2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Celeb"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "CELEB"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its latest television ad entitled "Celeb." The ad highlights Barack Obama's opposition to offshore drilling and proposals to raise taxes on energy sources that produce much of this nation's electricity. While Barack Obama is the biggest celebrity in the world -- attracting 200,000 fans in Berlin -- that doesn't do much to help American families who need relief from high gas prices today or answer the question of whether he's ready to lead. The ad will air on national cable and in key states.

Script For "Celeb" (TV :30)

ANNCR: He's the biggest celebrity in the world.

But, is he ready to lead?

With gas prices soaring, Barack Obama says no to offshore drilling.

And, says he'll raise taxes on electricity.

Higher taxes, more foreign oil, that's the real Obama.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

STATEMENT BY JOHN MCCAIN ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NASA

STATEMENT BY JOHN MCCAIN ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NASA

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain issued the following statement on the 50th anniversary of NASA:

"Fifty years ago today, President Eisenhower signed the bill that launched the United States on the magnificent journey to space discovery and exploration. In doing so, he sent a powerful message to the world that the United State would harness its creativity, inventiveness and drive to lead all others into this most distant frontier. Since that time, Presidents of both parties have remained steadfast in guaranteeing U.S. leadership in space. Under current plans, the United States will retire the space shuttle in 2010 after its final mission to the international space station, and thus lose the capability to send on our own, an American to space. While my opponent seems content to retreating from American exploration of Space for a decade, I am not. As President, I will act to make ensure our astronauts will continue to explore space, and not just by hitching a ride with someone else. I intend to make sure that the NASA constellation program has the resources it needs so that we can begin a new era of human space exploration. A country that sent a man to the moon should expect no less.

Statement By Mayo Clinic On Senator McCain

STATEMENT BY MAYO CLINIC

ARLINGTON, VA -- Michael Yardley, Chair of Public Affairs at the Mayo Clinic, today issued the following statement:

"This morning, as part of his commitment to monitor his dermatological health on a regular basis, Senator John McCain visited the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a routine examination. As a precaution, a biopsy was ordered of a very small area on Senator McCain's right cheek. This is a routine minor procedure."

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "TROOPS"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "TROOPS"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its latest television ad entitled "Troops." The ad highlights Barack Obama's record of not calling a single oversight hearing on NATO's mission in Afghanistan, not visiting in Iraq for over 900 days, not supporting our troops when he voted against critical funding in 2007 and not visiting our wounded troops in Germany when he made time to go to the gym but cancelled trips to Ramstein and Landstuhl. The ad will air in key states.

Script For "Troops" (TV :30)

Anncr: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.

He hadn't been to Iraq in years.

He voted against funding our troops.

And now, he made time to go to the gym, but cancelled a visit with wounded troops.

Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras.

John McCain is always there for our troops.

McCain. Country first.

John McCain: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Minnesota Veterans Unite Behind John McCain

MINNESOTA VETERANS UNITE BEHIND JOHN MCCAIN

ST. PAUL, MN -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the leadership of Minnesota Veterans for McCain, a statewide grassroots organization that will work to bolster John McCain's support within Minnesota's veterans' community. The press conference occurred in conjunction with the announcement of the Statewide Veterans for McCain Steering Committee and Veterans for McCain rallies across the country.

"We're here today on behalf of many Minnesotans who are currently serving in uniform and therefore cannot be here today," said Minnesota Veterans for McCain Chair, Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad, USAF (Ret.). "As retired members of the military we know the dedication it takes to put the uniform on and we wholeheartedly believe that Senator John McCain is the right person to be our next commander-in-chief."

Schulstad joined with an estimated 35 Minnesota veterans of every military conflict since World War II to praise Senator McCain's experience, leadership and record of strong support for veterans and their families.

"Being a Blue Star mother and wife, I know how important it is to have strong leadership in the White House," said Colleen Dettmer, a Forest Lake resident whose husband and two sons have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. "John McCain understands the nature of this war and will do everything in his power to finish the job and bring our soldiers home when the mission is completed. I believe Senator McCain also realizes the tremendous sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, as well as the sacrifices of their families."

Retired Air Force Colonel Leo K. Thorsness, a Minnesota native from Walnut Grove, former POW and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, joined Minnesota veterans in voicing his support for his fellow POW in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton."

"John is a man of character and integrity," said Col. Leo K. Thorsness. "I saw him put to the test as a fellow POW in Hanoi and he showed courage, integrity and faith in the worst possible situation. His service to our country and ability to work with Republicans and Democrats give him the real ability to become a true statesman as President."

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Pump"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "PUMP"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released a new television ad entitled "Pump." The ad highlights Barack Obama's opposition to initiatives that will help to lower gas prices and achieve energy independence. Barack Obama opposes more drilling in America, expanding nuclear energy use and incentives to spark electric-car research. Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain has proposed a comprehensive, balanced plan to achieve energy independence -- the Lexington Project -- that supports more drilling, expands the use of nuclear energy, encouraging more research while investing in alternative energy sources. The ad will air on national cable and in key states.

Script For "Pump" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Gas prices - $4, $5, no end in sight, because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America.

