2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

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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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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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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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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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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Bob Dole 1996 Announcement

Remarks by Senator Bob Dole on April 10, 1995 at his Official Announcement in Topeka, Kansas

"Standing there gazing across those peaceful fields I thought of why it is critical to have a president who knows what made America great, who knows what has been sacrificed to keep us free, and who would do all in his power to lead America back to her place in the sun.

My friends, I have the experience. I've been tested, tested in many ways. I am not afraid to lead, and I know the way. Let us rein in our government to set the spirit of the American people free. Let us renew our moral convictions and strengthen our families by returning to fundamental values. Together, let us reassert our rightful place as a great nation.

We should do it for ourselves -- we owe it to our children. We must act to be worthy of the gift our ancestors sacrificed so much for: to ensure the next century will dawn on a new beginning of American greatness ... prosperity ... and freedom. Let us do it together. Let us begin today. Thank you."

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Jack Kemp 1988 Announcement

Announcement for the Presidency of the United States by Congressman Jack Kemp on April 6, 1987.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is one office that can mobilize the ideas, talent and dedication to help unite America, make our lives more meaningful, and our world more secure.

Understanding the solemn responsibility of that high office, and the historic opportunity of this moment, I announce today that I am a candidate for President of the United States.

I am confident I can lead our party to victory in 1988 -- not for one person, nor for one party, but for one nation, under God."

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Arlen Specter 1996 Announcement

Arlen Specter Presidential Announcement on March 30, 1995.

"Today, I offer my ideas -- my experience -- and my energy to the American people -- to lead our great nation into the 21st Century -- as the next President of the United States.

I do so humbly -- in the presence of the monuments of America's great presidents -- especially Abraham Lincoln -- the founder of the Republican Party -- whose deep commitment to equality and opportunity I share.

To all Americans, I optimistically say: tomorrow can be better than today.

To that cause -- I pledge my total dedication; in that cause, I ask my fellow Americans for their hearts, their hands, and their help."

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Alan Keyes 1996 Announcement

"I am, like anybody who gets involved in a race, there's something in my mind that will think someday about winning and losing. But I'll tell you something. I think we're all sick and tired of those folks who go out there and think so much about winning that they don't care how they win. Who think so much about winning... who think so much about winning that they are willing to back away from the issues of principle and right that make it worthwhile to win."

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Pat Buchanan 1996 Announcement

Announcement Speech by Patrick J. Buchanan at the Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences on Monday, March 20, 1995.

"In the history of nations, we Americans are the freedom party. We are the first people, the only nation dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And nothing can stop to stop us from going forward to a new era of greatness, in a new century about to begin, if we only go forward together, as one people, one nation, under God.

So to these ends, and for these purposes, I humbly, but proudly, declare my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States."

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