2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Republican Party Of Iowa Sets Straw Poll Date

RPI ANNOUNCES STRAW POLL DATE

DES MOINES – Today the Republican Party of Iowa enthusiastically announces that the Iowa Republican Straw Poll will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2007 in Ames, Iowa on the Iowa State University campus.

“We are excited to announce the 2007 straw poll date today as we begin moving forward with the process of selecting our next President,” said Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Ray Hoffmann.  “With just about nine months until the straw poll, Iowans are looking forward to getting to know the Presidential candidates.”

The Iowa Straw Poll is a longstanding tradition that gauges the organizational strength of Republican Presidential candidates ahead of the Iowa Caucuses.  In 1999, George W. Bush won the straw poll, going on to win the caucuses, the nomination and the presidency.

A date has not been set for the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. More details of the events surrounding the straw poll will be released later.

Tom Vilsack Set To Launch Announcement Tour

VILSACK CAMPAIGN TO LAUNCH FIVE STATE "COURAGE TO CREATE CHANGE" ANNOUNCEMENT TOUR

Des Moines, IA – Tom Vilsack will kick off a five-state tour by formally announcing his candidacy for President of the United States on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 9:30 AM in the Iowa Wesleyan College Howe Center of Mt. Pleasant, IA.  The Governor and his family will travel from Iowa to New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Nevada and South Carolina. 

The community of Mt. Pleasant will host a potluck supper on Wednesday, November 29th at Mount Pleasant Middle School.

United States Mint Unveils Design of Presidential $1 Coins

HISTORIC CHANGE ON THE WAY
United States Mint Unveils Design of New Circulating Presidential $1 Coins
Former Presidents to Be Featured on New $1 Coins, in Order of Service

Washington, DC  (November 20, 2006)  United States Mint Director Edmund C. Moy and other Federal officials provided a first glimpse of a new series of circulating Presidential $1 Coins at a design unveiling ceremony held today at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.  The $1 coins are being introduced as a result of the Presidential Coin Act of 2005, which requires the United States Mint to mint the dollar coins commemorating the service of former United States Presidents in the order in which they served.

Like the United States Mint’s successful 50 State Quarters® Program on which it was modeled, the Presidential $1 Coin Program features a systematically rotating design.    The first four $1 coins will commemorate George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

“The new Presidential $1 Coins are an educational and fun way to learn about former Presidents,” said Director Moy.  “Our research indicates that, like the 50 State Quarters coins, the Presidential $1 Coins will be popular with millions of Americans.”

According to a study commissioned by the United States Mint, about half of all Americans are interested in collecting the Presidential $1 Coins – but their appeal does not end with collecting.

“Congress recognized that the 50 State Quarters Program showed how a systematically changing design can help to pull a coin through the economy, 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, with traditional inscriptions moved to the edge to allow for larger images of the Presidents.  These include “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust,” the year of minting or issuance, and the mint mark, making these coins unique among today’s U.S. circulating coins.

The new Presidential $1 Coins are identical in color and size to the Sacagawea Golden Dollar Coins, and have the same distinctive rim and tactile features to assist the visually impaired.  Additionally, the new $1 coins carry the same electromagnetic signature as both the Sacagawea Golden Dollar coin and the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, making them readily acceptable in vending machines that currently accept dollar coins.

The face of each coin will feature an 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 “The United States of America” and “$1.”

Distributed through Banks and Other Financial Institutions

The United States Mint and the Federal Reserve System are working in partnership to make it easy for businesses and members of the general 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, unmixed with other dollar coins.  For each new design, banks may pre-order 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 for four weeks after the introduction of each design.  When each new Presidential $1 Coin is released, the special ordering process begins again.

Each President will be honored with a single $1 coin, regardless of the number of consecutive terms he served.  Grover Cleveland, the only United States President to serve non-consecutive terms, will be honored on two coins.  No living former or current President can be honored on a coin. 

For more information on the new Presidential $1 Coins, go to www.usmint.gov.

George Romney 1968 Announcement

Governor George Romney of Michigan announced his candidacy for President of the United States at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Detroit on November 18, 1967.

"I decided to fight for and win the Republican nomination and election as President of the United States.  I have made my decision with a great earnestness. 

The Republican Party has the faith in the individual, and voluntary cooperation, private competitive enterprise, free collective bargaining, and state and local government needed to apply these principles at home. A Republican President can work for a just peace in Vietnam unshackled by mistakes of the past. A Republican President can restore truth to government and regain the confidence of the people.

Because I believe that, working together, we can build a New America, I will work toward this goal with all my heart, mind, and new spirit. I pledge energy and honesty to the task."

Full Speech Text

John McCain Common Sense Conservatism

The formation of John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee, is the first step toward measuring the depth of my support among America's voters.

As I begin the process of assessing a national campaign for the Presidency of the United States of America, I am turning to friends like you to ask for your personal help.

