2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Edwards Campaign Begins Airing New "Mill" Television Spot In South Carolina

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN BEGINS AIRING NEW “MILL” TELEVISION SPOT IN SOUTH CAROLINA
In new ad, Edwards says he’s running for president to help hard-working families like the ones he grew up with

Columbia, South Carolina – The John Edwards for President campaign has begun airing “Mill,” a new 30-second television spot in South Carolina that features John Edwards speaking about what motivates him to run for president. 

“I’m not running president because I read something in a book,” Edwards says in the ad. “I’m not running for president because some political consultant told me what I’m supposed to say. I’m running for president because of 54 years of my life, I have believed to my soul that the men and women who worked in that mill with my father were worth every bit as much as the man that owned that mill.”

Today, Edwards also launched a three-day South Carolina “Bringing it Home” bus tour to rally supporters and bring his fight for the middle class to the Palmetto State. During the tour, Edwards will discuss his plans to bring about bold change and fight for the middle class.

Edwards’ three-day sprint comes on the heels of his homecoming tour, which saw crowds exceeding 1,000 South Carolinians in Clemson and 500 in Columbia. Edwards is the only candidate in the race who was born in South Carolina and he is the only Democratic candidate to ever win in a “red” state. Edwards leads the Democratic field in both campaign stops and money raised in the Palmetto State, and his campaign boasts an impressive statewide grassroots organization strengthened by deep support from Edwards’ 2004 campaign.

A full transcript of the spot is included below.

Full Transcript of “Mill” (30 seconds):
I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.
I’m not running president because I read something in a book.
I’m not running for president because some political consultant told me what I’m supposed to say.
I’m running for president because of 54 years of my life, I have believed to my soul that the men and women who worked in that mill with my father were worth every bit as much as the man that owned that mill.

Giuliani Campaign Reports Campaign Cash On Hand

Giuliani Campaign Reports Campaign Cash On Hand

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced that the campaign has over $12.7 million cash on hand, with over $7 million in primary dollars. These numbers were reported as of December 31st, the end of the last reporting period.

“From day one our campaign has been focused on a national strategy built around the new primary calendar.  As such, we’ve budgeted conservatively and effectively targeted our resources to win under this new system.  We will have the funds necessary to carry out our campaign plan and deliver the Mayor’s message in Florida and beyond,” said Giuliani Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime.

They Said It: Fred Thompson At The Fox News South Carolina Debate, Part II

They Said It Part II: "Winner: Thompson"
Fox News' Frank Luntz: "Clearly it was Fred Thompson who won the debate."

"Winner: Thompson. This performance was so commanding, I wanted his last answer to echo back to the lights in the back of the auditorium, blow out all the lamps and spotlights, for the theme to 'the Natural' to play, and for him to trot around the stage in slow motion while sparks showered down in the background." (National Review, 1/10)

"Thompson slams Hucakbee" (Charleston Post and Courier Blog)

"Tonight, Fred Reminded Me of Roy Hobbs" (National Review, 1/10)

"Fred Thompson was funny, biting and energetic. Easily, his smoothest performance.."(NBC, 1/10)

"[T]hey saw a strong presence, from a candidate in control of his facts." (ABC, 1/10)

"I'm guessing...his style played VERY well with South Carolina Republicans." (NBC, 1/10)

"In this debate, Thompson brought the conservative challenge to Huckabee. To the extent that Huckabee was the leader going in; Thompson gained at his expense." (Columbia, SC's TheState.com Blog)

"Fred Thompson turned in another strong debate performance, and Frank Luntz's focus group confirms it." (ABC, 1/10)

"This was Fred Thompson's second strong debate in a row" (Atlantic, 1/10)

"For once I'm in total agreement with Frank Luntz's focus group - they loved Fred." (National Review, 1/10)"

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Mitt Romney At The Myrtle Beach, SC GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE MYRTLE BEACH, SC GOP DEBATE

NBC's Chuck Todd: "Mitt Romney's last answer about what he's been hearing on the campaign trail was one of his best messages I've heard yet." (Chuck Todd, "Romney's Best Debate Answer In Months," MSNBC's First Read, https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com, Posted 1/10/08)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Taking Washington apart. This is a strong outsider argument — that rings true. Romney would do it because he has." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Taking Washington Apart," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/10/08)

ABC's Rick Klein: "Ahh, the R-word. 'Could we be headed for a recession? Absolutely. Do we have to be headed for a recession? Absolutely not.' Good answer by Mitt Romney." (Rick Klein, "Live Blogging During GOP Debate By Rick Klein," ABC's Political Radar, https://blogs.abcnews.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Mitt's change answer. Good. The best part of his stump speech." (Rich Lowry, "Mitt's Change Answer," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/10/08)

