2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Clinton Campaign Announces Opening of Rochester, St. Cloud Offices

Clinton Campaign Announces Opening of Rochester, St. Cloud Offices

The Clinton Campaign today announced the opening of two additional offices in Rochester and St. Cloud Minnesota’s February 5th caucus.

“We’re excited to expand the campaign’s presence across the state, with our two new offices in Rochester and St. Cloud,” said Buck Humphrey, Hillary Clinton’s Minnesota State Director. “These offices will serve as regional hubs for our grassroots, statewide field operation in the run up to the February 5th caucus.”

The address of the offices are:

Rochester:  2002 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN  55902 (open now)
St. Cloud: 633 Beachwood Rd., South Haven, MN 55382  (open Saturday, 1/19)

The campaign expects to open additional offices and phone bank locations across the state to accommodate volunteer outreach efforts from now through February 5th.

2008 Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucus Information

2008 Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucus Information

In order to clarify some of the details around the 2008 DFL Precinct Caucus, on Tuesday, February 5 (“Super Tuesday”) at 7:00 p.m., the Minnesota DFL Party prepared the following memorandum for interested parties.  Minnesota is tied for seventh-largest of all states voting on February 5 in the number of delegates (88 total) that Minnesota sends to the Democratic National Convention.

DFL caucus attendees will cast a secret Presidential Preference Ballot. The results of the ballot are binding and determine how Minnesota’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be allocated among the candidates.

Unlike Iowa Democrats, Minnesota DFLers do not sub-caucus at precinct caucuses for presidential preference.

Caucus-goers may cast ballots starting at 6:30 p.m. and anytime until 8:00 p.m. Caucus-goers are not obligated to stay for the remaining caucus business.

Absentee voting is not allowed on the DFL Presidential Preference Ballot.

The results of the Presidential Preference Ballot will be reported to and tallied by the Minnesota Secretary of State. Results will be available in real time on the Web site of the Office of Secretary of State (www.sos.state.mn.us).

For Caucus-Goers:

To find precinct caucus locations, go to www.dflcaucuses.org or call the DFL Headquarters at 651-293-1200 or 800-999-7457. Attendees can also find caucus locations through the Minnesota Secretary of State (http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us/)

More information for caucus-goers can be found at www.dfl.org/caucus.

Clinton Campaign Names Minnesota State Director And Communications Director

Clinton Campaign Names Minnesota State Director and Communications Director

The Clinton Campaign today named Buck Humphrey as its Minnesota State Director and Jonathan Beeton as its Minnesota Communications Director

"Buck is a highly respected individual who brings a deep knowledge of Minnesota and its people to this campaign," said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. "Buck's hire should send a clear message to the people of Minnesota that Hillary recognizes the importance of our state as a bellwether and recognizes that Minnesotans desire a new beginning for America."

“I'm delighted that Buck and Jonathan have joined our effort,” Clinton said. “With their help, we’ll take our message of change throughout Minnesota.”

Buck Humphrey, the grandson of former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, served as the Minnesota state director for Vice President Al Gore in 2000 and served as Senator Kerry’s Midwest Finance Director in 2004.  He was a candidate for Secretary of State in 2002. A respected community leader, Buck’s knowledge of Minnesota politics and community organizing will ensure that Hillary’s message of bold ideas to move America forward will be heard by all Minnesotans.

“I am proud to join this historic campaign, because Americans are ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver it from day one,” Humphrey said. “We’re going to run an aggressive, grassroots campaign, and I’m excited about the outpouring of support we are seeing for Hillary across the state.”

Jonathan Beeton, a Midwest native, brings his 14 years of communications experience to the Hillary Clinton for President campaign.  Jonathan began his career in the Clinton Administration and most recently served as a communications director for several members of the House of Representatives.  His previous campaign experience includes the 1996, 2000, and 2004 presidential campaigns.

Governor Tim Pawlenty Campaigns For John McCain In Michigan

Governor Tim Pawlenty Campaigns for John McCain in Michigan

Arlington, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will campaign for John McCain in Michigan on Friday, January 11th. On Saturday and Sunday, Governor Pawlenty will join John McCain as he campaigns around the state.

Hillary Clinton Minnesota Campaign Committee

 

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, Former Senator Mark Dayton, and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner held a press conference at the Minneapolis Clinton Campaign Headquarters to discuss Hillary Clinton's real record of making change and getting results for Minnesota families. The group will also discuss details surrounding Hillary Clinton's campaign and efforts in Minnesota.

