2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

The Gainesville Sun Endorses John McCain For President

THE GAINESVILLE SUN ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

Excerpts From "Back McCain And Obama"
Editorial
The Gainesville Sun
January 20, 2008

Come November this is the best choice Americans could make in deciding who will lead the nation: John McCain or Barack Obama.

As the presidential nominees of their respective parties they would give us the substantive debate about the war, foreign policy, the economy, health care and education and immigration reform that Americans sorely crave and deserve.

A Republican maverick who has never marched in lockstep with his party ... The Sun endorses John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination because he would return a principled, ethical leadership that has for too long been missing from the White House.

Read The Gainesville Sun Editorial Endorsing John McCain For President

South Carolina Republican Primary Results By County

County Name	Giuliani	Huckabee	Hunter	McCain	Paul	Romney	Thompson
ABBEVILLE	11	905	2	540	102	207	355
AIKEN	432	5,893	36	6,355	817	2,636	2,078
ALLENDALE	11	113	0	230	18	36	40
ANDERSON	192	8,434	43	5,985	765	2,592	2,976
BAMBERG	9	265	1	341	25	76	71
BARNWELL	32	611	1	700	46	104	111
BEAUFORT	1,052	3,115	12	7,950	347	4,819	1,583
BERKELEY	315	3,989	46	5,834	525	2,247	2,227
CALHOUN	18	480	1	503	53	164	218
CHARLESTON	1,254	5,574	65	15,155	1,447	6,480	4,174
CHEROKEE	45	1,827	8	1,213	171	507	767
CHESTER	21	709	3	483	72	123	386
CHESTERFIELD	23	1,078	8	624	49	165	254
CLARENDON	26	844	1	817	50	270	319
COLLETON	44	815	8	1,311	110	285	338
DARLINGTON	60	2,272	3	1,513	130	634	514
DILLON	13	650	1	416	25	113	136
DORCHESTER	323	3,060	39	5,237	499	2,220	1,989
EDGEFIELD	50	895	8	853	90	284	341
FAIRFIELD	24	439	1	502	52	224	259
FLORENCE	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
GEORGETOWN	202	1,436	12	2,580	108	1,343	905
GREENVILLE	887	16,775	239	15,297	2,930	10,188	12,438
GREENWOOD	97	2,295	25	2,262	220	847	1,057
HAMPTON	18	352	0	337	17	59	65
HORRY	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
JASPER	28	440	1	347	21	142	83
KERSHAW	85	2,165	14	2,514	238	861	991
LANCASTER	90	1,968	18	1,288	163	500	978
LAURENS	55	2,256	13	1,893	213	520	1,012
LEE	10	311	2	284	28	59	143
LEXINGTON	659	9,935	52	11,448	1,117	5,646	5,605
MCCORMICK	33	237	5	411	21	231	181
MARION	19	637	2	575	31	174	183
MARLBORO	10	304	0	255	25	78	82
NEWBERRY	60	918	4	1,468	102	496	659
OCONEE	120	3,048	5	3,315	321	1,205	1,020
ORANGEBURG	60	1,449	7	1,806	149	501	603
PICKENS	153	5,764	36	4,062	698	1,436	2,480
RICHLAND	758	6,236	44	10,955	1,044	5,494	4,068
SALUDA	19	589	1	778	73	200	279
SPARTANBURG	482	10,297	139	8,232	1,129	3,974	5,893
SUMTER	108	2,931	6	2,506	164	935	1,290
UNION	10	859	5	540	58	167	416
WILLIAMSBURG	13	581	0	676	18	113	118
YORK	478	7,440	68	4,951	812	2,225	4,661
Totals	8,409	121,191	985	135,342	15,093	61,580	64,346
	2%	30%	0%	33%	4%	15%	16%

Remarks By John McCain On South Carolina Primary Victory

REMARKS BY JOHN MCCAIN ON SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY VICTORY

