing or two about rough roads to the top of the mountain. We know from the Bible that faith can move mountains and, my friends, the faith of the Mountain State has moved me. I am more determined than ever to carry on this campaign until everyone has had a chance to make their voices heard.

I want to commend Senator Obama and his supporters. This continues to be a hard-fought race, from one end of our country to the other. And yes, we've had a few dust-ups along the way, but our commitment to bring America new leadership that will renew America’s promise means that we have always stood together on what is most important.

Now, tonight I need your help to continue this journey. We are in the homestretch. There are only three weeks left in the final contests, and your support can make the difference between winning and losing. So I hope you'll go to HillaryClinton.com and support our campaign.

You've heard this before – there are many who wanted to declare a nominee before the ballots were counted or even cast. Some said our campaign was over after Iowa, but then we won New Hampshire. Then we had big victories on Super Tuesday and in Ohio and Texas and Pennsylvania, and of course, we came from behind to win in Indiana.

So, this race isn't over yet. Neither of us has the total delegates it takes to win and both Senator Obama and I believe that the delegates from Florida and Michigan should be seated. I believe we should honor the votes cast by 2.3 million people in those states and seat all of their delegates. Under the rules of our party, when you include all 50 states, the number of delegates needed to win is 2,209, and neither of us has reached that threshold yet. This win in West Virginia will help me move even closer.

Now, in a campaign, it can be easy to get lost in the political spin and the polls or the punditry, but we must never lose sight of what really counts, of why all of us care so much about who wins and who loses in our political system. An enormous decision falls on the shoulders of Democratic voters in these final contests and those Democrats empowered to vote at our convention. And tonight, in light of our overwhelming victory here in West Virginia, I want to send a message to everyone still making up their mind.

I am in this race because I believe I am the strongest candidate - the strongest candidate to lead our party in November of 2008 and the strongest president to lead our nation starting in January of 2009. I can win this nomination if you decide I should, and I can lead this party to victory in the general election if you lead me to victory now.

The choice falls to all of you, and I don't envy you. I deeply admire Senator Obama, but I believe our case, a case West Virginia has helped to make, our case is stronger. Together, we have won millions and millions of votes - by the time tonight is over, probably 17 million, close to it. We've won them in states that we must be prepared and ready to win in November –  Pennsylvania and Ohio, Arkansas and New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Michigan, Florida, and now West Virginia. It is a fact that no Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia.

The bottom line is this – the White House is one in the swing states and I am winning the swing states. And we have done it by standing up for the deepest principles of our party with a vision for an America that rewards hard work again, that values the middle class and helps to make it stronger.

With your help, I am ready to go head-to-head with John McCain to put our vision for America up against the one he shares with President Bush. Now, I believe our party is strong enough for this challenge. I am strong enough for it. You know I never give up. I’ll keep coming back, and I’ll stand with you as long as you stand with me.

Together, we will draw the stark distinctions that will determine the future direction of our nation, the difference between ending the war in Iraq responsibly or continuing it indefinitely, between health care for everyone and more uninsured Americans, between standing up for the middle-class families that you represent or standing up for the corporate special interests.

So, I ask you, Democrats, to choose who you believe will make the strongest candidate in the fall and who is ready to execute the office of the presidency of the United States.

People ask me all the time, why am I in this race. Well, I’m in it because of the people that I have worked for my entire life and the people I meet along the campaign trail, people who need someone who fights for them because they're fighting so hard every single day, the people who drive for miles to show their support, who come with the home-made sign, who raise money by skipping those dinners out, who have stood fast and stood strong. I’m in this race for the millions of Americans who know that we can do better in our country, for the nurse on her second shift, for the worker on the line, for the waitress on her feet, for the small business owner, the farmer, the teacher, the coal miner, the trucker, the soldier, the veteran, the college student.

All of the hardworking men and women who defy the odds to build a better life for themselves and their children. You will never be counted out, and I won't either. You will never quit, and I won't, either.

The question is, why do so many people keep voting? Why did 64% of Democrats say in a recent poll they wanted this race to continue? Because in the face of the pundits and the naysayers, they know what is at stake. They know that we have two wars, an economy in crisis on the brink of a recession, $9 trillion of debt, oil prices shooting through the roof, gas prices and grocery prices hurting people who desperately are looking for a way to just keep going day to day. They know they need a champion. They need someone who's going to never stop fighting for health care that covers everyone, no exceptions, for an economy that lifts everyone up, for good jobs that won't be shipped overseas, for college affordability, for all that you can do to own a home and then to keep it.

