2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Minnesota To Host 2008 Republican National Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday September 27, 2006

Minnesota To Host 2008 Republican National Convention

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey made the following statement today regarding the selection of the Twin Cities to host the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"We are thrilled Minnesota will be the host of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Minnesota is the best place in the United States to live and we are excited to showcase our state to the entire world.

"We believe this election will be decided on the banks of the Mississippi River. We look forward to helping nominate the next president of the United States."

STATEMENT OF MINNESOTA DFL CHAIR BRIAN MELENDEZ ON THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

STATEMENT OF MINNESOTA DFL CHAIR BRIAN MELENDEZ ON THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

(ST. PAUL) 9/27/06 – “While we would have loved to see the Democratic National Convention in 2008, we applaud the leadership of Mayors Rybak and Coleman in securing the RNC. We welcome our Republican friends to the home of Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Paul Wellstone.

“We hope the Republican Party enjoys their stay and we hope they take some honest, Minnesota values with them when they leave.”

DNC Congratulates Twin Cities on Holding 2008 Republican National Convention

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2006

DNC Congratulates Twin Cities on Holding 2008 Republican National Convention

Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee congratulates the Twin Cities on the announcement that it will host the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"We want to congratulate the Twin Cities. The DNC was thrilled to have three great American cities submit strong bids for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are looking forward to working with Denver and New York as we make our final decision. The Twin Cities is a great community and this announcement is good news for the cities," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton.

RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee today announced that its Site Selection Committee has voted to recommend Minneapolis-St. Paul to host the 2008 Republican National Convention, pending the successful negotiation of the Site City Agreement. The full RNC will vote on the recommendation at its Winter Meeting in January, 2007. The convention will be held September 1-4, 2008.

"We are thrilled to accept the bid from Minneapolis-St. Paul to host our 2008 convention. The host committee put together a tremendous bid and we are confident that we will partner for a successful event. Minneapolis-St. Paul has outstanding assets including state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention," said RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman.

The Site Selection Committee reviewed bids from four cities: Cleveland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. The Committee visited the four cities in August.

The committee's decision was based on an independent and objective scorecard that committee members reviewed thoroughly. The committee looked at a number of factors such as the number and proximity of hotels, size of the arena and its capacity to hold the convention, transportation, security, media work space, convention office space, and ability to finance the operation.

The Site Selection Committee is made up of nine RNC members. Two members are elected from each of four regions and RNC Co-Chair Jo Ann Davidson chairs the committee.

Twin Cities Selected As Site Of 2008 RNC Convention

Washington, D.C. – The Republican National Committee made an announcement this afternoon regarding the 2008 Republican National Convention.  RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman and RNC Co-Chairman Jo Ann Davidson hosted a press conference call today, Wednesday September 27, 2006 at 3:00 pm CDT.

"I am pleased to announce that the Site Selection Committee of the Republican National Committee met today and has decided to begin negotiations with the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to be our host for the 2008 Republican National Convention," said Chairman Jo Ann Davidson.

PARTICIPANTS: RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, RNC Co-Chairman Jo Ann Davidson, Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

Fred Harris 1972 Announcement

Statement of U.S. Senator Fred R. Harris in Washington, DC.

"1972 is a crucial year. America won?t be the same in 1976. I intend to try to turn this country around before it's too late.

I am a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

People have a right to believe that if they get interested in a presidential campaign things will change.

I believe that a President can call this country back to the greatness that is in us. I mean to try."

Full Speech Text

David Roederer Named Iowa Chairman For Straight Talk America PAC

Friday, September 22, 2006

David Roederer to Join Straight Talk America
   
ALEXANDRIA, VA - We are pleased to announce that David Roederer will be joining Straight Talk America as the Iowa Chairman of the PAC. He will help guide Straight Talk America’s efforts to help elect Republican candidates up and down the ballot, especially in Iowa.

Mr. Roederer has been involved in campaigns at all levels of government. He chaired the Iowa Bush-Cheney 2004 Campaign.

