2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

DFL Party Statement Regarding Senator Joe Biden as Vice Presidential Nominee

DFL Party Statement Regarding Senator Joe Biden as Vice Presidential Nominee

St. Paul (August 23, 2008) — Early this morning, Senator Barack Obama announced his selection of Senator Joe Biden as his running mate.

State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:

“I applaud the choice of Senator Joe Biden as the next Vice President of the United States. His long experience in public service will wonderfully complement Senator Obama’s strengths as a leader.

“Through the years, Senator Biden has brought change to Washington, but Washington hasn’t changed him. Senator Biden has been a champion of working families, an advocate for victims of crime and abuse, and a strong voice for America’s cops and firefighters. He is an expert on both foreign and domestic policy, and is uniquely suited to serve as Senator Obama’s partner in the urgent mission to bring about the change that America needs to get our country back on track.

“I look forward to joining with my fellow delegates at the Democratic National Convention in enthusiastically nominating the next president and vice-president of the United States.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar To Address Democratic National Convention

Senator Amy Klobuchar to Address Democratic National Convention
Klobuchar to speak to nation on Monday, August 25 — same evening as Michelle Obama and former President Jimmy Carter

St. Paul (August 19, 2008) — The Democratic National Convention announced today that DFL United States Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will address the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25. The theme of the convention on Monday will be “One Nation.” 

Senator Klobuchar has worked closely with Senator Barack Obama in the United States Senate on a number of issues, particularly toy safety and ethics reform. Senator Klobuchar also addressed the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston when she was Hennepin County Attorney.

Senator Klobuchar released the following statement:

“I'm honored to be a part of the convention's opening night, kicking off what will be an engaging and energizing convention that will lead our Party to victory in November. I share Senator Obama’s commitment to an agenda of change, and know that as president he can truly make us ‘One Nation.’ In the Senate, he and I have worked together to make a real difference in the lives of everyday Americans, and I look forward to sharing that story with the country.”

Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez released the following statement:

“It’s an honor for Minnesota and for the DFL Party that our senator will address America at the convention. With her Minnesota common sense and roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic, Amy Klobuchar has quickly established herself as a leader in the Senate. We’re thrilled that the rest of the country will get to learn more about her.”

Vice President Mondale Launches Obama Campaign for Change “Seniors Talking to Seniors” Program

Vice President Mondale Launches Obama Campaign for Change “Seniors Talking to Seniors” Program

Former Vice President Walter Mondale marks the 73rd anniversary of Social Security with a groundbreaking grassroots effort to reach Minnesota seniors

ST. PAUL – Seventy-three years after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the creation of Social Security, former Vice President Walter Mondale, long-time Minnesota human-rights advocate Dr. Josie Johnson and Obama for Minnesota State Director Jeff Blodgett kicked off a groundbreaking new “Seniors Talking to Seniors” program at Sen. Obama’s Minnesota Campaign for Change headquarters.

Vice President Mondale, Dr. Johnson and Blodgett spoke of the importance of reaching out to seniors. Vice President Mondale highlighted U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s detailed plans to stand up for seniors and ensure every American has the same chance at a fulfilling retirement.

“Senator Obama has comprehensive plans to protect Social Security, strengthen retirement savings, make affordable health care available to every American and to protect and honor our seniors,” Vice President Mondale said. “With the ‘Seniors Talking to Seniors’ program, we will be launching a sustained effort to grow Senator Obama’s broad support among this important group of voters.”

After Mondale’s remarks, senior volunteers hit the phones to talk with other seniors about Barack Obama’s strong record of fighting for issues important to them. The “Seniors Talking to Seniors” program is a key element of Obama’s strategy to win Minnesota’s 10 electoral votes. Both Obama and Sen. McCain consider Minnesota a vital state to win in the election.

“There is no question about it: Minnesota is absolutely critical for our campaign and for Senator McCain’s campaign,” Blodgett said. “Neither campaign wins this election without Minnesota. The ‘Seniors Talking to Seniors’ program will Minnesota’s seniors the tools they need to spread Senator Obama’s message and recruit new supporters within their own communities, neighborhoods, churches and other aspects of their lives.

“It is a neighborhood and town-based effort that will build broad-based support for Senator Obama’s candidacy among seniors. In campaign offices all over Minnesota, senior supporters of Senator Obama will regularly help us talk with Minnesotans and make sure they understand Senator Obama’s ideas to turn around the economy and keep us safe.”

Minneapolis Saint Paul Residents And Visitors Invited To Participate In, "More to Tri," A Series Of Fitness Events

Mayor R.T. Rybak, Life Time Fitness, Humana and Hoigaards team up to present "More to Tri"

Three-Day Fitness Challenge to Showcase Cities’ Natural Beauty, True Healthy-Way-of-Life Spirit for Residents and Visitors During Republican National Convention

MINNEAPOLIS (Monday, August 11, 2008) – Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Meet Minneapolis, Life Time Fitness (NYSE: LTM), Humana and Hoigaards invite Minneapolis Saint Paul residents and visitors to participate in a special, "More to Tri," series of fitness events during the upcoming Republican National Convention.

"More to Tri" involves the activities which make up a traditional triathlon – swim, bike, run – but this time the events will be staged separately to showcase Minneapolis Saint Paul's urban green landscape and highlight the area's commitment to healthy and active lifestyles. Runners, bikers and swimmers are invited to join Mayor Rybak to participate in one, two or all three events. Local residents, convention delegates and visitors, and media members are invited to participate.

