2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowans Join Edwards In Groundbreaking Ad

Iowans Join Edwards in Innovative Call for Congressional Courage on Iraq
Groundbreaking Ad Uses YouTube Technology to Send Message from “We the People”

Des Moines, Iowa – Iowans are among the first to join with Senator John Edwards in recording their own message to Congress urging them to stand up to President Bush and end the war in Iraq. Using YouTube technology, Edwards has invited Iowans and people from across the country to add their voices to an innovative TV and online advertising campaign that tells Congress to stand firm against President Bush and send him the same Iraq funding bill again and again until he signs it and brings the war to an end.

A new version of the ad featuring the Iowans is available on http://www.johnedwards.com/wethepeople. As more and more people send in video clips, they will be added and the new ad will be posted on YouTube and JohnEdwards.com.

“Iowans have joined this important call to bring our troops home and standing up to the President, and their message must be heard,” said Edwards. “Congress should answer the president's veto by sending him another bill with a timetable for withdrawal. And if he vetoes that one, they should send him another and another until we end this war and bring our troops home.  It’s time for Congress and the President to listen to the voices of the American people."

“People sent a clear message in the last election that it’s time to end this war,” said Mary Clark of Carlisle, one of the Iowans featured in ad.  “I hope that Democrats and Republicans in Congress take our message seriously, and do whatever it takes to get our troops home.  Our troops have shown enormous courage, but now we need our Congress to do the same.”

Edwards said that the messages from regular Iowans are particularly important now that President Bush has vetoed legislation to bring our troops home.  He has expressed great concern at reports that Congressional negotiators have taken a timetable for withdrawal off the table in talks with the White House.

A 30 second version of the ad is running in the Washington, D.C. media market - so that Congress will hear the message – while the longer version, including a growing number of people who have submitted their own video, will continue to run on the John Edwards website and YouTube.

Iowans who have added their voices to the ad include Mary Clark of Carlisle, Jackie Rote of Ankeny, Erika Horstmann of West Des Moines, Karen Miller of West Des Moines, and Dan Kelley of Newton.

John Edwards Launches Groundbreaking, Multimedia Ad

EDWARDS USES FIRST MEDIA BUY TO URGE CONGRESS TO STAND FIRM AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH ON IRAQ LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING, MULTIMEDIA AD
By Using YouTube Technology, Americans from Across The Country Will Be Able To Participate in New, Innovative Ad Airing on TV and Web

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Following President Bush's veto of the Iraq funding bill, Senator John Edwards and people across the country are joining together to urge Congress to stand firm against the President in a new, groundbreaking ad.  The ad, which will run in the Washington, D.C. media market and on the John Edwards website and YouTube, features regular Americans calling on Congress to stand up to President Bush and send him the same Iraq funding bill again and again until he signs it and brings the war to an end. 

"President Bush vetoed a bill that supports our troops and ends the war in Iraq that he declared won four years ago," said Edwards.  "Congress needs to stand firm and strong. Congress should answer the president's veto by sending him another bill with a timetable for withdrawal. And if he vetoes that one, Congress should send him another and another until we end this war and bring our troops home."

Edwards launched his campaign for the presidency by asking Americans to take action today to change our country. He is continuing this call by asking Americans to record their own personal messages urging Congress to stand up to President Bush.  After the first cut of the ad airs, the John Edwards for President campaign will then incorporate these messages into future versions of the ad, which will be posted on the John Edwards website and YouTube.  Edwards' new, innovative ad does more than spread Edwards' message and keep pressure on Congress, it allows the American people to directly share their messages with Congress in an unprecedented way, and shows Congress that this message is not just from him, but from the American people.

The campaign will also ask Americans to speak out against the war by donating money to air the ad. Last week, Edwards launched an emergency online petition to Congress by sending a national email and putting up blog ads.  The petition urges Congress to not back down against President Bush, and has already gathered over 87,000 signatures.  The campaign continues to use the latest technology to get more Americans involved in the campaign, because Edwards believes that in order to change our country, we all need to stand up and take action today. 

The script of the ad is below:

Person 1: President Bush isn't listening to us.
Person 2: It's time to end the war.

