2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Endorses John McCain For President

SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) has endorsed John McCain for president.

Senator Hutchison issued the following statement on her endorsement:

"Senator McCain called me over the weekend and asked if I would campaign with him in Texas, and I am very pleased to do so. I think we can strengthen our Party and our ability to reach out to voters if we all come together as soon as possible to talk about what unites us and what we will do for America. I look forward to campaigning with Senator McCain in Texas so our voters get a chance to learn of his significant achievements for our country during his lifetime of service to our nation and his vision for a secure and thriving America for the future."

John McCain thanked Senator Hutchison for her support, stating, "Kay Bailey Hutchison is among the finest and most decent public servants we have today. She is a strong leader for Texas and our nation, and I am honored to have her support."

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush Endorses John McCain For President

FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR JEB BUSH ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has endorsed John McCain for president.

"John McCain is a patriot and devoted conservative leader," said Governor Bush. "Like no other candidate in the field, John McCain has made tremendous sacrifices for this nation. He is beholden to no interest other than that of the public good. He is determined and steadfast in his commitment to reducing the burden of high taxes, restoring the people's trust in their government, and winning the war against radical Islamic extremists. It is with pride that I announce my endorsement of John McCain for president."

John McCain thanked Governor Bush, saying, "I am very proud to have Jeb Bush's support. He has a distinguished record of conservative leadership and I admire his dedicated service to the people of Florida. He makes a great addition to our growing team of Republican leaders."

Jeb Bush was born in Midland, Texas. After earning his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Bush married Columba Garnica Gallo. Mr. Bush started his career in Florida politics as the Chairman of the Dade County Republican Party. He was later appointed to serve as Florida's Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Bush served as Florida's 43rd governor from 1999-2006 and was the first Republican ever to serve two terms.

United States Mint to Issue a Tribute to a Beloved President: James Monroe

United States Mint to Issue a Tribute to a Beloved President: James Monroe
Monroe’s Virginia Home Will Be First Place to Get New Coins

Washington, D.C. - Valentine's Day 2008 will mean more to Americans than chocolate and flowers.  February 14, 2008, is the day the Nation may exchange dollar bills at banks and financial institutions for shiny new Presidential $1 Coins honoring a President who was beloved in his time, James Monroe.

Monroe's Presidency was known as "The Era of Good Feelings," and he was one of the country's most popular chief executives.  Monroe served as the Nation's fifth President from 1817 to 1825 and, accordingly, this is the United States Mint's fifth Presidential $1 Coin.  When President Monroe took office, the War of 1812 had ended, the Nation was expanding beyond the original 13 colonies and there were few political conflicts.  When he was re-elected in 1820, President Monroe won all but one of the electoral votes in every state.  Dozens of towns, cities and counties nationwide are named after Monroe and, of special significance on this Valentine's Day, Monroe's daughter, Maria Hester, was married in the first White House wedding.

"The James Monroe Presidential $1 Coin is a tribute to a great President," said Acting United States Mint Deputy Director Dan Shaver.  "We hope that when people spend this coin, they'll remember that Monroe distinguished himself as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served his Nation as a U.S. Senator, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and finally as our fifth President.  Above all, he was widely known for his exceptional energy, character, and poise.  President James Monroe made remarkable contributions to our Nation."

On Wednesday, February 13, 2008, the home of James and Elizabeth Monroe, Ash Lawn-Highland, near Charlottesville, Virginia, will become the first place in the Nation where Americans may obtain the new James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins a day before they go into circulation.  There will be a brief ceremony at 11:00 a.m., and a coin exchange will follow. The public and news media are invited.

This year, the Nation will mark the 250th anniversary of President Monroe's birth on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.  James Monroe fought in the Revolutionary War and was painted holding the flag behind General George Washington in the famous work, "Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze. 

President Monroe was the author of the Monroe Doctrine, which became a longstanding tenet of U.S. foreign policy.  The three main concepts of the doctrine - separate spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe, non-colonization, and non-intervention - were designed to signify a clear break between the New World and the European powers.

The design of the James Monroe Presidential $1 Coin, like all of the Presidential $1 Coins, was created to be bold and dramatic.  Edge-lettering draws attention to the inscriptions "E Pluribus Unum" and "In God We Trust," as well as the date and the mint mark.  Next year, the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins will bear "In God We Trust" on the front or back of the coin, as mandated by Congress in December 2007. 

The obverse (heads side) of the James Monroe Presidential $1 Coin was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Joseph Menna.  The reverse (tails side) on all the Presidential $1 Coins is a magnificent image of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

The United States Mint inaugurated the Presidential $1 Coin Series with the George Washington Presidential $1 Coin on February 15, 2007, in time for Presidents Day weekend.  The John Adams Presidential $1 Coin followed on May 17, 2007, the Thomas Jefferson Presidential $1 Coin was launched on August 16, 2007, and the James Madison Presidential $1 Coin went into circulation on November 15, 2007.