Townhall's Hugh Hewitt: "Romney had less screen time tonight, but each time he answered he was poised and eloquent."   (Hugh Hewitt, "Tonight's Debate," Townhall Blog, https://hughhewitt.townhall.com, Posted 1/10/08)

· Hewitt: "The opening response on the economy, aimed specifically at Michigan voters was very strong, and his 'Nope' answer to Wallace's question about whether the voters in New Hampshire might be saying that they do not want change in D.C. was perfect pitch…" (Hugh Hewitt, "Tonight's Debate," Townhall Blog, https://hughhewitt.townhall.com, Posted 1/10/08)

· Hewitt: "[Romney's] grasp of the foreign affairs questions impressive." (Hugh Hewitt, "Tonight's Debate," Townhall Blog, https://hughhewitt.townhall.com, Posted 1/10/08)

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "It wasn't a friendly question, but Chris Wallace did Romney a favor. Solid answer on reforming Washington by a guy with a track record." (Kate O'Beirne, "Again The Outsider," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/10/08)

· O'Beirne: "Mitt Romney's optimism recalls Reagan." (Kate O'Beirne, "Nice Outsider Appeal," National Review's The Corner Blog, https://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

The American Spectator's Quin Hillyer: "Now Romney gets a tough question on abortion. He starts out with a really really strong answer. Now he segues back to Reagan. He ably defends 'the principles that Ronald Reagan espoused.' Good answer." (Quin Hillyer, "Reagan Coalition Gone?" The American Spectator Blog, www.spectator.org, Posted 1/10/08)

· Hillyer: "Romney says people do NOT want "Washington experience" more than change. Gives a good litany of complaints against Washington. Also gives the best, most concise and effective summary of his own experience that I have heard yet from him in this campaign. Good answer." (Quin Hillyer, "Change Or Experience?" American Spectator's AmSpec Blog, https://www.spectator.org, Posted 1/10/08)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Mitt had a good line about Paul reading Ahmadinejad press releases." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Another Debate?" Townhall Blog, https://www.townhall.com/blog/, Posted 1/10/08)

National Review's The Corner: "Talking about broken Washington is much more convincing from an outsider who has turned things around before. Romney was a contrast with McCain, I thought." ("Re: Outsider Appeal," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/10/08)

National Review's Jim Geraghty: "Paul's argument that the threat from Iran is overstated was a high, hanging curve, and it was a solid hit from Romney." (Jim Geraghty, "The Debate Shifts To Iranian Speedboats," National Review's The Campaign Spot Blog, https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

Heading Right's Rickm: "Mitt's best moment so far tonight. 'Change' sells." (Rickm, "By Far," Heading Right Blog, https://headingright.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

Statement By South Carolina Co-Chair Attorney General Henry McMaster Following Fox News Debate

STATEMENT BY SOUTH CAROLINA CO-CHAIR ATTORNEY GENERAL HENRY MCMASTER FOLLOWING FOX NEWS DEBATE

COLUMBIA, SC -- U.S. Senator John McCain's South Carolina Co-Chair, Attorney General Henry McMaster, issued the following statement on this evening's Fox News debate:

"Tonight's debate clearly showed there is only one candidate ready to lead from day one, and that's John McCain. Only John McCain has the national security experience, strong conservative principles and record of telling the American people the truth that we need in our next president.

Statement By Campaign Manager Rick Davis Following Fox News Debate

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING FOX NEWS DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on this evening's Fox News debate:
"On the one year anniversary of the president's announcement of a new strategy in Iraq, John McCain proved why he is the only candidate ready to lead as commander in chief from day one. In the fight to pursue a new strategy for success in Iraq, John McCain was a lonely voice for change. In the face of public opinion, John McCain had the experience and judgment to pursue a strategy for success in Iraq. That strategy has worked. Tonight, John McCain demonstrated again why he is the candidate for change on the issues that have challenged us most.

"John McCain is the only consistent conservative who can unite the Reagan coalition and deliver a great Republican victory in November. John McCain will cut taxes, fight pork barrel spending, protect the sanctity of life and keep our nation safe.

"As president, John McCain will never waver or equivocate in bringing genuine change to Washington and tackling America's toughest problems. As he has always done, John McCain will lead with the courage of his convictions and continue to fight for a better America. New Hampshire sent a message for conservative change by voting for John McCain on Tuesday, and tonight, John McCain proved to the people of South Carolina how he will honor that charge."

