2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama Campaign Unveils TV Ad, "Not Paid for" Signs in Offices Across Iowa

Obama Campaign: Not Paid for by PAC or Federal Lobbyist Money
Campaign Unveils TV Ad, “Not Paid for” Signs in Offices Across Iowa

DES MOINES – U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s (D-IL) campaign today highlighted its commitment to decreasing the influence of Washington lobbyists and political action committees by hanging “Not Paid for by PAC or Federal Lobbyist Money” signs in dozens of offices across the state. The campaign also announced a new TV ad called “Take it Back” that highlights Obama’s record of reform that will begin running statewide on Wednesday.

“I am extremely proud of amount of money our campaign has raised, but I’m even more proud of how we did it,” Obama said. “We didn’t take a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest group because if we’re going to truly change the way Washington works, we need to break the stranglehold that the lobbyists and special interests have on our democracy.”

In 25 campaign offices across the state this week, community leaders as well as local supporters and donors will talk about why Senator Obama’s record of reform and refusal to accept money from Washington lobbyists or PACs is important to them. Obama has proposed the most far-reaching ethics and lobbying reform plan of any candidate in this race, pledging that no one working in an Obama Administration will be allowed to lobby the White House after they leave.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller headlined the campaign event in Des Moines, and said that Obama’s record of fighting for reforms means that he is the candidate most capable of achieving results and truly changing Washington.

“Barack’s efforts to reform our government haven’t always been popular with politicians, but he knows they’re the right thing to do for America,” Attorney General Miller said. “As a State Senator in Illinois, he worked to pass the toughest campaign-finance law in Illinois history that banned the personal use of campaign money by Illinois legislators and banned most gifts from lobbyists. Eight years later when he arrived in Washington, Obama introduced and helped pass in the Senate the strongest ethics reform since Watergate, including a full ban on gifts and meals from lobbyists, an end to subsidized travel for lawmakers on corporate jets and more.”

The campaign also announced that on Wednesday, it will begin running a new ad titled “Take it Back” that highlights Obama’s record and commitment to ethics and lobbying reform.

To view the ad, click: http://www.barackobama.com/takeitback.html

Script of Take it Back:

Still of Obama.
CG: The Obama Story:
Changing Washington

OBAMA V/O:  I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Obama announcement event.

OBAMA SYNC:  I know that I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But, I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change. 

Obama portrait.

Newspaper graphic: Obama is Democrats’ Point Man on Ethics

Chicago Tribune 1-18-06

ANNCR V/O:  In the Senate, Barack Obama challenged both parties to pass tough new ethics rules and rein in the power of lobbyists.

Various shots of Obama talking with people.

CG: Refusing contributions from PACs and Washington lobbyists

Chicago Tribune 4-1-07

And he’s leading by example, refusing contributions from PACs and Washington lobbyists who have too much power today.

Cut to Obama announcement event.

OBAMA SYNC:  They think they own this government.  But we're here today to take it back. 

Cut to card.

CG: Obama ’08

Iowa.BarackObama.com

Approved by Barack Obama and PAID FOR BY OBAMA FOR AMERICA

Sfx: applause

New Tom Tancredo TV Ad Running In Iowa

New Tom Tancredo TV Ad Running In Iowa

http://teamtancredo.typepad.com/team_tancredo/2007/07/tancredo-tv-ad.html

Governor Bill Richardson Releases New Ad, Praises America's Heroes

Governor Bill Richardson Releases New Ad, Praises America's Heroes
"Heroes" Ad Details Richardson's Efforts to Get Decent Life Insurance for National Guard Soldiers, Proposes "Heroes Health Card" for Veterans

SANTA FE, NM -- Only a few hours before this evening's CNN-YouTube Democratic Presidential Debate, Governor Bill Richardson's campaign continued his focus on the health and welfare of American soldiers with the release of his latest TV ad "Heroes." The ad will run in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Following closely on the heels of his previous TV ad "Stand Up" that highlighted his call for the removal of all troops from Iraq by the end of the year, "Heroes" details how Governor Richardson led the national effort to raise death benefits for the families of fallen soldiers.

