2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama Campaign Announces Generation Obama Iowa Steering Committee

Obama Campaign Announces Generation Obama Iowa Steering Committee

DES MOINES – The Obama Campaign today announced the 42-member Generation Obama Iowa (GO) Steering Committee which is composed of young professional Iowans who are playing a leading role in Senator Obama’s effort to unite America to address the challenges our nation faces. Steering Committee members will lead efforts to grow GO Chapters across Iowa starting with kickoff events in Des Moines, Elkader, Davenport, Webster City, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids tonight and in the coming weeks.  These events are open to the press and the public. 

“Barack Obama inspires me in a way no other politician has,” State Representative Tyler Olson said.  “His early stand against the war in Iraq and his message of hope motivate me to get involved and do what I can to ensure Barack Obama is our next President.” 

Here in Iowa, Generation Obama will engage young professionals by giving them the tools to become active participants in the Obama campaign and in their communities.  Through caucus trainings, informational forums, house parties, fundraisers and more, GO Chapters will engage and empower young professionals across Iowa. 

“Young people will play a vital role in shaping our campaign and transforming our country,” Senator Obama said.  “That’s why I’m proud to have the support of these ambitious young Iowans who are tired of the status quo in Washington, D.C. and are ready for real change.”

GO Chapters across the country are energizing young people to get involved in the political process and organize in their local communities.

Fred Thompson Iowa Announcement Video

Obama Announces Federico Pena to Serve as National Campaign Co-Chair

Obama Announces Federico Pena to Serve as National Campaign Co-Chair

Chicago, IL – The Obama campaign announced the endorsement today of former Energy Secretary Federico Pena and named him a National Campaign Co-Chair.  Pena was the Mayor of Denver in the 1980’s before President Clinton selected him to serve as the Secretary of Transportation and later the Secretary of Energy in the 1990’s.   Pena will also attend the Univision Democratic Presidential Candidate Forum on Sunday in Miami, Florida.

“I look forward to working with Federico to bring about the transformation this country desperately needs.  His vision for change as Mayor of Denver and his strong record on energy and transportation issues brings invaluable experience to our team,” said Senator Barack Obama.

“I have spent years working with Presidential administrations and world leaders and what I see in Barack Obama is the kind of judgment this country needs to usher in a new era of global leadership.  The challenges we are facing in Colorado, in the Hispanic community and across the country are formidable and it is time for bold and thoughtful leadership in the White House, ” said Secretary Federico Pena.

In 1983, Pena upset a 14 year incumbent Mayor to become Denver’s first Hispanic Mayor.  He proved to be one of Denver’s most ambitious mayors working to provide the  city with a world class international airport, a major league baseball team, a new convention center and numerous economic development and infrastructure additions throughout the city.  Because of his great success he was selected by President Bill Clinton to serve as the Transportation Secretary through the end of the first term and later served as the Secretary of Energy. In those capacities, he supported investments in transit and highway projects, developed a new international aviation policy opening new routes throughout the globe, and helped restore damaged infrastructure during the California Northridge earthquake and Gulf Coast hurricane in the 1990s.

He was the first U.S. Cabinet official to visit Vietnam after relations were normalized in the l990s. As Secretary of Energy, he helped develop our energy strategy in the Caspian Sea and was involved in  negotiations with Russia on plutonium reductions and fortifying unguarded nuclear facilities in the former Soviet Union.  Since l999, Mr. Pena has been actively involved in business as a Managing Director of Vestar Capital Partners, a private equity fund headquarted in New York, with offices in Boston, Denver, Paris, Milan, Munich and Tokyo. Mr. Pena has served on several corporate boards. Among his various civic involvements, he is the lead co-chair of “A+ Denver”, a 100 member citizens committee dedicated to improving the Denver Public Schools.

Mike Huckabee Announces Additional New Hampshire Endorsements

Mike Huckabee Announces Additional New Hampshire Endorsements 

Manchester, NH – Former Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee, fresh from another strong debate performance in New Hampshire , announced today the endorsements of two key political leaders in Strafford County : Sheriff Wayne Estes of Milton and businessman and Republican activist, Dan Philbrick of Dover . "Dan Philbrick and Sheriff Wayne Estes have been vigorously courted by many of the presidential campaigns, and I am very honored that they chose my candidacy to support. Their leadership in Strafford County will be invaluable and I am pleased to have them part of my team," said Huckabee.

Sheriff Estes has been the high Sheriff of Strafford County for the past five years and has been in the Strafford County Sheriff's office for the past 29 years, rising from the ranks.  He will join the New Hampshire Huckabee Leadership Committee and serve as a Co-Chair of Strafford County. "I have watched all the candidates for some time now, but there is only one candidate who has demonstrated that he understands the problems facing people every day. Mike Huckabee doesn't talk to us – he is one of us, and he is the leader we need for this country," said Estes.

Dan Philbrick has been the owner of Philbrick's Sports, which employs 35 people, for over 25 years. He is a former Strafford County Republican finance chair, county delegate, and former state senate candidate. Along with Estes, he will serve on the Huckabee Leadership Committee and serve as a Co-Chair of Strafford County. "Mike Huckabee is a man of conviction with long standing conservative principals, both fiscally and socially.  He is a proven leader who also has the moral fiber to lead the country," said Philbrick.

Fred Thompson Campaign Fields Impressive Grassroots Operation In Iowa

Fred Thompson Campaign Fields Impressive Grassroots Operation in Iowa

McLean, VA - Presidential candidate Fred Thompson announced several prominent additions to his Iowa campaign today, as part of his three-day bus tour through the first-in-the-nation state. 