This election is fundamentally about whether or not the American dream remains alive and well, for our children and our grandchildren. This is the core of my life and my political beliefs: that we owe so much to future generations, that we do not want to see that dream recede, that we know people have to work hard, and we expect you to do just that and to take responsibility, but at the very least, you should have a President who is on your side again.

And I believe that this campaign has been good for the Democratic Party and good for our country. People are discussing and debating issues. They are turning out in record numbers to register and to vote. There is an excitement about politics that is the lifeblood of our democracy.

For me, this election isn't about who's in or who's out or who's up or who's down. It’s about the common threads that tie us together – rich and poor, young and old, black and white, Latino and Asian, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. We are united by common values. We all want a better world for our children, and we want the best for our country. And we are committed to putting a Democrat back in the White House.

And our nominee – our nominee will be stronger for having campaigned long and hard, building enthusiasm and excitement, hearing your stories and answering your questions. And I will work my heart out for the nominee of the Democratic Party to make sure we have a Democratic President.

As we look at the stakes in this election, I think we can all agree it’s been unprecedented. We haven't had an election like it for as long as anyone can remember. It is still so close and it really does depend upon those who will vote in these next contests and those who have the awesome responsibility as delegates of our great Democratic Party.

I’m asking that people think hard about where we are in this election, about how we will win in November, because this is not an abstract exercise. This is for a solemn, crucial purpose: to elect a president to turn our country around, to meet the challenges we face and seize the opportunities. It has been a long campaign, but it is just an instant in time when compared with the lasting consequences of the choice we will make in November. That is why I am carrying on, and if you give me a chance, Democrats, I’ll come back to West Virginia in the general election and we'll win this state and we'll win the White House.

I am honored and grateful for the support and hospitality of the people of West Virginia. I spent a few minutes with your wonderful national treasure, Senator Byrd, this morning and we talked about his beloved West Virginia. I told him where I’d gone and what I’d seen. I talked about the people I had met. And he just broke into the biggest smile. I don’t know that any man has ever loved a state more than Robert C. Byrd loves West Virginia.

I am grateful for the graciousness of Governor and Mrs. Manchin. Governor Manchin is winning a great victory himself tonight, and I want to thank Joe and Gayle for welcoming me to Governor Manchin’s hometown as we went to Fairmont for a great election last night. I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, former Governor Hulett Smith, Brigadier General Jack Yeager, all of the West Virginia veterans who honored me by their support and I honor their service.

Thanks to my friends in the labor unions who stood with us every step of the way, we wouldn't be here without you. And a special thanks to my outstanding staff, volunteers and supporters here in West Virginia and across America.

At least once, usually a half a dozen times a day, Bill and Chelsea and I check in with each other and I wish every West Virginian could have heard our calls as we compared our experiences here in this state. We’ve had the best time.

And I will be back. As we move on now to the next contests, in Kentucky and Oregon, in Puerto Rico, in Montana and South Dakota, tonight I'm thinking about Florence Steen from South Dakota, eighty-eight years old and in failing health when she asked that her daughter bring an absentee ballot to her hospice bedside. Florence was born before women had the right to vote, and she was determined to exercise that right, to cast a ballot for her candidate who just happened to be a woman running for president. Florence passed on a few days ago, but I am eternally grateful to her and her family for making this such an important and incredible milestone in her life that means so much to me. I’m also thinking of Dalton Hatfield, an 11-year-old boy from Kentucky, who sold his bike and sold his video games to raise money to support my campaign.

This is a great and good nation because of people like Florence Steen, Dalton Hatfield, and their families. Her memory and his future are worth fighting for. As long as we remember that there is no challenge we cannot meet, no barrier we cannot break, no dream we cannot realize. So, let's finish the job we started. America is worth fighting for.

Thank you and God bless you and God bless America. Thank you all so very much.

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Unveils Official Apparel For 2008 Republican National Convention At Mall Of America Fashion Show

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Unveils Official Apparel for 2008 Republican National Convention At Mall Of America Fashion Show

Nonpartisan, Bipartisan and Official Convention Merchandise to be Modeled by Local Dignitaries

ST. PAUL, MINN. (May 13, 2008) – Official Convention merchandise for the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis Saint Paul was unveiled today at a runway fashion show at Mall of America. 

The fashion show featured a variety of nonpartisan, bipartisan and Convention logo merchandise including polos, T-shirts, jackets, hats, ties and more. In addition, a commemorative Convention T-shirt featuring a hand-painted, watercolor effect of the Twin Cities skyline was also unveiled. The official merchandise was worn by local dignitaries including Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and event emcees Maria Cino, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 2008 Republican National Convention; and Cyndi Lesher, President of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee.  FM107’s Polichicks – Annette Meeks (a Republican) and Cathie Hartnett (a Democrat, who sported a T-shirt “Democrats for the Republican National Convention”) also participated in the event.

