Executive Directors Of The IDP And RPI Unveil New Caucus Logo
Des Moines - This morning, Mike Milligan and Chuck Laudner, executive directors of the Iowa Democratic Party and Republican Party of Iowa held a press conference to unveil a new caucus logo that incorporates elements from both parties.
Steve King Endorses Fred Thompson for President
Des Moines, Iowa - In a press conference this morning in Des Moines, Iowa Congressman Steve King announced he was endorsing Fred Thompson's presidential candidacy.
"Iowans have a profound opportunity and a great responsibility to make the first in the nation recommendation for president to the rest of America,"
King stated. "It is our duty to determine the most important issues and set criteria for how we make our decisions."
King has met in person with all but one of the candidates over the past few months. His evaluation of their suitability for the presidency was framed with the following questions, "Who would make the best leader of the free world? Who would best lead the United States to the next level of our destiny? Which of the candidate's records demonstrates the vision to lead and is consistent with our platform and values?"
During his remarks, King shared insights into each of the candidates'
strengths, giving praise to fellow Members of Congress Hunter, Paul, and Tancredo, as well as Senator McCain, former Governors Huckabee and Romney, as well as Mayor Giuliani, the only candidate King did not meet with in person.
"Fred Thompson is a solid conservative with a pro-life voting record and a logical Constitutional strategy to protect marriage. Of the candidates, he has the best understanding of the principles of federalism. He has adopted good policy and put together a solid platform. I have confidence that he would defend the border and the Constitution with appointments to the courts," King stated. He felt Thompson would bring the wisdom of Solomon to the White House.
"In the time that I've been evaluating the candidates, I've dealt with them in every arena. I've probed their private thoughts and measured their responses. I've gotten to know their families. I've watched and sometimes helped shape their policies. I've measured their instincts and intelligence," King explained. "There is only one candidate who epitomizes the full spectrum of our conservative values. There is one who is a comfortable conservative whom I have full confidence in his decisions.
That candidate also meets the test of life and marriage, judges and borders. That candidate has taken solid, persistent, and principled positions consistent with the Republican platform-which we wrote to inform the candidates of the positions of Iowa Republicans. That candidate has a record of faith, family, freedom, service, and success."
King said there is no question about Thompson's position on protecting our sovereignty at the borders, in the workplace and on the streets of America. He has confidence a Thompson presidency means The Rule of Law will be reestablished in American life. "My long and exceptionally deliberative evaluation of the Republican candidates for president has come to an end," King concluded. "I will put all my efforts into and the fire into the belly of the person whom I believe destiny has called to be the next president of the United States, Fred Thompson."
Statement from Fred Thompson on Endorsement from Iowa Representative Steve King
McLean, VA - Fred Thompson released the following statement after being endorsed today by Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King:
"Congressman King's leadership in support of the sanctity of life and his efforts in the fight against illegal immigration have made him one of Iowa's great Republican leaders. He's a tireless fighter for the 5th district of Iowa and I'm honored by his support. I look forward to working with Congressman King over the next three weeks and into 2008 in support of the traditional conservative values he and I share."
JOHN MCCAIN LAUNCHES FIRST RADIO AD IN SOUTH CAROLINA
COLUMBIA, SC -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today launched its first radio ad in South Carolina. The ad, titled "Best Prepared," features U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and highlights John McCain's early support for the troop surge in Iraq and readiness to lead as commander in chief on day one.
Script for "Best Prepared" (:60-Radio):
ANNCR: "Seven months ago, Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid said the war in Iraq was lost. Well, he was wrong. Listen to South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham."
LINDSEY GRAHAM: "I've been to Iraq nine times. The troop surge is working. Terrorists are on the run, and we need a president prepared to win."
ANNCR: "Only one candidate had the courage to call for the troop surge in spite of the polls, and that's John McCain."
LINDSEY GRAHAM: "John McCain is the only candidate for president prepared to be Commander-in-Chief on day one. No candidate can match his record of service. And as all the polls indicate, he's the only Republican who can beat Hillary Clinton in the general election. So our party and our nation need John McCain."