As told in the TV ad, after learning that families of soldiers killed in combat were only receiving $12,000, "Bill Richardson passed the first law in the nation giving National Guard soldiers $400,000 in life insurance. 18 states followed his lead." The ad also notes his call for a "Heroes Health Card" that would allow all veterans to "receive health care wherever they need it."

"This ad shows how the Governor has long supported our troops and has fought to honor their service with meaningful life insurance benefits and a health care proposal that would make health care much more accessible for veterans who live great distances from V.A. hospitals," said campaign manager Dave Contarino.

Governor Richardson's TV ads, produced by Mark Putnam and Steve Murphy of Murphy Putnam Media, have helped lead to a rising level of support and momentum in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire, most recently lifting the Governor into a tie for third with John Edwards in a CNN poll of New Hampshire voters, and even leading Barack Obama among the most likely caucus attendees in Iowa.

With Congress again unable to pass legislation setting a strict timeline for the removal of troops from Iraq, Governor Richardson also continues to set himself apart from the other top four Democrats with the strongest message on Iraq.

"We need to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of the year," Governor Richardson said today. "The American people want us out. The Iraqi people want us out. But some people in Washington have voted to leave troops in Iraq indefinitely. I think that's wrong."

The Richardson campaign also hinted that tonight's debate telecast would feature a preview of another Richardson TV ad that is slated to run in the near future.

"The Governor is running an aggressive campaign built on substance, passion and humor," said Contarino. "We think tonight's debate performance and accompanying video will continue to show the breadth of the Governor's message and appeal. It's time for the rest of the country to see what many Iowa and New Hampshire voters already know - that Governor Richardson is the most substantive and qualified candidate in the race, but that he also doesn't take himself too seriously. Stay tuned and watch the debate this evening to see the story."

Edwards Campaign Unveils First TV Ad Featuring Elizabeth Edwards in New Hampshire Today

Edwards Campaign Unveils First TV Ad Featuring Elizabeth Edwards in New Hampshire Today

Manchester, New Hampshire – The John Edwards for President campaign today unveiled its second New Hampshire TV ad of the campaign and the first featuring Elizabeth Edwards.  The ad, entitled “30 Years,” features Elizabeth Edwards, the person who knows John Edwards best, discussing her husband’s strength and character.   

“We are proud to unveil the campaign’s first ad featuring Elizabeth Edwards in New Hampshire this week,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Jonathan Prince.  “This ad is a continuation of the discussion that Senator and Mrs. Edwards have begun with New Hampshire families as they have traveled across the Granite State listening to voters’ concerns and talking about John Edwards’ bold plans to build one America that works for everyone.”

“30 Years” will run on broadcast state-wide and is the next piece of the Edwards campaign’s continued efforts to expand its New Hampshire operation.  This ad follows “Strength of America,” a 30 second spot that began airing in New Hampshire on June 26th and highlighted John Edwards’ belief that we all share the responsibility to build a better America.  “30 Years” also debuts on the heels of the campaign opening eight new field offices across New Hampshire and hiring an additional 11 field staffers, bringing its New Hampshire payroll total to 40 employees.

John and Elizabeth Edwards are currently traveling to eight states across the country to help shine a light on the crisis of poverty in this country.

