2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Clinton Supporters Speak Out Against Sen. Obama’s Small Town America Comments

Clinton Supporters Speak Out Against Sen. Obama’s Small Town America Comments
Clinton Campaign Releases New 30-second Ad in Pennsylvania Featuring Voter Reactions to Sen. Obama’s Comments

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Clinton campaign is releasing a new television ad today featuring the reactions that some of its supporters in Pennsylvania are having to the remarks Sen. Obama made about those Americans who live in Pennsylvania’s small towns.

At a fundraiser in San Francisco on April 11, 2008 that was closed to the press, Sen. Obama said: “You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

Following is the script for the new ad.

Hillary For President
“Pennsylvania"
TV : 30

HRC:  I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.

Anncr:  Barack Obama said that people in small towns “cling to guns or religion...as a way to explain their frustrations...”

Woman 1:  I was very insulted by Barack Obama.

Man 1:  It just shows how out of touch Barack Obama is.

Woman 2:  I'm not clinging to my faith out of frustration and bitterness.  I find that my faith is very uplifting.

Man 2:  The good people of Pennsylvania deserve a lot better than what Barack Obama said.

Woman 1:  Hillary does understand the citizens of Pennsylvania better.

Woman 3:  Hillary Clinton has been fighting for people like us her whole life.

Obama Statement Pending The Arrival Of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Obama Statement Pending the Arrival of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

CHICAGO, IL - Today Senator Obama issued the following statement to mark the arrival of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for his apostolic journey to the United States. 

"On behalf of our family, Michelle and I want to extend our warmest welcome to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as he arrives for his historic apostolic journey to the United States.  As committed Christians, we join millions of Americans – Catholics and members of all faith communities – in offering our prayers for the success of the Holy Father’s visit. 

"At a time when American families face rising costs at home and a range of worries abroad, the theme of Pope Benedict’s journey, "“Christ Our Hope," offers comfort and grace as well as a challenge to all faith communities to put our faith into action for the common good.  It will not only be Catholics who are listening to the Holy Father’s message of hope and peace; all Americans will be listening with open hearts and minds."

Pittsburgh Steelers Owner Dan Rooney Endorses Obama

Dan Rooney Endorses Obama

Pittsburgh Steelers owner cites Obama’s ability to bring new leadership to Washington, real change for Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, PA—Pittsburgh Steelers owner and chairman Dan Rooney today endorsed Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential candidacy citing Obama’s ability to put an end to business as usual in Washington and finally bring about the change that Pennsylvanians desperately need.  Rooney, who had initially intended to remain neutral in the race, met with Senator Obama today following Obama’s remarks to the Alliance for American Manufacturing at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where he offered his endorsement.  Rooney also released the following open letter:

Dear Fellow Pennsylvanian,

Based on the experiences that I have had in my seventy-five years and my assessment of what I think our nation needs to make real the change that is so needed, I am proud and now feel compelled to endorse Senator Barack Obama.

This is not something that I do regularly but as I listen to the candidates in this race, I am struck that we continue to hear about the problems and the same challenges that we have been talking about for decades.  Protecting jobs here in Pennsylvania, breaking our dangerous and costly addiction to foreign oil, making health care accessible and affordable – these are neither new issues nor new ideas.  And yet we have failed to make real progress.

As a grandfather and a citizen of this community I think Barack Obama’s, thoughtful, strategic approach is important for America. When I hear how excited young people seem to be when they talk about this man, I believe he will do what is best for them which is to inspire them to be great Americans.

This time, we can’t afford to wait.  Our country needs a new direction and a new kind of leadership – the kind of leadership, judgment and experience that Senator Obama has demonstrated in more than 20 years of public service, and in a particularly impressive way in this campaign.  Senator Obama has rejected the say-and-do anything tactics that puts winning elections ahead of governing the country.  And he has rejected the back-room politics in favor of opening government up to the people.  Barack Obama is the one candidate in this race who can finally put an end to business as usual in Washington and bring about real change for Pittsburgh and the country as a whole. He has inspired me and so many other people around our country with new ideas and fresh perspectives.

True sports fans know that you support your team even when they are the underdogs. Barack Obama is the underdog here but it is with great pride that I join his team.

When I think of Barack Obama’s America I have great hope.  I support his candidacy and look forward to his Presidency

Sincerely,

Daniel M. Rooney, Owner and Chairman, Pittsburgh Steelers

New Obama TV Ad Features U.S. Senator Bob Casey

New Obama TV Ad Features Sen. Casey

In “It Won’t” Senator Casey tells voters that PA won’t get the help it needs until Washington changes

PHILADELPHIA, PA—U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign today begins airing a new television ad featuring U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).  In the ad – entitled “It Won’t” – Senator Casey expresses Pennsylvania voters’ frustration with a system that has been long on division and political games and short on solutions to the problems that ail them. 

“In towns like yours and mine, families are struggling with bills they can’t afford and jobs moving away,” Casey tells viewers.  “It has to change – but it won’t until we change Washington.”

