2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

White House Hopefuls Prepare For 2008

White House bids are now accepted
By Mark Z. Barabak
LA Times

November 7, 2006

After months of quiet jockeying, the 2008 presidential race begins in earnest as campaigning ends in a fierce midterm election that has helped reshape the next contest on both sides.

White House hopefuls have been blazing across the country — stumping for allies, stroking donors and giving away millions of dollars in goodwill contributions — as they competed in a kind of shadow campaign...

The early presidential maneuvering stems from a sense that the White House contest will be unusually competitive. For the first time in more than 50 years, no sitting president or vice president is running, denying any candidate that leg up...

Given the front-loaded calendar — the assumption is both nominees will be chosen by early February 2008 — the bulk of campaigning will occur in 2007. A series of formal announcements is likely in the next few weeks, beginning with several of the lesser-known candidates; no one can imagine waiting until late summer a year out to make their intentions known, the way Bill Clinton did before winning the 1992 Democratic nomination.

Ballpark estimates put the cost of a competitive campaign at $30 million to $50 million for each side, though winning candidates could easily spend twice that. For Democrats, there will also be new ground to cover, with early contests added in Nevada and South Carolina, along with the traditional kickoff states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

The 'Off-Year Primary'
John Nichols
Mon Nov 6, 3:00 PM ET

The Nation -- It has become fashionable to refer to the hurdles that presidential contenders must leap before any actual primary votes are cast as primaries of a different sort: There's the "wealth primary" to measure fundraising capability; the "Beltway primary" to measure how party insiders are lining up; and now the "blogosphere primary" to measure where netroots activists are gravitating. But the most important pre-primary "primary" is still the one in which the contenders try to make themselves useful--by lending their star power and giving generously to candidates in tight races--during the election cycle prior to the presidential year...

Two Years Until Election Day 2008

The next Presidential election will take place on November 4, 2008, two years from this date.

"Driving Minnesota Forward" John McCain & Tim Pawlenty

John McCain Photo From Blaine, Minnesota

John McCain traveled to Minnesota to campaign for Governor Tim Pawlenty. The Governor and Senator McCain spoke to supporters in Rochester, Mankato, Blaine, Duluth and Moorhead today. At the National Sports Center in Blaine, Senator McCain praised the Governor's leadership.

“These are very dangerous times for America.  This is the kind of leadership that I’d like to pass the torch to, so that America will remain the noblest experiment in the history of mankind.  This is a leader that can carry that torch. Ladies and gentlemen, your governor, Tim Pawlenty.”

FOX News and South Carolina GOP Announce First 2008 Presidential Debate

FOX News and the South Carolina Republican Party
Present the First Presidential Debate of the 2008 Campaign

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – FOX News and the South Carolina Republican Party have jointly announced that they will present the first 2008 presidential debate on May 15, 2007. The debate, which is expected to attract the top Republican contenders for President, will be shown live on FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX News Radio from the University of South Carolina’s Koger Center.

The South Carolina Republican Party is expected to hold its Presidential Primary in early February 2008. There has never been a candidate to lose the South Carolina primary and successfully capture the Party’s nomination for President.

In making this announcement, FOX News Executive Producer of Political Programs Marty Ryan said, “We look forward to presenting this debate to the nation and are proud to commit the air time and resources to the 2008 presidential election.”

Katon Dawson, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party added, “We are excited that Fox News will carry this important debate to voters all across the country. The ‘First in the South’ Presidential Primary will again play a major role in electing our next president and it is very appropriate that the first in the nation Republican debate take place in South Carolina.”

University of South Carolina Andrew A. Sorenson added, “The University of South Carolina is proud and honored to host this national event on our campus. It is a great opportunity to observe the political process and to have candidates for president debate the critical issues of our time live in front of our faculty, staff, and students.”

Chris Dodd Campaign Launches New Website

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2006

The Dodd Campaign Launched ChrisDodd.com with this press release.

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Chris Dodd’s campaign announced the launch of their new website, ChrisDodd.com.

The website, home to large amounts of information on Senator Dodd and his agenda, has some interactive features, with more to be announced over the next few weeks. Of particular note is the Dodd Corps, a way for people to organize over the internet and share ideas about how to better our nation.

"The internet is revolutionizing the American political process and we need to embrace it as a vehicle for promoting democracy. Websites and blogs are a great and important way for people across the country to come together, participate in the process and have their voices and opinions heard," said Dodd. "With the help of the internet, we are able to bring together a variety of committed Americans from all over the country who want to make real change in the future of this country.”

Another key feature of the website is the "DoddPod" which allows visitors to send songs, podcasts and their own personal audio message for possible placement on Senator Dodd's iPod. The chrisdodd.com website allows for personal messages up to 10 megabyte in size (or approximately 10 minutes) to be uploaded.

"I use my iPod when I travel and I’m excited about the possibility of listening to what Americans have to say directly to me through their personal messages, their podcasts suggestions or music they listen to,” said Dodd.

