2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

United States Mint Puts First Presidential $1 Coin Into Circulation

United States Mint Puts First Presidential $1 Coin Into Circulation George Washington to be First in Historic Presidential $1 Coin Series

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today released into circulation the new George Washington $1 Coin, the first in a series of $1 coins honoring former United States Presidents.

The George Washington $1 Coins are legal tender and can be used for commerce and collecting. All Presidential $1 Coins are designed to work in most coin machines, including parking meters and vending machines.

Modeled after the United States Mint’s successful 50 State Quarters® Program, the Presidential $1 Coin Program will feature systematically rotating designs of former United States Presidents. The George Washington $1 Coin marks the first of four Presidential $1 Coins to be released this year, with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to roll out later in 2007.

The United States Mint celebrated the debut of the George Washington $1 Coin with a special Presidential $1 Coin Exchange in New York City featuring a brigade of armored cars delivering the coins to Grand Central Terminal. The United States Mint is offering financial institutions and retail businesses nationwide free informational materials via www.usmint.gov/$1coin. Schools and educational organizations can also access lesson plans and other educational tools on the same webpage.

"Americans will soon be receiving Presidential $1 Coins in their change and will find them convenient to use at retailers, car washes and vending machines. I even suspect the tooth fairy will love leaving these beautiful coins under pillows," said United States Mint Director Edmund C. Moy. "The Presidential $1 Coins will also be educational. Like the 50 State Quarters Program, these coins will invigorate interest in American history."

Presidential $1 Coin Program
The Presidential $1 Coins are being introduced as a result of the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, which requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins honoring the United States Presidents in the order in which they served. According to a study commissioned by the United States Mint, about half of Americans surveyed said they are interested in collecting the Presidential $1 Coins – but according to Director Moy, their appeal does not end with collecting.

"Congress recognized that the 50 State Quarters Program showed how a systematically changing design can spark public interest in a circulating coin, and we’re hoping to build on that success," Director Moy said.

Traditional Subjects, Unique Design
The designs of the coins are bold and dramatic. The traditional inscriptions of "E Pluribus Unum," "In God We Trust," the date and the mint mark are featured on the edge of the coins making the Presidential $1 Coins unique among today’s circulating coins.

The new Presidential $1 Coins are identical in color and size to the Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea, and have the same distinctive rim and tactile features to assist the visually impaired. The face of each coin will feature an original image of a former President and the years of his term of office. The reverse of the coin shows an image of the Statue of Liberty and the inscriptions "United States of America" and "$1."

Distributed through Banks and Other Financial Institutions
The United States Mint and the Federal Reserve System are working together closely to make it easier for businesses and the public to obtain the new coins as they are released. The Presidential $1 Coins will be shipped to banks and other financial institutions in rolls and small bags, unmixed with other dollar coins. For each new coin, banks may order and store the coins up to two weeks prior to the introduction so they will have supplies on hand on the release date. The coins will be available in unmixed rolls and bags for four weeks after the introduction of each design. When each new Presidential $1 Coin is released, the special ordering process begins again.

Tom Vilsack Unveils New Interactive Website

Vilsack Unveils New Interactive Website

Will Encourage Online Dialogue on Iraq War, Energy Security & Other Issues

DES MOINES, IA -- Today, at 4:00PM CST, the Tom Vilsack for President Campaign unveiled a re-designed website at www.TomVilsack08.com. The new interactive website features tools allowing Vilsack supporters and other members of the online community to participate in two-way conversations with Vilsack and the campaign regarding his plans to defund the war in Iraq, end America's dependence on foreign oil and create change in America.

"Our campaign is committed to engaging voters across America show share our vision for ending our dependence on foreign oil and getting our troops out of harm's way in Iraq immediately," said Vilsack. "We'll use our website and cutting edge technology to minimize the barriers of time and space to give our supporters unprecedented access to our campaign."