Full Script of “30 Years”

Elizabeth Edwards:
"I have been blessed for the last 30 years
To be married to the most optimistic person that I have ever met
But at the same time he has an unbelievable toughness
Particularly about other people and that is his ability to fight for them
You’re not going to out smart him
He works harder than any human being that I know, always has
It’s unbelievably important that in our president we have someone
Who can stare the worst in the face
And not blink"

John Edwards:
“I’m John Edwards and I approve this message”

New Bill Richardson Ad Airing In Iowa

New Bill Richardson Ad Calls For All US Troops Out of Iraq
Airing in Iowa, Ad calls on Congress to Stand Up to the President and Get All US Troops Out Now 

SANTA FE, NM -- Today, Governor Bill Richardson's Presidential campaign went on air in Iowa with a timely new television ad titled "Stand Up". In the ad Governor Richardson reiterates his call to get all US troops out of Iraq and for Congress to stand up to President Bush. 

"Governor Richardson knows all too well the pain of the families of fallen soldiers and the human toll the war is taking on our communities and our country. The Governor's own state of New Mexico has lost 31 soldiers. Iowa has lost 45 soldiers," said Richardson campaign manager Dave Contarino. "Congress must stand up to a President who has put our brave military men and women in an impossible situation refereeing a civil war. Our troops are targets- viewed as occupiers. If George Bush doesn't get them out, as President, Bill Richardson will. Every last one of them. These commercials reinforce that point." 

The commercial began running today on broadcast affiliates and cable systems in Iowa, and were produced by Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam of Murphy Putnam Media in Alexandria, Virginia.

SCRIPT
I’m Bill Richardson … and here in New Mexico, we’ve lost too many soldiers in Iraq … just like Iowa and every other state.
We have to end this war now.
The one thing the Iraqis agree on is they want us to leave.
Our troops have done everything we’ve asked and I don’t want to see any more die.
I approved this message because Congress has to stand up to this president. We need to get all of our troops out of Iraq. George Bush won’t do that. But I will

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Ocean"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "OCEAN" 

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Ocean."  In the ad, Governor Romney discusses his belief that we need to look at the culture that surrounds America's children and clean up "the ocean in which our children now swim."  Governor Romney believes that our country's strength is dependent upon the strength of the American family and the promise of our children.    

The ad will begin airing today in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.  Scripts and viewing links are below. 

Script For "Ocean" (TV:60): 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm deeply troubled about the culture that surrounds our kids today. 

"Following the Columbine shootings, Peggy Noonan described our world as 'the ocean in which our children now swim.' 

"She described a cesspool of violence, and sex, and drugs, and indolence, and perversions. 

"She said that the boys who did the shooting had 'inhaled too deeply in the oceans in which they swam.' 

"I'd like to see us clean up the water in which our kids are swimming. 

"I'd like to keep pornography from coming up on their computers. 

"I'd like to keep drugs off the streets. 

"I'd like to see less violence and sex on TV and in video games and in movies. 

"And if we get serious about this, we can actually do a great deal to clean up the water in which our kids and our grandkids are swimming. 

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message." 

To view "Ocean," please see:  http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=234880

Edwards Launches First TV Ad In New Hampshire

EDWARDS LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester, New Hampshire – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign launched its first television ad in New Hampshire. The ad, “Strength of America,” begins airing today and highlights Edwards’ belief that the strength of our country lies in the American people and that by taking action we can strengthen the middle class, lift families out of poverty and transform America. The ad also highlights the campaign’s intensified commitment to engage New Hampshire voters. The campaign made the decision to go up on the air in New Hampshire after determining that it was on track to raise the $40 million needed to implement the campaign plan.

“As we continue to expand our campaign’s effort in New Hampshire, we are proud to unveil our first TV ad, which highlights the responsibility we all have to get involved and make a difference,” said deputy campaign manager Jonathan Prince. “We are excited by the response that John Edwards is seeing from New Hampshire voters and we look forward to engaging them in our campaign to create one America with equal opportunity for all our people.”

The ad focuses on the larger sense of responsibility that we share to build a better America for ourselves, for our neighbors and for our children. Edwards has made a call to action for all Americans a central theme of his campaign and this ad aims to amplify that call to New Hampshire voters. Edwards has worked to empower Americans through service in many ways, including through his service organization, One Corps, service trips to New Orleans and by encouraging young people to stand up and get involved. Edwards has spoken with New Hampshire families across the state about our responsibility to help each other as he has outlined his plans to:

• Provide truly universal health care
• Help families save and give them what they need to fall back on in rough times: savings, home equity and secure pensions
• Strengthen schools and make college affordable

The full script of the ad is below.

