2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama To Reach Out To Grassroots Donors In Minneapolis

As the 2nd Quarter Closes Obama to Reach out to Grassroots Donors in Minneapolis

CHICAGO, IL- In the final days of the second fundraising quarter, Barack Obama plans to reach out to grassroots donors in Minneapolis at a community kick-off on Friday evening. 

The campaign announced this morning that more than 242,000 individuals have contributed to the campaign since Barack Obama entered the race in February with the goal of surpassing the 250,000 donor mark by the close of the quarter at midnight on Saturday.   

Obama has hosted community kickoffs in cities across the country where the ticket prices start at $25 including events in Chicago, Kansas City, New York City, Oklahoma City, New York City, Nashville, San Antonio, San Francisco and St. Louis.

McCain Campaign Names Nancy Merrill As State Co-Chair

MCCAIN CAMPAIGN NAMES NANCY MERRILL AS STATE CO-CHAIR

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Nancy Merrill will join the Arizona Senator's leadership team in New Hampshire as a state co-chair.

Merrill currently serves as National Committeewoman for the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. Elected to that post in July 2000, Merrill will offer her resignation to work with the campaign and maintain the impartiality of the Republican National Committee (RNC) position.

"I firmly believe that New Hampshire must help move John McCain to the next level in the nomination process, which is why I am stepping down from the national committee to work on John's behalf," said Merrill. "Our state primary is a major influence on the rest of the nation. We must show the states that follow us that John McCain is the only candidate who possesses the experience, courage, and candor we need in the leader of our country."

Senator John McCain thanked Nancy for her support. "Nancy was a critical part of my success in 2000," stated Senator McCain. "She has a long record of public service to the people of New Hampshire and our party. I am honored to have her support and look forward to her counsel as we continue to build our grassroots organization in the state."

Merrill was a state vice chair for Senator McCain's 2000 bid for the Republican nomination.

McCain Campaign Names New Hampshire Legislative Caucus

MCCAIN CAMPAIGN NAMES NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the New Hampshire Legislative Caucus for McCain - the only legislative caucus for a presidential candidate in the state.

"As lawmakers we understand the challenges involved in finding solutions to tough policy issues," said Rep. Maureen Mooney. "I have a deep respect for Senator McCain's leadership and courage when it comes to getting things done on the critical issues that face our nation."

Rep. Gene Chandler added, "While all too many politicians are comfortable merely criticizing controversial legislation, John McCain gets things done. His ability to reach across the aisle, and willingness to spend political capital when push comes to shove, is unmatched in Washington. This is the brand of leadership we need in the White House."

Senator John McCain was very pleased with the support of New Hampshire legislators at today's press conference. "I am grateful for the support of the many thoughtful and dedicated state leaders who have stood on my behalf today," said Senator McCain. "Each member of the caucus has a celebrated record of service to the people of New Hampshire and I am proud to have them working with me as I campaign in the state."

New Hampshire Legislative Caucus for McCain
Rep. Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry)
Rep. Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett)
Rep. Karen Hutchinson (R-Londonderry)
Rep. Rip Holden (R-Goffstown)
Rep. Maureen Mooney (R-Merrimack)
Rep. Andy Peterson (R-Peterborough)

Dodd Campaign In Iowa Announces Statewide Regional Offices

DODD CAMPAIGN IN IOWA ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE REGIONAL OFFICES

DES MOINES – The Dodd for President campaign today announced the establishment of eight new regional campaign offices throughout the state of Iowa.

The campaign has opened regional offices in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Ames, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Davenport. In addition, a Polk County regional office will operate out of the Iowa headquarters in downtown Des Moines.

“We are proud and excited to be opening office doors all over the state,” said Iowa State Director Marc Beltrame. “Day by day, more Iowans are discovering that Chris Dodd is the candidate with the experience, bold ideas, and proven record of leadership that they are looking for in their next President.

“With these new offices, we can reach out to Iowa caucus-goers right in their communities and continue building a truly statewide organization from the grassroots up.”