The website will empower the millions of Americans opposed to the Iraq war by providing a platform of tools to make their voices heard. The first dialogue on the website will encourage Americans to join a discussion of the bold energy-security goals Vilsack articulated in a major policy address yesterday to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, California. Vilsack said: "We aren't just looking for support. We're looking for active participation. Our website is now equipped with the technology to give Americans the opportunity to share their ideas about how we achieve the ambitious energy security goals I've laid out."

The new website, www.TomVilsack08.com, includes improved vehicles for interacting with the campaign and other supporters:

A campaign blog with postings from Tom and Christie Vilsack, campaign staff and other supporters.
Tools to allow supporters to build the Vilsack campaign in their local communities by hosting 'Main Street Meetings.'

State-specific hubs, acting as virtual field offices, for online organizing in the early primary states.
The new-look for www.TomVilsack08.com continues the Vilsack campaign's record of innovating on the Internet. Vilsack was the first presidential candidate to engage supporters through social networking, the first to feature a campaign video blog and the first presidential candidate ever to announce on the Internet, a tactic that has been followed by many other Democratic candidates for President.

Tom Vilsack was the first Democratic candidate for President to announce his candidacy, the first to repudiate the Bush-McCain Doctrine of increasing troop levels in Iraq, and the first to demand that Congress stop funding the war in Iraq. Tom Vilsack is a Washington outsider with a proven track record of expanding access to healthcare and early education, as well as making Iowa a national leader in renewable fuel production.

New Jim Gilmore For President Website Launched

The new Jim Gilmore for President Website was launched at www.gilmoreforpresident.com

Mayor Rudy Giuliani Announces New Members of Political Team

Mayor Rudy Giuliani Announces New Members of Political Team

New York City -The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee today announced several additions to the Committee's political team, including Dr. Mark P. Campbell as Political Director, Rick Wiley as Deputy Political Director, Bill Stepien as National Field Director and Cary Evans as Senior Field Advisor.

"The political talent coming to the campaign is incredibly strong and part of an aggressive buildup that continues on each level of the organization," said Campaign Manager Mike DuHaime. "We have a great team in place working to advance the Mayor's positive vision for the country."

Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee Political Team

Dr. Mark P. Campbell has joined the Committee as National Political Director.
Rick Wiley has joined the Committee as Deputy Political Director.
Bill Stepien has joined the Committee as the National Field Director.
Jake Menges has joined the Committee as a Senior Advisor to the Political Department
Cary Evans has joined the Committee as National Field Advisor

Giuliani Exploratory Committee Regional Political Directors

Chris Gulugian-Taylor
K.C. Jones (Served the Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign in Iowa as Field Director and in Minnesota as Deputy Executive Director)
Matthew R. Mahoney
Matt Mason
Tyler O'Connor.
Mike Roman
Mike Vallante
David Watts

Reagan Library To Host GOP Debate

REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION TO HOST GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES’ DEBATE

Mrs. Ronald Reagan will invite the major GOP Presidential candidates to the Reagan Library for a presidential debate on May 3, 2007. The Reagan Library Foundation has confirmed MSNBC cable as the television partner and THE POLITICO as the internet partner for this historic event.

THE POLITICO (www.politico.com) will stream the debate live and provide an exclusive and unprecedented opportunity for viewers to question the candidates via the internet.

The debate will air nationally on MSNBC cable, with full coverage on www.MSNBC.com.

“Ronnie always hoped the Library would be a place where policy makers could debate the future," said former first lady Nancy Reagan. "This presidential debate provides the opportunity to fulfill his wishes."

This event will be the first time a Presidential Debate has been held at a Presidential Library, and a unique opportunity for web cast viewers across the country to ask questions of the candidates.

At this time, ticket information on how to be at the debate is not available. When it is announced, it will be posted on this website.

Located in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (www.reaganlibrary.com) houses over 55 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential and personal papers, an extraordinary collection of photographs and film, and over 100,000 gifts and artifacts chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Home to Air Force One 27000, it now also serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President.

