2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Former Governor Mike Huckabee Delivers Signed No-Tax Pledge

Former Governor Mike Huckabee Delivers Signed No-Tax Pledge to Americans for Tax Reform

Little Rock, AR – Mike Huckabee officially delivered a signed Presidential Taxpayer Protection Pledge to Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) President Grover Norquist during ATR’s “Wednesday Meeting” in Washington, D.C. this morning.

The former governor announced he would sign the pledge on Friday, March 2, 2007 at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

“Having already been a longtime supporter of ending the death tax and cutting 90 taxes while governor, it was not difficult to pledge not to raise the income tax rates at the federal level,” Huckabee said.

By signing the pledge, Huckabee agreed to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”

“We applaud Governor Huckabee for signing the Presidential Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” Norquist said.  “Governor Huckabee recognizes that the challenge is to rein in spending and reduce taxes.”

Huckabee is a fiscal conservative who passed Arkansas’ first broad-based tax cut package in state history.  During his ten and a half years as Governor, he cut taxes more than 90 times, saving taxpayers almost $380 million.  He doubled the child care tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty from the tax code.  He also cut welfare rolls by nearly 50 percent while balancing the state budget.

Huckabee formed a Presidential Exploratory Committee for a potential 2008 White House bid after departing office earlier this year.

ATR has sponsored the Taxpayer Protection Pledge since 1986 and offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987.  The document is a written promise by legislators and candidates for office that commits them to oppose any effort to increase the federal income taxes on individuals and businesses.

“I continue to encourage every Presidential candidate to show their commitment to the U.S. taxpayer by signing the pledge,” Norquist said.

State Attorneys General Support McCain

STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUPPORT MCCAIN
AL, IN, MI, ND, SC, UT and WA Law Enforcers Back Arizona Senator

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign today announced that Attorneys General Troy King of Alabama, Steve Carter of Indiana, Mike Cox of Michigan, Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota, Henry McMaster of South Carolina, Mark Shurtleff of Utah, and Rob McKenna of Washington State will support the Arizona Senator’s presidential bid.

Alabama Attorney General Troy King has served the people of Alabama since 1995. King was an adviser to Governors James and Riley and was an assistant attorney general for four years.  He has served as Alabama’s Attorney General since March 2004 and was elected to a four year term in 2006.

“Alabama is a state where actions definitely speak louder than words,” said King.  “More than just talk, John McCain’s strong record of support for state rights, and his devotion to the conservative principles of protecting life and the institution of marriage make him the right leader for Alabama.”

Steve Carter was elected in 2004 to his second consecutive term as Indiana’s Attorney General. Carter had previously served as chief city attorney to the City of Indianapolis, legislative counsel to the Indiana state Senate, and as chief-of-staff to the lieutenant governor.

“John McCain is the type of political leader who clearly represents Indiana values,” said Carter.  “His story is one of absolute principled service and I am honored to serve in his organization.” 

Mike Cox was sworn in for a second term as Michigan’s Attorney General on January 1, 2007.  After graduating from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989, Mike went on to work in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Detroit.  In 2000, Cox was appointed director of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Homicide Unit, which prosecutes the majority of homicides in Michigan.  Cox was first elected attorney general in 2002.

“I’ve spent my career trying to make Michigan’s communities safer and I strongly support John McCain’s life-long leadership in making our country more secure,” said Cox.  “John has been an exemplary American and his ideas for the future are solutions, not side-steps.”

Wayne Stenehjem was sworn in as the North Dakota’s 29th attorney general in 2001.  He was reelected in 2004 and again in 2006.  In 1976, Stenehjam was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives and served for two terms until his election to the state Senate in 1980.  He served in the state Senate until becoming attorney general.

“John McCain is a Western conservative that understands the issues farmers, ranchers, and resource dependent states have to face,” said Stenehjam.  “I’m glad to be in a position to help and I’m honored to support Senator McCain’s vision for our country’s future.”

Henry McMaster of Columbia, South Carolina was first elected attorney general in 2002 and re-elected with no opposition in 2006.  McMaster was the first United States Attorney appointed by President Ronald Reagan and is a former top adviser to the late Senator Strom Thurmond.  McMaster has twice been a statewide nominee for the South Carolina Republican Party and served as the state’s party chairman from 1993-2002.

“This is a definitive election that requires a strong conservative with a proven record of support on the issues that matter,” said McMaster.  “John McCain is the tested leader in this race.”

