2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Mitt Romney At The St. Petersburg, FL GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL GOP DEBATE

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Romney had a strong night, seemed raring to go, seemed to be willing to take on everybody, anybody, all comers, seemed to want to pick every fight possible." (Marc Ambinder, "The Debate In Review," The Atlantic Online Blog, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, 11/28/07)

National Review's Seth Leibsohn: "This Is Mitt's Night." (Seth Leibsohn, "This Is Mitt's Night," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

Bill Bennett: "I think that Romney stood out tonight.  I think he was loud and clear.  Conservative.  He was 'all-in' as you'd say in Texas Hold 'Em." (CNN's Post-Debate Coverage, 11/28/07)

Bill Bennett: "I thought he came across very strong.  I think you guys are absolutely right.  That opening debate between Romney and Giuliani was, I think, the pivotal point of the evening.  And I think points to Romney.  Giuliani came across badly." (CNN's Post-Debate Coverage, 11/28/07)

ABC News Live Blog: "Romney is engaging very, very directly -- and dare I say he's getting the better of Giuliani in this exchange, funny accents and all." ("Live-Blogging During GOP Debate," ABC News' Political Radar, https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar, Posted 11/28/07)

· ABC News Live Blog: "And Romney gets the first applause by noting that illegal immigrants already broke the law." ("Live-Blogging During GOP Debate," ABC News' Political Radar, https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "[T]his is Romney's best debate performance yet. He reminds us he has experience and outside of Washington, he's tackled difficult issues, and does not let his temper get the best of him with a New York bully (something that will come in handy)." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "So Far," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "A clever answer from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on farming. He says we need food independence like we need energy independence — keep the farmers on the farm. His reasoning: We need to be able to compete with other countries that support their farmers." (Bill Schneider, "Schneider: Romney Scores Points On Farming Answer," CNN's Political Ticker, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 11/28/07)

MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro: "While the sanctuary mansion line got good laughs, Romney's explanation and questions left Giuliani without an answer." (Domenico Montanaro, "Giuliani Flustered?" MSNBC's First Read, https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Rudy let his temper get the best of him—clear winner of the exchange: Romney." (Rich Lowry, "Mitt V. Rudy," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Seth Leibsohn: "I'd be surprised after this debate if Mitt doesn't see national numbers looking more like his Iowa or NH numbers after tonight's performance.  Brilliant response to the black on black crime questions." (Seth Leibsohn, "Changing Times," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

The New York Times' Katharine Q. Seelye: "But finally, a father-son team, from Atlanta, want the candidates to talk about black-on-black crime, and while Mr. Romney gets in a nice line about mothers and fathers and family values, none of the candidates really address the issue that the young son raised." (Katharine Q. Seelye, "Live-Blogging the YouTube Debate," The New York Times' The Caucus Blog, https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Ramesh Ponnuru: "So Romney did pretty well in the debate, and won the immigration exchange." (Ramesh Ponnuru, "A Good Day for Giuliani," The Corner Blog, corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Mitt makes a good point that homeowners should not be required to check papers of workers hired for their and connects it to regular Americans by suggesting that that's what Rudy wants them to do." (Townhall, www.townhall.com, Accessed, 11/28/07)

The Plank's Isaac Chotiner: "Romney definitely got the best of Giuliani on their early immigration skirmish (which actually got rather heated). Rudy's line about Romney's mansion was cheap and silly. And Romney is more appealing when going negative than any of the other candidates." (The New Republic's "The Plank," https://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/default.aspx, Accessed, 11/28/07)

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "Romney's reference point about how MA liberals reason is effective. Reminds us that he gets them and fought them." (National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: Romney and Huckabee had a good spar over giving better benefits to illegals for school than to citizens. Romney is absolutely 100% right on this issue. I hope Iowans realize that Huckabee may very well be worse than Bush on illegal immigration." (Heading Right," www.headingright.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Transcript Of Iowa Chairman Doug Gross YouTube Statement

YOUTUBE STATEMENT: IOWA CHAIRMAN DOUG GROSS
Transcript Of Doug Gross Statement

"Governor Romney tonight demonstrated his deep and thoughtful understanding of the challenges that America faces, and he answered with strong, conservative solutions.  Throughout this campaign, Governor Romney has demonstrated a knowledge and an optimistic vision that Iowa voters really recognize is essential to taking our government forward and our country forward.  His strong performance showed that he has the vision, the experience, and most importantly, the values to be our next President."

Transcript Of Al Cardenas YouTube Statement

YOUTUBE STATEMENT: AL CARDENAS
Transcript Of Al Cardenas Statement:

"Hello, welcome to Florida.  I'm Al Cardenas, one of Mitt Romney's chairmen in this state.  We just finished a very exciting debate here at CNN.  We're in the spin room and we just want you to know how proud we are of Mitt Romney.  Once again, he proved that he is the candidate that can best coalesce our forces to bring victory next November.  Of all of the candidates, some of which have some strengths, some in the social conservative arena, some perhaps in foreign policy, there's only one candidate that stands for a strong America, strong families, strong economy and strong families – that's Mitt Romney and he proved it today.  He's the one candidate that can coalesce all Republicans to win in November of next year. Keep your eye on Mitt, please support him, we think he's the winner.  Thank you."