Mitt Romney 2008 Announcement Tour Video Des Moines Iowa

Mitt Romney 2008 Announcement Tour Photos Des Moines Iowa

John Edwards Campaign Announces Iowa And New Hampshire State Directors

JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE DIRECTORS

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that Jennifer O'Malley would join the campaign as the Iowa State Director and Beth Leonard would join as the New Hampshire State Director.  Both women are veterans of numerous campaigns and well-respected political organizers, whose years of experience will be tremendous assets to the campaign as it organizes and expands Senator Edwards' strong bases of supporters in Iowa and New Hampshire. 

Iowa State Director:

"Jen has a wealth of experience working on campaigns, especially in Iowa," said Rob Tully, former Iowa Democratic Party Chairman and 2004 Edwards for President Iowa Co-Chair. "She knows the lay of the land and she knows the people of Iowa.  I am thrilled that she will be leading Senator Edwards' already strong organization in Iowa."

O'Malley is a veteran organizer and manager who has a deep knowledge of the Iowa caucuses, having served as the Edwards campaign's Iowa Field Director during the 2004 caucuses.

In 2004, she was the Field Director for Senator Edwards' Missouri primary campaign. O'Malley began her campaign career in the successful New Hampshire primary campaign of Vice-President Al Gore in 2000.

New Hampshire State Director:

"Beth is a well-respected organizer and leader, who will make a great addition to the team," said New Hampshire Senate Majority Leader Joe Foster. "Her years of experience working on campaigns will be invaluable as we build on Senator Edwards' strong grassroots support in New Hampshire."

In 2004, Leonard worked on Senator John Kerry's presidential campaign as the Field Director in Ohio during the general campaign, the California Field and Political Director during the primaries and the Central Iowa Field Director during the Iowa caucuses

Governor Branstad's Former State Chair Joins Thompson Committee

GOV. BRANSTAD'S FORMER STATE CHAIR JOINS THOMPSON COMMITTEE

 

Charlotte Mohr, who served as Governor Terry Branstad's state chair from 1978 - 1998, has joined the Thompson for President Exploratory Committee as an honorary state chair.

"Republicans need a candidate who understands agriculture and is able to win in the general election, and that's Tommy Thompson," Mohr said.  "After watching Governor Thompson for years, I know he is a reliable conservative who has the leadership skills and reform agenda necessary to move our nation and our party forward."

Mohr served as a key advisor to the Bush 2004 Campaign.

"Charlotte Mohr is a great Iowa Republican who has earned the respect of people throughout the state," Thompson said. "I'm honored to have her support and plan to continue Governor Branstad's winning ways in the state."

Thompson was elected four times Governor of Wisconsin and served four years as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Bush Administration.

David Dreier Announces Support for Mayor Giuliani

Congressman David Dreier Announces Support for Mayor Giuliani

Republican Leader Joins Growing List of California Supporters

New York City - In a sign of continuing momentum, the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee today announced Congressman David Dreier, Chairman of the California Republican Congressional Delegation and House Rules Committee Ranking Republican, has announced his support for Mayor Rudy Giuliani to be the next President of the United States.  Dreier's endorsement follows the rousing reception Mayor Giuliani received at the California State Republican Convention and his successful swing through the state.  Dreier will help lead Mayor Giuliani's exploratory committee efforts in California. 

Congressman Dreier said, "America needs the proven leadership of Rudy Giuliani to tackle the difficult challenges our country is facing.  Not only does Mayor Giuliani have a record of results, he has a positive, optimistic vision that can unite our Party and our country for the greater good.

"I am proud to be supporting Mayor Rudy Giuliani for President and am looking forward to helping the exploratory committee's efforts in any way I can," concluded Dreier. 

Mayor Rudy Giuliani welcomed the support from Congressmen Dreier.  "I'm excited to have a Republican leader like Congressman Dreier on our team."

This endorsement comes on the heels of Congressman Pete Sessions and former Congresswoman Susan Molinari joining Team Rudy, as well as the previously announced support of California Congressman Devin Nunes and Congresswoman Mary Bono.  More California endorsements will be announced later in the week.