“STRENGTH OF AMERICA” (TV -:30)

John Edwards:
“Will we make America, the country of the 21st Century?
That depends on all of us.
It’s not that we don’t know what needs to be done.
To lift families out of poverty.
To strengthen the middle class in this country.
We know what needs to be done.
The strength in America is not just in the Oval office,
The strength in America is in this room,  right now.
It’s the American people.
And it’s time for the President of the United States to ask Americans to be patriotic about something other than war.”
“I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.”

Obama Campaign In Iowa Launches New Television Effort To Back Grassroots Campaign

Obama Campaign in Iowa Launches New Television Effort to Back Grassroots Campaign

DES MOINES -- On Monday, the Obama campaign announced it will supplement its aggressive grassroots outreach operation in Iowa with a low-level paid media campaign that includes two documentary-style television ads about the biography and career of Barack Obama.  The television ads will be accompanied by radio and Internet ads that reinforce the same themes.

The television ads focus on Obama’s commitment to the power of grassroots movements and his success in bringing people together to solve important challenges.  By demonstrating how Obama has successfully dedicated his life to these values, Iowa voters will better understand that Obama’s vision for bringing the country together to solve important problems is not just campaign rhetoric.  For him, it’s been a way of life.   The ads will show what Obama will do as President after they learn more about what he’s already done.

On an afternoon conference call, Republican Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard, who is featured in the ad titled “Carry”, talked about personally working with Obama and seeing firsthand his ability to bring people together to accomplish important goals.

“Senator Obama and I spent hundreds of hours working on issues together in a bipartisan fashion,” said State Senator Kirk Dillard.  “I’ve seen firsthand that Senator Obama can take tough problems, reconcile parties and races and explain difficult topics to everyday people.  We worked as a tag-team on many complex issues, and I feel privileged to have worked with Senator Obama in the early part of his career.”

Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe spoke about Obama’s remarkable talent and commitment to serving his community.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing thousands of students, but none more remarkable or more inspiring than Barack Obama,” Professor Laurence Tribe said. “What was most remarkable about him was that even though he could have written his ticket with any Wall Street law firm and had offers for clerkships on circuit courts with a virtual pathway to a Supreme Court clerkship, he didn’t.  He chose instead to go back to the South Side of Chicago and work with the community, registering voters, doing civil rights work.  He was really just doing good things with his legal education.  It was an inspiration to watch.”

Modest Paid Media Campaign is Part of Larger Outreach Plan

This low-level television advertising campaign is just the latest supplement to the aggressive grassroots outreach program that’s already underway in Iowa.  Three weeks ago, thousands of Iowa households received a booklet and DVD detailing the life, experience and record of Barack Obama.  One week later, 1,500 volunteers knocked on more than 30,000 doors in 84 Iowa cities and town to talk to people in their community about Obama’s record and his plan to lower health care costs by up to $2,500 annually for the typical family.  The television ads are also part of an integrated plan that includes radio spots and Internet advertising all highlighting Obama’s experience bringing people together to solve important problems.

“Choices” (:60) – Highlights Obama’s Commitment to Power of Grassroots

The first ad, entitled “Choices,” highlights Obama’s years in Chicago.  He first came to Chicago as a community organizer to work with a group of churches in a community that felt abandoned and powerless as local steel mills closed.  During his time as a community organizer, Obama persuaded local residents they could effect real change and they did – block by block.  After graduating from Harvard, he passed up big money offers to return to Chicago and  run a voter registration drive – once again devoting himself to the local community and to making people’s lives better.

Script:

Obama: I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Obama (from the 2004 Democratic National Convention): It is that fundamental belief: I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work.