Transcript Of Senator Jim DeMint's YouTube Statement

YOUTUBE STATEMENT: SENATOR JIM DEMINT
Transcript Of Senator Jim DeMint's Statement:

"Earlier this month, I started a campaign to get 100,000 signatures on an earmark reform petition that would demand that Congress stop all this wasteful spending.  I’m also proud to be a leader of another campaign to stop the wasteful spending in Washington and that’s the campaign to elect Governor Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States.  Tonight, we saw again in the debate, that Governor Romney has the commitment and the experience to manage our government in a way that would make it smaller, allow us to reduce taxes and keep our economy strong.  I encourage you to join me in the next campaign to make sure Governor Romney becomes the next President of the United States."

Statement By Communications Director Todd Harris On Tonight's Debate

Statement by Communications Director Todd Harris

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

"During a night of bizarre videos and personal attacks, there was only one leader on the stage tonight talking about the real issues facing our nation and that was Fred Thompson.

"While Mitt Romney was running away from his record, and Mike Huckabee was distorting his liberal tax and spend record, Fred Thompson talked about saving and protecting Social Security, cutting taxes for all Americans, ending illegal immigration, staying in Iraq until the job is done and protecting America's national security.

"Some of the other candidates may be louder than Fred Thompson, they may be more slick, they may have more positions on any one issue and they certainly may be more liberal, but only Fred Thompson showed himself tonight to be the one conservative who can beat Hillary Clinton."

Romney Communications Director Matt Rhoades Statement On The Eighth Republican Presidential Debate

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT AN OPTIMISTIC VISION FOR A STRONGER AMERICA

Dearborn, MI – Tonight, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the eighth Republican presidential debate:

"At tonight's debate, Governor Romney stood out as the one Republican presidential candidate who is offering clear and substantive differences with the Democrats.  On taxes, fiscal discipline, national security, families and ethical standards, Governor Romney is the one candidate who can lead our Party against Hillary Clinton and the Democrats.  Governor Romney won tonight's debate by demonstrating that he has the experience, vision and values to build a stronger America."

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING FLORIDA GOP DEBATE

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING FLORIDA GOP DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on tonight's Republican presidential debate:

"John McCain once again showed he is the only candidate with the character, judgment and most importantly, the experience not only to manage our country, but to lead as commander in chief from day one. John McCain is the only leader willing to take on the tough issues facing the next generation, including global climate change, reforming Social Security and Medicare and ensuring a safe and secure nation for generations to come.

"John McCain is the only conservative who can beat Senator Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat next November. John McCain's unmatched national security experience, consistent conservative record and demonstrated appeal to independent voters make him the most formidable opponent for Senator Clinton or any other Democrat nominee."

Statement From Congressman Peter King On Tonight’s Debate

Statement from Congressman Peter King

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee released the following statement from Congressman Peter King on tonight’s debate:

“Tonight’s debate showed once again that Rudy is the real deal.  You know where you stand with Mayor Giuliani and you can believe him when he says he’ll cut taxes, restrain runaway spending and end illegal immigration because he’s tackled the tough issues before and gotten results.  Rudy’s authenticity, experience and frankness on the issues stand out in a field of candidates relying on tired rhetoric and political one-liners.”

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Historic Choice"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "HISTORIC CHOICE"

Boston, MA – Tonight, at the CNN/YouTube Republican Debate, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Historic Choice."  The ad highlights the challenges confronting our country and the importance of electing a leader who has the experience, vision and values to move America forward.  Throughout his career, Governor Romney has had an exceptional record of turning around numerous companies, the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  As President, he will tackle the big problems by defending America from foreign threats, making our country more globally competitive, securing our borders and defending our most traditional values.    

The ad will be airing as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Script and viewing link are below. 

Script For "Historic Choice" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER:  "It's an election like no other.

"An enemy lurks waiting to strike.

"Our main street economy is competing with mainland China.

"Legal vs. illegal doesn't seem to matter.

"Basic values like marriage are suddenly open to debate.

"For these challenges, ordinary isn't good enough.  We need the leader who gets the big stuff done. Take charge, demand results, no excuses.  Mitt Romney – the right experience, the right values, the right time."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

Ron Paul Campaign Harnesses Web For YouTube Debate

Ron Paul Campaign Harnesses Web for YouTube Debate

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – The Ron Paul campaign continued to use the internet in dynamic and creative ways at the tonight's CNN/YouTube debate.  Each candidate was asked to submit a 30 second "YouTube style" commercial to air during the program. 

The Paul team harnessed the power and creativity of the internet and their army of on-line supporters.  The campaign held a contest to see who could produce the best advertisement, and submitted the winning entry to CNN to air on national television.

"The Ron Paul Campaign was pleased to honor the spirit of tonight's debate by using the power of YouTube to produce our spot," said campaign spokesman Jesse Benton.  "Our potent on-line grassroots network generated a tremendous video fit to air on national television."

Over 100 videos were submitted for consideration in the contest. Dr. Paul is currently running the top eCampaign of any candidate in the 2008 field.