Minnesota Is A Key Battleground, One Of 22 Key Battleground States Identified By Obama Campaign

Change Begins in Minnesota, Barack Obama’s Blueprint for Victory

Minnesota is a Key Battleground
One of 22 key battleground states
• Oregon
• Colorado
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Indiana
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• Georgia
• Florida
• Alaska
• Ohio
• Maine

Minnesota – Major Part of Our National Strategy
• Ninth most electoral votes of any battleground
• State seen as must‐win for both candidates

McCain And Obama Campaigns To Go Head To Head at St. Paul Saints Bobblelection Saturday.

Statements from the Obama and McCain Campaign Offices

Help Barack Win the Bobblection!

We've been called to help in an important election....before November 4th. Join us on Saturday, August 9th at the St. Paul Saints Game, and help Barack Obama win the Bobblection. The first 2500 guests through the St. Paul Saints gates can choose a John McCain or Barack Obama bobblehead.

The St. Paul Saints take on the Fort Worth Cats. Game time is at 7:05 p.m., but we're encouraging our supporters to arrive earlier to participate in the Bobblection. Please RSVP so we know how many people are going to be there!

Join the Minnesota McCain Campaign at the St. Paul Saints "Bobblection" this Saturday

This Saturday at 5:30 the Minnesota McCain campaign will be meeting at the St. Paul Saints stadium to take part in the "Bobblection," in which fans will choose between Barack Obama and John McCain bobblehead dolls.

We'll be out in full force to make sure that John McCain wins this vital contest - passing out signs and literature, signing up volunteers, and helping to decide the next President of the United States.

Gametime is 7:05 PM - so we'll have a few hours of campaigning with the tailgaters and fellow fans before we can go in and get John McCain bobblehads of our own!

Presidential Race Begins With Bobblection 2008

ST. PAUL, MN (July 30, 2008) – CBS News Poll, Newsweek Poll, Gallup Poll and now the Goldklang Group Poll.  With everyone trying to predict who will be the next President of the United States the St. Paul Saints will hold their own poll, Bobblection 2008 presented by Lommen Abdo Cole King & Stageberg, P.A., along with the five other teams owned by the Goldklang Group.

Whether you bobble to the left or right, red or blue, Saturday, August 9 is a day for casual and political junkies alike as fans entering Skinny Water Park will choose between a bobblehead of Republican nominee John McCain or Democratic nominee Barack Obama.  There are 1,250 bobbleheads of each candidate and the first to run out will be declared the winner.

“This is a great way for everyone to become a part of the political process in an entertaining way,” said Saints Executive Vice President and General Manager Derek Sharrer.  “Many consider Minnesota a swing state in this election and our fans will provide a good gauge of which way people are leaning.”

As fans enter the gates they will head to a voting booth.  They will then select either an Obama or McCain and for participating they will receive the bobblehead of the candidate they selected.

The Saints are owned and operated by the Goldklang Group which owns five other teams that will take part in bobbleection:
August 6:      New York (Hudson Valley Renegades)
August 7:      Massachusetts (Brockton Rox)
August 8:      South Carolina (Charleston RiverDogs)
August 10:    South Dakota (Sioux Falls Canaries)
August 11:    Florida (Ft. Myers Miracle)

The promotion was performed in August 2004 and was nationally recognized as one of the first polls during the 2004 election between George W. Bush and John Kerry.  Bush took four of the seven participating ballclubs with the closest race taking place in St. Paul where Kerry won by 18 bobblehead dolls.

Gametime is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Skinny Water Park as the Saints take on the Fort Worth Cats.  For tickets to the August 9 game fans may contact the Saints box office at 651-644-6659 or visit saintsbaseball.com.  From August 3-9, Midway Stadium will be known as Skinny Water Park as part of a unique one-week stadium naming rights agreement.

Statement From Senator Barack Obama On One-Year Anniversary Of I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Collapse

Statement from Senator Barack Obama on One-Year Anniversary of I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Collapse

ST. PAUL – U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse:

“Today, Michelle and I join the people of Minnesota, and all Americans, to remember those who lost their lives in the tragic collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.  As we remember and honor those we lost, we must also ensure that every possible step is taken to prevent future tragedies. That is why I will continue fighting to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, strengthen our national infrastructure, and make the safety of Americans a top priority.”

Veepstakes: Two Tim's From MN

The focus this week is on Tim Pawlenty and Tim Kaine as Vice Presidential candidates respectively for John McCain and Barack Obama. It is interesting to note that both men were born in Minnesota.

Tim Kaine's official biography notes that he was born in St. Paul on February 26, 1958. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's birthplace is nearby in South St. Paul.  His birthdate is November 27, 1960

Tim Pawlenty To Open Republican Party Of Iowa Victory ‘08 Office In Ames

Republican Party of Iowa Opens Victory ‘08 Offices Across Iowa

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Fifth District Representative Steve King will be the keynote speaker for the grand opening of the newest Iowa Victory ’08 office on Monday July 28th.  The Pottawattamie County Victory office will be located at 1851 Madison Ave, Suite 716 in Council Bluffs.  The program, which will include Rep. King and several local candidates, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

"We are excited to open our headquarters so that we can continue our efforts to support and elect our local, state and federal Republican candidates," said Mary Ann Hanusa, chairwoman of the Pottawattamie County GOP.

The Pottawattamie County location will be the fourth Victory ’08 office opened by the Republican Party of Iowa this month and several more are set to open in August.  Victory ’08 offices are currently open in Urbandale, Dubuque, and Davenport. 

Offices in Ames, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids will open over the next two weeks.  Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota will join Fourth District Representative Tom Latham for the Ames opening on August 2nd.  Program details for the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids openings have not been finalized.

“Our volunteers are eagerly awaiting the Ames grand opening and the campaign,” said Russ Cross, chairman of the Story County GOP.  “Governor Pawlenty and Rep. Latham are two great Republican leaders and their visit will generate a lot of enthusiasm in the county and the Fourth District.”