2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Lamar Alexander 1996 Announcement

Lamar Alexander announced his 1996 candidacy in Maryville, Tennessee on February, 28, 1995.

"Because I am absolutely committed to moving responsibility out of Washington, D.C. and giving us the freedom to make decisions for ourselves, because deep down in my heart I believe that we know what to do, and because I am determined to help renew the American spirit the old fashioned way, neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block and family by family -- I am announcing today that I am a candidate for the office of President of the United States.

If you agree that the problem is the arrogance of Washington, D.C. and the answer is the character of our people, then this campaign is for you.

My friends, I invite you to Come On Along!

Thank you. God Bless You. God Bless the United States of America."

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Phil Gramm 1996 Announcement

Phil Gramm Announcement Speech in College Station, Texas on February 24, 1995

"With a love for America and a resolve to make her right again, I today declare myself a candidate for president of the United States.

I believe that America is worth fighting for, and with God's help I believe that we can and will win this fight. Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America."

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Dick Gephardt 1988 Announcement

On February 23, 1987, Democrat Dick Gephardt announced his candidacy for President of the United States.

"Today, surrounded by my family and friends, and not far from where I grew up and on the site where Harry Truman accepted victory-I am announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. I am the first Democrat to declare And one year, eight months, and eight days from now, when America elects the next President, I Intend, with your help, to finish first."

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Ralph Nader 2000 Announcement

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Walter Mondale 1984 Announcement

February 21, 1983 Mondale for President Announcement Speech.

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

I do so with thanks to the people of Minnesota. Because of you, for twenty years I have been privileged to serve in this Capitol, in the United States Senate, and in the second highest office in the land. Today I ask your help again.

In the small communities of southern Minnesota where I grew up, we believed in some old American value's that don't need any updating."

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Dick Gephardt 2004 Announcement

Remarks by Richard A. Gephardt at his Announcement of Presidential Candidacy on February 19, 2003 at Mason Elementary School in St. Louis, Missouri.

"With your help, we can take that fight to the most powerful office in the history of humankind.  We can build an America where we grow together, instead of being pulled apart - where our economy's strong, because all our families are secure - where nobody's left out or left behind.

"Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless these United States of America."

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Gary Hart 1984 Announcement

Statement of Candidacy of Senator Gary Hart on February 17, 1983 in Denver, Colorado.

"I am a candidate for President of the United States in 1984.

I will carry our campaign into every state. And with your help, we will win the Democractic nomination, and then the Presidency -- and then we will win back our nation for all the people."

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John Kasich 2000 Announcement

"And finally, each and every day in every big and little way we as everyday Americans are going to fight to remember that at the end of our lives, we'll answer to a higher power. And if we will all march together, keeping that in mind, we will expand our hearts, we will expand our consciences, and we'll have the firmness to make for a better country, to make for a better society, to make for a better culture, and to make for the precious American family.

Join me, won't you, ladies and gentlemen, in this fight. We will not be denied. God bless you."

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Howard Dean Elected DNC Chairman

Howard Dean elected DNC Chairman.

"If you told me one year ago that I'd be standing here today, as your choice for Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, I wouldn't have believed you. And neither would have a lot of other people."

Congressman Mark Kennedy U.S. Senate Announcement

Congressman Mark Kennedy announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate on February 11, 2005. He did so in his home town of Watertown, Minnesota.  He was joined by his wife, Debbie and both his and her parents. Congressman Kennedy was a member of the Bush Cheney '04 Minnesota Leadership Team.