Gary Bauer Endorses John McCain For President

GARY BAUER ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that prominent pro-life and pro-family advocate Gary Bauer has endorsed John McCain for president.

"John McCain has dedicated his life to defending human rights around the world, including the rights of the unborn," said Mr. Bauer. "I admire his consistent 24-year pro-life record and demonstrated commitment to the values that keep our families and communities strong. John McCain alone has the experience, character and credibility to lead as commander in chief on day one and defeat the transcendent threat of our time -- radical Islamic extremism. I am proud to support John McCain for president."

John McCain thanked Mr. Bauer for his support, stating, "I have long admired Gary's commitment and passion for our shared pro-life and pro-family values. Gary has always been a forceful, unapologetic advocate for the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, judicial restraint and a strong American foreign policy based on our values. I am honored to have Gary Bauer's support, and his advice and counsel will be critical as we continue to bring our Party together for victory in November."

Clinton Campaign Raises $10 Million Online from 100,000+ Donors

Clinton Campaign Raises $10 Million Online from 100,000+ Donors

The Clinton campaign today announced that it raised $10 million online from more than 100,000 donors since the polls closed on Super Tuesday.

"This is a major development in this race.  Hillary has always had millions of strong supporters nationwide -- now those supporters are begining to give online in large numbers," said Clinton Campaign Internet Director Peter Daou.

The campaign had set a goal of raising $3 million in 3 days -- and exceeded its target in less than a day. The campaign raised more than $4 million online during the first 24 hours after the polls closed in California.

"We are overwhelmed by the response to our fundraising drive and tremendously grateful to our supporters nationwide," said Daou. "In the hours after Super Tuesday's polls closed, contributions began coming in and shortly after Sen. Clinton discussed a loan she had given her campaign in January, there was a massive surge in contributions from small donors across the country. Emails and letters poured in from supporters telling Sen. Clinton that they hadn't realized that she needed their financial support."

"The emails ranged from a conservative veteran who wrote to say that he, his wife and daughters all contributed to the campaign, to a couple who decided to forego their Valentine's dinner to send a donation. With more than a million volunteer hours committed and millions of dollars donated to Sen. Clinton’s campaign, our grassroots supporters are the backbone of our campaign. We cannot thank them enough for standing with Sen. Clinton every step of the way and we know we can rely on them to carry us to victory.”

The Baltimore Sun Endorses John McCain For President

THE BALTIMORE SUN ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"In the Republican primary, John McCain is our choice. The veteran Arizona senator whose political obituary had been all but written has risen like a phoenix to presumptive nominee status. He has stood his ground on tough issues ..." -- The Baltimore Sun

Excerpts From "Sun Endorsement: Betting On Change, Reform"

Editorial
The Baltimore Sun
February 10, 2008

... In the Republican primary, John McCain is our choice. The veteran Arizona senator whose political obituary had been all but written has risen like a phoenix to presumptive nominee status. He has stood his ground on tough issues such as immigration reform, campaign finance and torture, and we praised him for it. He is principled and has been willing to compromise. ...

Read The Baltimore Sun Editorial: "Sun Endorsement: Betting On Change, Reform"

Maryland, Virginia, And DC Superdelegates Endorse Hillary

Maryland, Virginia, And DC Superdelegates Endorse Hillary

The Clinton campaign announced today that it has the support of 25 superdelegates in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Colombia.  The list of supporters includes 21 Democratic National Committee (DNC) members, including Barbara Easterling of Virginia who pledged her support to Hillary today, as well as, Governor Martin O’Malley, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. 

“DNC members have an important role to play in this nominating process.  The Democratic party’s nomination process is strong because it takes into account the voices of the grassroots activists, the diversity of our party, and the view of elected officials and party leaders,” said Easterling.  “I am proud to endorse Hillary Clinton, because she has the experience to solve the problems our country faces.  She will end the war in Iraq, provide health care for all Americans, fix our economy, and bring about the change we need.”

“I am honored to have the support of Barbara and all the DNC members and elected officials who will have a voice at our national convention,” said Clinton.  “I am confident that we will have a great convention and that we will send a strong candidate into the general election campaign.  I look forward to being that candidate and as President, will work with the people of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC to move our country forward.”

