2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Hubert H. Humphrey 1968 Announcement

Hubert H. Humphrey Declaration of Candidacy for the Presidential Nomination given in Washington, D.C. on April 27, 1968.

"My fellow Americans, we're here today on important business, freedom's business, American's business, the Democratic Party's business, and in that order. These priorities of freedom, country, and party have guided me as I have sought to reach an important personal decision. Any man who has had the privilege of spending almost twenty years near the President and the Presidency as I have, must weigh very carefully the implications of seeking an office that demands perhaps more judgment, wisdom, and maturity than any single man possesses. Yet any man who has spent a lifetime, at least who has spent his adult life in public service, also knows within himself that he must be willing to give of himself, when and where he feels he can best serve what he believes in. And so my friends and fellow Americans, facing and knowing the hard realities of the office, yet also knowing the potential for good which lies within it, I shall seek the nomination of the Democratic Party.

(We want Humphrey...) Like it or not, you have him. Yes, as I said, I shall seek the nomination of the Democratic Party for the Presidency of the United States. My credentials, well, they may be stated rather simply: of a loving family; teacher; mayor of my city; senator from my state; vice-president of my country; grateful husband; proud father; believer in the American Dream-the concept of human brotherhood."

And I shall make everything that I do on one conviction: that this country, we the people of these United States, working in a spirit of unity,  can overcome any obstacle, finally realizing the fullness of freedom, the prize of peace, in the happiness of human opportunity, both here and in the world.  My fellow Americans, we are the people of today; we are the people of tomorrow, it is to the future that we look and we aspire. And I found some words are told me exactly what I want to tell you; you値l find them inscribed in the great literature. The future has several names: for the weak it is impossible, for the faint-hearted it is the unknown, for the thoughtful and the valiant it is ideals. The challenge is urgent, the test is large, the time is now -- on to victory!

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Governor George E. Pataki Announces the Launch of the FreedomPAC Website

Governor George E. Pataki announced the launch of the FreedomPAC website with this press release.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006
21st Century Freedom PAC

GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF FREEDOMPAC.COM

New York, NY – Governor George E. Pataki today announced the launch of FreedomPAC.com, the online resource center for news and information about the activities of 21st Century Freedom PAC.

“FreedomPac.com will help us accomplish our core mission of supporting candidates who advance the ideals of freedom to help lead our nation into its next century of greatness,” said Governor Pataki.  “By harnessing the power of the Internet we can spread our message to millions of Americans across the country and help promote those that are committed to making America even stronger in this century than it was in the last century.”

FreedomPAC.com features an introduction to the PAC mission, profiles of the PAC leadership team, including Honorary Chairman, New York Governor George E. Pataki, National Finance Chairman Walter ‘Wally’ Ganzi and PAC Chairman Robert Davis.

The site also features news updates and archives, a multimedia gallery and a Spanish language page.

Freedompac.com will be updated regularly to include the latest news and information about the PAC.

John Kerry Supports Keeping Iowa and New Hampshire First

John Kerry supports keeping Iowa and New Hampshire first in his guest commentary in the New Hampshire Union Leader.

'I support Iowa and New Hampshire’s first-in-the nation status in our Presidential nominating process. The special role that Iowa and New Hampshire play in Presidential politics has strengthened our democracy by insuring that citizens at the grassroots engage directly with candidates for the Presidency. We should preserve the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary in their traditional forms."

Gary Bauer 2000 Announcement

Gary Bauer officially threw his hat into the ring for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination on April 21, 1999.

"I am proud to stand here today, in Newport, Kentucky, to ask for your strength and support, as I announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination to be President of the United States.

I will not hedge on any issue. I will not be guided by polls that show what would be best for me. I will be guided by the principle of what is best for America.

And I will run to win. I will compete in every state. And I will reach out to every citizen. Starting here. Starting now.

Thank you very much. God bless you and God bless America."

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John Glenn 1984 Announcement

Remarks of Senator John Glenn at his Declaration of Candidacy for the Office of President of the United States on Thursday, April 21, 1983 in New Concord, Ohio.

"Today, as I stand at the threshold of an even greater journey, my feelings are the same. I seek your support and God's guidance as once more I ask to serve my country.

With confidence that my life has prepared me for this challenge,

With dedication to the promise of opportunity and the pursuit of peace,

And with a firm belief that guided by the light of old values we can again reach new horizons,

I declare my candidacy for President of the United States."

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Dick Lugar 1996 Announcement

Senator Richard Lugar's Presidential Announcement Speech on April 19, 1995.

"Today, surrounded by so many achievements of great Hoosiers who shared our vision and built to fulfill those dreams, I come to you with a new vision for our country.

I come to declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States.

As President of the United States, I will establish a new foundation for American optimism and strength. Together, we will exercise and enjoy the American Advantage. That advantage is our unique ability to build a new economic future for ourselves and our families; to assert strong and creative American leadership in the world; and to reinvigorate our traditional values of religious faith, of family, honesty, and integrity.

This will be a long campaign. This will be a successful campaign. I have always been a long distance runner. This time, I plan to run for America.

And I plan to win for all Americans."

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Senator Mike Gravel Announces His Candidacy

Senator Mike Gravel announced his candidacy today at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.

"Today, I announce my candidacy for the office of President of the United States. I take on this challenge, at this point in my life, because I believe I can best lead Americans to change the direction of their government. My campaign will focus public attention on legislation––the National Initiative for Democracy––that will bring Americans into the operations of government as lawmakers in every government jurisdiction of the United States––including, most importantly, the federal government––in a governing partnership with elected representatives and government officials."

Dan Quayle 2000 Announcement

Dan Quayle remarks announcing his candidacy on April 14, 2000 in Huntington, Indiana.

"Today I announce that I will seek and I will win the presidency of the United States of America.

This campaign is for you. You’ve heard so many candidates come and say, “Believe in the candidates.” I’m here to say I believe in you. I believe in your dreams, in your hopes, and in your future.

The battle for our families and our future begins today. Working together we will prevail. We will make America a better place to live.

Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America."

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Bob Dornan 1996 Announcement

Bob Dornan's Presidential Announcement Speech on April 13, 1995.

"Today on Thomas Jefferson's birthday, I am humbled to announce my declaration for the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States of America.

Thank you for coming today and God bless you, everyone. It's going to be a lot of fun out there on the campaign trail. If someone can't enjoy this election process, they shouldn't declare."

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Gary Hart 1988 Announcement

On April 13, 1987, Senator Gary Hart made his statement of candidacy.

"I intend to be a candidate for the Presidency of the United States in 1988.   And I do so for one single reason -- I love my country.    America is not an abstraction.  It’s 250 million human beings -- united by common geography, history, and heritage.

I make this race because I love my country and I want America to do better and to move forward.  And I believe -- with the assistance and support of the American people -- I can help lead America toward its future -- and to achieve its promise, its destiny, and its ideal.   Thank you very much."

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