2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Senator John McCain Road To Victory Rally, Tuesday October 28th In Fayetteville, NC

Senator John McCain Road to Victory Rally, Tuesday October 28th in Fayetteville, NC

Crown Center
1960 Coliseum Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28306

Doors Open at 2:00 p.m.
Guests Must Arrive by 4:30 p.m.

Featuring Special Guest Country Music Star, Hank Williams Jr.

This is a great chance to hear from the Republican presidential nominee only a week before Election Day!

Tickets do not guarantee entry to the event, so please make sure to arrive early. For security reasons, bags and signs are prohibited inside the venue.

Tickets for the event will be available for pickup at the Fayetteville and Raleigh Victory Offices beginning on Thursday at noon.

Fayetteville Victory Office
201 S. McPherson Church Road, Suite 204
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 864-6584

Raleigh Victory Office
1506 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 828-6423

Excerpts Of Senator Barack Obama’s Remarks - As Prepared For Delivery - Closing Argument Speech On The Change We Need

Excerpts of Senator Barack Obama’s Remarks—as prepared for delivery
Closing Argument Speech On The Change We Need
Monday, October 27th, 2008
Canton, Ohio

In one week, you can turn the page on policies that have put the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street before the hard work and sacrifice of folks on Main Street.

In one week, you can choose policies that invest in our middle-class, create new jobs, and grow this economy from the bottom-up so that everyone has a chance to succeed; from the CEO to the secretary and the janitor; from the factory owner to the men and women who work on its floor.

In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope.

In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.
….

At a moment like this, the last thing we can afford is four more years of the tired, old theory that says we should give more to billionaires and big corporations and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. The last thing we can afford is four more years where no one in Washington is watching anyone on Wall Street because politicians and lobbyists killed common-sense regulations. Those are the theories that got us into this mess. They haven’t worked, and it’s time for change. That’s why I’m running for President of the United States.

Now, Senator McCain has served this country honorably. And he can point to a few moments over the past eight years where he has broken from George Bush – on torture, for example. He deserves credit for that. But when it comes to the economy – when it comes to the central issue of this election – the plain truth is that John McCain has stood with this President every step of the way. Voting for the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy that he once opposed. Voting for the Bush budgets that spent us into debt. Calling for less regulation twenty-one times just this year. Those are the facts.

And now, after twenty-one months and three debates, Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he’d do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy. Senator McCain says that we can’t spend the next four years waiting for our luck to change, but you understand that the biggest gamble we can take is embracing the same old Bush-McCain policies that have failed us for the last eight years.

It’s not change when John McCain wants to give a $700,000 tax cut to the average Fortune 500 CEO. It’s not change when he wants to give $200 billion to the biggest corporations or $4 billion to the oil companies or $300 billion to the same Wall Street banks that got us into this mess. It’s not change when he comes up with a tax plan that doesn’t give a penny of relief to more than 100 million middle-class Americans. That’s not change.

…

The question in this election is not “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” We know the answer to that. The real question is, “Will this country be better off four years from now?”
…

Understand, if we want get through this crisis, we need to get beyond the old ideological debates and divides between left and right. We don’t need bigger government or smaller government. We need a better government – a more competent government – a government that upholds the values we hold in common as Americans.
…

So the choice in this election isn’t between tax cuts and no tax cuts. It’s about whether you believe we should only reward wealth, or whether we should also reward the work and workers who create it. I will give a tax break to 95% of Americans who work every day and get taxes taken out of their paychecks every week. I’ll eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000 and give homeowners and working parents more of a break. And I’ll help pay for this by asking the folks who are making more than $250,000 a year to go back to the tax rate they were paying in the 1990s. No matter what Senator McCain may claim, here are the facts – if you make under $250,000, you will not see your taxes increase by a single dime – not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes. Nothing. Because the last thing we should do in this economy is raise taxes on the middle-class.
…

But as I’ve said from the day we began this journey all those months ago, the change we need isn’t just about new programs and policies. It’s about a new politics – a politics that calls on our better angels instead of encouraging our worst instincts; one that reminds us of the obligations we have to ourselves and one another.

Part of the reason this economic crisis occurred is because we have been living through an era of profound irresponsibility. On Wall Street, easy money and an ethic of “what’s good for me is good enough” blinded greedy executives to the danger in the decisions they were making. On Main Street, lenders tricked people into buying homes they couldn’t afford. Some folks knew they couldn’t afford those houses and bought them anyway. In Washington, politicians spent money they didn’t have and allowed lobbyists to set the agenda. They scored political points instead of solving our problems, and even after the greatest attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor, all we were asked to do by our President was to go out and shop.

