2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Website Refreshed

The new look for the Rudy Giuliani website was launched with this blog post from Maria Comella, Deputy Communications Director.

Hizzoner's Highlights - September 4th

Today we kick off the month of September and the post Labor Day frenzy looking a little more “refreshed” than before. That starts with our website. Our site has new features and…wait for it…unveils our social networking sites! Those of you eager to add the campaign as your friend on Facebook and MySpace can finally do so. We’re using these sites a little differently than other campaigns with a new feature, “Running with Rudy.” This will offer users a behind-the-scenes look at the campaign, with contributions from staff in headquarters and on the ground. Check out the welcome video from our very own Dan Meyers… http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=17318654.

Friends of Fred Thompson Continues To Strengthen Communications Department

Friends of Fred Thompson Continues To Strengthen Communications Department

McLean, VA - Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc. is pleased to announce today the hiring of Bush-Cheney '04 Veteran Patrick Burchette, and grassroots operative Daniel Conston.  Both will work in the communications department.

Patrick Burchette was a member of the heralded Bush-Cheney rapid response operation and he played a critical role in the president's reelection.  Burchette worked closely with the campaign's leadership in helping to successfully respond to repeated attacks by Democratic opponents and liberal interest groups.

Daniel Conston was a grassroots director for the Republican Jewish Coalition, where he played a key role in strategic marketing and direct mail fundraising campaigns.

"Patrick and Dan bring valuable campaign and political experience to Thompson's press operation," communications director Todd Harris said. "We are very fortunate to have them on board and I look forward to working closely with them in the months ahead."

Prior to working for Bush-Cheney, Burchette worked for Virginia Senator John Warner, as well as the House Judiciary Committee.  Burchette is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Wake Forest University School of Law.

Conston has experience working for the American International Group ("AIG"), as well as the White House's Office of Public Liaison.  Conston is a graduate of George Washington University.

Friends of Fred Thompson Committee To Air First Advertising

Friends of Fred Thompson Committee to Air First Commercials on Wednesday and Thursday

McLEAN, VA - Friends of Fred Thompson Committee today announces that it plans to air a 30-second television commercial entitled "Debate" tomorrow night on the Fox News Channel. Additionally, the committee will be airing a modified version of the ad, entitled "I'm In," on Thursday, September 6th.

"One of this campaign's greatest strengths is Fred's ability to connect on a one on one basis with voters. By driving viewers to our website to hear his webcast announcement and learn more about Fred, these ads play to that strength and help to build our network in advance of his first trips to the early primary states as a candidate," stated campaign manager Bill Lacy.

Obama Campaign Announces Iowa Faith Steering Committee

Obama Campaign Announces Iowa Faith Steering Committee

DES MOINES – The Obama Campaign today announced that 32 Iowans of different faiths will participate on the Faith Steering Committee for Barack Obama’s Iowa Campaign.  Today’s announcement comes as the Obama Campaign kicks off a 10-day faith tour to give Iowans an opportunity to discuss faith, values, and politics.   

“One of the reasons I support Barack Obama is because of his unique ability to discuss faith in a unifying way that doesn’t exploit religious differences for political gain,” Rev. Matt Perkins of the United Church of Christ said.  “His faith, compassion and commitment to bringing people together are exactly what we need in our next President.”

The Faith Steering Committee will lead outreach efforts to religious communities across the state and discuss Senator Obama’s commitment to challenging conventional thinking in Washington, D.C.

“Our campaign is committed to reaching out to people of all faiths as we build our grassroots movement to challenge the status quo in Washington, D.C.,” Senator Obama said.  “That’s why I am honored to have the individual support of these leaders in the faith community who are dedicated to working in communities across Iowa to help us build our unifying movement.”   

On June 16th of this year, Barack Obama discussed his faith as he addressed the Iowa United Church of Christ statewide conference.  Obama has been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, a Protestant Church in Chicago, for almost twenty years. He, his wife Michelle and his daughters are active in the Trinity faith community

Fred Thompson Wins Republican Party Of Minnesota State Fair Straw Poll

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson Wins Republican Party Of Minnesota State Fair Straw Poll

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson won the Republican Party of Minnesota State Fair Straw Poll last evening with 1989 votes. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani placed second with 1272 votes. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney finished third with 876 votes.

"The enthusiasm demonstrated by individuals participating in our State Fair Straw Poll is encouraging," commented Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey. "National polls show Republicans on the rise. I am increasingly confident that Minnesota is ready to go 'Red' in 2008."

