2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

United Transportation Union Endorses Clinton

United Transportation Union Endorses Clinton

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of the United Transportation Union. UTU represents 125,000 active and retired members in the railroad, bus and public transit sectors across America.

“The UTU has a long history of picking winners early. Hillary will be a president that America’s working families can count on. Time and again, as a United States senator, she has stood with us,” said UTU President Paul Thompson.

Incoming UTU President Mike Futhey Jr. said Clinton’s detailed plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and her strong performance at the AFL-CIO Presidential forum in Chicago were deciding factors in the union’s endorsement.

“Hillary Clinton‘s record has been friendly to working men and women of this country. She consistently has endorsed the necessity of a strong middle class,” Futhey said. “The UTU will encourage its 125,000 active and retired members to support Hillary and other labor friendly candidates in 2008.”

“I am honored to receive the support of the United Transportation Union,” Clinton said. “America’s workers have been invisible to this administration, and it’s time they had an advocate in the White House.”

DFLers Move Caucuses to February 5, 2008

DFLers Move Caucuses to February 5
State Central Committee Votes Overwhelmingly to Move Precinct Caucuses

St. Paul, MN (August 28, 2007) The Minnesota DFL Party today announced that it will hold its precinct caucuses on February 5, 2008. The move is expected to greatly increase grassroots participation, and is also intended to welcome new participants into the political process.

The State DFL Central Committee voted on the proposed change by mail ballot. The final tally was 277.5 votes for the move, to 33.5 votes against — a majority of 89.2%.

The State DFL Executive Committee, a smaller body, had unanimously recommended the move at a meeting on June 9. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez and State GOP Chair Ron Carey met on June 22, and agreed to propose the move to their parties’ governing bodies. The State GOP Executive Committee, a 13-member body, approved the change in July.

Since 1991, the major political parties have held their precinct caucuses on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, so the next caucuses would have been held on March 4, 2008. The Minnesota Statutes currently contemplate caucuses on that date. The parties are not bound by the statutory date, but may nevertheless ask the Legislature to amend the statute so that certain public buildings are available by law on caucus night.

“Earlier caucuses will give Minnesotans a greater say in who will be the next President of the United States, and will hopefully engage more Minnesotans in grassroots politics,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez. “We are pleased that the Republican Party has joined in this move, and we look forward to promoting the new dates. We also look forward to welcoming all Minnesotans who want to change our country’s direction to join long-time and first-time DFLers in attending our 2008 precinct caucuses.”

Historically, Minnesota has held caucuses in February before: from 1969 to 1983, and from 1987 to 1991, the statutory date set precinct caucuses on the fourth Tuesday in February. Before 1969, each party’s county executive committee could schedule caucuses on a date of its choosing.

Fred Thompson Minnesota State Fair Photos

Fred Thompson Minnesota State Fair Photos

Fred Thompson Minnesota State Fair Photos

Mitt Romney Announces Minnesota Statewide Steering Committee Co-Chairs

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES MINNESOTA STATEWIDE STEERING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced his Minnesota Statewide Steering Committee, which will be led by State Co-Chairs Jack Meeks; Brian Sullivan, Minnesota National Committeeman; Evie Axdahl, Minnesota National Committeewoman; and Tony Sutton, State Republican Party Secretary/Treasurer.

The Minnesota StatewideSteering Committee will play an instrumental in organizing Governor Romney's grassroots campaign.

"These committed Republican leaders will be crucial to my efforts in Minnesota," said Governor Romney.  "I am looking forward to working closely with them to advance our common agenda of keeping taxes low, getting spending under control, reforming health care, and governing with proven conservative principles.  Minnesota voters can look forward to seeing and hearing from me during the coming weeks and months."

Joining Romney for President, Co-Chair Jack Meeks said, "Governor Romney is the candidate who understands the need to bring conservative change to Washington.  We all agree Governor Romney has the proven record and the leadership qualities to keep America strong through a strong economy, strong national defense, and strong families.  Every voter in Minnesota can be confident Governor Romney will lead our nation to a more prosperous future."    

Romney For President Minnesota Statewide Steering Committee Co-Chairs:

Jack Meeks – Meeks is President and CEO of The Walker Group, Inc., a strategic consulting firm he founded in 1992.  He is also a Senior Consultant to North State Advisors, a Minnesota public affairs and lobbying firm.  Previously Meeks served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Vin Weber (R-MN).  He was elected Minnesota Republican National Committeeman in 1992, and re-elected to that position without opposition in 1996, 2000, and again in 2004.  He also served as Republican National Committee Vice-Chairman for the Midwest region in 1997 and was re-elected in 1999, 2001, and again in 2003. 

