2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Dorothy Rodham And Chelsea Clinton Featured In New Hillary Ad

Dorothy Rodham and Chelsea Clinton Featured in New Hillary Ad

DES MOINES, IA – The Clinton campaign today launched a new ad in Iowa and New Hampshire, featuring Hillary, her mother, Dorothy Rodham, and her daughter Chelsea Clinton. 

The new 30-second spot, entitled, “Proud,” discusses the relationships and values that Hillary has learned from her family. It is the first spot that Chelsea Clinton appears in on behalf of her mom in her 2008 presidential campaign.

Following is the script for the ad.

Hillary for President

“Proud”

TV: 30

Hillary Clinton:  “I’m thrilled that I have my mother and my daughter with me tonight.  My mother, Dorothy Rodham, my daughter, Chelsea Clinton.   

“You know, as I travel around I see so many families who share the same values I was brought up with.   

“My mom taught me to stand up for myself and to stand up for those who can’t do it on their own.

“I’m proud to live by those values.  But what I’m most proud of is knowing who I’ve passed them on to.   

“I’m Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.”

Clinton Campaign Announces Minnesota Steering Committee

Clinton Campaign Announces Minnesota Steering Committee

The Clinton campaign today announced its Minnesota Steering Committee, made up of community leaders from across the state who will mobilize grassroots support for Hillary leading up to Minnesota’s February 5th primary.

"Hillary Clinton has the ability to deliver the change America needs, from providing universal health care to ending the war in Iraq to moving us toward energy independence," said former Vice President Walter Mondale.

"Minnesotans know Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to lead this nation from her first day in the White House," said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

"For 35 years Hillary’s been fighting for children and families and working to expand opportunity for all Americans," said House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher. "She is uniquely qualified to be President in these challenging times."

"I have seen Hillary's ability and intellect up close, and she is the best prepared to be President," said former Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton.

HILLARY’S MINNESOTA STEERING COMMITTEE:

Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Brian Bergson, Veteran; Saint Paul
State Rep. Karla Bigham, Cottage Grove
Jay Benanov, St. Paul City Councilman
Donald Bungum, Veteran; Lindstrom
Susan Burns, Attorney; St. Paul
Margie Cady, Veteran; Winona
Paul Cassidy, Director of Government Relations, Leonard, Street and Deinard
Tarryl Clark, Assistant Senate Majority Leader; St. Cloud
Claudia Cody, Latino Community Activist; Becker
Chris Coleman, Mayor; St. Paul
Mark Dayton, Former U.S. Senator; Minneapolis
Tom Dooher, President; Education Minnesota
Captain Lou Ellingson; Veteran; Eden Prairie
Matt Entenza, Former House Minority Leader; St. Paul
Tom Foley, Former St. Paul County Attorney
Betty Folliard, Former State Representative, Golden Valley
Susan Gaertner, Ramsey County Attorney
Keesha Gaskins, Executive Director, Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus, Minneapolis
Alan Weinblatt, Weinblatt & Gaylord; St. Paul
Curtis Ghylin, Veteran; Sauk Rapids
Chris Gillette, Military Retiree, U.S. Army Chemical Corps; Roseville
Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis City Council Member; Minneapolis
Joan Anderson Growe, Former Minnesota Secretary of State; National Vice President, Strategic Business, Minneapolis
State Sen. Linda Higgins, Minneapolis
Richard Hoium, Veteran; Minneapolis
Jaimie Holmes, Veteran; Inver Grove Heights
Alan Hooker, Minneapolis Public Library Board Trustee; DFL Stonewall Dems, Minneapolis
Koryne Horbal, Former United Nations Ambassador, Columbia Heights
Hubert "Buck" Humphrey, IV, DNC Member, Plymouth
Mohamed Jibrell, Somali Community Leader, St. Paul
Larry Johnson, Veteran; Golden Valley
Ember Reichgott Junge, Former State Senate Assistant Majority Leader; Minneapolis
Margaret Anderson Kelliher, House Speaker; Minneapolis
Colleen Landkamer, President of NACo, Blue Earth County Commissioner, Mankato
Elsa Leven, Community Activist, Saint Paul
Mark F. Lindsay, Executive, UnitedHealth Group; Wayzata
Andrew Luger, Attorney, and Ellen Goldberg Luger, Edina
Paul Maccabee, President, The Maccabee Group, St. Paul
Paula Maccabee, Attorney, Former St. Paul City Council Member
Mary Jo McGuire, Former State Representative; Falcon Heights
Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner
Richard McNary, Veteran; Eagan
Walter Mondale, Former Vice President, Minneapolis
Tom Mullon, Veterans; Saint Paul
Kathleen Murphy, Women's Rights Activist, St. Paul
John C. Neese, Veteran; Fergus Falls
Vance Opperman, Business Leader; Minneapolis
State Senator Sandy Pappas, St. Paul
State Rep. Sandra Peterson, New Hope
Mari Pokornowski, Co-Chair DFL Platform Committee, Cokato
Cheryl Poling, Democratic Activist, Eden Prairie
Phillip Qualy, Legislative Director, United Transportation Union
Lois Quam, Business Leader; St. Paul
Amy K. Rotenberg, Communications Consultant; Minneapolis
Mark Rotenberg, University of Minnesota General Counsel; Minneapolis
Gary Schiff, Minneapolis City Council Member; Minneapolis
Elliot Seide, Executive Director, AFSCME Council 5
State Rep. Nora Slawik, Maplewood
Jill Sletten, Democratic Activist; St. Paul
Michelle Sommers, Political Director, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005
Rick Stafford, DNC Member, Chair of the DNC's LGBT Caucus, Minneapolis
Lisa Stager, Minnesota IAMAW; Minneapolis
David Stanton, Veteran; New Brighton
Jackie Stevenson, DNC Member; Minnetonka
Tammy Tesky, Community Activist; St. Paul
State Rep. Paul Thissen, Minneapolis
Megan Thomas, former Stonewall DFL, St. Paul
Dave Thune, St. Paul City Council Member; St. Paul
Susan Thune, Registered Nurse; St. Paul
Ruth Usem, Community Activist, Minneapolis
Russell Warren, Veteran; Mounds View
Lynn Wilson, Party Activist; Nurse; Rochester
Colonel Nat Wisser, Military Retiree; Saint Paul
John Wodele, MN Campaign Director for the 1992 Clinton Campaign; Vadnais Heights