No to independence from foreign oil.

Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?

CHANT: Obama, Obama

ANNCR: One man knows we must now drill more in America and rescue our family budgets.

Don't hope for more energy, vote for it. McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Troop Funding"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "TROOP FUNDING"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "Troop Funding." The ad highlights Barack Obama's record of failing to call a single oversight hearing on NATO's mission in Afghanistan, failing to visit our troops on the ground in Iraq for over 900 days and failing to support our troops when he voted against critical funding in 2007. The ad will air on national cable and in key states.

Script For "Troop Funding" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.

He hasn't been to Iraq in years.

He voted against funding our troops.

Positions that helped him win his nomination. Now Obama is changing to help himself become president.

John McCain has always supported our troops and the surge that's working.

McCain. Country first.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

AD FACTS: Script For "Troop Funding" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Barack Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.

· Barack Obama: "I became Chairman of this committee at the beginning of this campaign, at the beginning of 2007. So it is true that we haven't had oversight hearings on Afghanistan." (MSNBC Democratic Presidential Debate, 2/26/08)

ANNCR: He hasn't been to Iraq in years.

· Barack Obama Has Not Been To Iraq Since January 2006. "The fact that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama hasn't visited Iraq since January 2006 well before the troop surge has become a spirited campaign issue. On the home page of the Republican National Committee a live streamer lists the days, hours, minutes and seconds since Obama's only trip to Iraq. His lack of a recent firsthand view means he "has no credibility discussing the future of Iraq," says Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan." (Philip Dine, "Obama Takes Heat On Lack Of Iraq Trips," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 6/15/08)

· Barack Obama Has Been To Iraq Once -- In January 2006. "Obama, the nation's only black senator, met with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Saturday. He said before his two-day trip to Iraq that he wanted to ask U.S. Commanders for a realistic time frame on bringing troops home." (Jason Straziuso, "U.S. Senate's Only Black Member Says Minorities Must Be More Involved In Iraq's Government," The Associated Press, 1/7/06)

ANNCR: He voted against funding our troops.

· Barack Obama Voted Against Providing $94.4 Billion In Critical Funding For The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)

ANNCR: Positions that helped him win his nomination. Now Obama is changing to help himself become president. John McCain has always supported our troops and the surge that's working. McCain. Country first.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

JOHN MCCAIN'S PLAN TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOBILE SECTOR

JOHN MCCAIN'S PLAN TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOBILE SECTOR

"The visit highlights the ingenuity of America's workers and John McCain's innovative approach to solving our energy needs that his energy plan, the Lexington Project, will encourage." -- Taylor Griffin, McCain spokesman

Today, John McCain Addresses His Plan For Creating Jobs And Ensuring America's Energy Independence. At the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, where GM is developing the Chevy Volt -- the next generation of electric vehicle -- John McCain highlighted how his Lexington Project will encourage ingenuity in America's automobile industry.

John McCain Has Outlined A Clean Car Challenge That Will Increase Access To Zero Emission Cars. John McCain will issue a Clean Car Challenge to the automakers of America, in the form of a single and substantial tax credit for the consumer based on the reduction of carbon emissions. He will commit a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys a zero carbon emission car, encouraging automakers to be first on the market with these cars in order to capitalize on the consumer incentives. For other vehicles, a graduated tax credit will apply so that the lower the carbon emissions, the higher the tax credit.

John McCain Has Proposed A $300 Million Prize To Improve Battery Technology For Full Commercial Development Of Plug-In Hybrid And Fully Electric Automobiles. A $300 million prize should be awarded for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars. That battery should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs. At $300 million, the prize is one dollar for every man, woman and child in this country -- and a small price to pay for breaking our dependence on oil.

John McCain Supports Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) And Believes They Should Play A Greater Role In Our Transportation Sector. In just three years, Brazil went from new cars sales that were about 5 percent FFVs to over 70 percent of new vehicles that were FFVs. American automakers have committed to make 50 percent of their cars FFVs by 2012. John McCain calls on automakers to make a more rapid and complete switch to FFVs.

John McCain Believes Alcohol-Based Fuels Hold Great Promise As Both An Alternative To Gasoline And As A Means of Expanding Consumers' Choices. Some choices such as ethanol are on the market right now. The second generation of alcohol-based fuels like cellulosic ethanol, which won't compete with food crops, are showing great potential.

John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "God's Children"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "GOD'S CHILDREN"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "God's Children." The ad features John McCain's remarks at a June 2007 debate in New Hampshire honoring the service and sacrifice of Hispanics in our Armed Forces. The ad will air in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

Script For "God's Children" (TV 1:00)

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, I want you the next time you're down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite. You'll find a whole lot of Hispanic names.

When you go to Iraq or Afghanistan today, you're going to see a whole lot of people who are of Hispanic background. You're even going to meet some of the few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country, who love this country so much that they're willing to risk their lives in its service in order to accelerate their path to citizenship and enjoy the bountiful, blessed nation.

So let's from time to time remember that these are God's children. They must come into country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them.

Thank you.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

John McCain Arriving At Minneapolis St. Paul Airport Photos