The full ad script is below:

SCRIPT – “It Won’t”

Senator Bob Casey: In towns like yours and mine, families are struggling with bills they can’t afford and jobs moving away.

It has to change – but it won’t until we change Washington.

That’s why I believe in Barack Obama. 

I’ve worked with him.  I’ve seen him stand up to the lobbyists and special interests…

And like us, he’s tired of the political games and division that stops anything from getting done.

Barack Obama knows Pennsylvania’s hurting.   He can unite America and bring real change.

Minnesota Superdelegate And DNC Member Nancy Larson Endorses Barack Obama

Minnesota Superdelegate and DNC Member Nancy Larson Endorses Barack Obama

Minneapolis, MN -- Today, Minnesota Superdelegate and DNC member Nancy Larson endorsed Barack Obama, citing his proven ability to inspire new people to become a part of the process and his record of standing up for America's working families.

Ms. Larson said, "Barack Obama has built a powerful grassroots campaign in Minnesota and across the country, and that is one of the big reasons why I am endorsing him today.  He has the ability to inspire people who have felt left out of the political process.  With Barack's leadership, we will see record breaking numbers of people working on the campaign as we near Election Day in November.  That enthusiasm will translate into support for other Democratic candidates, which will be indispensable in order to bring about the changes needed to improve the economy and to bring back prosperity to America’s working people." 

Larson lives in rural Minnesota, an area that is hard-hit by low wages and high unemployment rates, which made the economy a prime issue in making her decision on who to support for president. 

“Barack Obama is a leader who can bring us to victory in November and bring back hope and confidence to America,” Larson added.  "But we also need to regain the confidence of other nations in the world.  Barack’s good judgment, even temperament, and ability to overcome adversity will also help to end the war in Iraq and restore America's standing in the world.”

"I've never seen a slate of presidential candidates as impressive as the Democrats running this year, including Hillary Rodham Clinton.  But it is time to come to a conclusion in order to concentrate on winning the election in November, and Barack Obama is the best candidate to bring us to victory in November.  We need a candidate with the ability to inspire and to challenge politics as usual, and that candidate is Barack Obama.  I’m happy to be on his team.”

New Obama Radio Ad In Pennsylvania

New Obama Radio Ad Sets Record Straight on Clinton Ad Distortions

PHILADELPHIA, PA—Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign today began airing a new radio ad that sets the record straight on Senator Clinton’s false attack ad and decries a textbook Washington politics that has been long on misleading attacks and short on solutions for working families.

Senator Clinton’s ad repeats oft-debunked distortions of Senator Obama’s record on energy reform.  In reality, Obama is that candidate who has to stood up to the oil companies – refusing money from their PACs and lobbyists, demanding higher fuel economy standards, and fighting to strip tax breaks for oil giants as they rake in windfall profits.

By contrast Senator Clinton has money from PACs and lobbyists – including the energy industry – than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican.

As President, Obama will take on the oil companies to finally deliver on the promises of energy reform that politicians have been making for decades.

SCRIPT – “Fill”

Across Pennsylvania, we're living the problems.

An economy in shambles.  Families struggling.  Gas prices close to four dollars a gallon.

What's Hillary Clinton's answer?

Misleading negative ads.

Here's the truth.

While she's played political games, it's Barack Obama who's taken on the oil companies, demanding higher gas mileage standards and a larger investment in alternative energy.

It's Obama who's worked to strip tax breaks from the oil giants as they roll up record profits.

And he's the only candidate who doesn't take a dime from oil company PACs or lobbyists.  The only one.

The Federal Election Commission reports that Clinton's taken more from Big Oil and other PACs and lobbyists than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican. 

The same old Washington politics isn't going to lift our economy or bring down gas prices.

So if you've had your fill of that...

Vote for change we can believe in, Barack Obama for President.

Utah Superdelegate Endorses Obama

Utah Superdelegate Endorses Obama

CHICAGO, IL—Utah Democratic Party Chair and Democratic superdelegate Wayne Holland today endorsed Barack Obama, citing his ability to energize the Democratic Party and plan to strengthen the economy.
“Sen. Obama has helped to energize our State Party,” said Holland. “Obama was clearly the choice of Utah Democrats on Feb. 5 and is the choice of the majority of Utah Democratic candidates to head the ticket in November.  While it is not only important for me to reflect the sentiment of our Party, I also have a responsibility to endorse the candidate whom I believe will help unite the many voices of our ‘big tent’ Utah Party and help us build for the future.”

“Sen. Obama shares Utahns’ concern for building strong communities and re-building our economy ravaged by Republican policies – across the country as well as Utah. The headlines yesterday said ‘Utah bankruptcies up 44% from a year ago.’ This alone should be a wake-up call for every Utahn. We need a president with a ground-level view of the everyday struggles of Americans, and Obama’s experience as a community activist and lawmaker fits that requirement.”

Senator Obama won the Utah primary on February 5 with 57 percent of the vote.