“I am honored David is sharing his considerable talents with Straight Talk America,” Senator McCain said. “He has proven to be a devoted Republican and I look forward to working with him to determine how Straight Talk can best help our Party’s candidates in Iowa as the 2006 elections draw closer.”

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to assist Senator McCain’s Straight Talk America PAC,” Roederer said. “Senator McCain has demonstrated unwavering commitment to electing Republican candidates, and I look forward to helping him achieve his goals this November.”

Carol Moseley Braun 2004 Announcement

Announcement Speech on 22 September 2003 at Howard University - Washington, D.C., Benedict College - Columbia, SC, University of Illinois - Chicago, IL.

"I would like to thank all of the friends, supporters, and strangers, too, who have led me along my path towards this day. Over the past several months I have traveled America, talking with people, listening to them, registering voters and engaging in a passionate debate about our country's direction. I am grateful to all those who opened their homes and their hearts, to those who shared their experiences with me, and who made it possible for me to explore the prospect of a Presidential campaign. Thank you for your encouragement.

Today, I am officially declaring my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

I am running for the Democratic nomination because I believe this party ought to stand for inclusion, hope, and new ways to resolve old problems.

I am fighting for the nomination because I am determined to move our party in the direction of our nation's most noble ideals, and live up to our generation's duty to leave the next generation no less freedom, no less opportunity, no less optimism than we inherited from our ancestors.

I am dedicated to building partnerships for peace, prosperity and progress based on new ideas that are as practical as they are innovative. These partnerships will help us shape an American renaissance and renewal in the best traditions of our country.

I have the experience, the ability and the ideas to heal and renew America. In all of my public service, I have broken down barriers, built bridges and brought people together to achieve solutions that put the public interest first.

The time has come to meet the challenge of our founding fathers' vision, and I am prepared to fight for you and with you to revive the American dream of freedom and opportunity. Together we will break down barriers. Together we will rebuild and restore our country. And together we will give ourselves the greatest gift of all: an America we can be proud of.

Thank you for your patriotism. Thank you for your energy. Thank you for your faith in the goodness of this country. We will lift up the hearts of the American people. We will inspire hope. We will renew the American Spirit. And we will win. Together, failure is impossible."

Full Speech Text

Steve Forbes 1996 Announcement

Steve Forbes Presidential Announcement at the National Press Club on September 22, 1995.

"It's no secret. I am here today to announce that I am running for President of the United States.

This is, to say the least, an unusual candidacy, and I expect there are a few skeptics in the room.

But, I am throwing my hat into the ring today in full confidence that this campaign for President can and will succeed.

I am running because I believe the American people share the same desire for an end of politics as usual. I believe that they share the same vision of an unshackled future-- a future that embraces all the wonderful opportunities in the new economy.

And I'll leave you with a final thought. Fifteen years ago, in 1980, the candidacy of a man named Ronald Reagan was considered right here, at this great Press Club. And his prospects seemed so bad that when you listed candidates and their support, he got an asterisk. That's pretty much where I'm starting. But, like Reagan, that's not where I intend to finish."

Full Speech Text

Alan Keyes 2000 Announcement

Alan Keyes Announcement Speech in Iowa on September 20, 1999.

"Thank you, please have a seat. Thank you all for coming. I want first to make it very clear that the purpose of bringing you all together tonight is to clarify, if there had been any doubt in anybody's mind, that I am seeking and do intend to pursue the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

What we must try to do within the Republican Party today is bring the healing influence of the real grass roots to a cadre of leadership that has lost its way in the confusions of ambition and power. This is something that from time to time the people of this country are called to do if we are to preserve our heritage of self-government. It is hard work. It will require that in spite of all hesitation and embarrassment and this and that, we show a willingness to stand in our own circles, in our own families, amongst our own friends and our own workplaces, in our own churches, to issue the call for an unequivocal commitment to this agenda of principle. But I believe that if we are willing to do so, then that faithfulness will indeed be rewarded by our God, with a victory that will help to restore the hope that alone can come in this country from our dedication to the moral spirit of reverence for truth and for God that is in fact the basis of our claim to rights, and our hope for justice and liberty. Thank you very much."

Full Speech Text