Hillary Clinton Minnesota Campaign Committee

Former MN Congressman And Dodd Backer Richard Nolan Endorses Obama

Former MN Congressman and Dodd Backer Richard Nolan Endorses Obama

ST. PAUL - Former Minnesota Congressman and previous supporter of Senator Chris Dodd for president Richard Nolan announced today that he’s now supporting Senator Barack Obama’s campaign for president.

"I'm inspired by Senator Obama's ability to unite Republicans, Independents and Democrats to bring about change we can believe in," Nolan said. "He is the one candidate in this race who can end the war in Iraq and improve our standing in the world and bring quality, affordable health care to every American.

"Senator Obama put together a world-class organization to win the Iowa caucuses and I am committed to helping him continue to build the same kind of organization here in Minnesota."

Congressman Nolan represented Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District from 1975-1981. He lives in Crosby and taught social studies in Royalton, Minn.

Nolan's endorsement adds to the impressive list of prominent Minnesota backers Obama has already secured, including Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Congressman Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak, and Duluth Mayor-elect Donny Ness.

Merry Christmas And Happy Polidays

Fred Thompson Receives Endorsement Of Minnesota Citizens Concerned For Life

Fred Thompson Receives Endorsement of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
State's National Right to Life Affiliate Supporting Thompson for President

McLean, VA - Today Fred Thompson received the endorsement of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the Minnesota affiliate of the National Right to Life Council.

"MCCL has joined NRLC and many state affiliates in endorsing Fred Thompson," said Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Executive Director Scott Fischbach.  "His record and his positions on issues affecting life have earned Thompson our support for president."

The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and more than 3,000 local chapters nationwide.  National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.  MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization with more than 70,000 member families and 240 chapters across the state. 

"I'm blessed and honored to have the endorsement of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life for President of the United States," said Senator Thompson.  "Right to life organizations across the country continue to vote to endorse my candidacy because they know I have stood with them yesterday, I stand with them today, and will stand with them tomorrow.  They know I have the ability to win this election. They know I believe in the sanctity of life and as President I will do all that I can to do to protect life."

Fred Thompson is pro-life. He believes in the sanctity of human life and that every life is worthy of respect.  He had a 100% pro-life voting record in the Senate and believes Roe v. Wade was a bad decision that ought to be overturned. He consistently opposed federal funding to promote or pay for abortion and supported the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and President Reagan's Mexico City policy. While Fred Thompson supports adult stem cell research, he opposes embryonic stem cell research. He also opposes human cloning.

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum Endorses Obama

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum Endorses Barack Obama for President

St. Paul, MN -- Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN04) today endorsed Barack Obama for President.

"The Iraq War has been the most disastrous foreign policy decision of our lifetime and Barack Obama
got it right when he opposed this war of choice from the start," said Congresswoman McCollum.
"Barack Obama has the courage to move our country forward by challenging Washington's tired
conventional thinking. I'm endorsing Barack Obama for President because I trust his leadership –
for my family, for our country and for a more secure world. We need a President who can unite the
American people to confront the serious challenges facing our nation, especially ending the war in
Iraq, and that is Barack Obama."

"Congresswoman McCollum has been an outspoken leader on the challenges facing communities across
America, and I'm grateful for her endorsement," said Senator Obama. "Betty McCollum had the
judgment to oppose authorizing the war in Iraq, and she has worked to end the war as quickly and
responsibly as we can. As a former teacher, McCollum has fought for strong schools, well-trained
teachers, and affordable and accessible education programs for all students. Above all,
Congresswoman McCollum knows that to make progress, we need leadership that will unify the nation to
get things done."

In 2000, McCollum made history as the second woman in Minnesota state history to be elected to
Congress. McCollum serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is a Senior Democratic
Whip, as well as a co-founder of the Global Health Caucus.

In Minnesota, Obama has also been endorsed by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Congressman Keith
Ellison. Obama for America was the first presidential campaign to open an office in the state – the headquarters is located in St. Paul. In the past ten weeks since that opening the campaign has held a caucus and grassroots training in St. Paul that drew a crowd of 400; caucus and grassroots
trainings in every congressional district, every week; an eight-city canvass of Minnesota where 80
supporters knocked on over 2,500 doors on a single Saturday; individual canvasses every weekend in
cities across the state; phonebanks every night of the week; and a Turn the Page in Iraq rally at
Macalester College.

Senator Obama was endorsed earlier this week by Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Carol
Shea-Porter (D-NH).