Northwest Iowa Regional Field Office
Sioux City

Southwest Iowa Regional Field Office
Council Bluffs

North Central Iowa Regional Field Office
Ames

Waterloo-Mason City Regional Field Office
Waterloo

Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Regional Field Office
Cedar Rapids

Northeast Iowa Regional Field Office
Dubuque

Southeast Iowa Regional Field Office
Davenport

Polk County Regional Field Office
Des Moines

Iowa Generals Join Team McCain

IOWA GENERALS JOIN TEAM MCCAIN

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's campaign today announced that ten Iowa general officers are supporting the Arizona Senator's campaign. These ten decorated veterans will serve in a leadership capacity in Senator McCain's organization in Iowa.

"Throughout his life John McCain has demonstrated that he is a true American patriot, committed to serving his country," said Major General Gary Wattnem. "America deserves a president like John McCain who will always put the nation's interests ahead of his own."

Having the endorsement of ten former generals in Iowa is unprecedented in a primary election campaign. The generals hail from all corners of the Hawkeye State and served in World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

Senator John McCain expressed his appreciation for the support of his fellow veterans. "I am honored to be joined in this campaign by these distinguished servicemen," said Senator McCain. "These generals embody the sacrifice necessary in committing to a cause greater than oneself. I look forward to their counsel and assistance as we continue to build our strong Iowa grassroots organization."

IOWA Veterans advisory committee
Brigadier General Tom Bruner, Crescent
Brigadier General Russ Eggers, Des Moines
Major General Merrill Evans, Waukee
Major General Evan "Curly" Hultman, Waterloo
Brigadier General Warren "Bud" Nelson, Sioux City
Brigadier General Eddie Newman, Eldridge
Major General John Peppers, Exira
Brigadier General Maurice Phillips, Newton
Brigadier General W.L. "Bill" Wallace, Ankeny
Major General Gary Wattnem, Mason City

Dick Posthumus To Serve As Honorary State Chairman For Michigan

FORMER LT. GOVERNOR DICK POSTHUMUS TO SERVE AS HONORARY STATE CHAIRMAN FOR MICHIGAN

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that former Lieutenant Governor Dick Posthumus will serve as Michigan's Honorary State Chairman of the Romney for President campaign.  As Honorary Chair, Lt. Governor Posthumus will help lead statewide efforts to build Governor Romney's Michigan campaign.   

Announcing the support of Lt. Governor Posthumus, Governor Romney said, "Dick Posthumus has served the State of Michigan for over twenty years with steadfast and principled leadership.  He has fought for some of our most important conservative values – lower taxes, better schools and stronger families.  His counsel will be very important to me, and I am gratified that he will be helping to lead our efforts in this critical primary state."

Lt. Governor Posthumus will join a Romney for President Michigan team that includes Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Dave Camp, Pete Hoekstra and Joe Knollenberg, and Michigan House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche.  
With today's announcement, Lt. Governor Posthumus said, "As I surveyed the field of candidates, it was important to me that our party's standard-bearer be a strong, conservative leader who believes in the fundamental strength of the American people.  After meeting with Governor Romney and carefully studying his record, I know he is the right candidate to lead our nation forward.  Mitt Romney's real-world experience in turning around difficult situations is what America needs right now.  I am confident that, as the American people get to know Mitt Romney, they will see a leader who doesn't just talk about a better future, but actually makes it happen."

Thurman Gaskill Named As Chair Of Iowa Farmers For Rudy

Thurman Gaskill Named as Chair of Iowa Farmers for Rudy

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today State Senator Thurman Gaskill will serve as Chairman of Iowa Farmers for Rudy. Gaskill will also serve as a National Co-Chair of Agriculture for Giuliani.

“Rudy is a proven leader with bold ideas to get real results on the issues important to farmers in Iowa and across America,” said Gaskill. “He is committed to increasing investment in renewable energy sources, like ethanol, wind, biodiesel and coal, to move America towards energy independence. Rudy also has an unwavering commitment to keeping Americans safe at home and lowering our taxes. He will be a strong and effective leader for our country.”

“Senator Gaskill is a great addition to our outstanding Iowa team,” said Giuliani’s Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime. “As a lifelong farmer and devoted public servant, Senator Gaskill brings a wealth of experience to our campaign. He has dedicated much of his career to improving the lives of farmers across Iowa and the nation.”

