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Statement By Campaign Manager Rick Davis Following Des Moines Register Debate

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on this afternoon's Des Moines Register debate:

"There were many candidates on the stage in Des Moines this afternoon, but only one president -- John McCain. John McCain once again showed the experience, judgment and character that make him so uniquely qualified to lead as commander and chief in these challenging times. He alone has a consistent record on the issues most important to Iowa families -- including a consistent 24-year pro-life record.

"To win the general election next November, our party needs a nominee willing to tell Americans the truth. Today John McCain gave Iowans a little straight talk and spoke out against ethanol subsidies while the other candidates remained silent. It's obvious they're willing to abandon our party's fiscal conservative principles to pander to Iowa caucusgoers.

"John McCain alone has the courage, leadership and character to lead our party to victory in 2008 while keeping faith with our most cherished values and principles."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Mitt Romney At The Des Moines, IA GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE DES MOINES, IA GOP DEBATE

Fox News' Frank Luntz: "When we do these debates, usually there is some sort of a split in how people react in terms of winners or losers. We do not have a loser this time, but clearly, Mitt Romney was the winner." (Fox News' "Live," 12/12/07)
·        Luntz: "When Mitt Romney talked about education, it was an absolute home run. Romney's communication of education talked about his background and it was very effective in his presentation." (FOX News' Post-Debate Coverage, 12/12/07)
·        Luntz: "[Romney] united both elements of the Republican Party.  And not only was his language effective, but they thought that the job that he did was very well-communicated." (FOX News' Post-Debate Coverage, 12/12/07)
·        Luntz: "It was a very good day for Mitt Romney – very effective." (FOX News' Post-Debate Coverage, 12/12/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Mitt won – sounded presidential, competent, made a case for himself, and was optimistic but realistic about the threats we face. He's hit his stride." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Romney, the Manager," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lopez: "…he seems to be focusing on his managerial skills in a big way this debate. Strikes me as a smart idea." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Romney, the Manager," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 12/12/07)

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Mitt Romney had a hell of a good afternoon." (Marc Ambinder, "First Take: The Final Republican Debate," The Atlantic, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Ambinder: [Romney] seemed more sinewy than usual, less programmed, quite (dare we say) presidential, and even-tempered." (Marc Ambinder, "First Take: The Final Republican Debate," The Atlantic, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, Posted 12/12/07)

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Romney wins in a romp. Positive and substantive." (Rich Lowry, "Luntz Focus Group," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lowry: "Romney nails his answer to the tax question." (Rich Lowry, "Middle Income Families," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lowry: "I think Romney's tax answer was so good with its emphasis on 'middle class families' is that so far the only candidate to try to address the anxieties of the middle class is Huckabee. Romney needs to get on that territory, but provide better policy answers than Huckabee. Which is exactly what he did." (Rich Lowry, "Off The Charts," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/post/=, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Lowry: "Another plug for 'middle class families' from Mitt. It's important for him to keep hitting on it." (Rich Lowry, "Another Plug For 'Middle Class Families'," National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 12/12/07)

Commentary's John Podhoretz: "Romney says it's incredibly important that the next president should be a conservative. We need to follow Ronald Reagan's model: social conservatives, economic conservatives and foreign policy conservatives. I want to draw on those strengths. Very strong answer." (John Podhoretz, "LIVE: Blogging the Republican Debate Part Two," Commentary's "Contentions" www.commentarymagazine.com/, Posted 12/12/07)
·        Podhoretz: "Quick call on the debate: Romney is very good." (John Podhoretz, "LIVE: Blogging the Republican Debate Part Two," Commentary's "Contentions" www.commentarymagazine.com/, Posted 12/12/07)

The Weekly Standard's Richelieu: "Romney on his game." (Richelieu, "Richelieu: The Iowa Debate," The Weekly Standard's "Campaign Standard," www.weeklystandard.com/, Posted 12/12/07)
National Review's Jim Geraghty: "The issues – education, the budget – played to [Gov. Romney's] strengths." (Jim Geraghty, "Iowa PBS and the Des Moines Register: Making CNN Look Good," National Review's "The Campaign Spot," https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/, Posted 12/12/07)

They Said It... "David Yepsen: Thompson Registers in Register's Debate"

They Said It... "David Yepsen: Thompson Registers in Register's Debate"

"Fred Thompson did himself the most good in Wednesday's debate among Republican presidential candidates in Iowa. 