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches New Television Ad in New Hampshire

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches New Television Ad in New Hampshire

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad, entitled “Will.”  The ad is airing in New Hampshire and Boston.   

Script for “Will”:

MAYOR GIULIANI: “People are frustrated over immigration because the government has been talking about solving this for twenty or twenty-five years, and it’s just gotten worse. What we need here is leadership. Build a fence. Train the border patrol. Have a BorderStat system. Have a tamper-proof ID card. And then if you become a citizen you have to be able to read English, write English, speak English and understand American civics. We can end illegal immigration. The technology exists to do it, the people exist to do it. Now we need the political leadership and will to get it done. I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Dorothy Rodham Talks About Hillary’s Values In New Ad Airing In Iowa

Dorothy Rodham Talks About Hillary’s Values In New Ad Airing In Iowa

DES MOINES, IA – Dorothy Rodham, Hillary’s mom, talks about Hillary’s childhood and her lifelong commitment to helping others in a new ad airing in Iowa today.

The 30-second spot, entitled "Dorothy" features Rodham saying, “I think she ought to be elected even if she weren’t my daughter.”

Following is the script for the ad:

"Dorothy"
TV :60

DOROTHY RODHAM: What I would like people to know about Hillary is what a good person she is.   

She never was envious of anybody—she was helpful.  And she’s continued that with her adult life with helping other women. 

She has empathy for other people’s unfortunate circumstances.  I’ve always admired that because it isn’t always true of people. 

I think she ought to be elected even if she weren’t my daughter.

HILLARY CLINTON: I’m Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.

John McCain 2008 Launches New Television Ad, "Trust"

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "TRUST"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a new television ad to run in New Hampshire highlighting John McCain's record and vision as a fiscal conservative. The new ad, titled "Trust," addresses John McCain's plans to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families by permanently repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and eliminate wasteful spending in Washington. The ad further stresses John McCain's consistent record of leadership as a fiscal conservative and his recent endorsement by the New Hampshire Union Leader, which called him "the man to lead America."
Script for "Trust" (:30-TV)

ANNCR: "One man has a plan to cut taxes for 25 million middle class families.
"Bold solutions to our toughest problems.
"A conservative plan to cut your taxes.
"Fight wasteful government spending.
"The economic conservative endorsed by the Union Leader.
"They said John McCain is quote 'The man to lead America.'
"A fiscal conservative who will restore your trust.
"The man to keep our taxes low ... and our economy moving."
JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

Lee Iacocca Praises Governor Richardson's Experience in New "Guts" Ad

Lee Iacocca Praises Governor Richardson's Experience in New "Guts" Ad

SANTA FE, NM-- The Richardson for President campaign today went up with a new ad in New Hampshire entitled "Guts." The ad features former Ford President and Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca, who recently endorsed New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for President.