Mark Shurtleff was elected to his second term as Utah’s Attorney General in 2004.  Previously, Shurtleff served as a Salt Lake County Commissioner and prosecuted cases as an officer and attorney in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.

“Senator McCain is a man that stands on principal and conviction.  What you see in John is exactly what you get,” said Shurtleff.  “I’m honored to support Senator McCain for president.”

Rob McKenna was elected to serve as Washington's Attorney General in 2004.  Previously, McKenna had been elected to three terms on the King County Council and was a lawyer with the law firm Perkins Coie.

“Senator McCain continues to garner support among legal and law enforcement leaders because of his stances on state rights and his role in brokering the confirmations of Justices Roberts and Alito,” said McKenna.  “I’m honored to give John my support and I appreciate his leadership on the issues that count.”

Senator McCain expressed his gratitude for the support of these state attorneys general.  “These men not only have a great deal of experience keeping our communities safe, but they have earned a tremendous amount of respect from voters in their respective states,” Senator McCain said.  “I’m grateful for their support and pledge my unwavering commitment to the common sense principles we all share.”

John Edwards Campaign Announces Nevada Staff

JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES NEVADA STAFF

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced its senior Nevada staff, which will oversee all of the campaign’s operations in Nevada in preparation for the 2008 caucuses. The staff includes veterans of numerous political campaigns, including the 2004 Iowa presidential caucuses.  Their years of caucus experience will be tremendous assets to the campaign as it organizes for the Nevada caucuses.

The campaign announced that Bill Hyers would serve as the Nevada State Director.  Hyers has important experience organizing caucus-goers, having worked for Senator Edwards’ 2004 campaign in Iowa.  He most recently worked as Campaign Manager for Kristen Gillibrand’s successful congressional campaign in New York’s 20th district, defeating an incumbent Republican congressman. In 2004, Hyers also worked as the Coordinated Campaign Director in Alaska.  He has run numerous ballot initiatives and mayoral races.

The campaign also announced the following staff:

Roberto Rodriguez, Nevada Political Director, Preston Elliot, Nevada Field Director, Oscar Lopez, Nevada Trip Director, and Kelly Harlow, Nevada Regional Field Director.

Biden Campaign Announces Key Endorsements In South Carolina

BIDEN CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES KEY ENDORSEMENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

(Wilmington, DE) - The Biden Campaign today announced the endorsements of several prominent former and current elected officials, leading members of law enforcement and key business leaders from throughout the state of South Carolina.

"These endorsements illustrate the depth and breadth of support that our campaign has received across the state of South Carolina," said Valerie Biden Owens, National Chairwoman of the Biden Campaign.  "As most everyone acknowledges, the Democratic nominee will likely be decided by the four early voting states.  To have this level of early support in this state puts us in a great position to win."

The endorsements announced today are in addition to those of Senator Gerald Malloy and Representative Jerry Govan, prominent members of the South Carolina State Legislature and Legislative Black Caucus, who joined Biden on the campaign trail during his two-day trip to the state where they also officially announced their endorsements of him.

"As Senator Malloy said yesterday, Joe Biden is the "real deal." said Biden Owens. "The more people see him out on the campaign trail - the more obvious that will become."

Clinton Campaign Launches “Women for Hillary” Effort

Clinton Campaign Launches “Women for Hillary” Effort
National Grassroots Campaign Will Use Web to Mobilize Women

Hillary Clinton is launching a major grassroots effort to mobilize women on behalf of her historic candidacy today, speaking to the nation’s largest political action network as her campaign embarks upon a series of initiatives aimed at reaching women voters.

“I’m asking mothers and daughters across the country to join us in this groundbreaking effort because this campaign is about restoring the promise of America and ensuring that that there are no limits on how far our young people can go,” Clinton said.  “I hope you will join me in this campaign, because together we will bring the leadership America needs to the White House.”

Women are the “X factor” in this upcoming election—more than 54% of general election voters will be women.  And Hillary has already proven hugely popular among women, winning 73% of the women’s vote in her landslide re-election to the Senate last fall.

In an afternoon speech to EMILY’s List, Hillary will pay tribute to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and announce that she is reintroducing the Paycheck Fairness Act, a measure that would ensure that women are paid the same as men who do equal work. She details the bill in a new “HillCast” on her web site. EMILY’s List has already endorsed Hillary’s campaign, and is mobilizing its activists and donors to propel her to the presidency.