That is why what we have lost in these last eight years cannot be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits alone. What has also been lost is the idea that in this American story, each of us has a role to play. Each of us has a responsibility to work hard and look after ourselves and our families, and each of us has a responsibility to our fellow citizens. That’s what’s been lost these last eight years – our sense of common purpose; of higher purpose. And that’s what we need to restore right now.

Col. Bud Day To Campaign In Minnesota For John McCain Monday, October 27, 2008

Col. Bud Day To Campaign In Minnesota For John McCain

Col. Bud Day at the St. Paul McCain Headquarters at 2:30 PM. Bud is a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, one of the most decorated American soldiers of the 20th century, and was a P.O.W. with John McCain for almost six years at the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He will speak about his experiences and his support for John McCain.

Meet and Greet with Col. Bud Day

Monday
October 27, 2008

Meet and Greet with Bud Day - 8:00 AM Tomorrow Morning
Happy Chef Restaurant
2100 Highway 169
North Mankato, MN

Meet and Greet with Bud Day - 11:00 AM Tomorrow
Eden Prairie Victory Office
6870 Washington Ave. S.
Eden Prairie, MN

Meet and Greet with Bud Day - 2:30 PM Tomorrow
St. Paul McCain HQ
678 Transfer Rd.
St. Paul, MN

Obama-Biden Campaign Launches New Two Minute TV Ad - "Defining Moment"

Obama-Biden Campaign Launches New Two Minute TV Ad on Obama's Plan To Lift Our Economy And Restore America's Place In The World

CHICAGO, IL - Today, the Obama-Biden campaign released a new two minute TV ad, "Defining Moment", which highlights that the question is not "are you better off than you were four years ago?" We know the answer to that. The real question is will our country be better off four years from now? The ad includes Senator Obama telling America how we will lift our economy and restore America's place in the world.

The Ad-"Defining Moment"

"Defining Moment" will air across the country in key states beginning tomorrow.

See below for the transcript:

V I S U A L
 A U D I O

Obama DTC

Super: Barack Obama
 BARACK SYNC: At this defining moment in our history, the question is not, "are you better off than you were four years ago?"   We all know the answer to that. The real question is will our country be better off four years from now?  How will we lift our economy and restore America's place in the world?

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 Here's what I'll do as President.  To deal with our current emergency…

Super: The Obama Plan

A rescue plan for the middle class

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 BARACK SYNCH: I'll launch a rescue plan for the middle class…

Super: The Obama Plan Tax cut for 95% of working Americans

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 BARACK SYNC:  That begins with a tax cut for ninety-five percent of working Americans.

Super: The Obama Plan Families making less than $200,000 get tax cut

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 If you have a job, pay taxes and make less than two hundred thousand dollars-a-year, you'll get a tax cut.

Super: The Obama Plan End tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 I'll end the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas, and give them to companies that create jobs here in America.

Super: The Obama Plan Low-cost loans for small businesses

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 And I'll make low-cost loans available to small businesses.

Super: The Obama Plan Reduce the cost of health care

www.BarackObama.com/plan

Super: The Obama Plan Break dependence on foreign oil

www.BarackObama.com/plan

Super: The Obama Plan Education to help children compete

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 To build our economy for the future, I'll focus on our urgent national priorities: reducing the cost of health care... breaking our dependence on foreign oil... and making sure that every child gets the education they need to compete.

Super: The Obama Plan Stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq

www.BarackObama.com/plan

Super: End the war in Iraq responsibly

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 How will I pay for these priorities?  First, we've got to stop spending ten billion dollars a month in Iraq – while they run up a surplus. I'll end this war responsibly, so we can invest here at home.

Super: The Obama Plan Protect taxpayers, not CEOs

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 We'll monitor the Wall Street rescue plan carefully, making sure taxpayers are protected and CEOs don't game the system.

Super:  The Obama Plan Close corporate tax loopholes

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 I'll let the temporary Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% expire and close the corporate tax loopholes the lobbyists put in.

Super:

The Obama Plan

Audit government spending

www.BarackObama.com/plan

Super: The Obama Plan Eliminate programs that don't work

www.BarackObama.com/plan
 I'll order a top-to-bottom audit of government spending and eliminate programs that don't work.

 We face real challenges, and they won't be easy to solve. But we can do it if we end the mindless partisanship...the divisiveness, curb special interest power and restore our sense of common purpose.