ANNCR: "When we vote, South Carolina can send a big message: Let our troops win."
LINDSEY GRAHAM: "John McCain is the right choice. He's ready to lead, and he's prepared to win."
JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."
ANNCR: "Paid for by John McCain 2008."
IOWA FIRST LADY MARI CULVER ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
Endorsement Builds on Edwards’ Growing Momentum in Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa – On the last day of his “Main Street Express” bus tour and following a widely praised debate performance, today Senator John Edwards will receive the endorsement of Iowa First Lady Mari Culver. Culver believes Edwards’ lifetime of fighting for those without a voice makes him the best candidate to stand up for America’s families and bring change to America. Culver’s endorsement adds to Edwards’ growing momentum in the final weeks before the Iowa caucuses. Edwards recently was endorsed by Congressman Bruce Braley and continues to gain support from community leaders and undecided caucus goers.
“With all the challenges facing our country, we need a leader who will fight for our families,” said Culver. “I am proud to endorse John Edwards for President. John has spent his career standing up for children and families in their hour of need. I admire his commitment to speaking out for those who have no voice and look forward to working with him to make sure children here in Iowa and across the country are safe and secure and have the opportunity to realize their dreams.”
“I am honored to have Mari’s support,” said Edwards. “She has been a passionate advocate on behalf of families and children in crises. Her commitment to helping the less fortunate is exactly the kind of the leadership America so desperately needs. With Mari’s help and the help of the people of Iowa, we can build the One America we believe in.”
Culver’s support adds to Edwards’ strength in Iowa. He has strong grassroots organizations in all 99 Iowa counties. He also enjoys the support of Caucus for Priorities, which represents 10,000 Iowa caucus goers. Edwards has the support of numerous labor groups who are actively working to put him in the White House. He has been endorsed by the Iowa State Council of the SEIU and 11 other SEIU state councils representing more than a million SEIU members. Additionally, he has been endorsed by the Iowa Postal Workers Union, the United Steelworkers, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the Transport Workers Union of America, the United Mine Workers of America and the UNITE HERE Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board.
Culver will join Edwards today at his “Main Street Express” bus tour finale events in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport. During the eight-day tour, Edwards has been highlighting his plans to fight for regular families like the ones he grew up with in his small, rural hometown.
Congressman Dave Loebsack Endorses Obama
DES MOINES, IA – The Obama campaign announced today that Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. A former political science teacher at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Congressman Loebsack was an upset winner last year in Iowa’s Second Congressional District which encompasses much of Southeastern Iowa.
“In a field of strong candidates, Barack is the strongest,” said Congressman Dave Loebsack. “What impresses me about Barack is his commitment to changing the way business is done in Washington. He understands that to pass universal health care, make energy independence a reality, and meet the other challenges we face, we need leadership that can bring all Americans together around a shared purpose.”
“Obama is energizing, organizing, and mobilizing ordinary Americans to get involved in their democracy in a way I haven’t seen in a long time,” said Loebsack. “And he’s building the kind of grassroots movement that will not just make him the most electable Democrat in a general election, but will help him enter the White House with a mandate for change that Washington can’t ignore.”
Loebsack is currently serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on The House Education and Labor Committee and The House Armed Services Committee.
“I’m honored to have Congressman Loebsack’s endorsement,” said Senator Barack Obama. “Dave has been fighting tirelessly to change the same old partisan, divisive politics in Washington that’s blocked progress for the people of the Second District. And by working at the grassroots level, he’s helped build a real movement for change in Iowa.”
Obama has received strong support from leaders in Iowa. To date, Senator Obama has received 19 endorsements from Iowa state legislators including Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, Rep. Deborah Berry, Sen. Bob Dvorsky, Rep. Elesha Gayman, Sen. Bill Heckroth, Rep. David Jacoby, Rep. Pam Jochum, Rep. Helen Miller, Sen. Rich Olive, Rep. Donovan Olson, Rep. Tyler Olson, Rep. Janet Petersen, Rep. Brian Quirk, Sen. Tom Rielly, Rep. Mark Smith, Sen. Bolkcom, Rep. Paul Shomshor, Sen. Steve Warnstadt, and Sen. Frank Wood. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, and former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Gordon Fischer have also endorsed Senator Obama’s campaign for change.