A full list of the votes is below:

Thompson 1989
Giuliani 1272
Romney 876
McCain 500
Paul 452
Huckabee 376
Gingrich 285
Hunter 137
Brownback 95
Tancredo 60
Cox 14

Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch Joins Romney For President

AMBASSADOR JULIA CHANG BLOCH JOINS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch has joined Romney for President as National Co-Chair of Asian Pacific Americans for Mitt.  Recently, Ambassador Sichan Siv was announced as National Chair.  Ambassador Bloch will also provide Governor Romney with important counsel on foreign policy issues.   

"Today's announcement is another indication of the strong Asian Pacific American coalition that is forming around our message of change in Washington.  Ambassador Bloch has a distinguished career serving our country and is a leader in the Asian Pacific American community.  I am proud that she has joined our team," said Governor Romney. 

Joining Romney for President, Ambassador Bloch said, "Governor Romney is a proven leader with the energy to bring change to Washington.  We need his leadership today if we are to meet the challenges facing our country both here and abroad.  I look forward to being a strong surrogate for his message in the Asian Pacific American community, as well as offering my counsel and advice on foreign affairs."

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Homeland Security Advisors

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Homeland Security Advisors

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced members of the Mayor’s Homeland Security Advisory Board. These individuals have provided input and recommendations on Mayor Giuliani’s commitment to ensure American communities are prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.  They also provide a constant source of information on issues pertaining to terrorism, homeland security and domestic emergency preparation.

The Mayor’s advisors are well-respected leaders in homeland security and emergency preparedness. The group is led by Board Chair Louis Freeh, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and previously announced as a campaign advisor.  Also leading the team is former U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Robert Bonner as the campaign’s Chief Homeland Security Advisor. Joining Freeh and Bonner is U.S. Congressman Peter King (R-NY).

“Rudy Giuliani is the most qualified candidate to prepare Americans to protect our homeland and respond to natural disasters and terrorist attacks,” said Freeh. “He demonstrated unparalleled leadership as Mayor of New York City by creating the city’s first Office of Emergency Management, while improving preparedness for potential threats that helped create a more resilient city.”

In addition, the advisory board has 15 total members including Joe Whitley, former Acting Associate Attorney General; Joshua Filler, former Director of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of State and Local Government Coordination; and Jon Odermatt, former Commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management; Richard Sheirer, former Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management; and Thomas Von Essen, former Commissioner, New York City Fire Department.

“This is a world-class team of advisors with years of security and emergency preparedness experience that will serve the Mayor well,” said Bonner. "Nobody understands the necessity of emergency preparedness better than Mayor Giuliani nor has anybody better demonstrated the ability to lead our citizens in a resilient response."

Congressman King added: “I am convinced that regardless of the challenges we face, Mayor Giuliani is the best qualified to prepare and protect America. He has the best vision and knows that homeland security and national security are inseparable. America has a real leader in Rudy Giuliani.

About the Homeland Security Advisory Board:

Louis Freeh, Chairman
Former Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Rob Bonner, Chief Homeland Security Advisor
Former Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Peter King
U.S. Congressman, New York

Joe Whitley
Former General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Joshua Filler
Former Director, Department of Homeland Security, Office of State and Local Government Coordination

Andrew Maner
Former Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Jon Odermatt
Former Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management

Howard Safir
Former Commissioner, New York City Police Department

Richard Sheirer
Former Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management

Stewart Verdery
Former Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Thomas Von Essen
Former Commissioner, New York City Fire Department

Seth Stodder
Former Director of Policy and Planning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Peter Beering
Indianapolis, Indiana Terrorism Preparedness Coordinator

Daniel Johnson
Former Director of Homeland Security for the State of Minnesota

John Rabin
Former Program Director, Department of Homeland Security’s Lessons Learned Information Sharing

Veteran GOP Communications Strategist Karen Hanretty Joins Friends of Fred Thompson

Veteran GOP Communications Strategist Karen Hanretty Joins Friends of Fred Thompson

McLean, VA - The Friends of Fred Thompson committee announced today the hiring of veteran GOP communications strategist Karen Hanretty as Deputy Communications Director.  Hanretty will assist in the coordination of all communications and media strategy and will serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for the committee. 

During California's historic gubernatorial recall campaign of 2003, Hanretty served as press secretary to Arnold Schwarzenegger's successful campaign for Governor  and managed the press operation for the governor-elect during his transition into office. In the capacity of press secretary, Hanretty helped coordinate communications and media strategy for one of the country's most talked about political campaigns and served as a principal spokesperson to hundreds of media outlets throughout the country and around the world. 