Governor Romney Calls For Change In Washington

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:  GOVERNOR ROMNEY CALLS FOR CHANGE IN WASHINGTON

Governor Mitt Romney
South Carolina Republican Presidential Debate
Myrtle Beach, SC
January 10, 2008

Governor Mitt Romney:  "I've had the chance to do almost 200 town meetings across the country.  I've listened to people, well, in a restaurant here called Lizard's Thicket, to places all over the country.  And I keep hearing the same thing, which is that Washington is broken.  That Washington has made promises to America it has not kept, and it seems incapable of dealing with the challenges that we face globally and here at home.

"I hear that people say they think we deserve health care for all our citizens but not government health care, and that hasn't been done.  They say we ought to be able to get a reduction on the burden on the middle class, and that hasn't been done.  They say we ought to solve the immigration problem in this country, protecting legal immigration, but ending illegal immigration, it hasn't been done.  They say there's too much pork-barrel spending and earmarking in Washington, that hasn't stopped.  And so the same people, year after year, make these promises and then go to Washington and nothing happens.

"And so I'm convinced that you're going to see the people say, across this country, that if you send the same people back to Washington just to sit in different chairs, nothing will happen.  My whole life has been about bringing change to things I've touched, to the business world for 25 years and tried to bring change, sometimes I did positively, not always, but I learned from that experience.  I went to the Olympics and turned those games around with the help of a terrific team of people.  I went to the state of Massachusetts when revenues were falling, when jobs were falling, I helped turn that around.  I know how to bring change, and I will change Washington.  I will take it apart and put it back together simpler, smaller, smarter.  But I will bring change, and I will honor the promises that the American people have heard from me and from others who care about Republican principles."

They Said It: Fred Thompson At The Fox News South Carolina Debate

They Said It: "Thompson Rocks Tonight"

It wasn't just the media who had great things to say about Sen. Fred Thompson's debate performance. On FOX News, Frank Luntz's focus group had Sen. Thompson overwhelmingly winning the debate.

"Fred was on a roll." (Politico.com, 01/10)

"Thompson Roars...Mr. Thompson comes in swiftly and sharply to this discussion and blasts Mr. Huckabee." (New York Times Blog, 01/10)

"Fred Thompson came to play tonight... he's scoring some points tonight." (ABCnews.com 01/10)

"Thompson took off after Huckabee." (USAtoday.com, 01/10)

"Mr. Thompson rocks tonight." (New York Times Blog, 01/10)

"Mr. Thompson is out-toughing his rivals tonight on illegal immigration." (New York Times Blog, 01/10)

"Fred drops a daisy cutter on Huck." (Politico.com, 01/10)

"He's laying the smack down, that's for sure. Fred is about South Carolina, and made it clear who his target is." (msnbc.msn.com, 01/10)

"Mr. Thompson draws the biggest applause of the night so far with his litany of accusations against Mr. Huckabee, including the charge that he is basically a Democrat." (New York Times Blog, 01/10)

"This is a fine, fine performance by Fred Thompson." (ABCnews.com 01/10)

"Thompson Goes After Huck...Thompson's offensive gets audience cheers." (TheAtlantic.com, 01/10)

"The guy is showing himself, of late, to be a fairly decent debater. This little rant against Huckabee was strong." (msnbc.msn.com, 01/10)

"Could that be the sound of Thompson bouncing?" (Slate.com, 01/10)

Statement By Fred Thompson Communications Director Todd Harris

Statement by Communications Director Todd Harris

McLean, VA -Thompson for President Communications Director Todd Harris released the following statement on tonight's debate:

"There were two tiers of candidates in tonight's debate: Fred Thompson, and then everyone else. Fred came to win tonight and that is exactly what happened.  No other candidate on that stage showed the same commitment to conservative values, grasp of foreign policy and national security, and the ability to talk straight and direct with the American people. 

"Our campaign is 'all in' in the Palmetto State.  Tonight's performance will go a long way to demonstrate that Fred Thompson is the only candidate they can trust to be a strong consistent conservative with the experience and judgment to lower taxes, keep the country safe, fight illegal immigration and secure our borders."

Statement From Senator Jim DeMint

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JIM DEMINT

"As someone on the front lines for conservative change, I am convinced voters are fed up with government as usual.  They want to see dramatic change and they want to elect someone who can get tangible results.  For that reason, Mitt Romney was the clear winner tonight.

"Mitt highlighted his leadership experiences transforming corporations, the Olympics and state government.  He knows how to turn things around and tonight he proved once again just why conservatives all over the country should rally around his campaign to fix all that is broken in Washington."

- Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) January 10, 2008