2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley Endorses Clinton

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley Endorses Clinton
O’Malley Will Serve as Chair of Maryland Campaign

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and named him Chair of Hillary’s Maryland campaign.

“At a critical time in our history, Hillary Clinton is the kind of experienced leader this country needs,” O’Malley said. “No one is better equipped to repair America’s alliances abroad and address the urgent needs of our communities at home.”

Long recognized as a rising star, O’Malley has been named “The Best Young Mayor in the Country” by Esquire Magazine and one of America’s “Top 5 Big City Mayors” by Time Magazine. In 2005, Business Week listed O’Malley as one of “Five Fresh Faces” to lead the Democratic Party.

“Martin is a terrific leader whose innovative initiatives have been emulated around the country,” Clinton said. “I’m honored that he will lead our efforts in Maryland.”

Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal Endorses Clinton

Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal Endorses Clinton
Chairman of Friends of Ireland
Makes Announcement on Historic Day

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal.

"Hillary Clinton has the strength and the vision we need to turn this country around," Neal said. "Americans are ready for change, and Hillary has the experience to lead from her first day in the White House."

Congressman Neal announced his endorsement at an event in Washington, D.C. to celebrate a major milestone for peace in Northern Ireland. The endorsement coincides with the inauguration of a new Northern Ireland Assembly that will share power between Protestants and Catholics, fulfilling a major goal of the peace process that stalled more than four years ago. Senator Clinton and Congressman Neal, Chairman of the Friends of Ireland, have been active in helping to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

"Richard has been a tireless fighter for working families in Massachusetts and for peace in Northern Ireland. I'm honored to have his support," Clinton said.

"Today's historic inauguration of the Northern Ireland Assembly serves as a model to the world in resolving differences and restoring lasting peace through power sharing and the promotion of common interests among diverse groups," Clinton said.

Clinton Accepts WMUR/Union Leader/CNN Debate Invitation

Clinton Accepts WMUR/Union Leader/CNN Debate Invitation

The Hillary Clinton campaign today accepted an invitation to participate in the June 3 Democratic candidates' debate in Manchester, NH sponsored by WMUR-TV, The New Hampshire Union Leader, and CNN.

"The WMUR/Union Leader debate is an important part of the New Hampshire Primary tradition, and Senator Clinton is excited to participate," said Clinton spokesperson Mo Elleithee. "She looks forward to this opportunity to continue her conversation with Granite Staters and demonstrate why she is the candidate most ready to lead and deliver the change we need.

"We look forward to participating in the DNC's schedule of six sanctioned debates that begins in July."

Hillary Clinton Reports $31 Million In Cash-On-Hand

HILLARY CLINTON REPORTS $31 MILLION IN CASH-ON-HAND
Over 60,000 donors in all – 48,000 gave $100 or les

Hillary Clinton’s FEC report today reveals that the campaign has raised the highest amount of money in its first quarter of any presidential candidate ever – and has by far the most cash-on-hand to spend in the both the primary and general elections of any in the ’08 field.

“These numbers indicate the tremendous support for Senator Clinton from every walk of life and every part of America, and assure that we will have the resources needed to compete and win,” Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle said today.

Following are key details of the FEC report being filed today:

Total receipts in the first quarter: $36 million

$26 million was raised in the ten weeks between the campaign’s launch in late January and March 31.

An additional $10 million was transferred from the senator’s successful reelection campaign of 2006.

Cash on hand: $31 million

$24 million for the primary

$6.9 million for the general

Expenditures: $5 million

Additional details:

70,300 donations and 60,000 contributors

$19.1 million raised for the primary, $6.9 million raised for the general

Contributions raised from all 50 states, plus Washington, DC

$6 million in grass roots contributions (internet plus direct mail and telemarketing receipts)

Contributions of $100 or less: 80% (or over 48,000 people)

$1.58 million in debts and obligations

Clinton Outlines Comprehensive 10-Point Government Reform Plan

Clinton Outlines Comprehensive 10-Point Government Reform Plan

MANCHESTER, N.H.--In a major policy speech at St. Anselm College today, Hillary Clinton proposed a series of measures to restore Americans’ confidence in their government by increasing transparency and cutting waste and corruption.