The Women for Hillary program will also include a massive Internet outreach effort, focused on inviting women to join its Women Leaders Network and to organize local events with Hillary supporters.  A key piece of that program will be a web campaign called “I Can Be President” that will go online this month and enable women across the country to express their support for Hillary’s candidacy.  The campaign is also hosting an “I Can Be President” poster contest for young people. 

Women who have risen to the highest levels in their fields will also play an active role in Women for Hillary. Those participating in events and reaching out to voters include the first woman Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the first woman Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro, tennis great Billie Jean King, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Alvarez, former President of the American Bar Association Martha Barnett, former CEO of the Discovery Channel, Judith McHale and several women Members of Congress.

Finally, the campaign will place online ads on popular networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook to encourage women to get involved and help build a network of women leaders who can organize in peer groups, such as women doctors and young women.

John Edwards Gains Vilsack Supporters In Iowa

EDWARDS GAINS SUPPORT IN IOWA
More than 100 former Vilsack supporters endorse John Edwards for President

Des Moines, Iowa - Building on an already strong base of support in Iowa, the John Edwards for President campaign announced today that more than 100 Iowa Democrats who were formerly supporting Governor Tom Vilsack's presidential bid are now supporting Senator John Edwards for President.

"Tom Vilsack is one of the great leaders of Iowa and a powerful voice for all working Americans," said Edwards.  "I am honored to have so many of his supporters join my campaign, and I look forward to working with them to build an America where every person has the chance to succeed."

Democrats throughout Iowa continue to join Edwards' grassroots campaign to transform America. Among the former Vilsack supporters endorsing Edwards are State Representative Kurt Swaim and prominent attorney and Democratic activist Ed Skinner.

"John Edwards is a good friend to Iowa," said Swaim.  "He knows the people of Iowa and the issues that are important to us.  I proudly support his campaign for President. With his leadership, we can get America back on the right path."

"John Edwards is exactly the kind of leader we need here in Iowa and in our country," said Skinner.  "He has always stood by working Americans and fought to end injustice in our nation.  With his leadership, we can build one America, where every person has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream."

Clinton Announces Additions to Nevada Senior Staff

Clinton Announces Additions to Nevada Senior Staff
Veteran Nevada Operatives Build on Silver State Strength

The Hillary Clinton campaign today announced four key appointments to lead efforts in Nevada.  Former Washoe County Democratic Party Executive Director Pam duPre’ and attorney and noted community activist Alisa Nave will serve as the campaign’s Political Directors in Northern and Southern Nevada, respectively.  Veteran public sector communicator Hilarie Grey will serve as Nevada Communications Director.  State Democratic Canvass leader Brian DiMarzio will be the campaign’s Deputy Field Director.

“This outstanding group of Nevadans brings unparalleled experience and knowledge that will energize our campaign in the Silver State,” said Clinton Nevada Chair Rory Reid.   “We’re very excited to have them on our leadership team.”

“Pam and Brian have been true galvanizing forces for organizing and motivating voters in Nevada,” said Reid.  “Alisa has a proven track record in building working coalitions, and Hilarie brings great in-the-trenches experience and knowledge of Nevada’s issues.   We are really fortunate – and just thrilled - to have such a wealth of in-state talent at the heart of Senator Clinton’s efforts in Nevada.”

RNC Chairman Robert “Mike” Duncan Announces 2008 Republican National Convention Leadership

RNC Chairman Robert “Mike” Duncan Announces 2008 Republican National Convention Leadership

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee Chairman Robert “Mike” Duncan today issued the following statement announcing RNC Co-Chairman Jo Ann Davidson as Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements and Maria Cino as the Chief Executive Officer of the COA. The Committee on Arrangements is the RNC body charged with the planning and management of the Convention.

“I am excited that Jo Ann and Maria will be taking on these leadership roles for the 2008 Republican Convention.  Their tremendous experience and dedication will help to shape a dynamic, exciting convention that will showcase our Republican principles, our strong candidates up and down the ballot, and most importantly, the next President of the United States.”

Jo Ann Davidson was re-elected Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee in Washington D.C. on January 19, 2007.  She reaffirmed her commitment to growing the Party and developing a strong grassroots political organization. She was first elected Co-Chairman in 2005.