Currently, ChrisDodd.com contains the following items:

• The DoddPod
• The Dodd Corps
• Ten Actions You Can Take Now
• Senator Dodd on the Issues
• Support Chris Dodd
• Senator Dodd’s biography
• A media section, including news clips, press releases and a press kit
• Hi-Res images of Senator Dodd

The website will continue to unveil new features in the weeks ahead, including Senator Dodd’s blog, integration with the photo sharing site Flickr.com, web-based videos and more.

Governor Mark Warner Announces That He Will Not Run In 2008

Statement of Governor Mark Warner
Forward Together PAC
October 12, 2006

Nine months ago, I left the office of Governor in Virginia. I was immensely proud of what we had accomplished. We faced historic challenges and got real results.

Upon leaving office, I committed all my time and energy to Forward Together because we need a new direction in America.

Everywhere I’ve traveled, I found hope that we could turn this country around. That Americans are looking for leaders who at this moment of enormous challenge for our country can actually bring us together and get things done...

But this has also been another kind of journey—one that would lead to a decision as to whether I would seek the Democratic nomination for President.

Late last year, I said to Lisa and my girls, “Let’s go down this path and make a decision around Election Day.”

But there were hiring decisions and people who’ve put their lives on hold waiting to join this effort.

So about a month ago, I told my family and people who know me best that I would make a final decision after Columbus Day weekend, which I was spending with my family. After 67 trips to 28 states and five foreign countries, I have made that decision.

I have decided not to run for President...

I know these moments are never going to come again. This weekend made clear what I’d been thinking about for many weeks—that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge—at this point, I want to have a real life.

And while the chance may never come again, I shouldn’t move forward unless I’m willing to put everything else in my life on the back burner.

This has been a difficult decision, but for me, it’s the right decision.

It’s not a decision I have easily reached. I made it after a lot of discussion with my family and a few close friends, and ultimately a lot of reflection, prayer, and soul-searching...

My decision does not in any way diminish my desire to be active in getting our country fixed. It doesn’t mean that I won’t run for public office again.

I want to serve, whether in elective office or in some other way. I’m still excited about the possibilities for the future.

I want to thank the thousands of Americans who have donated to Forward Together, hosted me in their homes, shared their ideas, and given me encouragement.

I also want to thank all of the staff and key advisors at Forward Together who have created a great organization. If we had chosen to go forward, I know they had the skills, talent, and dedication to take us all the way.

And finally, as I have traveled the country, I have been amazed at what pent-up positive energy for change exists...

I think a number of our party’s potential candidates understand that. I think, in fact, we have a strong field. A field of good people. I think they’re all hearing what I heard: that Americans are ready to do their part to get our country fixed. I wish them all well.

And I want to say thanks to all who’ve been part of this effort.

The 2008 RNC Political Convention Fact Sheet

The 2008 RNC Political Convention Fact Sheet

2008 convention dates: Republicans will meet Sept. 1- 4, 2008
Attending: About 30,000 people, including delegates, donors, elected officials, lobbyists, staff and media. Approximately 4,000 delegates will attend the convention. 
About 15,000 members of the media will cover the convention--more media participation than any other event besides the Olympics. The massive, unparalleled amount of national and international media attention that follows a national political convention will showcase this region far into the future.
Hotel needs: Approximately 95 hotels or 17,000 - 20,000 hotel rooms throughout the Twin Cities.
Cost: Estimated at more than $50 million. The 2004 Republican Convention in New York cost $154 million. In Boston, it was $89 million for the Democrats.
Economic Impact: Hosting a national political convention is considered extremely valuable – both economically and for media visibility. Based on previous conventions, local officials believe that hosting a national political convention could result in an economic impact of $150 million or more.
Staff members from the RNC will move to Minneapolis-Saint Paul immediately after the announcement and their staff will build to approximately 500 people by the time of the convention.
There is an unlimited access period to the facilities that would begin on June 30, 2008. Construction for the convention would begin at the start of the unlimited access period.
There will be many events held in and around the host city the weekend before and after the respective conventions.  The official proceedings are Monday through Thursday. 
Have we ever done this before? Minnesota has only been host to one national presidential convention – in 1892, when Republicans re-nominated President Benjamin Harrison who eventually lost to Grover Cleveland.

Source: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR NORM COLEMAN ON RNC SELECTION OF TWIN CITIES

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR NORM COLEMAN ON RNC SELECTION OF TWIN CITIES 
 
September 27th, 2006 - Washington, D.C. - I am thrilled that after more than a century Minnesota is once again going to be the epicenter of the nation and the Republican Party in 2008. This was a team effort all the way, with both parties and both sides of the river working tirelessly to make this a reality. This is a huge win for all Minnesotans. The 2008 Republican National Convention will showcase Minnesota to a worldwide audience, generating enormous economic activity and opportunity. As a former Mayor of St. Paul, this holds special significance for me. When we built the Xcel Energy Center, we dreamed of bringing hockey back to Minnesota, but never the Superbowl of politics.

Minnesota To Host 2008 Republican National Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday September 27, 2006

Minnesota To Host 2008 Republican National Convention

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey made the following statement today regarding the selection of the Twin Cities to host the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"We are thrilled Minnesota will be the host of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Minnesota is the best place in the United States to live and we are excited to showcase our state to the entire world.

"We believe this election will be decided on the banks of the Mississippi River. We look forward to helping nominate the next president of the United States."