Person 3: Congress passed a plan to end it.
Person 4: And bring our troops home.

Person 5: But the President vetoed it.

Person 6: We want Congress to know
Person 7: We are with you.
Person 8: Don't back down to President Bush.
Person 1: Send him the same bill again and again.

Person 9: We the people
Person 9: Will stand with you.
Person 2: Because stopping a President who believes he can do no wrong Person 1: -- takes people with courage to do what's right.

John Edwards: I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.

To view the ad, please go to: http://www.johnedwards.com/wethepeople

"Life's Work" Bill Richardson 2008 TV Ad

"Life's Work" :60 Bill Richardson 2008 TV Ad Transcript

"He’s been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize … freeing American hostages held by some of the world’s worst dictators. One of America’s “Best Governors” … He has “more international experience than just about anyone else in the 2008 field.”

But what would Bill Richardson do differently to heal America and our restore our place in the world? His life’s work has been bringing people together … through patient, determined diplomacy … and governing with humor and high expectations.

In New Mexico, he’s used tax cuts to reward companies that put people to work. Helping create over 80,000 new jobs. Up to sixth in the nation for job growth. And no other state has done as much to promote renewable energy and fight global warming.

He has an optimism shaped by the American West that our leaders can meet in good faith and achieve great things ... Because he’s done it so many times before.

I'm Bill Richardson and I approve this message."

"The Wall" Bill Richardson 2008 TV Ad

"The Wall" :30 Bill Richardson 2008 TV Ad Transcript

"I’m Bill Richardson … and I learned a long time ago that the first step in any negotiation is to reach across the wall.

We need to start at home. As president, I'll work with both parties to finally start healing this country.

And we can help heal Iraq by bringing all of our troops home within a year. Our presence there isn’t helping. Only then can the hard diplomatic work really begin.

I approved this message because being stubborn isn’t a foreign policy. "

Governor Bill Richardson Is First Democratic Presidential Candidate On The Air In Iowa And New Hampshire

Governor Bill Richardson is First Democratic Presidential Candidate on the Air in Iowa and New Hampshire
Ads showcase Richardson's unparalleled experience and strong position on getting all US troops out of Iraq within a year

SANTA FE, NM- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced today that, starting next Monday, he will be the first Democratic candidate for president to begin running television advertising in the crucial states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

"We wanted to begin talking with as many voters as possible about why I'm running," Richardson said. The ads also present his position as the only Democratic candidate calling for a complete troop withdrawal from Iraq within a year's time, because "being stubborn isn't a foreign policy."

"This election is really unlike any other in our country's history," Richardson went on to say. "We have to repair the damage done here at home and to our reputation abroad. The first step in that process is acquainting voters with what I've done in my life and how I've approached the job of governing a state and negotiating with foreign leaders. But in the end, this election will not be about me. It will be about the people of this country and who they trust to begin the healing process we so dearly need."

Governor Richardson's record of success is unique in the Democratic field and the television ads capture the breadth and significance of his work. The sixty second introductory commercial "Life's Work" highlights his four Nobel Peace Prize nominations for freeing hostages held by some of the world's worst dictators, his status as one of America's "best Governors," and answers the question "What would Bill Richardson do differently to heal America and restore our place in the world?"

"Life's Work" details his record of success at helping create over 80,000 jobs in New Mexico through targeted tax cuts that reward job creation, vaulting the state up to sixth in the nation for job growth. The commercial also focuses on New Mexico's unique status as the state that's done more to promote renewable energy and fight global warming than any other state.

The second commercial, a thirty second spot entitled "The Wall," presents Governor Richardson's philosophy of governing and diplomatic relations using the metaphor of an ancient stone wall in a farm field. In his words, "I learned a long time ago that the first step in any negotiation is to reach across the wall."

The commercial highlights Governor Richardson's belief that the healing process must begin with a president willing to work with both parties, and goes on to say that "We can help heal Iraq by pulling all of our troops out within a year. Our presence there isn't helping."

The commercials will begin running Monday, April 23rd on broadcast affiliates and cable systems reaching voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, and were produced by Steve Murphy and Mark Putnam of Murphy Putnam Media in Alexandria, Virginia.