For me to have a good chance of success in what is sure to be a hard fought contest, my campaign must have strong, solid backing from voters all across America.

I seek your support for my Presidential effort today because I hope that like me, you understand that our country can no longer deny and turn a blind eye to the critical challenges we face. We must go beyond today's obstructive and divisive partisanship to confront and solve our nation's biggest problems.

As I outlined in a speech I gave last night, I believe that to keep America prosperous, strong and growing we, as a nation, must rethink, reform and reinvent the way we educate our children; train our workers; deliver health care services; provide for our citizens' retirement; stimulate research and development; harness new technologies; and protect our citizens and interests here and abroad. (To read and watch this speech please visit www.ExploreMcCain.com.)

We, as a nation, have been through the process of selecting a President many times. But, to use a phrase often associated with a President of my youth, this is no ordinary time.

I believe this truly is a time that we must put self-interest, partisanship and "politics as usual" aside. And that's because I believe that America is genuinely facing some of the gravest and most complex challenges in our history.

That's why we need to elect a leader with strong principles who will begin the presidency by listening - and I mean really listening - to the American people ... a President who will restore trust in the greatness of our democracy and hope for our future.

Everywhere I speak across this great land I try hard to remind Americans that we can no longer afford to play politics with the critical issues that confront our country today.

But beyond any specific policy or program, I believe the American people are looking for a renewed sense of community, a recognition that whatever our differences, we Americans are in this together, that citizenship means service to a cause greater than ourselves...

The 2008 Presidential race is going to be a pivotal moment in our history... Thank you for your continued friendship and loyal support.

Sincerely,

John McCain

John McCain Statement of Candidacy

John McCain Statement of Candidacy filed November 16, 2006.

Tommy Thompson To Form Presidential Exploratory Committee

Former Wisconsin governor to form U.S. presidential exploratory committee

BY MIKE GLOVER 11/15/2006
DES MOINES (AP) — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary during President George W. Bush's first term, said Wednesday he intends to form a committee to explore a run for the White House in 2008.

USA Today Story

New John McCain 2008 Exploratory Committee Website

John McCain sent this e-mail to supporters announcing his 2008 Presdential Exploratory Committee Website.

Over the past year, I have traveled the country campaigning with candidates running for local, state, and federal office and I've been constantly proud to stand with Republican candidates in supporting a secure homeland, fiscal responsibility, ethics in government, and common sense conservative principles. With the formation of John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee, I will continue my conversation with the American people over the direction of the Republican Party and the future of our country.

During the next couple of months, I will be talking with my family, friends and supporters about whether to officially announce a run for President; prior to that decision, the formation of this committee is the first legal step in that process. I hope that you will visit my new webpage, www.exploremccain.com, and join me in this effort.

Our Party suffered an electoral setback last Tuesday, but that defeat was not a repudiation of our values and our beliefs; America remains a conservative country. Rather, the election results were an expression of frustration with Washington gridlock and Washington's lack of touch with real America. In 1994, American voters sent Republicans to Congress to change government; instead, we became government. This Thursday, November 16, I will give a major address on my vision for the Republican Party and how we will get back on the path to victory.

Please join me at www.exploremccain.com to watch the speech live online at 7:10 PM. Thank you for your past support and encouragement and I look forward to continuing our efforts together to reform Washington and keep America safe at home and abroad.

Sincerely,

John McCain

Rudy Giuliani Forms Presidential Exploratory Committee

Giuliani takes first step in presidential bid

By DEVLIN BARRETT, AP Writer. 11/13/2006

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, a moderate Republican best known for his stewardship of the city after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has taken the first step in a 2008 presidential bid, Republican officials said Monday.

The former mayor filed papers to create the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee, Inc., creating a panel that would allow him to raise money for a White House run and travel the country.

USA Today

Ronald Reagan 1980 Announcement

Ronald Reagan delivered this speech to the nation, announcing his candidacy for President of the United States at the New York Hilton, New York, NY on November 13, 1979

"Good evening. I am here tonight to announce my intention to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

I'm sure that each of us has seen our country from a number of viewpoints depending on where we've lived and what we've done. For me it has been as a boy growing up in several small towns in Illinois. As a young man in Iowa trying to get a start in the years of the Great Depression and later in California for most of my adult life.

I've seen America from the stadium press box as a sportscaster, as an actor, officer of my labor union, soldier, officeholder and as both a Democrat and Republican. I've lived in America where those who often had too little to eat outnumbered those who had enough. There have been four wars in my lifetime and I've seen our country face financial ruin in the Depression. I have also seen the great strength of this nation as it pulled itself up from that ruin to become the dominant force in the world.

A troubled and afflicted mankind looks to us, pleading for us to keep our rendezvous with destiny; that we will uphold the principles of self-reliance, self-discipline, morality, and--above all--responsible liberty for every individual that we will become that shining city on a hill.

I believe that you and I together can keep this rendezvous with destiny."

Full Speech Text