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the following remarks by John McCain as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, my friends, and thank you, South Carolina, for bringing us across the finish line first in the first in the south primary. It took us a while, but what's eight years among friends. It just gave us the opportunity to spend more time in this beautiful state; to talk with you and listen to you; and to come to admire all the more the deep patriotism of South Carolinians, who have sacrificed so much to defend our country from its enemies. It is a great privilege to have come to know so many of you, and I am very grateful for and humbled by the support you have given our campaign. Thank you especially, for braving the very un-South Carolina like weather today to exercise the first responsibility of an American; not just those South Carolinians who voted for us, but all of you who voted today for the candidate you believe is best suited to lead the country you love. I think I can speak for all of the Republican candidates, when I say, South Carolinians are never just fair weather friends.

And, of course, I am deeply grateful to our South Carolina team, and to the many dedicated volunteers who gave so generously of their time and labor and kept us competitive in some pretty challenging times. I hope you know how much your friendship means to me. The debt I owe you is a privilege and an obligation, which I promise you, I will faithfully discharge.

I want to thank my wife, Cindy, the best campaigner in the family, and my daughters Meghan and Sidney, who are with us tonight, as well as my son, Doug, and our children who could not be here, and of course, my dear mother, Roberta McCain. It is obvious to me, and to all who know me, that we would not be where we are tonight, but for your love, encouragement and faith in me.

In the course of this campaign, I have tried as best I could, to tell people the truth about the challenges facing our country, and how I intend to address them. As I have said before, I know that before I can win your vote, I must earn your respect. And the only way I know how to do that is by being honest with you. I have tried to do that throughout this campaign, and to put my trust in your willingness to give me your fair consideration. So far, it seems to be working out just fine.

I am aware that for the last 28 years, the winner of the South Carolina primary has been the nominee of our party. We have a ways to go, of course. There are some tough contests ahead, starting tomorrow in the state of Florida. But, my friends, we are well on our way tonight. And I feel very good about our chances.

As pleased as we are that we have a reason to celebrate tonight, I know that I must keep foremost in my mind that I am not running for President to be somebody, but to do something. I am running to keep America safe, prosperous and proud. I am running to restore the trust of the American people in their government. I am running so that our children and their children will have even greater opportunities than the ones we were blessed with. I am running so that every person in this country, now and in generations to come, will know the same, sublime honor that has been the treasure of my life: to be proud to be an American.

I seek the nomination of our Party, because I am as confident today as I was when I first entered public life as a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution that the principles of the Republican Party -- our confidence in the good sense and resourcefulness of free people -- are always in America's best interests. In war and peace, in good times and challenging ones, we have always known that the first responsibility of government it to keep this country safe from its enemies, and the American people free of a heavy handed government that spends too much of their money, and tries to do for them what they are better able to do for themselves. We want government to do its job, not your job; to do it better and to do it with less of your money; to defend our nation's security wisely and effectively, because the cost of our defense is so dear to us; to respect our values because they are the true source of our strength; to enforce t he rule of law that is first defense of freedom; to keep the promises it makes to us and not make promises it will not keep. We believe government should do only those things we cannot do individually, and then get out of the way so that the most industrious, ingenious, and enterprising people in the world can do what they have always done, build an even greater country than the one they inherited.

My friends, I know we are facing challenging economic times, and we must be responsive to the concerns of Americans who fear they are being left behind in the global economy. But nothing is inevitable in our country. We are the captains of our fate. We can overcome any challenge as long as we keep our courage, and stand by our defense of free markets, low taxes, and small government that have made America the greatest land of opportunity in the world.

I have served our country all my adult life, and I am prepared for the high office I seek. I asked South Carolinians to help give me the opportunity to serve the country I love a little while longer. You have done that, and I will never forget it. I promise you I will always put America -- her strength, her ideals, her future -- before every other consideration. Thank you, South Carolina, for your trust. I will not let you down, so help me God. Good night and God bless you as you have blessed me.