"Quite simply, Karen is one of the best there is and she will be an enormous asset to our team," said Todd Harris, Communications Director for the Friends of Fred Thompson committee.   

From 2003-2005, Hanretty was Communications Director for the California Republican Party.  In this senior-level position, she served as chief spokesperson for the Party, coordinated communications and media strategy and developed rapid response effort on behalf of the party operations and Governor Schwarzenegger's 2005 special election campaign.

Hanretty has also been a national political commentator, regularly appearing on Fox News Channel, MSNBC and CNN to provide political analysis on programs such as The O'Reilly Factor and Hardball with Chris Matthews. She is a frequent guest on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes where she has appeared as guest host for the popular show.

Obama Campaign Announces Iowa Labor Steering Committee

Obama Campaign Announces Iowa Labor Steering Committee

DES MOINES – The Obama for America Campaign today announced a 25-member Labor Steering Committee to lead union outreach efforts for Barack Obama’s Iowa campaign.  These steering committee members from across Iowa will serve as a sounding board for the labor community, lead efforts to organize union workers and discuss Barack Obama’s commitment to fighting special interests and protecting workers’ rights.

“From the picket lines of Chicago to the halls of the U.S. Senate, I have consistently fought to protect the rights of our workers,” Barack Obama said.  “That’s why I am honored to have the support of these union members from across Iowa who are committed to transforming the way we do politics in Washington, D.C. and will play an instrumental role in leading our outreach efforts to the labor community.”

As a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side, Barack Obama stood side by side with workers affected by steel mill closings.  As he’s done throughout his career in public service, Obama brought together different groups of people – local residents, activists, churches, and local workers – to restore economic opportunity and hope to the community.  In the U.S. Senate, Obama continued the fight by cosponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act and working to expand collective bargaining rights, overtime pay, and workers’ rights. 

“Throughout his career, Barack Obama has been a consistent champion of the organized labor movement, fighting for workers’ rights and to improve the lives of working families,” union member Greg Simpson of Dubuque said.  “This commitment is the reason why we’re proud to support Barack Obama’s campaign to challenge the conventional thinking in Washington, D.C. that has continued to block progress on the tough issues we face.”

Edwards Receives Support Of Steelworkers And Mine Workers Unions

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF STEELWORKERS AND MINE WORKERS UNIONS

Official endorsement at Pittsburgh Labor Day rally gives Edwards largest bloc of union support among presidential candidates so far

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president. Following the Thursday endorsement of Edwards by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in America, the two endorsements announced today at a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh with union members and their families give Edwards the largest bloc of union support so far – combined, more than 1.8 million members and retirees – among any of the presidential candidates.

“I am especially honored to receive the support of the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions,” said Edwards, “These are the workers who built the middle class in America, and they are the backbone of the American labor movement. They understand how important it is to fight back when jobs, safety, standards and our values are at risk – and they know what’s at stake in this election.”

“These workers have felt the negative impact of a broken system in Washington that is rigged against America’s working families for far too long – whether it’s the tragic lack of oversight in mine safety, trade agreements written to benefit multinational corporations while they ship American jobs overseas, or the millions of working Americans who still can’t afford health insurance,” added Edwards. “As president, I will proudly lead the fight on behalf of working families with their support – and together we will win.”

Representing 1.2 million workers and retirees, the USW is the nation’s largest private sector industrial union. Following extensive outreach to USW members that included a poll of the union’s 15,000 activists, as well as a nationwide survey of the union’s membership, the USW International Executive Board voted unanimously on Sunday, September 2nd to endorse Edwards.

The UMWA represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. Their membership includes more coal miners than any union in the world

Both Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard and UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts announced their endorsement by making clear the stakes hard-working families face and laying out why Sen. Edwards is the best candidate to lead the fight for change in America. 

“Senator John Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government,” said Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard. “Edwards is right on the issues that matter to us, and he’s the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election. The big corporations don’t need another president who does their bidding. It’s time we had a president who will fight for working people – and that’s what John Edwards will do.”

“Senator Edwards’ positions on the issues of importance to UMWA members make him the best fit of all the candidates for president,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “We need a president who cares about ordinary working people instead of the richest Americans and the big multinational corporations. We believe John Edwards is that person, and we will work as hard as we know how on his behalf anywhere and everywhere we can.”

Close to 1,000 people were expected at the Pittsburgh Labor Day rally where the unions’ official endorsements were announced. Sen. Edwards was joined on stage by USW President Leo Gerard, UMWA International President Cecil Roberts and local union members. Elizabeth Edwards and Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior also attended the event.