2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

John McCain Straight Talk Town Hall Photos Lakeville Minnesota

John McCain Straight Talk Town Hall Photos Lakeville Minnesota

Michelle Obama To Campaign In St. Paul, Rochester-Area Monday, October 13, 2008

Michelle Obama to Campaign in St. Paul, Rochester-Area Monday

ST. PAUL – Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, will hold public campaign events on Monday morning in the Rochester-area and in the early evening in the Twin Cities. She will be joined by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in Rochester and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in St. Paul.

Mrs. Obama will speak with Minnesota voters about the clear choice they have in this election between change and more of the same. She’ll discuss the everyday challenges that working families face as our economy worsens and talk about Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s long records of standing up for women and families. 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

Rochester, MN

COMMUNITY EVENT WITH MICHELLE OBAMA

Taylor Arena at the Mayo Civic Center
30 Civic Center Drive SE
Rochester, MN 55902

Program Begins: 12:00 PM

Public Entrance: Front Circle Drive Entrance into the Grand Lobby

The event is free and open to the public.  Free tickets are available at on a first-come, first served basis at the following location:

Ticket Location

Olmstead Co. Obama Campaign for Change Office
401 16th Ave. NW, #105
Right off of 52, just past the Famous Dave's and the Perkins

Tickets Available: 12noon-9pm Saturday and Sunday

For more information contact the Olmstead Co. Obama Campaign for Change office: (507) 536-9785.
 
Parking Information:

Public parking is available in the Civic Center parking ramp and the 1st and 2nd St. parking ramps with ADA parking available.  There are also Pay-by-the-Box parking lots South of the Civic Center.   Limited downtown street parking is also available.

St. Paul, MN

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH MICHELLE OBAMA

Macalester College
Leonard Center
125 Snelling Ave S
St. Paul, MN

Doors Open: 2:30PM
Program Begins: 4:00PM  
 
This event is free and open to the public.  Tickets are NOT required but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is available on a first come first serve basis.

***For security reasons, do not bring bags or umbrellas.  Please limit personal belongings.  No signs or banners permitted.***

John McCain Townhall In Lakeville, MN This Friday, October 10, 2008

John McCain Townhall In Lakeville, MN This Friday, October 10, 2008

Senator McCain will be in Minnesota this Friday for a townhall meeting. The event will be held at Lakeville South High School at 4PM. The doors will open at 1PM and the pre-program will begin at 3PM. Please note that parking may be limited and carpooling is advised.

This will be a ticketed event and you must have a ticket to enter. Tickets will be available at the McCain headquarters in Saint Paul (678 Transfer Road) or at the McCain Victory offices around the state.

Ramsey County Victory Office
666 Transfer Rd
St. Paul, MN
(651) 645-5432

Burnsville Victory Office
12225 Wood Lake Dr
Burnsville, MN
(952) 882-9356

Chaska Victory Office
202 Chestnut
Chaska, MN
(952) 882-9356

Long Lake Victory Office
2640 W Industrial Blvd.
Long Lake, MN
(651) 303-4029

Golden Valley Victory Office
1405 N. Lilac Dr.   
Golden Valley, MN
(651) 645-5432

Isanti County Victory Office
1001 Hwy 95, Ste 1005
Cambridge, MN
(763) 689-3606

Eden Prairie Victory Office
6870 Washington Ave
Eden Prairie, MN
(952) 944-1085

St. Cloud Victory Office
1022 4th St SE, Ste 104
St. Cloud, MN 5304
(320) 229-8973

Rochester Victory Office
2535 Hwy 14 W
Rochester, MN
(507) 536-9475

Blaine Victory Office
11025 Radisson Rd NE
Blaine, MN
(763) 780-0861

Moorhead Victory Office
923 Center Ave.
Moorhead, MN
(218) 287-1360

Duluth Victory Office
5 South 13th Ave. E
Duluth, MN 55808
(651) 245-3734

Michelle Obama to Return to Minnesota on Monday

Michelle Obama to Return to Minnesota on Monday

ST. PAUL –Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, will return to Minnesota on Monday, October 13, 2008.

Mrs. Obama will speak with Minnesota voters about the everyday challenges that working families faces. Mrs. Obama will discuss Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s long records of standing up for women and families. 

More details, including event locations and times, will be announced in the coming days.

John S. Staum, Past VFW Commander-in-Chief From Minnesota And Others Endorse John McCain

PAST NATIONAL COMMANDERS OF VETERANS' SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN

ARLINGTON, VA -- McCain-Palin 2008 today announced that twenty-one past National Commanders of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) have endorsed John McCain for President. The individuals endorsing John McCain hail from 18 different states, including Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Illinois. Also included on the list is New Jersey native George Lisicki, who just last month stepped down as VFW Commander-in-Chief.

John McCain stated, "I am honored and humbled to receive the support of individuals who have served their county with distinction in the military and as leaders of two of America's largest and most esteemed veterans' organizations. It has been my great privilege to serve America's veterans, and today I renew my pledge never to forget the sacrifices of veterans and their families, or to do my utmost to provide veterans with the care and benefits they deserve."