Barack Obama

President

Approved by Barack Obama Paid for by Obama for America
 BARACK SYNC:  I'm Barack Obama. I approve this message and ask for your vote because if we stand together, we can meet our challenges and ensure that there are better days ahead.

Ralph Nader For President 2008 Rally At The University Of Minnesota Friday, October 31st

RALPH NADER TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN FRIDAY, OCT 31

On Friday, October 31 at 6:30 p.m., consumer advocate and independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader will hold a press conference at 220 Blegan Hall, 269 19th Ave. South followed by a 7 p.m. rally at the University of Minnesota, Willey Hall- Room 175, 225. Mr. Nader will speak on a variety of topics including the economic crisis, the fraudulent Commission on Presidential Debates which excludes alternative voices from participating, and other pressing issues especially pertinent to Minnesota residents.

The Nader/Gonzalez campaign opposes the use of public money to construct sports facilities like the new Twins’ Baseball stadium in Hennepin County. The facility will cost $522 million with 75% of the total ($392 million) paid by taxpayers via a sales tax increase (0.15% in Hennepin County and 0.5% in Minneapolis proper). Although a 1997 law requires local sales tax increases to be approved by the public through referendum, an exemption was granted by the legislature without public vote due to the "time critical nature" of stadium’s construction (the Twins’ lease at the Metrodome was on the verge of expiration and management had indicated they would move the team without a new stadium).

The Nader/Gonzalez campaign also opposes the use of coal power and supports the development of sustainable energies including solar and wind. That is why the Nader/Gonzalez campaign stands staunchly against the proposed $1.6 billion Big Stone II 600 MW coal plant that will drain 3.2 billion gallons of water from the Minnesota River, and emit 4.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gases every year. For a region in the sweet spot of America’s wind belt, and an increasingly carbon constrained world, it doesn’t make sense for Minnesotans to make long-term and hefty financial commitments to yesterday’s dirty way of producing electricity in, even in nearby states. There is no such thing as clean coal. That is the imagination of the Coal Institute.

Mr. Nader will also speak on the significance of a recent poll conducted in August by Minnesota Public Radio that found that 77 percent of  the state’s likely voters say they would consider voting for an independent or third-party candidate. This astounding figure highlights the publics dissatisfaction and distrust with the two-party duopoly and its stranglehold on the American political system. Mr. Nader will highlight the crucial role of independent and third-party candidates in American history and the tremendous accomplishments they’ve achieved in their struggles to end slavery and give women the right to vote.

Mr. Nader will also address other critical issues the major party candidates have taken "off the table" that the Nader/Gonzalez Campaign has put on the table, including:

- a comprehensive, six-month negotiated military and corporate withdrawal date from Iraq;
- a single-payer, private delivery, free-choice public health insurance system for all;
- a living wage and repeal of the anti-union Taft-Hartley Act;
- a no-nuke, solar-based energy policy supported by renewable, sustainable, energy-efficient sources;
- a carbon tax to deter global warming and a Wall Street securities derivatives tax to pay for the Washington bailout of Wall Street;
- an end to the corporate welfare and corporate crime waves that have resulted in millions losing pensions, savings and jobs and squandered tax dollars;
- a major public works jobs program to repair America’s schools, clinics, public transit, bridges, drinking water & sewage treatment systems paid for by reducing the bloated, wasteful military budget and ending corporate subsidies; and,
- more direct democracy reflecting the preamble to our constitution which starts with "we the people," and not "we the corporations."

About Ralph Nader
Attorney, author, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader has been named by Time Magazine one of the "100 Most Influential Americans in the 20th Century." For more than four decades he has exposed problems and organized millions of citizens into more than 100 public interest groups advocating solutions. He led the movement to establish the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and was instrumental in enacting the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and countless other pieces of important consumer legislation. Because of Ralph Nader we drive safer cars, eat healthier food, breathe better air, drink cleaner water, and work in safer environments. Nader graduated from Princeton University and received an LL.B from Harvard Law School.

About the Nader/Gonzalez Campaign
The Nader/Gonzalez independent presidential candidacy will be on the ballot in 45 states, is polling at 5-6 percent nationally, and despite being excluded from the presidential debates,* a recent Time/CNN poll shows Ralph Nader polling 8 percent in New Mexico, 7 percent in Colorado, 7 percent in Pennsylvania, and 6 percent in Nevada — all key battleground states.

Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader To Hold Halloween Night Costume Party In Minnesota

Halloween Night Costume Party with Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader

715 Hennepin Avenue South
(Located between 7th and 8th Street on Hennepin)
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403

Friday October 31, 2008
8:30pm

Costumes, Drinks, Hors d'oeuvres

Guest Minimum Contribution:
$100 per person with costume
$150 per person without costume

Green Bay Press-Gazette Endorses John McCain For President

Green Bay Press-Gazette Endorses John McCain

"Now, another collapse, this time in the mortgage industry, has led to even greater economic uncertainty on election eve. It's no time to repeat past mistakes; this time voters must choose the candidate with the experience to lead us through the storm. The Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board endorses John McCain for president." -- Green Bay Press-Gazette

"Press-Gazette Endorses John McCain Green Bay Press-Gazette Endorses John McCain"
Editorial
Green Bay Press-Gazette
October 24, 2008

"I'm not running for president to be somebody, but to do something; to do the hard but necessary things, not the easy and needless things," McCain said as he launched his campaign in April 2007, reflecting the philosophy he has followed for two decades in Washington.

Sen. Obama may one day be able to point to a similar record of achievement, but the plain fact is that he has served barely more than half of one term in the Senate. He is an eloquent speaker with great promise as a future leader.

But we also see in McCain someone who shares the bedrock positions of the Press-Gazette -- that the government that governs least governs best, that the best tax relief occurs when government spends less, that the American dream is within reach to anyone willing to put in the necessary hard work and commitment.

And that, finally, is why we support John McCain for president."

Read The Editorial

NBC Brian Williams Interviews John McCain And Sarah Palin Video

Obama-Biden Campaign Launches New TV Ad On TaxCutFacts.org

Obama-Biden Campaign Launches New TV Ad On TaxCutFacts.org: 1.5 Million Americans Have Learned The Truth About Their Savings Under The Obama Tax Plan

CHICAGO, IL - Today, the Obama-Biden campaign continued their offensive on taxes with a new 30 second TV ad, “Try This”, which highlights that the American people have been learning the truth about Barack Obama’s tax cuts by checking out their savings for themselves, by going to TaxCutFacts.org. With just a few clicks, the calculator shows you how you’d fare under the two candidates’ tax plans and in just one week, more than 1.5 million people have tried it.

TaxCutFacts.org Statistics:

State
 Estimated Avg Obama Savings
 Estimated Avg McCain Savings
  Estimated Avg Difference

Minnesota
 $1050
 $140
  $910

The Ad-"Try This"

"Try This" will air across the country in key states beginning today.

See below for the transcript:

Visual
 Audio

CG: http://www.TaxCutFacts.org/

CG: Tax Policy Center: Obama’s Middle Class Tax Cuts 3 Times as Large as McCain’s TaxPolicyCenter.org, 9/12/08

CG: Heritage Foundation Analyst: “…the middle class would likely pay less under Mr. Obama’s plan…” New York Sun, 8/15/08

CG: Get The Facts: TaxCutFacts.org

CG: Approved by Barack Obama Paid for by Obama for America
 VO:

Not sure who to believe on taxes?

Try this.

Enter your income, marital status, number of kids.

Then click.

A nurse earning sixty grand?  You get a thousand bucks under Obama.  

Under McCain…just one-fifty.

The independent Tax Policy Center says Obama offers middle class tax cuts three times as big as McCain’s.

Even leading conservatives say Obama’s plan is better for the middle class.

One point five million have tried it.
You should too.

I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

McCain-Palin 2008 Launches New Television Ad: "Ladies And Gentlemen"

MCCAIN-PALIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN"

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, McCain-Palin 2008 released its latest television ad, entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen." The ad highlights Joe Biden -- Barack Obama's own running-mate -- guaranteeing an international crisis if Barack Obama is elected. Because of Barack Obama's inexperience, Joe Biden has guaranteed the American people that the world will test Barack Obama within the first six months of being elected. If Barack Obama's vote against the surge and response to the Russia-Georgia crisis are any indication, Americans can't afford to see if he passes the test or not. The ad will be televised in key states.

Script For "Ladies And Gentlemen" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Listen to Joe Biden.

Talking about what electing Barack Obama will mean.

JOE BIDEN: Mark my words.

It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama.

The world is looking.

We're going to have an international crisis ... to test the mettle of this guy.

I guarantee you it's gonna happen.

ANNCR: It doesn't have to happen.

Vote McCain.

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