2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

U.S. Congressman Connie Mack Endorses Mitt Romney

U.S. CONGRESSMAN CONNIE MACK ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that U.S. Congressman Connie Mack (R-FL) has endorsed his candidacy for President of the United States.  Congressman Mack will serve as a Chair of Governor Romney's Florida Statewide Steering Committee and as a campaign surrogate to help communicate Governor Romney's message of conservative change in Washington.

"Congressman Mack has been a champion of conservative leadership in Florida and in the United States Congress.  I am proud to have his support and counsel," said Governor Romney. "We agree that we have lost our way in Washington and that it is time for us to return to the core Republican principles of fiscal discipline, lower taxes, a strong military and less government.  I look forward to working with Congressman Mack to take our message of strong new leadership to Floridians across the state during the coming months."

"Governor Romney is a proven problem solver with an unparalleled record of success in both the public and private sectors," said Congressman Mack. "Governor Romney is a mainstream conservative leader who will be a champion of hope and opportunity for every American, a catalyst for conservative change in Washington, and a staunch defender of our freedom, security and prosperity.  I'm pleased to offer Governor Romney my endorsement and look forward to working hard to help elect him the next President of the United States."

Congressman Mack joins former Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings, former Speakers of the House Allan Bense and John Thrasher, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson, former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party Al Cardenas and U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL) as a leader of Governor Romney's Florida Steering Committee.  Additional Co-Chairs include St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, State Representatives Anitere Flores and Trey Traviesa, former Representatives Dennis Baxley and Dudley Goodlette, David Griffin, former Florida Secretary of State Glenda Hood and former Senator and Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida Van Poole.  U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) also serves as a member of Governor Romney's Congressional Whip Team.

Statement From Iowa Democratic Party Regarding Republican State Central Committee Announcement

Statement from Iowa Democratic Party Regarding Republican State Central Committee Announcement

Des Moines - The following is a statement by the Iowa Democratic Party in response to the announcement by the Republican Party of Iowa's State Central Committee:

The Iowa Democratic Party is planning for a January caucus that is run professionally and with integrity. We will decide our caucus date based ultimately on what is best for the people of Iowa and the Democratic Party.

State Chair Brennan, the State Central Committee, Governor Culver and Senator Harkin will continue to work with the pre-window states and the Democratic National Committee to determine a date that maintains Iowa's important role as the First-in-the-Nation Caucus.

Statement By McCain Iowa Chair Dave Roederer And Senior Advisor Chuck Larson On The Caucus Date

STATEMENT BY MCCAIN IOWA CHAIR DAVE ROEDERER AND SENIOR ADVISOR CHUCK LARSON ON CAUCUS DATE

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's Iowa state Chair Dave Roederer and Senior Advisor Chuck Larson today issued the following statement on the Republican Party of Iowa's announcement that it will hold its first-in-the-nation caucus on January 3, 2008:

"Over the next 79 days, John McCain will continue to take his message of service, sacrifice and bold solutions for our country directly to Iowa voters.  We are convinced that as he continues to visit the state, Iowa Republicans will agree that John McCain is the only candidate with the experience, character and vision to restore Americans' trust in their government and win the struggle against radical Islamic extremism.  Further, our strong and growing grassroots organization will play a vital role in ensuring a successful caucus night for John McCain."

Republican Party of Iowa Announces Caucus Date Of January 3, 2008

Republican Party of Iowa Announces Caucus Date

Earlier tonight, the Republican Party of Iowa's State Central Committee voted to hold its first-in-the-nation caucus on the evening of January 3, 2008.   

"With under 80 days to go, this is a huge help to our counties and county chairs to get the ball rolling and start organizing.  They have 1,784 precinct caucus meetings to run, thousands of volunteers to recruit and our presidential candidates deserve a set date," said Executive Director Chuck Laudner.  "This is a definitive year for Iowa, and it is crucial that RPI, the State Central Committee and our county organizations run a smooth, successful caucus."

The Republican Party of Iowa will continue to communicate and work with the Iowa Democratic Party over the coming months to plan the Iowa Caucuses and ensure we maintain our first-in-the-nation status.

Rudy Giuliani Coming To Minnesota

Rudy Giuliani is coming to Minnesota for a Meet And Greet on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at Peter's Grill in Minneapolis.

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Not Fair"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "NOT FAIR"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Not Fair."  The ad highlights Governor Romney's commitment to lower taxes for all Americans.  The American people should not have to pay taxes when they earn their money, save their money, and when they die.  Governor Romney has proposed a conservative blueprint to lower taxes which includes permanently eliminating the death tax, rolling back tax rates across the board, and making savings tax free for middle class Americans.  Change in Washington begins with Republicans advocating lower taxes.

The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign's rotation today in New Hampshire.  Script and viewing links are below.