Brian Sullivan – Sullivan is currently the RNC National Committeeman for Minnesota and was first elected to the position in 2005.  He also serves as the CEO of SterilMed, Inc., a medical device and healthcare services company, and is a board member of numerous charitable organizations in the Twin Cities. 
Evie Axdahl – Axdahl is the RNC National Committeewoman for Minnesota. She was first elected to this position in 1989.  Axdahl also served on the State Central Committee for 14 years and has been a Delegate to the Republican National Convention on five separate occasions. She currently sits on the RNC Executive Committee.  She is married and has four children.

Tony Sutton – Sutton is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the Republican Party of Minnesota.  He also is currently the CEO of Baja Sol Restaurants Group, which operates a chain of Mexican restaurants.  In addition to various volunteer leadership activities in the Republican Party at the local and state level, Sutton has also served the state GOP in many professional roles including Executive Director and General Consultant.  Sutton also served as Deputy State Auditor for the State of Minnesota after the election of State Auditor Pat Anderson in 2002.

U.S. Representative Tom Petri Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TOM PETRI ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Boston, MA – Today, U.S. Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) announced his endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

"In Washington, we need a leader with a record of finding new and innovative solutions to some of our country's greatest challenges.  On so many issues, we need to move beyond talk to action.  In Governor Romney, we have a leader who has been tested and proven with a record of solving some of our most pressing problems by demonstrating creative, conservative leadership.  I look forward to working with Governor Romney to help our nation meet a new generation of challenges," said Congressman Petri.

With today's announcement, Governor Romney said, "In his more than 20 years of service, Congressman Petri has built a distinguished record of accomplishment that reflects his commitment to finding new solutions to our most challenging problems.  His efforts as part of our campaign will be instrumental in Wisconsin and in our nation's capital."

Bill Richardson Responds To DNC's Decision On Florida Presidential Primary

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Responds to DNC's Decision on Florida Presidential Primary

MANCHESTER, NH- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today responded to the DNC's decision to penalize Florida Democrats, if they move their primary before February 5, 2008. The Governor issued the following statement:

"I understand that yesterday's decision was not an easy one, but it was it done in a democratic, orderly, and fair manner," said Governor Bill Richardson. "I am confident that over the next thirty days a final resolution will be agreed upon that will guarantee that everyone's vote can count. Ultimately, I believe it is important that the Democratic nominating calendar be confirmed sooner rather than later. As Democrats it is important for us to use our voices to discuss the very serious issues facing our country and our differences with the Republicans. Over the next 6 months, I am looking forward to taking my case of experience plus change directly to the voters."

Fred Thompson To Visit The Minnesota State Fair Monday

Minnesota House Republican Leader Marty Seifert will make the rounds with former Tennessee Senator, actor, and possible presidential candidate Fred Thompson at the Minnesota State Fair on Monday, August 27th. They will appear at 11:45 AM in the Republican Party of Minnesota booth.

Richardson Moves Up in New Iowa Poll

Richardson Moves Up in New Iowa Poll

SANTA FE, NM -- Governor Bill Richardson is at 14 percent, within striking distance of all three frontrunners, in the latest poll out of Iowa.

The poll of 600 likely Democratic caucus-goers was conducted by Strategic Vision between August 17th and 19th. The poll shows Senators Edwards, Obama, and Clinton bunched together at 23, 22, and 21 percent, respectively. Joe Biden drew the support of 5 percent, with Chris Dodd and Dennis Kucinich at 1 percent each.

"It's an easy equation for our campaign. The more Iowans that meet Governor Richardson, the more support we get in the state," said campaign manager Dave Contarino.

The poll follows Governor Richardson's six-day trip through the Hawkeye State, where he released his plan for jobs and the economy and delivered a widely praised performance at the ABC/DNC Presidential Debate in Des Moines.

"Governor Richardson's grassroots campaigning is paying off. Voters are seeing that Governor Richardson is the candidate of both change and experience," said Contarino. "We are gaining traction in polls across the country, and particularly in the early primary states."

Recent polls for the ONE Campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire confirm that Governor Richardson is in the double-digits in those key states. The latest poll of Nevada, by Research 2000, shows that Governor Richardson has climbed into the double-digits in Nevada, as well.