"I spent a lot of years as a CEO, and I am looking for a President with experience creating jobs and the guts to lead," Iacocca says in the ad. "And that is Bill Richardson. As a Governor, he turned his state's economy around by focusing on the jobs of tomorrow, like clean energy. He has balanced budgets, negotiated with foreign leaders, and he never gives up."

"New Hampshire voters want a tested leader in the Oval Office," campaign manager Dave Contarino said. "This ad shows that Governor Richardson's experience and record set him apart from the rest of the field. Lee Iacocca and Bill Richardson have a lot in common-- they are both proven leaders who always are on the lookout for innovation and are not afraid of taking bold action."

Governor Richardson's record on economic development is unparalleled in the Democratic field. Over 80,000 more New Mexicans are working since he took office, and many of these new jobs are in burgeoning sectors such as renewable energy. Richardson also has invested in education by raising teacher pay every year in office and has cut taxes for working families.

"A business legend like Lee Iacocca only would vouch for a candidate who knows how to fix our economy," Richardson said. "I am proud that he is placing that faith in me, and this ad is a reflection of that sentiment. As President, I will take every American's job as seriously as I do my own. Once again, we will make our economy work for middle-class Americans."

The ad was produced by Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam of Murphy Putnam Media.

Lee Iacocca Biography:
Lee Iacocca is the founder of the Iacocca Foundation for diabetes research. A graduate of Lehigh University with a master's degree from Princeton University, he began his career at Ford Motor Company as an engineer but moved to sales shortly thereafter. Iacocca's innovative approach to the automotive industry led to his becoming President of Ford in 1970.

After a seven-year stint, he moved to Chrysler Corporation and became CEO at a time when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. By taking short-term loans from the federal government and shifting the company's inventory to more fuel-efficient models, Iacocca had Chrysler turning record profits within six years.

Mike Huckabee Advocates “Secure Borders” In New TV Ad

Mike Huckabee Advocates “Secure Borders” In New TV Ad
Former Governor Says No to Amnesty, Yes to Secure Borders in New Spot

Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee said today that a new television ad, called “Secure Borders,” will help Iowa voters understand his plan to secure America ’s borders.

“It ought to be at least as difficult to get across an international border as it is to get on an airplane in our own home town,” said Huckabee in the ad, echoing a sentiment he often expresses on the campaign trail.
 
The new 30-second ad, unveiled Monday, will begin airing in Iowa .  Huckabee said the ad focuses on his No. priority, which is to seal America ’s borders. The former governor unveiled a nine-point plan to reform U.S. immigration laws last week.  Huckabee’s “Nine-Point Strategy for Immigration Enforcement and Border Security” provides a tough, equitable and comprehensive approach to dealing with the current immigration crisis.
 
The plan implements a broad-based strategy that commits the resources of the federal government to the enforcement of our immigration laws and results in the attrition of the illegal immigrant population.
 
The spot (his fourth in Iowa ) also reiterates Huckabee’s opposition to amnesty. “We need to make it clear that we’ll say no to amnesty and sanctuary cities.” said Huckabee.

Ron Paul Releases Television Ad On Healthcare Set To Run In Iowa and NH

Ron Paul Releases Television Ad on Healthcare Set to Run in Iowa and NH
Dr. Paul diagnoses healthcare problems… presents voters with cure

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul has released a new television advertisement on the issue of healthcare. The ad is set to run in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The 30 second television spot highlights Ron Paul's commitment to giving Americans the power to take control of their healthcare choices by stopping pharmaceutical interests, powerful insurance companies, and government bureaucrats from interfering with doctor-patient decisions.

Below is the transcript of the ad:

(Narrator) Big tug of war going on in healthcare these days. One side's big business; HMO's, drug companies, you get the idea. The other side's the government; same guys who kept wounded Iraq War vets in moldy, rodent-infested rooms for months. Some choice!