SENATOR JOE LIEBERMAN ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT
ARLINGTON, VA -- This morning in New Hampshire, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) endorsed John McCain for President of the United States. Senator Lieberman issued the following statement on his endorsement:
"I have come to New Hampshire this morning to ask Republican and Independent voters to support John McCain in the first-in-the-nation primary on January 8.
"I know that it is unusual for someone who is not a Republican to endorse a Republican candidate for President. And if this were an ordinary time and an ordinary election, I probably would not be here today. But this is no ordinary time -- and this is no ordinary election -- and John McCain is no ordinary candidate.
"In this critical election, no one should let party lines be a barrier to choosing the person we believe is best qualified to lead our nation forward. The problems that confront us are too great, the threats we face too real, and the opportunities we have too exciting for us to play partisan politics with the Presidency.
"We desperately need our next President to break through the reflexive partisanship that is poisoning our politics and stopping us from getting things done. We need a President who can reunite our country, restore faith in our government, and rebuild confidence in America's future.
"My friend John McCain is that candidate, and that is why I am so proud to be standing by his side today.
"I have worked closely with John for many years on many issues -- from stopping genocide in the Balkans to combating global warming to creating the 9/11 Commission and enacting its recommendations into law. I have seen John, time and again, rise above the negativism and smallness of our politics to get things done for this country we love so much. I have watched him, time and again, work across party lines to make our country safer and stronger.
"John McCain has proven that we can trust him to do what is right for our country, not only when it is easy, but when it is hard; to do what is necessary, not only when it is popular, but when it is not; and to tell us the truth, not only when it is easy to hear, but when it is not.
"As President, John McCain will bring America together again. He will inspire a new American unity and a new American patriotism. He will push all of us to work together to solve our biggest problems, and defeat our most dangerous enemies.
"Throughout our history, succeeding generations of brave Americans have risked their lives for the cause of freedom -- which is America's cause. Throughout his career, from the ranks of the military to halls of the Congress, John McCain has made freedom's cause his own. He learned the ideals of patriotism and service from his father, he taught them to his sons, and he will hold those ideals high as an inspiration for all Americans.
"When it comes to keeping America safe in this time of war, John has proven that he has the experience, the strength, and the character, to be our commander-in-chief from day one. I have traveled the world with John, so I can tell you how much he is liked and admired by leaders across the globe. He will be a President our friends will respect and our enemies will fear, and a President who will lead our nation on the world stage with purpose and principle.
"When others were silent, and it was thought politically unpopular, John had the courage and common sense to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq and to call for more troops and a new strategy there. And when others waivered, when others wanted to retreat from the field of battle, John had the courage and the common sense to stand against the tide of public opinion and support the surge in Iraq, where we are at last winning.
"You may not agree with John McCain on every issue, but you can always count on him to be honest with you about where he stands, you can always count on him to stand for what he believes is right for our country -- regardless of pressure from politicians or vested interests. And you can count on him to be restless in pursuit of progress. In that sense, John McCain is the real change candidate in this race for the Presidency.
"There are many fine people running for President. Many of them are good friends of mine. But I have concluded -- and I hope you will, as well -- that John McCain is the candidate who can best reunite our country and lead us to victory in the war against Islamist terrorism.
"The nomination for President remains wide open, so on January 8th, New Hampshire's voters can -- and I hope will -- make history and send John McCain from the Granite State to victory.
"Thank you."
STATEMENT BY JOHN MCCAIN ON LIEBERMAN ENDORSEMENT
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on receiving the endorsement of Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT):
"I am deeply honored by Joe Lieberman's endorsement. In an era when politicians so often put political expediency ahead of conviction, Joe Lieberman has stood up for what he believes is in America's interest. He has stood tall against the prevailing winds on national security and understands why we must succeed in Iraq and in the broader war against radical Islamic extremism. He is a principled leader, a good friend, and I am proud to have his support."