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad "I Like Vetoes"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "I LIKE VETOES"

Boston, MA – Romney for President today launched its newest television ad, "I Like Vetoes."  The ad highlights Governor Romney's pledge to bring fiscal discipline back to Washington.  Governor Romney has proposed capping non-defense discretionary spending at inflation minus one percent and will veto any budget that exceeds that amount.

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

Script For "I Like Vetoes" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "If I'm elected President, I'm going to cap non-defense discretionary spending at inflation minus one percent.

"That would save $300 billion in 10 years.

"And if Congress sends me a budget that exceeds that cap, I will veto that budget.

"And I know how to veto.  I like vetoes.  I've vetoed hundreds of spending appropriations as Governor.

"And frankly, I can't wait to get my hands on Washington!

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

Romney For President Launches First Television Ads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 21, 2007

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES FIRST TELEVISION ADS

Boston, MA – Romney for President today launched its first television ads.  The ads showcase Governor Romney unplugged and up close as he discusses his belief in the strength of the American people.   

Three ads will begin airing today.  The ads are titled "Unplugged 60," "Unplugged 30" and "Unplugged Iowa."   

During the course of the rotation, the ads will be aired in select markets in Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina.  Scripts are below.

Script For "Unplugged 60" (TV:60):

ANN ROMNEY:  "Every place that Mitt has gone, he has solved problems that people said were nearly impossible."

VOICE OVER:  "Mitt Romney:  Business legend – rescued the Olympics – the Republican Governor who turned around a Democratic state."

MITT ROMNEY:  "I believe the American people are over-taxed, and the government is over-fed.  I believe we're spending too much money, and that's got to stop.

"I believe our laws ought to be written by the people, and not by unelected judges. 

"Look, these are critical times we face.

"We face attack from jihadists.  We face tougher competition than we've ever known before, coming from Asia.

"We're spending too much money here.  We're using too much oil here.

"Our schools are failing too many of our kids.

"This is not a time for more talk and dithering in Washington

"It's a time for action.

"I believe in the people of America.  Free American people are the source of this land's great strength.

"I'm Mitt Romney, I'm running for President and I approve this message."

Script For "Unplugged 30" (TV:30):

ANN ROMNEY:  "Every place that Mitt has gone, he has solved problems that people said were nearly impossible."

VOICE OVER:  "Mitt Romney:  Business legend – rescued the Olympics – the Republican Governor who turned around a Democratic state."

MITT ROMNEY:  "I believe the American people are over-taxed, and the government is over-fed.  I believe we're spending too much money, and that's got to stop.

"I believe our laws ought to be written by the people, and not by unelected judges."

VOICE OVER: "Mitt Romney."

MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

Script For "Unplugged Iowa"  (TV:60):

TV WEATHER WOMAN (VOICE OVER):  "...heavy snow at times this morning and we'll continue to see strong winds at 15-25 miles an hour..."

MITT ROMNEY:  "Cold and windy, blowing snow… and you made it!

"I believe the best ally of peace in the world is a strong America. 

"I believe our laws ought to be written by the people and not by unelected judges.

"I believe the American people are over-taxed, and the government is over-fed.

"I believe we're spending too much money, and that's got to stop.

"Look, these are critical times we face.

"We face attack from jihadists.  We face tougher competition than we've ever known before, coming from Asia.

"We're spending too much money here.  We're using too much oil here.

"Our schools are failing too many of our kids.

"This is not a time for more talk and dithering in Washington. 

"It's a time for action.

"I'm Mitt Romney, I'm running for President, and I approve this message."

"Unplugged" Mitt Romney 2008 TV Ad Video

"Football" Duncan Hunter PAC 2008 TV Ad

"Football" Duncan Hunter 2008 Peace through Strength PAC TV Ad

These new commercials focus on fair trade and national security.

"I’m Congressman Duncan Hunter. Americans start a football game with a clean scoreboard, but China starts a game against our businesses with a 74 point advantage.
The give a 17% subsidy to their guys, they penalize our guys 17%, and they devalue their currency by 40%. That’s cheating and China is buying ships and planes and missiles with America trade dollars. Join me at Peace through Strength for fair trade."