“Today’s unveiling of our convention’s official merchandise represents another important step in planning the most exciting convention in Republican Party history,” Cino said. “With less than 120 days until the gavel drops, we encourage our supporters to click online and check out our convention gear.  After all, did the convention ever really happen if you don’t have the T-shirt to prove it?”

St. Croix Promotions & Retail Inc., the official master vendor and licensee of the 2008 Republican National Convention, was chosen after a national search. The woman-owned, local company will produce official logo merchandise that will be available at many retail locations including:  MSP Airport, Mall of America, Xcel Energy Center, selected delegation hotels and a 6,000 square-foot CivicFest Mega Store. Official Convention logo merchandise will also be available online at www.msp2008.com and www.civicfest.org.

“It has been 116 years since Minnesota has hosted a political convention and this is an opportunity for all Minnesotans to own a part of history regardless of their political affiliation,” said Lesher. “We wanted to give Minnesotans a sneak peek at all the fun and creative clothing and items that are now available on our Web site for the 2008 Republican National Convention.”

More than 45,000 individuals, including 15,000 media, are expected to attend the Convention. In addition, more than 150,000 people are expected to attend CivicFest, a nearly 300,000 square-foot event celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency. CivicFest will be held in conjunction with the Convention from August 29 to September 4, 2008, and will be open to the general public.

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is the nonprofit, nonpartisan entity charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minnesota in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The last national political convention in Minnesota was the Republican National Convention held in 1892.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

South Dakota For Hillary Announces Endorsement of 41 Former State Legislators And Constitutional Officers

South Dakota for Hillary Announces Endorsement of 41 Former State Legislators and Constitutional Officers

Officials with over 330 years of combined public service to the state of South Dakota endorse Hillary
The Clinton campaign today announced the endorsement of 41 former South Dakota state legislators and constitutional officers. These officials, with over 330 years of combined experience in public service to the state of South Dakota, endorsed Hillary because of her readiness to serve on day one and her plans to jumpstart the economy and help consumers struggling with rising gas prices.

"After seven years of an Administration that favored the special interests at every turn, South Dakotans need a President who will stand with them," said former State Representative Al Waltman. "Hillary Clinton has real solutions to our economic problems, to skyrocketing energy prices and to ending the war in Iraq, and she has the experience and resolve to make those plans a reality. Hillary is the candidate who can beat John McCain in the fall and start turning this country around on day one in the White House."

The announcement came on the heels of visits to South Dakota from both Hillary and Former President Clinton over the past several days.

"Hillary Clinton has done more than give speeches - she has been achieving real results for working families for the past 35 years," said former State Senator Judy Olson Duhamel. "Given the challenges we face, we need a President who is ready to hit the ground running and begin to turn our economy around and restore our standing in the world, and Hillary Clinton has the experience to do just that."

"I am honored to receive the support of such a talented group of people who have dedicated their lives to public service," Senator Clinton said. "These South Dakotans know what it takes to stand up for working families and I am proud they think I am best qualified for the job."

The list of former South Dakota legislators who have endorsed Hillary is below:

Jim Burg, Public Utilities Commissioner, State Senator and State Representative from Wessington Springs
Pam Nelson, Public Utilities Commissioner, State Senator and State Representative from Sioux Falls
Ken Stofferahn, Public Utilities Commissioner, Former State Representative from Humboldt
Mark Anderson, State Representative from Crooks
Violet Biever, State Representative from Oelrichs
Rolly Chicoine, State Senator and State Representative from Elk Point
Rebekah Cradduck, State Senator and State Representative from Sioux Falls
Peggy Cruse, State Representative from Pierre
Michael Curran, State Representative from Jefferson
Kay Davis, State Representative from Sioux Falls
Betrum Ellingson, State Representative from Sisseton
Charlie Flowers, State Senator and State Representative from Iroquis
Doug Fosheim, State Representative from Huron
Janet Good, State Representative from Long Valley
Sharon Green, State Senator from Rapid City
Pat Haley, State Representative from Huron
Dale Howlett, State Senator and State Representative from Watertown
Jim Hutmacher, State Senator from Chamberlain
Jacquie Kelley, State Senator from Pierre
Dorothy Kellogg, State Representative from Watertown
Patricia Kenner, State Representative from Rapid City
Albert Kocer, State Representative from Wagner
Michael Kroger, State Representative from Dell Rapids
Francis McDaniel, Jr., State Representative from Lantry
John McIntyre, State Senator and State Representative from Sioux Falls
Grace Mickelson, State Senator from Rapid City
Doris Miner, State Senator and State Representative from Gregory
Roger Moore, State Representative from Gettysburg
Gary D. Nelson, State Senator from Martin
Judy Olson Duhamel, State Senator from Rapid City, and Chair of South Dakota Democratic Party
Dale Peterson, State Representative from Wakonda
Jerry Radack, State Representative from Yankton
Ben Radcliffe, State Representative from Hitchcock
Roberta Rasmussen, State Senator from Hurley
Joe Reedy, State Senator and State Representative from Vermillion
Dean Schrempp, State Representative from Lantry
Tom Shortbull, State Senator from Pine Ridge
Randy Stenson, State Senator from Colome
Dick Waddell, State Senator from Isabel
Al Waltman, State Representative from Aberdeen
Mike Wilson, State Representative from Rapid City

