2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama Accepts Invitations To Debate In Pennsylvania And North Carolina

OBAMA ACCEPTS INVITATIONS TO DEBATE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTH CAROLINA

CHICAGO — Today, Barack Obama accepted invitations to nationally televised debates with Senator Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia on April 16th and in North Carolina on April 19th.

The Pennsylvania debate will be hosted by ABC News and held in the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 16. The North Carolina debate, hosted by CBS News at a location to be determined, will be hosted by CBS and moderated by Katie Couric and Bob Schieffer.

“Senator Obama welcomes the opportunity to openly debate Senator Clinton on the issues important to Americans in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and hopes that she will accept these invitations as well,” said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

McCain Campaign Launches "Journey to Freedom" Web Video

McCain Campaign Launches "Journey to Freedom"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today launched a new web video entitled "Journey to Freedom," commemorating the 35th anniversary of John McCain's release on March 15, 1973 from the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" after being held for 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war.

The web video features fellow former POWs LtCol. Orson Swindle, USMC (Ret.) and Cdr. Paul Galanti, USN (Ret.), as well as John McCain's mother, Mrs. Roberta McCain.

John McCain is a decorated navy captain with a distinguished personal record and family history of service to our country. The son and grandson of two Admirals, McCain spent 5 1/2 years as a POW in Vietnam. He commanded the U.S. Navy's largest squadron. His Naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Meg Whitman Joins John McCain 2008 As National Co-Chair

MEG WHITMAN JOINS JOHN MCCAIN 2008 AS NATIONAL CO-CHAIR

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay, will join John McCain's team, serving as national co-chair. Whitman will play a lead role in the McCain campaign. In addition to helping with finance activity, Whitman will be a prominent surrogate for John McCain, travel the country on his behalf, and help the campaign with policy development.

Under Whitman's leadership since March 1998, eBay has grown from a start-up with 30 employees and $4 million in revenue to a Fortune 500 company with nearly 15,000 employees and almost $8 billion in revenue. The company has enjoyed more than 40 consecutive quarters of sequential revenue growth since its initial public offering in September 1998. Perhaps most significantly, more than a million people around the world make all, or part of their living on eBay.

"I'm honored that Senator McCain has asked me to become a part of his campaign," said Meg Whitman. "America needs John McCain's courageous leadership. His unshakable commitment to lower taxes, strong trade, and innovation sets the right course for America's economy and future prosperity. I'm enormously excited to be a part of his team and believe in his vision for our country."

John McCain thanked Whitman, stating, "I am honored to have the support of such a distinguished and recognized business leader. Meg will play a key role in our victory in November. I am pleased she will be actively involved in my campaign and look forward to her leadership and guidance throughout the coming year."

Wisconsin Superdelegate Endorses Barack Obama For President

Wisconsin Superdelegate Endorses Barack Obama for President
Melissa Schroeder Cites Obama's Electability

Chicago, IL - Today Wisconsin superdelegate Melissa Schroeder endorsed Barack Obama for president, citing his unique ability to stand up to the special interests and unite all Americans to bring about real, meaningful change.

Melissa Schroeder said: "After much consideration, I have decided to endorse Senator Barack Obama. My decision came down to electability and who I felt would do a better job of unifying this country for a common purpose. Obama's message of hope and change has touched millions of voters in a way that I haven't seen since the late 1960's. People from every walk of life, young and the not so young, Democrats, Independents and some Republicans, are all rallying around a belief that change can happen if we want it bad enough. With Obama as our nominee, I am confident that this November we will increase our majority in the House and Senate and elect a Democrat to the White House."

Melissa Schroeder is Wisconsin's 7th District Democratic Party Secretary.

Hillary Clinton Accepts ABC’s Invitation To Debate Sen. Obama In The Keystone State

Hillary Clinton Accepts ABC’s Invitation to Debate Sen. Obama in the Keystone State

The Clinton campaign today announced that Hillary has accepted an invitation to participate in a primetime debate hosted by ABC. The debate will be held in Philadelphia, PA in advance of the April 22nd Pennsylvania primary. The debate will be broadcast statewide and nationally.

Hillary is prepared to show she has real solutions for the problems facing residents of the Keystone State.   

Hillary is the only candidate with a plan to end the housing crisis and help people keep their homes. Hillary's plan takes bold action to stem the tide of foreclosures with a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and a five year freeze on interest rates for subprime mortgages.

Hillary is also the only candidate with a health care plan that covers every American. Her plan allows for maximum flexibility while making sure health care costs are affordable for working families.

Hillary hears the voices of Americans concerned about their future and is focused on providing solutions to the problems they face.

Members Of Congress With Military Experience Support McCain For President

Members Of Congress With Military Experience Support McCain For President

WASHINGTON – Military veterans now serving in the U.S. House will gather Friday to discuss the national security credentials of Sen. John McCain and his career of public service and commitment to veterans.  Led by Reps. Darrell Issa of California, John Kline of Minnesota, and Mike Rogers of Michigan, the group will feature Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas, who was a Vietnam POW.

Obama Campaign Announces New Supporters Ahead Of County Conventions

OBAMA CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES NEW SUPPORTERS AHEAD OF COUNTY CONVENTIONS

Lt. Governor Patty Judge, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and 15 Members of the Iowa State Legislature Add to Obama’s Iowa Support

DES MOINES – Lt. Governor Patty Judge, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and fifteen additional Iowa State Legislators announced their support for Senator Obama today ahead of this Saturday’s Democratic County Conventions. 

Lt. Governor Patty Judge joined state legislators in announcing their new and renewed support of Senator Barack Obama, citing his ability to push back on the special interests and bring Republicans and Democrats together to get things done as critical leadership abilities that will strengthen the Democratic Party.