In addition to her responsibilities as Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Ms. Davidson was appointed by former RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman as Chair of the Site Selection Committee in January 2006.  The Site Selection Committee was tasked with investigating potential Convention Sites and presenting their findings to the full RNC Membership.  Although four cities submitted bids to host the Convention (Cleveland, OH, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN, New York City, NY, and Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL), the Site Selection Committee voted to recommend Minneapolis-Saint Paul based on their state-of-the art facilities, vibrant communities and clear enthusiasm to host the Convention.  Upon the unanimous vote of the full Republican National Committee in January 2007, former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman appointed as Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements.

Prior to her role as Co-Chairman of the RNC, Davidson served as the Bush-Cheney ’04 Ohio Valley Regional Campaign Chair; where she helped direct a historic grassroots efforts that enabled President Bush to win Ohio by a decisive margin. The Ohio Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign recruited over 87,000 Bush volunteers, held at least 3,946 parties for the President and made more than 4.5 million volunteer door-to-door knocks and phone calls to supporters and undecided voters in Ohio (with 2,373,167 volunteer door-to-door knocks and phone calls made in the final 72-Hours).

Maria Cino brings to the COA nearly 25 years of experience in managing and leading field-based organizations; developing and adhering to complex budgets; setting short- and long-term strategic goals; building coalitions; and developing, motivating, and mentoring staffs. As CEO of the Committee on Arrangements (COA) she will be working with the RNC body charged with the planning and management of the Convention.

Prior to her role with the COA, Maria Cino was nominated by President George W. Bush as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation on April 6, 2005, and confirmed by the United States Senate a month later.  Following the resignation of Norman Mineta, she served as the Acting Secretary of Transportation from July, 7, 2006 until October 4, 2006, when Mary E. Peters was sworn in as the new Secretary of Transportation.  Before her role as Deputy Secretary Ms. Cino served as Assistant Secretary and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Previously Cino served as Deputy Chairman of the Republican National Committee. In this capacity, she was the RNC’s top political strategist and chief operating officer, overseeing operations of the Committee during the 2004 election cycle. During the 2000 cycle, Ms. Cino served as the Committee’s Deputy Chairman for Political and Congressional Relations, and was the National Political Director for Bush for President in Austin, Texas.

Joe Biden Receives Major Endorsements In South Carolina

SENATOR JOE BIDEN RECEIVES MAJOR ENDORSEMENTS FROM PROMINENT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Columbia, SC - Sen. Joe Biden today received the endorsements of State Senator Gerald Malloy of Darlington County, immediate past president of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, and State Representative Jerry Govan of Orangeburg County, the former chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus of which they are both members.

Senator Malloy, who spent the day campaigning with Biden on Sunday said, "I am endorsing Joe Biden for President because he is the real deal.  Between his experience on foreign policy and national security issues and his life story, I believe that he is the most qualified to be our next president. I really appreciate that he has not lost touch with where he came from."

"I am supporting Joe Biden in my role as an elected official in this state and more importantly in my role as a father," said Representative Govan, the father of four - including one daughter who currently serves in the United States Air Force.

I've known Joe Biden for over twenty years and without a doubt can say that he is the man for the job. I am concerned about where this country is and where we are headed. We need a leader who has both the confidence and the credibility at home and around the world to lead us in a new direction and he is that leader."

"I am extremely honored to have the support of both Senator Malloy and Representative Govan," said Biden.  "They are both incredibly important leaders in their communities and throughout the state.  I look forward to having them on the team as we move forward in both South Carolina and nationally."

McCain Announces Michigan Finance Team

SENATOR MCCAIN ANNOUNCES MICHIGAN FINANCE TEAM
Leaders In Business & Industry Support Arizona Senator

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced the members of the Arizona Senator’s finance committee in Michigan, as two successful finance events were held in Grand Rapids and Detroit.

Additionally, former Ambassador and longtime Michigan resident Ron Weiser, who was appointed Ambassador to Slovakia by President George W. Bush, is serving on Senator McCain’s national finance committee.

“Senator McCain is a national hero with a long history of using his common sense leadership to achieve results.  I firmly believe that John McCain is the person best suited to protect and lead our country,” said Michigan Finance Chairman James Nicholson.  “On behalf of myself and all the members of the Michigan finance committee, it is an honor to be a part of Senator McCain’s team and we look forward to helping raise the financial resources necessary to elect him the next President of the United States.”

Senator John McCain stated he was proud to have the support of this respected group of Michigan leaders.  “I am proud to have the support of these fine business and community leaders in Michigan,” said Senator McCain.  “The members of the Michigan finance committee will be an integral part of our effort in the state.” 

Attorney General Mike Cox is the Chairman of John McCain 2008 in Michigan.