Senator Daniel Akaka Endorses Barack Obama

Senator Daniel Akaka Endorses Barack Obama

CHICAGO, IL – Today, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawaii endorsed Barack Obama for President. Akaka is the 280th superdelegate to endorse Obama, who is now 151 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Senator Akaka’s Statement is below:

For more than a year, people have asked me who I plan to endorse for President of the United States.  I’ve waited this long for several reasons. The Democratic campaign began with more than ten declared candidates.  As a veteran of more than 30 years on Capitol Hill, I knew each and everyone of them and had worked closely with all.  I had no doubt that each of them had the knowledge and ability to lead our country out of the financial and diplomatic chaos that we’ve experienced for the past eight years.

Having waged a number of campaigns myself, I can tell you they are not easy.  Campaigns are tests, and there’s no tougher one than running for President.  Like many Americans, I’ve followed the campaign for President closely and with growing interest, eager to see which candidate would articulate a vision for our country, encourage hope and renew faith in our government, and stand to the rigors of a nationwide contest.

After giving it a lot of thought, I’ve decided that for me, that candidate is Barack Obama.

Rather than echo his supporters or review his platform on health care, the environment, or the war in Iraq, I want to add a different voice to those who believe Senator Obama would make a fine President.  He is the antidote we need to cure Washington of the uninspired, partisan politics that has plagued our country far too long.

What makes him uniquely qualified?  A March 2008 feature in Vanity Fair magazine offers a clue:  “He was born and came of age in Hawaii, the 50th state and in many ways among the freest‑thinking, where mixed‑race ancestry is …a given... If Obama comes across as a bit of a softy—if you don’t see the toughness or the ambition at first—it may be in part because he spent his formative years in a place where ‘Live Aloha’ had not yet become a slogan aimed at recapturing a more gracious time, but was simply a way of life.”

I have great hope, that in his own way, Barack Obama will achieve what I have been working to accomplish my entire Congressional career, more tolerance and understanding, an appreciation for common goals and interests, rather than an emphasis on our differences.

While I am pledging my support to Senator Obama, I want to make it very clear that I hold both Senator Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton in the highest regard as colleagues and friends.  Senator Clinton has campaigned hard and well and I wish her all the best as we move forward.  In an example of her leadership and commitment, Senator Clinton has promised that come November, the Democratic Party will be united behind our presidential nominee and I send her my fondest aloha for her courage and selflessness.

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: "A BETTER WAY"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: "A BETTER WAY"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released a new television ad, entitled "A Better Way," focusing on John McCain's commitment to addressing the challenge of global climate change.

This week, John McCain travels to the Pacific Northwest to deliver remarks on climate change, setting the stage for a discussion on conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. Today in Portland, John McCain will deliver a major speech outlining his plans to combat the threat of global climate change and re-establish America's environmental leadership in the world. He will propose a domestic cap-and-trade system that will mobilize market forces to develop and commercialize alternatives to carbon-based fuels. On Tuesday, John McCain will travel to Seattle, where he will participate in a roundtable discussion to solicit the views of environmentalists, conservationists and the business community on the most effective strategies for meeting this challenge.

"A Better Way" will air in the important battleground state of Oregon.

"A Better Way" -- (TV-:30)

ANNCR: Our environment in peril,

Oil and food prices out of control,

Climate change wreaks havoc with deadly weather.

One extreme thinks high taxes and crippling regulation is the solution.

Another denies the problem even exists.

There's a better way.

JOHN MCCAIN: I believe that climate change is real.

It's not just a greenhouse gas issue.

It's a national security issue.

We have an obligation to future generations to take action and fix it.

I'm John McCain and I approve this message.