American Postal Workers Union Endorses Sen. Barack Obama

APWU Endorses Sen. Barack Obama

(04/09/08) The National Executive Board of the American Postal Workers Union has voted unanimously to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president.

“Sen. Obama’s message is one of hope and change,” said union President William Burrus. “His message is special, and the timing is right.”

“We are most impressed by Sen. Obama’s commitment to eradicating the undue influence of special interests in the political process,” he said. “Our current political system does not allow for the voices of average citizens to be heard over the demands of lobbyists and big-money campaign contributors.

“Sen. Obama has vowed to change that, and his campaign has flourished through the participation of new voters and small contributors,” Burrus said. “We believe he will be a president who will strongly represent the interests of working Americans.”

“His ability to bring new participants into our nation’s democratic process – to get young people involved, and to persuade ordinary citizens that they have a real stake in politics – is an inspiration.”

“We are pleased to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States, and we will commit our energy and efforts to help him win the White House.”

Obama Campaign Airs New Pennsylvania TV Ads

Obama Campaign Airs New Pennsylvania TV Ads

PHILADELPHIA, PA—The Obama campaign has begun airing four new television ads in Pennsylvania.

In Quiet, which began airing yesterday, Obama stresses Washington’s failure to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reveals his willingness to take on tough issues in front of challenging audiences—like telling automakers that as President he won’t stand for them blocking higher fuel standards for our cars.

Maya, which begins today, features Senator Obama’s sister, grandmother, and wife discussing the values that he will bring to the White House and his commitment to creating a world in which every child has the same opportunities that his daughters have.

One Voice, which begins today, highlights Senator Obama’s belief that we are capable of coming together as a country to tackle our greatest challenges and encourages every American to take ownership of the political process.

In Mother, which begins today, Obama recounts how his mother was burdened by a failing health care system as she battled cancer during the last few months of her life.  He then discusses his deeply personal commitment to changing Washington and reforming our nation’s health care system.  Obama’s universal health care plan will cover every American and cut health care costs for the typical family by $2,500 per year.

Scripts for the new ads are below:

Quiet – Barack Obama: I don’t accept that we should be still sending eight hundred million dollars a day, part to hostile nations because of our addiction to foreign oil.  And in the bargain we’re melting the polar ice caps. 

I went to Detroit to insist that we have to increase fuel efficiency standards. Now, I have to admit, the room got kind of quiet.

We can’t just tell people what they want to hear.  We need to tell them what they need to hear. We need to tell them the truth.

One Voice – Barack Obama: It’s with your power.  It’s with your voices, that we’re going to be able to make a difference.

One voice can change a room.  And if it can change a room, it can change a city.  And if it can change a city, it can change a state.  And if it can change a state, it can change a nation.  If it can change a nation, it can change the world.  Let’s go change the world.

Maya – Maya Soetoro-Ng: People recognize themselves in Barack and they feel understood by him. In part that's because he listens so well.

Madelyn Dunham: Well, I think it's given him a lot of depth and a broadness of view.

Michelle Obama: Barack and I talk all the time about making sure that our girls can imagine any kind of world for themselves with no barriers.

Maya Soetoro-Ng: He wants to make sure that everybody's children have the opportunities that his daughters have.

Mother – Barack Obama: My mother died of cancer at fifty-three. In those last, painful months, she was more worried about paying her medical bills than getting well.

I hear stories like her’s everyday.

For twenty years, Washington's talked about health care reform - and reformed nothing.

I’ve got a plan to cut costs and cover everyone.  But unless we stop the bickering and the lobbyists, we’ll be in the same place 20 years from now.

I'm Barack Obama, and I approved this message because to fix health care, we have to fix Washington.

Obama Campaign Airs Ad – “Nothing’s Changed”

Obama Campaign Airs Ad – “Nothing’s Changed”
In new ad, Obama discusses commitment to take on oil companies, curtail rising gas prices

INDIANAPOLIS – Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign began airing a new television ad in Indiana this week.  In the thirty-second spot, entitled “Nothing’s Changed”, Senator Obama discusses his commitment to change Washington so that we can finally break our dependence on foreign oil and curtail rising gas costs.  Since the 1970s, politicians in both parties have made promises about energy independence but failed to make real progress because the oil companies and their lobbyists have a stranglehold on Washington.  Barack Obama is the one candidate in this race who does not take money from special interest PACs or Washington lobbyists.

As President, Obama will stand up to the special interests to:

Force oil companies to pay a penalty on windfall profits
Invest $150 billion in alternative energy
Create 5 million “green collar” jobs

SCRIPT – “Nothing’s Changed”

Barack Obama: Since the gas lines of the 70s, Democrats and Republicans have talked about energy independence… but nothing’s changed…

…Except now Exxon’s making $40 billion a year and we’re paying $3.50 for gas.

I’m Barack Obama.  I don’t take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists and I won’t let them block change anymore. They’ll pay a penalty on windfall profits.  We’ll invest in alternative energy and create jobs and free ourselves from foreign oil.

I approve this message because it’s time Washington worked for you – not them