Those Endorsing John McCain:

Edward S. Banas, Sr., Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Connecticut
Tom Bock, Past National Commander, American Legion, Colorado
John Brieden, Past National Commander, American Legion, Texas
Billy Ray Cameron, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, North Carolina
John "Jake" Comer, Past National Commander, American Legion, Massachusetts
George R. Cramer, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Illinois
James R. Currieo, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Arizona
Miles Epling, Past National Commander, American Legion, West Virginia
John F. Gwizdak, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Georgia 
Walter G. Hogan, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Wisconsin
Tony Jordan, Past National Commander, American Legion, Maine
Gary Kurpius, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Alaska
George J. Lisicki, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, New Jersey
James R. Mueller, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Missouri
Clifford G. Olson, Jr., Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Massachusetts
John W. Smart, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, New Hampshire
R.D. "Bulldog" Smith, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Georgia
Paul A. Spera, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Massachusetts
Norman G. Staab, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Kansas 
John S. Staum, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Minnesota
John Wasylik, Past Commander-in-Chief, VFW, Ohio

Minnesota Breaks All-Time Voter Registration Record

BOOSTED BY EXTENSIVE OUTREACH EFFORTS, MINNESOTA BREAKS ALL-TIME VOTER REGISTRATION RECORD

ST PAUL, Minn.-September 26, 2008-Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie today announced that as a result of the extensive voter outreach efforts conducted by the Office of the Secretary of State the number of registered voters in Minnesota has now reached an all-time high.

"Thanks to the tireless work of our outreach staff, along with civic-minded individuals and groups throughout the state, we now have 3,145,000 registered voters in Minnesota-roughly 84 percent of eligible voters," stated Ritchie. This surpasses by 12,000 the previous record of 3,133,000 set after the 2004 presidential election.

Nearly half of the new voter registrations that have been added in 2008 (25,000 out of 55,000) were entered in September. "With just over two weeks left for voters to pre-register, I believe that at least another 20,000 voters will be added to the voter rolls before Election Day," predicted Ritchie. "You also have to add in those who will register to vote at the polls on Election Day. Every indication is that Minnesota will reach the goal of "80 in '08," a turnout of 80 percent of eligible Minnesota voters."

September is National Voter Registration Month, and to encourage citizens to register the Office of the Secretary of State has in the past month launched a voter outreach Web site that contains instructional videos for online viewing, brochures, publications, and voter registration applications available in several languages. Additionally, the Office of the Secretary of State has partnered with a number of organizations to encourage Minnesotans to register to vote.

"Setting a new record could have only occurred as the result of a wide-spread effort," Ritchie said. "The Office of the Secretary of State has been pleased to work with a variety of businesses, civic organizations, unions, schools, churches, and professional sports teams." Among the organizations that the Secretary of State's office has partnered encourage registration are the WWE's Smackdown Your Vote, Rock the Vote, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Lynx, the Saint Paul Saints, the Minnesota Gophers Football Team, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Cabella's. Outreach staff from the Office of the Secretary of State have conducted voter registration drives at over fifty events throughout the summer. As a result, over 25,000 voter registrations were added to the Statewide Voter Registration System in September.

The Office of the Secretary of State has set a goal of "80 in '08" or turnout of 80 percent of eligible Minnesota voters.

John McCain And Sarah Palin "Road to Victory Rally" Blaine Minnesota Video

Road to Victory Rally With John McCain and Sarah Palin At Anoka County-Blaine Airport This Friday, September 19th

Road to Victory Rally With John McCain and Sarah Palin

Friday, September 19th
Key Air Hangar at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport
10188 Radisson Road NE
Blaine, MN 55449

  9:00 a.m. CDT - Doors Open
11:00 a.m. CDT - Rally Begins
12:00 p.m. CDT - McCain/Palin Begin Participation

John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin will be in Minnesota this Friday, September 19th. To attend the event, please come in to one of the ticket locations below to get a ticket or follow this link to register for the event a print a ticket online.

Ticket Locations:

McCain-Palin North-Mountain Regional Headquarters
678 Transfer Rd.
St. Paul, MN
(651) 356-8251

Ramsey County Victory Office
666 Transfer Rd
St. Paul, MN
(651) 645-5432

Burnsville Victory Office
12225 Wood Lake Dr
Burnsville, MN
(952) 882-9356

Isanti County Victory Office
1001 Hwy 95, Ste 1005
Cambridge, MN
(763) 689-3606

Eden Prairie Victory Office
6870 Washington Ave
Eden Prairie, MN
(952) 944-1085

St. Cloud Victory Office
1022 4th St SE, Ste 104
St. Cloud, MN 5304
(320) 229-8973

Rochester Victory Office
2535 Hwy 14 W
Rochester, MN
(507) 536-9475

Blaine Victory Office
11025 Radisson Rd NE
Blaine, MN
(651) 587-7456

Moorhead Victory Office
923 Center Ave.
Moorhead, MN
(218) 287-1360

Tim Pawlenty To Speak At GOPfest '08 In Iowa On Saturday, September 20, 2008

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty Is Scheduled To Speak In Iowa On Saturday, September 20, 2008.

On September 20th, the Polk County Republicans will host GOPFest 2008, a festival and informal fundraiser.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be this year’s guest speaker.

Pawlenty to headline GOPfest '08

(Des Moines) --  The Polk County GOP has released details for GOPfest ’08, their annual informal fundraiser.  This year’s event will be headlined by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

GOPfest ’08 will take place on Saturday, September 20th at 7 Flags Event Center, 2100 NW 100 St in Clive.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner service beginning at 6 p.m.  Entertainment will provided by the Sunny Humbucker  Band.   

Speakers for GOPfest ’08 will include Polk County Chairman Ted Sporer, U.S. House candidate Kim Schmett, U.S. Senate candidate Christopher Reed and 5th District Congressman Steve King.  Governor Pawlenty is expected to make his keynote remarks at 7:30 p.m.     

"We are very pleased to have Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty come to Polk County for GOPfest '08,” Sporer said.  “Governor Pawlenty is one of the nationally recognized figures in the new generation of Republican leadership and GOPfest is a great opportunity for the people of central Iowa to see and meet him."

GOPFest '08