“This is a plan to enhance accountability and transparency and make government more efficient and effective for taxpayers,” Clinton said. “To restore competence and end the culture of cronyism. To replace secrecy and mystery with transparency. A plan to make our government work for all Americans again.”

Clinton would ban cabinet officials from lobbying her administration and strengthen whistleblower protections to encourage those uncovering fraud and abuse.

Decrying the Bush Administration’s hand outs to donors and special interests, Clinton vowed to end abuse of no-bid contracts and post all contracts and agency budgets online. Competitively bid contracts have fallen from 79% in 2001 to 48% in 2005. She also pledged to implement an America Results initiative to track the effectiveness of government programs and make the findings public.

“When I’m President, the entrance to the White House will no longer be a revolving door for just the well-connected -- but a door of opportunity for the well-qualified,” Clinton said.

Clinton pledged to cut the number of government contractors by 500,000, saving between $10 and $18 billion a year, and track and eliminate unnecessary corporate subsidies through a new agency focused on evaluating corporate welfare.

Finally, Clinton proposed harnessing the latest information technology to make government scientists’ findings public on critical issues like global warming and food and drug safety.

Clinton’s 10-point plan includes:

• Banning Cabinet Officials from Lobbying a Hillary Clinton Administration
• Strengthen Whistleblower Protections
• Creating a Public Service Academy
• Ending Abuse of No-Bid Government Contracts and Post All Contracts Online
• Cutting 500,000 Government Contractors
• Restore the Office of Technology Assessment
• Publishing Budgets for Every Government Agency
• Implementing Results America Initiative to Track Government Effectiveness
• Tracking and Eliminating Corporate Welfare
• Expanding Voting Access and Safeguarding Machines

Civil Rights Leader Raul Yzaguirre Endorses Clinton

Civil Rights Leader Raul Yzaguirre Endorses Clinton
Yzaguirre Will Co-Chair Clinton’s Campaign, Lead Hispanic Outreach

Civil Rights leader Raul Yzaguirre, former president of the National Council of La Raza, announced his endorsement of Hillary Clinton today. Yzaguirre will serve as a national co-chair of Hillary’s campaign, and a chair of her Hispanic outreach effort.

“Hillary Clinton has spent more than three decades advocating on behalf of those who are invisible in America,” Yzaguirre said. “Not only is she the most experienced and qualified candidate to be president, Senator Clinton has the ability to bring people together to get results and move this country forward.”

“Throughout his life, Raul Yzaguirre has worked tirelessly to expand civil rights and create opportunity for working Americans,” Clinton said. “I’m delighted that Raul will play a leadership role in this campaign as we reach out to all Americans and ask them to join our effort.”

Geraldine Ferraro Endorses Hillary Clinton

Geraldine Ferraro Endorses Clinton
Former Vice Presidential Candidate and women’s rights pioneer Geraldine A. Ferraro announced her endorsement of Hillary Clinton today.

“By electing Hillary Clinton, we can smash the ultimate glass ceiling once and for all,” Ferraro said. “And in doing so, we will be electing the most qualified and experienced candidate for President.”

The first woman to be named to a major party’s presidential ticket, Ferraro inspired women across the country with her performance on the campaign trail. In her speech to the 1984 Democratic National Convention, Ferraro addressed her history-making candidacy: “By choosing a woman to run for our nation's second highest office, you sent a powerful signal to all Americans. There are no doors we cannot unlock. We will place no limits on achievement. If we can do this, we can do anything.”

Americans saw a strong, capable woman running for national office, forever changing the role of gender in politics.

“Those of us who have worked for women’s equality all our lives will watch with great satisfaction when Hillary Clinton stands tall on a chilly January afternoon and is sworn in as the first woman president,” Ferraro said.