Iowa State Leadership Team:

State Chair
Paul Pate, former Mayor of Cedar Rapids, former State Senator, & former Secretary of State

State Co-Chairs
Jeff Angelo, State Senator from the 48th district
Joy Corning, former Lieutenant Governor, former State Senator
Jim Kersten, former State Senator
Mary Lundby, State Senate Minority Leader from the 18th district
Jack Rife, former State Senate Minority Leader

Braden Bunch to Serve as Giuliani's South Carolina Communications Director

Former Sanford Aide Braden Bunch to Serve as Giuliani’s South Carolina Communications Director 

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today Braden Bunch, former Research Director for Governor Mark Sanford’s successful reelection campaign, will join the team as South Carolina Communications Director.

Bunch brings nearly a decade of print and radio experience, in addition to serving as a member of Governor Sanford’s communications staff during his first term. 

“Braden will be an excellent addition to our strong South Carolina effort,” said Giuliani’s South Carolina Campaign Chairman Barry Wynn. “We’re glad to have him on our team.”

Edwards Launches First TV Ad In New Hampshire

EDWARDS LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester, New Hampshire – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign launched its first television ad in New Hampshire. The ad, “Strength of America,” begins airing today and highlights Edwards’ belief that the strength of our country lies in the American people and that by taking action we can strengthen the middle class, lift families out of poverty and transform America. The ad also highlights the campaign’s intensified commitment to engage New Hampshire voters. The campaign made the decision to go up on the air in New Hampshire after determining that it was on track to raise the $40 million needed to implement the campaign plan.

“As we continue to expand our campaign’s effort in New Hampshire, we are proud to unveil our first TV ad, which highlights the responsibility we all have to get involved and make a difference,” said deputy campaign manager Jonathan Prince. “We are excited by the response that John Edwards is seeing from New Hampshire voters and we look forward to engaging them in our campaign to create one America with equal opportunity for all our people.”

The ad focuses on the larger sense of responsibility that we share to build a better America for ourselves, for our neighbors and for our children. Edwards has made a call to action for all Americans a central theme of his campaign and this ad aims to amplify that call to New Hampshire voters. Edwards has worked to empower Americans through service in many ways, including through his service organization, One Corps, service trips to New Orleans and by encouraging young people to stand up and get involved. Edwards has spoken with New Hampshire families across the state about our responsibility to help each other as he has outlined his plans to:

• Provide truly universal health care
• Help families save and give them what they need to fall back on in rough times: savings, home equity and secure pensions
• Strengthen schools and make college affordable

The full script of the ad is below.

“STRENGTH OF AMERICA” (TV -:30)

John Edwards:
“Will we make America, the country of the 21st Century?
That depends on all of us.
It’s not that we don’t know what needs to be done.
To lift families out of poverty.
To strengthen the middle class in this country.
We know what needs to be done.
The strength in America is not just in the Oval office,
The strength in America is in this room,  right now.
It’s the American people.
And it’s time for the President of the United States to ask Americans to be patriotic about something other than war.”
“I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.”

Jennifer Dunn Endorses Governor Mitt Romney For President

FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN JENNIFER DUNN ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Dunn To Serve As National Co-Chair Of Women For Mitt

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that former Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) will serve as a National Co-Chair of Women for Mitt.  Congresswoman Dunn will help organize the National Women for Mitt effort and spread Governor Romney's message of strong conservative leadership.  She will also serve as Washington State Honorary Finance Chair.

Making today's announcement, Governor Romney said, "For twelve years, Congresswoman Dunn served the people of her district by championing the cause of a stronger America.  I am confident that her deep understanding of the important issues of our day will provide an invaluable service to my campaign and help spread my message across Washington state and the country. I am proud to welcome her to the Romney for President Team."

Announcing her support today, Congresswoman Dunn said, "In both business and government, Governor Romney has proven that his leadership can bring change and results.  Whether it was saving the Winter Olympic Games or fighting for lower taxes, Governor Romney has always stood for strong, principled leadership.  I am confident that his message of hope and optimism will resonate with all Americans."