I say we need Ron Paul for president. One, he's a doctor, he's seen it all. Two, he's got the right idea, take the power from big business and the bureaucrats and give it back to the patients and the doctors they choose. Now that's the right medicine.

(Ron Paul) I'm Ron Paul and I approve this message.

-30-

Joe Biden Touts Experience In New Campaign Ad

BIDEN TOUTS EXPERIENCE IN NEW CAMPAIGN AD
No Guesswork Involved, Says Biden, “Just Look At What I’ve Done”

Des Moines, IA (December 11, 2007) –The Biden for President Campaign announced the launch of its new television ad, “Action,”which will begin airing across Iowa tomorrow. In the 30-second spot, Sen. Biden asks Iowans to cast their support for a candidate with proven leadership, experience, and most importantly, action on the biggest challenges facing our country. 

The ad points out that while promises are easily made, Joe Biden is the candidate with the longest record of promises kept. The Biden Plan for Iraq has received the bipartisan support of over 75 U.S. Senators, not to mention scores of Iraqi leaders, foreign affairs experts, and other public officials. And when Pakistan erupted in a state of crisis several weeks ago, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called Joe Biden first—not President Bush.  Sen. Biden concludes: “You don’t have to guess what I’d do as president. Just look at what I’ve done.”

“If Iowans believe campaign funds and celebrity will fix the debacle in Iraq, put the economy on track, and provide health care and education for America’s children, they should support another candidate,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro. “But I’m confident that Iowans know what I know: our problems will require experience and leadership from Day One. Empty slogans will be no match for proven action on caucus night.”

Edwards Launches New Ad Featuring The Faces Of South Carolina

EDWARDS LAUNCHES NEW AD FEATURING THE FACES OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Campaign launches its fourth commercial, "Heroes,” in South Carolina, highlighting South Carolina's hardworking men and women

Columbia, South Carolina – In the newest South Carolina ad, “Heroes,” Senator John Edwards reaffirms his commitment to honoring and fighting for America’s true heroes – the working men and women of South Carolina. The ad features footage of Edwards speaking at a campaign event interspersed with images of hardworking Americans – including plant worker Mike Evatt of Seneca, Dr. James Blassingame of Sumter and soul food restaurant owner Martha Grant.

“If you're looking for heroes, don’t look to me,” Edwards says in the ad. “Don’t look to Elizabeth. We have support. We have health care. We have the American people behind us. Look to them. They are the ones who we speak for. They are the ones that we stand up for.  It is time for our party, the Democratic Party, to show a little backbone, to have a little guts.  To stand up for working men and women. If we are not their voice, they will never have a voice.”

The launch of this ad builds on Edwards’ growing momentum in South Carolina. Edwards leads Democratic candidates in both campaign stops and money raised in the Palmetto state. Edwards became the first Democratic candidate to launch television ads in South Carolina with his first ad, “American Jobs, America’s Workers” which aired in November. Since then,the campaign has aired two additional ads, including a special Thanksgiving Day message and “Born,” which highlights Edwards’ South Carolina roots and features him outside his childhood home in Seneca, South Carolina. The latest ad, “Heroes,” features hardworking Americans from across South Carolina from Seneca to McClellanville, Columbia to Georgetown.

Last week, Edwards traveled to his hometown of Seneca with his parents, Bobbie and Wallace to visit his childhood home and open the new Oconee County Democratic Headquarters. Later in the day, Edwards addressed 1,000 newly registered voters at his father's high school alma mater, Walhalla High School, before attending the Charleston County Women's Democratic Holiday Party.

A full transcript of the script for the “Heroes” ad is included below.

-30-
Full Transcript of Ad:
If you're looking for heroes, don’t look to me. Don’t look to Elizabeth. We have support. We have health care. We have the American people behind us.
Look to them. They are the ones who we speak for. They are the ones that we stand up for.
And Elizabeth and I decided, in the quiet of a hospital room, after 12 hours of tests and after getting very bad news, what we were going to spend our lives doing, for all those that have no voice.
We’re not going to quietly go away. Instead we’re going to go out and fight for what it is we believe in.
It is time for our party, the Democratic Party, to show a littlebackbone, to have a little guts. To stand up for working men and women. If we are not their voice they will never have a voice.
I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.