Script For "Not Fair" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "It's not fair that you have to pay taxes when you earn your money, when you save your money and then when you die.

"That's why I'll kill the death tax once and for all and roll back tax rates across the board.

"And savings?

"When I'm President, for middle class Americans, the new tax rate on your interest, dividends, and capital gains will be absolutely zero.

"Want tax cuts that will grow our economy?

"Change begins with us.

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

Joe Biden Campaign Files FEC Report

BIDEN CAMPAIGN FILES FEC REPORT

Wilmington, DE (October 15, 2007): The Biden for President Campaign today filed total contributions for the third quarter ending September 30, 2007 of $1,757,394.08 with the Federal Election Commission, bringing total money raised to Biden for President to $8,215,739.60 million dollars since the formation of Biden for President on February 1, 2007.  The Campaign ended the quarter with a cash balance close to $1.9 million.

"We always knew the summer would be a challenging quarter and the misperception of this race based on money doesn't help. But our poll numbers are starting to move as our endorsements are piling up,” said Luis Navarro, Biden for President Campaign Manager.  “We have the resources to compete in Iowa and the other early states and expect the fundraising to pick up from here."

Richardson Campaign Has Raised $18.7 Million

Richardson Campaign Has Raised $18.7 million
Campaign well positioned for competitive final push

SANTA FE, NM- Democratic Presidential Candidate Governor Bill Richardson's campaign filed its third quarter financial report with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) this evening. The report shows the Governor continues to receive significant grassroots support and is well positioned heading into the final months before the primaries and caucuses begin.

The Richardson campaign's FEC report shows the campaign raised more than $5.2 million in the third quarter, with a total of nearly $18.7 raised over the first three quarters of 2007. The campaign has nearly $6 million cash on hand.

"Governor Richardson is running an energetic, lean-and-mean grassroots campaign and we're pleased with the strong financial support we continue to receive," said Amanda Cooper, the Governor's deputy campaign manager. "We're especially excited that more than 22,000 people contributed $200 or less- our grassroots support is growing and those donors can contribute more going forward."

Governor Richardson is the only major candidate calling for the United States to withdraw all troops from Iraq with no residual forces. "That message is resonating with voters across the country and is a real point of difference," added Ms. Cooper. "The other major candidates would all leave thousands of residual troops in Iraq for years- they won't even commit to ending the war by the end of their first term. Governor Richardson would get all US forces out of Iraq by the end of his first year in office."

The Governor has also proposed comprehensive plans to make the US energy independent, to provide universal health coverage for all Americans, and to dramatically improve the nation's education system.

Having served as a Congressman, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy, and now as two-term Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has a real record of accomplishment and offers both the change and experience America needs in its next President.

Clinton Reports $50 Million Cash-On-Hand: $35M Primary, $15M General

CLINTON REPORTS $50 MILLION CASH-ON-HAND: $35M PRIMARY, $15M GENERAL
Senator now leads Democratic & Republican fields in cash on hand for both primary and general contests

Hillary Clinton’s campaign today announced that it has $50 million in cash-on-hand, of which approximately $35 million can be spent for the primary and $15 million on the general election. The number reflects the strength of support for Clinton from every walk of life and every part of America – and means she will have more money to spend than any other candidate in the months leading up to the primary.

“Our success this quarter raising money from over 100,000 new donors reflects the overwhelming grassroots enthusiasm Hillary is attracting from every part of the country,” campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle said today. “Not only that, our cash-on-hand total means we will now have the most resources of any campaign to help spread our message as the primary campaign heads into the final stretch.”

In addition to having $35 million in cash-on-hand for the primary, Clinton’s campaign noted several key numbers demonstrating the overwhelming depth and breadth of Clinton’s support:

• Approximately $27.8 million raised this quarter: $23.7 million for the primary, $4.1 million for the general
• Over 100,000 new donors this quarter
• 24 low-dollar fundraisers this quarter (versus 6 in the 2nd quarter)
• $8 million raised on the internet this quarter

Brownback Closes Solid Third Quarter, Carries No Campaign Debt

Brownback Closes Solid Third Quarter, Carries No Campaign Debt
Eligible for at least $2.1 million in FEC matching funds

DES MOINES – The Brownback for President campaign, which carries no debt, raised $925,745.22 in the third quarter of 2007 and is eligible for at least $2.1 million in federal matching funds. To date the campaign has total receipts of just over $4.2 million.

"With a crowded field and an entire month during which Senator Brownback campaigned in Iowa without holding fundraising events, we are pleased with the level of support for Senator Brownback's message," said John Rankin, spokesman for Brownback for President. "We have always expected to run a grassroots campaign and to make the most of limited resources. The option of over $2 million in federal matching funds would provide additional support as we move forward."