"Thompson, a former Tennessee senator, was specific, good-humored and exuded an executive persona during the 90 minute session that was sponsored by the Des Moines Register and broadcast by Iowa Public Television.

"... [H]e had the most to gain Wednesday by turning in a presidential performance and he produced.  With three weeks until the Jan. 3 caucuses, it may help him pick up some last minute support in Iowa."

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani At The Des Moines Register Debate

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani

National Review Online’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy's First Year: That would be a heck of a first year. But a very strong answer, and the Luntz dials went off the charts.” (Rich Lowry, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Rudy’s First Year,”   https://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZjRjZDA0YzZmYTJiNjc0MTk2Y2M3NDI0ZDI5MTlhZjk, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)

Des Moines Register’s Carol Hunter: “Give former Mayor Rudy Giuliani credit for being pretty specific about some of his budget plans.” (Carol Hunter, Des Moines Register Blog, “Giuliani the budget cutter,” www.desmoinesregister.com, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)

The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder: “Is the debt a threat to our national security? … Giuliani talks specifics...numbers and facts...seems well-prepared for this question …” (Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic Blog, “On The National Debt...,” https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/12/on_the_national_debt.php, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)

Townhall.com’s Mary Katharine Ham: “Rudy speaks very well about health care, sounds informed, and hits the American can-do refrains that conservatives love.” (Mary Katharine Ham, Townhall.com’s Blog, “The Hucka-Bash Debate,” https://www.townhall.com/blog/g/ce422e27-f2ea-41e1-993e-34985a0c70a1, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)
Ham: “Those folks with Frank Luntz’s people-meters love Rudy when he talks about health care …” (Mary Katharine Ham, Townhall.com’s Blog, “The Hucka-Bash Debate,” https://www.townhall.com/blog/g/ce422e27-f2ea-41e1-993e-34985a0c70a1, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)

American Spectator’s Jennifer Rubin: “Rudy makes a hearty pitch for free trade and opening markets.” (Jennifer Rubin, The American Spectator’s AmSpec Blog, “Trade,” https://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)
Rubin: “Rudy makes his pitch on leadership and being tested in crisis in the past.” (Jennifer Rubin, The American Spectator’s AmSpec Blog, “Leadership,” https://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)

The New York Times’ Katharine Q. Seelye: “[Giuliani]’s using this debate so far to try to convey that he’s the real conservative in the race.” (Katharine Q. Seelye, The New York Times’ The Caucus Blog, “Death And Taxes,” https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)
Seelye: “Mr. Giuliani has quite a sweeping agenda for one year …” (Katharine Q. Seelye, The New York Times’ The Caucus Blog, “First Year,” https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)

The American Spectator’s Philip Klein: “Rudy’s First Year: Gives a strong answer. When he talks about getting stuff done, he’s at his best.” (Philip Klein, The American Spectator’s AmSpec Blog, “Rudy’s First Year,” https://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp, 12/12/07, Accessed: 12/12/07)   

They Said It... "The Winner: Fred Thompson"

They Said It... "The Winner: Fred Thompson"

Chuck Todd: "the candidate who had the best afternoon I think was Fred Thompson"

"The winner: Thompson" (American Spectator, 12/12)
"Winner: Thompson"  (Jim Geraghty, NRO, 12/12)

"Frankly, the candidate who had the best afternoon I think was Fred Thompson. This was easily his best debate performance and he seemed to shine in this subdued format." (Chuck Todd, NBC First Read, 12/12)

"Winner: Fred Thompson. Good substance, good personality, and his I won't raise my hand for an answer question reminded me of Reagan say 'I paid for this microphone.' Fred definitely won." (Right Wing News, 12/12)

"He had the sharpest tone and sounded like a leader" (NBC First Read, 12/12)

"This guy looks like he could eat most of the rest of the field for lunch." (Jim Geraghty, NRO, 12/12)