“Barack Obama has proven state after state that he is drawing a new generation of Democrats to the party and that he can inspire America to move forward,” Lt. Gov. Judge said.   

Since Iowa, Barack Obama has won nearly thirty contests, over half the states in the country, including critical battleground states like Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, Missouri, Washington, and Colorado, and has appealed to Democrats of all ages, regions, and backgrounds.  As the grassroots movement continues to expand across the nation, Iowans will renew their support at this weekend’s Democratic County Conventions. 

In addition to Lt. Governor Patty Judge, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy joined 15 Iowa State Legislators in announcing their new support for Senator Obama at the press conference.  These Legislators will return to their county conventions this weekend to voice their support in their districts throughout the state.  They will join a diverse coalition of Obama delegates and alternates in all 99 counties who will continue to strongly voice their continued support for change in Washington at this Saturday’s Democratic County Conventions. 

Below is a list of State Legislators who have newly pledged their support to Senator Obama:

IOWA HOUSE
Representative McKinley Bailey
Representative Dennis Cohoon
Representative Ro Foege
Representative Marcie Frevert
Representative Bob Kressig
Representative Jim Lykam
Representative Kevin McCarthy
Representative Eric Palmer
Representative Mike Reasoner
Representative Kurt Swaim
Representative Roger Thomas
Representative Andrew Wenthe
Representative John Whitaker
Representative Philip Wise
Representative Ray Zirkelbach

IOWA SENATE
Senator Brian Schoenjahn

In addition, the following State Legislators have been supporting Senator Obama since before the Iowa caucuses:

IOWA HOUSE
Representative Ako Abdul Samad
Representative Deborah Berry
Representative Wayne Ford
Representative Dave Jacoby
Representative Pam Jochum
Representative Elesha Gayman
Representative Tyler Olson
Representative Janet Petersen
Representative Brian Quirk
Representative Helen Miller
Representative Donovan Olson
Representative Paul Shomshor
Representative Mark Smith

IOWA SENATE
Senator Joe Bolkcom
Senator Bob Dvorsky
Senator Bill Heckroth
Senator Rich Olive
Senator Tom Rielly
Senator Steve Warnstadt
Senator Frank Wood
Senator Keith Kreimann
Senator Amanda Ragan

Executive Producer Named for GOP Convention

Executive Producer Named for GOP Convention
David J. Nash 'Back in the Saddle' in Minneapolis-Saint Paul

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - With a promise to make the 2008 Republican National Convention the most exciting in GOP history, convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino today named veteran television and stage producer David J. Nash as the convention's Executive Producer.

Nash will helm his fifth-straight Republican National Convention, to be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center, Sept. 1-4. Nash's executive credits include Executive Vice President of Production at Radio City Music Hall and Director of Technical Operations at the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C.

"Every four years the Republican National Convention is the center of the political universe, and 2008 will be no different," said Cino. "In Minneapolis-Saint Paul, we will launch Sen. John McCain to the White House by providing him with every tool possible to share his positive message with the American people. David Nash and his talented team will play an integral role in our efforts, and we're pleased to have him on board."

Nash, a native of New York City, got his start on Broadway as a stagehand and has since worked in more than 200 shows along the Great White Way, holding such titles as production supervisor and associate producer. Nash has also produced 17 seasons of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular in New York and across the nation, as well as American appearances of the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet companies and the La Scala Opera. Mr. Nash also has several television production credits, including the Academy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors.

"It is fun to be back in the saddle again, working on the Republican Convention," Nash said. "It's been four years, and after that time you forget the hard work of the last convention and remember the satisfaction that came with it. I am looking forward to September."

Hillary Clinton Statement on Seating Delegates from Florida and Michigan

HILLARY CLINTON STATEMENT ON SEATING DELEGATES FROM FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN

Hillary Clinton made the following statement at the Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce earlier this morning:

“If you are a voter from Florida or Michigan, you know that we should count your vote. The nearly two and a half million Americans in those two states who participated in the primary elections are in danger of being excluded from our democratic process and I think that’s wrong. The results of those primaries were fair and they should be honored. Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion about what we should do to ensure that the voters in Florida and Michigan are counted.

“In my view there are two options: Honor the results or hold new primary elections. I don’t see any other solutions that are fair and honor the commitment that two and a half million voters made in the Democratic primaries in those two states. Whether voters are clamoring for solutions to the challenges that we face or not, or whether people are coming out in droves to be heard, we have a basic obligation to make sure that every vote in America counts.

I hope that Senator Obama’s campaign will join me in working to make that happen. I think that that is a non-partisan solution to make sure that we do count these votes.”

Clinton Campaign Calls For Michigan & Florida Voices To Be Heard

CLINTON CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR MICHIGAN & FLORIDA VOICES TO BE HEARD

Dear David Plouffe:

The 2008 primary campaign has been a spirited contest that has resulted in record voter turnout. Both of our candidates can proudly boast of bringing new people into the process and energizing our Democratic Party.

With the campaign now entering the final phase of the nominating contest, it is vital that both of our campaigns come together to ensure that the delegations from Florida and Michigan be seated to reflect the will of the voters. 

In Florida and Michigan, nearly 2.5 million Americans made their voices heard and participated in primary elections. We think the results of those primaries were fair and should be honored.

Over the last few weeks, there has been much discussion about how to ensure that the Florida and Michigan delegations are seated. We think there are two options: Either honor the results or hold new primary elections.

To that end, we are in active consultation with all of our supporters in Florida, including Members of Congress. In Michigan, we are in active consultation with the committee appointed by Governor Granholm.

We hope that your campaign will join us in our efforts to ensure that these votes are counted. 

Sincerely,

Maggie Williams
Campaign Manager