Narrator: After college, Barack Obama signed on as a community organizer for local churches, working to help families devastated by plant closings.

Tom Balanoff (President SEIU Local I): Barack was organizing at a time when everything was collapsing…it was people who had good lives and all of a sudden they unraveled. 

David Kindler (Former community organizer): The fact that Barack chose to try and effect social change, you know how do you understand that motivation? The pay stinks, the hours are bad.

Narrator: Three years later, Barack went to Harvard Law, then returned to the community to lead a voter registration drive and defend civil rights.

Laurence Tribe (Harvard University Law School): It was inspiring, absolutely inspiring to see someone as brilliant as Barack Obama, as successful, someone who could’ve written his ticket on Wall Street, take all of the talent and all of the learning and decide to devote it to the community and to making people’s lives better.

“Carry” (:30) – Chronicles Success in Bridging Partisan Divide to Solve Problems

The second ad chronicles Obama’s eight years in the Illinois state senate and his success in working with Democrats and Republicans to achieve goals that people only talk about in Washington, DC.  In Illinois, Obama built bipartisan coalitions to pass sweeping ethics reform, extend health care to 150,000 people and offer tax relief to low-income workers.

They’ve been talking about these issues in Washington for years, but Obama reached across party lines to make progress on these priorities in Illinois. 

Bringing people together across partisan lines stands in contrast to current politics in Washington, DC and it’s exactly the kind of leadership Americans are searching for.

Script:

Obama: I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message.

Obama (from the 2004 Democratic National Convention): There is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America.

Kirk Dillard (Republican Illinois State Senator): Senator Obama worked on some of the deepest issues we had and was successful in a bipartisan way…

Larry Walsh (Democratic Illinois State Senator):  The legislation that he carried, he believed in. He was not carrying it for a group. He was not carrying for a lobbyist.

Kirk Dillard: Republicans legislators respected Senator Obama. His negotiation skills and an ability to understand both sides would serve the country very well.

Obama Iowa TV Ads "Carry" and "Choice"

Obama Iowa TV Ads

Carry
The ad titled "Carry" chronicles Senator Obama’s eight years in the Illinois State Senate and his success in working with Democrats and Republicans to achieve goals that they only talk about in Washington, DC. In Illinois, Senator Obama built bipartisan coalitions to pass sweeping ethics reform, extend health care to 150,000 people and offer tax relief to low-income workers.

For years, they’ve been talking about these issues in Washington, but Senator Obama was a leader in reaching across party lines to make progress on these priorities in Illinois. Bringing people together across partisan lines stands in contrast to the current way of doing things in Washington, DC, and it’s exactly the kind of leadership Americans are searching for.

Choices
The ad titled “Choices,” highlights Senator Obama’s years in Chicago. He first came to Chicago as a community organizer to work with a group of churches in a community that felt abandoned and powerless as local steel mills closed. During his time as a community organizer, Barack persuaded local residents that they could effect real change and they did – block by block.

After graduating from Harvard, he passed up big money offers to return to Chicago and run a voter registration drive – once again devoting himself to the local community and to making people’s lives better.

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Work Like Crazy"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "WORK LIKE CRAZY"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Work Like Crazy."  The ad highlights Governor Romney's message of conservative change in Washington through lower government spending and lower taxes.  In the private sector, at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and as Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney brought change to institutions and turned them around.  He will do the same for Washington.

The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign's rotation today in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Scripts and viewing links are below.

Script For "Work Like Crazy" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "We have an opportunity to really make a change in this country.

"Government is simply too big.  State government's too big.  The federal government's too big.  It's spending too much.

"I'm going to cut spending.  I'm going to cut taxes.

"Lower marginal tax rates for all Americans.  Get taxes down.  Make them simpler, and flatter, and lower.

"I've brought change to every institution I've touched.  I'm going to work like crazy to go to Washington and bring change there.

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."