"Seriously, it's like Thompson came to the debate in Des Moines today to do two things: Kick butt and chew gum. And it appears he's all out of gum." (Mark Hemingway, NRO, 12/12)

"Fred Thompson is easily having his best debate; the format suits him well; it's very issue oriented and doesn't allow for too many back-n-forths and gives Fred a chance to shine." (Chuck Todd, NBC First Read, 12/12)

"Fred the Truth Teller....That's been his emphasis today, and a compelling one." (Rich Lowry, NRO, 12/12)

"Fred Thompson was smart, funny, irascible and consistent, and probably helped his standing here." (Ambinder, The Atlantic, 12/12)

"Judging by This Debate So Far...  Romney's main threat in Iowa should be Fred Thompson." (Rich Lowry, NRO, 12/12)

"Thompson is sounding like he's decided this debate's format stinks, and so he's going to protest by mocking the mockery it has become. It's the most life he's shown in a while." (Jim Geraghty, NRO, 12/12)

"He seems, so far, a bit more rejuvinated than prevous ones." (Jim Geraghty, NRO, 12/12)

"'I want to take a chance on telling the truth to the American people.' Very nice line from Fred."
(Rich Lowry, NRO, 12/12)

"Finally, Fred wakes up and shows a little passion: 'When the enemies of this country are at the negotiating table, who do you want representing you? Whoever that guy is, that's the guy you ought to vote for for President.' One of his stronger moments." (Jim Geraghty, NRO, 12/12)

"Asked for a show of hands on global warming, Thompson finally stands up. 'I'm not doing any hand shows today.' A few folks applaud. Fred: You gonna give me a minute to answer it? Moderator: No. Fred: Then I'm not gonna answer it.  This gets a smattering of applause.  And yup, I'm applauding at home." (Jim Geraghty, NRO, 12/12)

"NEA...Another 'good for Fred' moment." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, NRO, 12/12)

"'The biggest obstacle is the NEA'....Another good Fred line..." (Rich Lowry, NRO, 12/12)

"Fred does come off as a sincere, solid man, with good instincts, who you want to see more of on more than Law & Order repeats." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, NRO, 12/12)

Statement: Iowa House Republican Leader Christopher Rants

STATEMENT: IOWA HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER CHRISTOPHER RANTS

"Governor Romney exhibited leadership and a command of the issues on the stage today. His vision, values and experience are exactly what Iowans are looking for in our next president. His conservative message of strength is what sets him apart from the other candidates in this race, and with three weeks to go until the caucuses, he showed why he should be our next president."

-Representative Christopher Rants, Republican Leader In The House Of Representatives, December 12, 2007

Governor Mitt Romney Lays Out Vision For A Stronger America

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT VISION FOR A STRONGER AMERICA

Johnston, IA – This afternoon, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the tenth Republican presidential debate:

"This afternoon, Governor Romney laid out the clear vision to meet a new generation of challenges confronting our country.  From fiscal policy and education policy to our foreign policy, Governor Romney has proposed a clear strategy to build a stronger America with a stronger military, stronger economy and stronger families.  In three weeks, the people of Iowa will vote in the caucuses and this afternoon, Governor Romney made the choice clear.  With the experience, vision and values, Governor Romney is the one candidate who can build a stronger nation."

John McCain 2008 Launches New Television Ad, "Trust"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "TRUST"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a new television ad to run in New Hampshire highlighting John McCain's record and vision as a fiscal conservative. The new ad, titled "Trust," addresses John McCain's plans to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families by permanently repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and eliminate wasteful spending in Washington. The ad further stresses John McCain's consistent record of leadership as a fiscal conservative and his recent endorsement by the New Hampshire Union Leader, which called him "the man to lead America."
Script for "Trust" (:30-TV)

ANNCR: "One man has a plan to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families.
"Bold solutions to our toughest problems.
"A conservative plan to cut your taxes.
"Fight wasteful government spending.
"The economic conservative endorsed by the Union Leader.
"They said John McCain is quote 'The man to lead America.'
"A fiscal conservative who will restore your trust.
"The man to keep our taxes low ... and our economy moving."
JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."