A current list of superdelegates in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC who are supporting Hillary is below:

Maryland:
Governor Martin O'Malley
U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski
U.S. Representative Dutch Ruppersberger
Alvaro Cifuentes, DNC Member
Maria Cordone, DNC Member
Nancy Kopp, DNC Member, Maryland State Treasurer
Richard Michalski, DNC Member
Glenard Middleton, DNC Member
Carol Pensky, DNC Member
Michael Steed, DNC Member

Virginia:
Barbara Easterling, DNC Member
Terence McAuliffe, Distinguished Party Leader
Jennifer McClellan, DNC Member; Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Mame Reiley, DNC Member
Lionell Spruill Sr., DNC Member; Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Susan Swecker, DNC Member

Washington, DC

Marilyn Brown, DNC Member
Mary Eva Candon, DNC Member
Yolanda Caraway, DNC Member
Hartina Flournoy, DNC Member
Harold Ickes, DNC Member
Ben Johnson, DNC Member
Eric Kleinfeld, DNC Member
Minyon Moore, DNC Member
Elizabeth Smith, DNC Member

The El Paso Times Endorses John McCain For President

THE EL PASO TIMES ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"From pork-barreling to political posturing, from broken promises to the power of special interests, from taxing to spending, government needs fixing, and McCain seems to have the toughness and will to accomplish at least some of that. ... After his Super Tuesday victories, McCain is already the presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party. But Republicans should still vote for him in the primary in a show of solidarity that will help garner delegates and give him a smooth path into and through the GOP convention in September." -- The El Paso Times

Go With McCain: He Deserves GOP Nomination

Editorial
El Paso Times
February 10, 2008

John McCain is the El Paso Times' recommendation for those voting in the March 4 Republican Primary.

One thing that should appeal to El Pasoans -- and many others -- is that McCain is a veteran and former prisoner of war. He understands the problems of our military and our veterans, and he has promised to fight for them and not relegate them to the shadows. That's increasingly important as the war drags on and we create new legions of veterans, many of them wounded.

McCain also inherits the job of repairing a fragmented Republican Party that, frankly, has suffered from the Bush presidency. He also will have to prove to Americans that he can restore trust in a government that seems far from representing and working toward the interests of constituents. From pork-barreling to political posturing, from broken promises to the power of special interests, from taxing to spending, government needs fixing, and McCain seems to have the toughness and will to accomplish at least some of that.

McCain supports comprehensive immigration reform, and that doesn't always sit well with conservatives. But he's right about the need for such reform, and he recognizes the need for secure borders that addresses both immigration reform and the national security-related need for tighter northern and southern borders.

McCain also recognizes the tie between the government's greedy spending habits and increasing taxes, and promises to work to keep that spending in check while creating a fair taxing system.

After his Super Tuesday victories, McCain is already the presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party. But Republicans should still vote for him in the primary in a show of solidarity that will help garner delegates and give him a smooth path into and through the GOP convention in September.

Read The El Paso Times Editorial: "Go With McCain: He Deserves GOP Nomination"

Hillary Clinton Accepts Invitation to Participate in ABC/WISN-TV/Marquette University Law School/Wispolitics.com Debate

Hillary Clinton Accepts Invitation to Participate in ABC/WISN-TV/Marquette University Law School/Wispolitics.com Debate

The Clinton Campaign today announced that Senator Clinton has accepted an invitation to participate in an ABC/WISN-TV/Marquette University Law School/Wispolitics.com Debate. The debate will be held at Marquette University and moderated by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, who will be joined by a small panel of Wisconsin journalists.

“We believe that the people of Wisconsin deserve no less than to hear directly from the candidates themselves,” said Heather Colburn, Wisconsin campaign organizing director. “This debate will be an excellent opportunity to for Senator Clinton to share her bold plans for our country with voters across the Badger State.”

Additional details will follow.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Endorses John McCain For President

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"At the very moment that a dangerously fractured Republican Party could have disintegrated Sen. McCain delivered a stunning speech to the annual gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) ... McCain also offered an impressive tutorial on what the core of conservatism really is -- small government, fiscal discipline, low taxes, a strong defense and a judiciary that does not legislate from the bench. ... It was the speech of a hero leader at the exact moment when America is in dire need of heroes and leaders. And we wholeheartedly endorse John McCain for president." -- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

John McCain For President: A Hero Leader

Editorial
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
February 10, 2008

You have to hand it to John McCain. He has an impeccable sense of timing.

At the very moment that a dangerously fractured Republican Party could have disintegrated -- Thursday, when Mitt Romney, the darling of the anti-McCain crowd exited the race -- Sen. McCain delivered a stunning speech to the annual gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington.

Certainly, there was a measured sense of rebuke in the words of the Arizona senator who now has a virtual lock on the GOP presidential nomination. Fiercely independent, McCain made no apologies for positions he holds dear but may be at odds with the traditional conservative base.

But McCain also offered an impressive tutorial on what the core of conservatism really is -- small government, fiscal discipline, low taxes, a strong defense and a judiciary that does not legislate from the bench.

And in the starkest of terms, John McCain reminded those gathered at CPAC and those watching nationwide that the alternative -- freedom-stripping, purse-robbing and security-endangering Democrats -- is no alternative at all.

It was the speech of a hero leader at the exact moment when America is in dire need of heroes and leaders. And we wholeheartedly endorse John McCain for president.

Read Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial: "John McCain For President: A Hero Leader"