Statement By SC Co-Chair Attorney General Henry McMaster On John McCain's Victory In The South Carolina Primary

STATEMENT BY SC CO-CHAIR ATTORNEY GENERAL HENRY MCMASTER ON JOHN MCCAIN'S VICTORY IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY

COLUMBIA, SC -- U.S. Senator John McCain's South Carolina Co-Chair, Attorney General Henry McMaster, issued the following statement regarding the results of the South Carolina Primary:

"We are thrilled with tonight's results and grateful that Republicans from the Palmetto State chose John McCain as their candidate for president. We are proud of the campaign we ran in the state and grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm from our staff and hundreds of volunteers.

"South Carolina voters recognized that John McCain is the only candidate with the experience and judgment necessary to lead as commander in chief from day one, and the only Republican who can beat the Democratic nominee in November. I am confident that voters in Florida will make a similar decision to nominate John McCain for president in the weeks ahead."

Giuliani Senior Advisor Tony Carbonetti On South Carolina Republican Primary

Giuliani Senior Advisor Tony Carbonetti On South Carolina Republican Primary

Winter Park, FL – Rudy Giuliani’s Senior Political Advisor Tony Carbonetti released the following statement on the South Carolina Republican Primary:

“We congratulate Senator John McCain on winning the South Carolina primary. While the race remains wide open, we welcome the candidates to Florida for a real discussion of the issues we've been talking about since day one.  Florida voters know that in a field where one candidate twice voted against the Bush tax cuts and another wasn't even sure they were a good idea, Rudy is the only candidate who has a record of cutting taxes, a plan for the largest tax cut in modern American history, and a proven ability to jumpstart the economy.”

Clinton Campaign Statement on Nevada Victory

Clinton Campaign Statement on Nevada Victory

Hillary Clinton won the Nevada Caucuses today by winning a majority of the delegates at stake.

The Obama campaign is wrong.  Delegates for the national convention will not be determined until April 19.

"Today We End This Campaign" Duncan Hunter

"Today we end this campaign" Duncan Hunter
Congressman Duncan Hunter returns to San Diego tonight,

San Diego, Calif. 
We started this campaign a year ago right here, in San Diego Harbor, against the backdrop of American Naval power.   We launched a campaign emphasizing a strong national defense, enforceable borders and restoring  the industrial base of America.

Today we end this campaign.  The Nevada caucuses reflecting only 2% of the vote for me.   I ran the campaign exactly the way I wanted to, and at this point not being able to gain traction in conservative states of Nevada and South Carolina, it's time to allow our volunteers and supporters to focus on the campaigns that remain viable.

It's time for me to gear up for 2008's defense bill that will be put together over the coming weeks.  There is work to be done in the areas of troop protection and new capabilities to be deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. And over the horizon, the emergence of Communist China as a military super power will require a new emphasis on U.S. capabilities in undersea warfare, space, and long range air-power. 

The best way to maintain a new era of peace is for the U.S. to remain strong.  Over the coming year I will endeavor to help craft a defense bill that meets the new security challenges.
Since our campaign began over 200,000 additional manufacturing jobs have been lost.  1.8 million jobs have left the U.S. for China.  This fracturing of the U.S. industrial base is a long term threat to America.  I hope that the remaining candidates will recognize it and address it.   As the senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, I will seek to address it.

Only hours ago a border patrolman was killed in the California Desert.  This tragedy emphasizes more than ever the compelling case for the completion of the border fence.   Since I wrote the bill that mandates 854 miles of double border fence only a few miles have been constructed.  Over the next year in Congress I will do everything in my power to get that fence built.   
Finally, for Lynn and me, the campaign over the last year has shown us this: America is a wonderful country.   Our people have great character and goodness, and the meeting of new friends has enriched our lives.

The failure of our campaign to gain traction is mine and mine alone.  But we have driven the issues of national security, the border fence, the emergence of China and the need to reverse bad trade policy.   Because of that, this campaign has been very worthwhile, and for the Hunter family, a lot of fun. 