Ferraro was an assistant district attorney before being elected to Congress in 1978 for three terms. In 1993, President Clinton appointed Ferraro to lead the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. She currently serves as a board member of the National Democratic Institute of International Affairs and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

“No one has done more to pave the way for women running for office than Geraldine Ferraro,” Clinton said. “She has been an inspiring leader, and I’m honored to have her support.”

NH House Support Grows For Senator Clinton

NINE MORE NH STATE REPRESENTATIVES ENDORSE SENATOR CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT
NH House Support Continues to Grow; Now Totals Nearly 30

CONCORD, NH – On the heels of Senator Hillary Clinton’s fourth visit to New Hampshire since February, nine more New Hampshire State Representatives announced today they have decided to endorse Senator Clinton for President. This brings the total number of State Representatives in New Hampshire supporting Senator Clinton to 29.

“Each time I travel to New Hampshire I am humbled to meet more and more people who are supporting my campaign,” said Senator Clinton. “It is an honor to know my ideas, experience and vision to make real change happen in this country are being embraced by people across the Granite State.”

The following nine state representatives have decided to support Senator Clinton:  Delmar Burridge (Keene), Jane Clemons (Nashua), David Cote (Nashua), Carol Friedrich (Wentworth), Jill Shaffer Hammond (Peterborough), Angeline Kopka (Nashua), Gus Lerandeau, (Keene), Anthony Matarazzo (Nashua), and Trinka Russell (Stratham).

“People throughout New Hampshire are putting their trust in the candidate best equipped to handle the challenges our country is facing today, and that candidate is Hillary Clinton,” said New Hampshire Campaign Co-chair Bill Shaheen.

Gov. Corzine, NJ Officials Endorse Clinton

Gov. Corzine, NJ Officials Endorse Clinton

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Governor Jon Corzine and more than a dozen other leading New Jersey officials.

”She is someone who I know as a leader,” Corzine said of Clinton. “And I hope the American people will recognize she is the most qualified person to be President of the United States.”

“I think we all know how strong Hillary Rodham Clinton has been as a spokesman for children and health care,” Corzine said. “She is the go-to U.S. Senator that everyone turns to on these issues.”

Congressmen Frank Pallone and Rob Andrews also endorsed Clinton today, giving her a strong base of support in the Garden State.

“I’m thrilled to have the endorsement and support of so many elected officials and leaders,” Clinton said. “It gives me a great sense of momentum and energy in New Jersey.”

Clinton Reports $36 Million In Total Receipts For First Quarter

CLINTON REPORTS $36 MILLION IN TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR FIRST QUARTER

Total includes $26 million raised since Jan 20, $10 million transferred from successful senate reelection campaign

Hillary Clinton’s campaign today announced it will report $36 million in total receipts for the first fundraising quarter, which ended March 31, 2007. The staggering number reflects the strength of support for Clinton from every walk of life and every part of America.

“We are overwhelmed by the tremendous enthusiasm and historic response this campaign has received so far,” campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle said today. “Going forward we are poised to continue this success and make even more history.”

Specifically, the campaign noted several key numbers demonstrating the overwhelming depth and breadth of Clinton’s support:

• $26 million raised in new receipts since launching her campaign on January 20
• 80 % of the contributions were $100 or less.
• $4.2 million raised on the internet (including $1 million in a week during the One Week, One Million campaign, and nearly $600,000 online in the 36 hours preceding the deadline)
• $6 million in total grassroots donations (internet plus direct mail and telemarketing receipts)
• 50,000 donors (tens of thousands of them new donors)
• Contributions received from residents of all 50 states (plus Washington, DC)
• $10 million transferred from Senator Clinton’s successful senate reelection account

In March of 2003, the highest total reported by a Democratic campaign in its first-quarter fundraising report was $7.4 million and the top four candidates combined raised just over $23 million.  In March of 1999, incumbent Vice President Al Gore reported $8.9 million for his first quarter.