Robert J. Haus, a longtime conservative activist and veteran of several political campaigns, will serve as Thompson's Executive Director in Iowa.  He will oversee Thompson's Iowa operation and will assist the campaign with Iowa media strategy.

Haus is joined by Andrew Dorr, a talented and experienced political and grassroots operative who will lead Thompson's efforts in Iowa as the campaign's  Midwest Political Director.  Dorr has extensive Iowa campaign experience, having served as Deputy Coalitions' Director in Iowa for George Bush in 2000, Midwest Coalitions' Director for Bush-Cheney '04, and Political Director for Jim Nussle's 2006 gubernatorial campaign.  Dorr will oversee the political and grassroots operations in 11 Midwestern states, including Iowa.

"Andrew Dorr and Robert Haus bring tremendous political and grassroots experience to Fred Thompson's Iowa organization," said Thompson's National Political Director Randy Enwright.  "The addition of these valuable and experienced Iowa political organizers makes it clear that Fred Thompson fields an impressive and emerging grassroots operation in Iowa."

Also joining the campaign's Iowa organization are Kristen Fuzer, Scott Will, and Laura Mommsen.   

Fuzer brings strong grassroots experience, serving as both the Central Iowa Field Director and Organizational Director for the Republican Party of Iowa.  Fuzer will serve as Caucus Organization Director for the Fred Thompson campaign.

Scott Will served as a field staffer for Jeff Lamberti's 2006 congressional campaign, and Laura Mommsen worked for Jim Nussel's 2006 gubernatorial campaign.  Both Will and Mommsen will serve as field staff for Thompson's Iowa organization.

Fred Thompson Iowa Announcement Photos

Fred Thompson Iowa Announcement Photos

Edwards Receives Support Of Transport Workers Union

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION
Workers that keep America moving and protect homeland security choose Edwards

New York, New York – The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president at the union’s international headquarters in New York City. Edwards was joined by TWU International President James C. Little, TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint, and rank and file members from early caucus and primary states for the announcement.

“I’m proud to stand in New York with members of the Transit Workers Union, who keep the city moving and help keep New Yorkers safe,” said Edwards. “The men and women of the TWU serve on the front lines of our country’s homeland security, protecting public transportation users, the nation’s railways, and skies. These are the workers who get us to our jobs and our families.

“For too long, these good union men and women and millions of other working families have been ignored by a broken system in Washington. I’m looking forward to campaigning with them in early primary states and key general election battleground states, and as president I’ll fight for them every day, so we can honor their hard work and make our transportation infrastructure safe and secure.”

Nationwide, TWU has a total of 200,000 active and retired members, which brings Edwards over the 2 million member mark for union support – the largest bloc of any presidential candidate. In the last week, Edwards has received endorsements from the Carpenters, who represent 520,000 active members, the Steelworkers with 1.2 million active members and retirees, and the Mine Workers with 105,000 active members and retirees.

“Some candidates seem to be figuring out how to best triangulate on campaign issues,” said TWU President James C. Little. “John Edwards takes on subjects such as job security, health care, retirement and the growing gap in wealth between the rich and the middle class in a straight forward way that the country and working families desperately need.”

This endorsement further enhances Edwards’ strength in early states and in many key battleground states necessary for Democrats to win back the White House. Close to half of the TWU members and retirees live in states that will caucus or vote on or before February 5th, including 8,000 active and retired members in Nevada, 10,000 active and retired members in Oklahoma, 12,000 active and retired members in California, 8,000 active and retired members in New Jersey, and over 50,000 active and retired members in New York.

New TV Ad Emphasizes Governor Bill Richardson as the Candidate of Change And Experience

New TV Ad Emphasizes Governor Bill Richardson as the Candidate of Change And Experience

Richardson only candidate to call for all troops out of Iraq

SANTA FE, NM -- In the last Democratic Presidential debate in Iowa, Governor Bill Richardson said it best, "You know, I think that Senator Obama does represent change. Senator Clinton has experience. Change and experience: With me, you get both."

Today the Richardson for President Campaign released a new television ad in Iowa called "Offers". The spot emphasizes that Bill Richardson is the only candidate in the race who brings both change and experience to the Presidential race despite the fact that other candidates may be "borrowing" the phrase.

The ad recounts Governor Richardson's unparalleled experience and record of achievement in foreign policy. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times and recently helped negotiate the shutdown of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

"At a time when our nation faces the most serious global and domestic challenges in its history, and the next President must repair the extensive damage done by the current administration, no one is more qualified or prepared to lead than Bill Richardson," campaign manager Dave Contarino said.

The new ad also reinforces that Governor Richardson is the only major candidate with a detailed plan to get all US troops out of Iraq, leaving behind no residual forces.

"There are serious differences among the candidates on Iraq," Contarino said. "Governor Richardson is the only major candidate with a responsible, urgent plan to end the Iraq War with a total US withdrawal and extensive, US-led diplomacy. The other major candidates still have not leveled with the American people as to how many troops they would leave in Iraq and for how long."

Bill Richardson was elected seven times to the US Congress and served as US Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of Energy. He is currently in his second term as Governor of New Mexico after winning reelection by a historic margin.

The latest Iowa poll by the American Research Group shows Governor Richardson at 13%, solidly in contention several months before the state's caucuses.

Fred Thompson Iowa Announcement Photos