To our friends and supporters and volunteers: many thanks.  And now it's time for me to focus on developing a 2008 defense bill that serves our troops and our nation.

Thanks, and God Bless America.
Duncan Hunter

Ron Paul Scores Silver In Silver State GOP Caucus

Ron Paul Scores Silver in Silver State GOP Caucus

RENO, NEVADA – Ron Paul finished second in the Nevada Republican presidential caucuses today, defying recent polls that had the Texas congressman finishing in fourth, fifth or sixth place.

According to results reported on the Nevada GOP’s website, Congressman Paul placed second with 13 percent, topping John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani.

“Ron Paul has once again topped multiple media-anointed ‘frontrunners’ with his poll-defying second place showing in Nevada,” said Ron Paul campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “We’re in this race to win, and we’re going to battle for every delegate in this wide-open race for the Republican nomination.”

What They Are Saying About Hillary Clinton's Win In Nevada

What Does Nevada Mean?

CNN’s Don Lemon – ‘A victory in Nevada could be huge for the winning campaign.’ [CNN, 1/17/08]

MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough – ‘Boy, I’ll tell you what, a Nevada win would be very big for Hillary Clinton.’ [MSNBC Hardball, 1/18/08]

NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell – ‘Clearly, if she were to pull this off in Nevada, that is a big win for her.’ [MSNBC Hardball, 1/18/08]

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews – ‘It just seems to me if Hillary Clinton wins this one… she’s back in the lead big-time.’ “It just seems to me if Hillary Clinton wins this one, after all the hoopla and hopes in some quarters about Barack Obama winning two in a row… that she’s back in the lead big-time.” [MSNBC Hardball, 1/18/08]

Newsday’s Glenn Thrush – ‘Nevada is a vital, if not essential, prize for both candidates.’ [Newsday, 1/18/08]

NY Observer’s Steve Kornacki – 'Barack Obama needs Nevada more than Hillary Clinton does.' “Barack Obama needs Nevada more than Hillary Clinton does… it’s Obama’s best—and only chance—of turning February 5 into something other than a fatal draw.” [observer.com, 1/18/08]

Obama National Feild Director Temo Figueroa 'The Nevada election is going to come down to: Whoever gets the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union, more than likely, is going to win Nevada' [Politico, 1/10/08]

Barack Obama Wins Delegate Battle In Nevada

Obama Wins Delegate Battle In Nevada

Statement from Barack Obama...

We’re proud of the campaign we ran in Nevada.  We came from over twenty-five points behind to win more national convention delegates than Hillary Clinton because we performed well all across the state, including rural areas where Democrats have traditionally struggled.  The reason is because tens of thousands of Nevadans came out to say that they’re tired of business-as-usual in Washington and ready for a President who can bring this country together, take on the lobbyists and special interests, and end the politics of saying and doing whatever it takes to win an election.  It is the kind of politics that feeds our cynicism and distracts us from taking on the real challenges facing America – an economy that’s left working families struggling, a broken health care system, and a war in Iraq that must end.

We ran an honest, uplifting campaign in Nevada that focused on the real problems Americans are facing, a campaign that appealed to people’s hopes instead of their fears.  That’s the campaign we’ll take to South Carolina and across America in the weeks to come, and that’s how we will truly bring about the change this country is hungry for.

Statement from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe...

We currently have reports of over 200 separate incidents of trouble at caucus sites, including doors being closed up to thirty minutes early, registration forms running out so people were turned away, and ID being requested and checked in a non-uniform fashion.  This is in addition to the Clinton campaign’s efforts to confuse voters and call into question the at-large caucus sites which clearly had an affect on turnout at these locations.  These kinds of Clinton campaign tactics were part of an entire week’s worth of false, divisive, attacks designed to mislead caucus-goers and discredit the caucus itself.