2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads In New Hampshire and Iowa

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Radio Ads In New Hampshire and Iowa

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced it will launch radio ads in New Hampshire and Iowa on Tuesday entitled: “Out of Control,” “Will Do” and “Garbage Can.”

“Today’s ads once again make clear Mayor Giuliani is the true fiscal conservative in this race with the track record to back it up, not just empty rhetoric,” said Director of Strategy Brent Seaborn.  ‘“Out of Control,’ ‘Will Do’ and ‘Garbage Can’ – which will air across New Hampshire and Iowa – are the first of many ads our campaign will release in the months to come.” 

“Out of Control” highlights Rudy Giuliani’s accomplishments as Mayor of New York City including reducing crime and cutting the welfare rolls.  Giuliani’s 12 Commitments to the American People, specifically his commitment to restore fiscal discipline, cut wasteful Washington spending and reform the tax code, are the focus of “Will Do” and “Garbage Can.”

Script for “Out of Control” (Radio 60 seconds): 

GIULIANI:         Every promise I made running as Mayor of New York City they said couldn’t be done… said I couldn’t cut crime… New York City was the crime capital of the America… can’t be done.

VOICE OVER:  Under Rudy Giuliani’s leadership crime in New York City dropped 56%.

GIULIANI          New York City was the welfare capital of America… 1.1 million people on welfare. You can’t cut welfare… can’t be done.

VOICE OVER:   Welfare rolls went down by a staggering 58%.

GIULIANI:         They said we couldn’t reduce taxes in New York. They said you couldn’t get control of spending.  That’s impossible.

VOICE OVER:   Rudy Giuliani turned a 2.3 billion dollar deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus and cut or eliminated 23 taxes.

GIULIANI:         My focus when I ran for Mayor of New York City was on the future, and it will be in this campaign. Leadership is about what we can do, what we can accomplish, never taking “No” for an answer. This is all about how America can grow, how America can get stronger, how America can be the country that realizes all the potential we know we have.

VOICE OVER:   Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated. Visit joinrudy2008.com

GIULIANI:         I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message

Script for “Will Do” (Radio 60 seconds): 

VOICE OVER: Here is Rudy Giuliani talking about his 12 Commitments to the American People; including his commitment to restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.

GIULIANI: This is what I did in New York City.  I restored fiscal discipline and I held spending in New York City, a city that was out of control in spending, to less then the rate of inflation and the growth of the population.

VOICE OVER: Leading George Will to say Rudy Giuliani's eight years as Mayor were “the most successful episode of conservative governance in this country in the last 50 years."

GIULIANI: We will require agency heads to present 5 to up to as much as 20% reductions in their annual budget.  It’s the only way to reduce spending. And we’ll make sure we do away with earmarks in which anonymous spending is done in the billions and billions and billions of dollars. I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.

VOICE OVER: To find out more about all twelve of Rudy Giuliani’s Commitments to the American People visit joinrudy2008.com.  Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated.

GIULIANI:  I am Rudy Giuliani, and I approve this message.

Script for “Garbage Can” (Radio 60 seconds): 

VOICE OVER: Here’s Rudy Giuliani, talking about his 12 Commitments to the American People, including his commitment to cut taxes and reform the tax code.

GIULIANI: I believe that you collect more money from lower taxes then you collect from higher taxes. I believe in it because I saw it work.

I was given a report, shortly after I was Mayor-Elect, and the report was all of the things that should be done to take New York City out of the deficit.  The biggest ones were raise taxes. They asked me what I was going to do with the report, and I said I’m going to throw it in the garbage. It doesn’t make any sense.  It’s exactly why we are in the trouble we are in, and then I went ahead and reduced taxes. I reduced the rate for income tax by about 23-24 percent. The revenues from the income tax went up 40 percent. That’s what we have to do. I will cut taxes and reform the tax code because I realize that that’s how you stimulate an economy.

VOICE OVER: Paid for by Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Incorporated. Visit joinrudy2008.com

GIULIANI: I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.

Giuliani Campaign Announces Georgia Regional Chairs

Giuliani Campaign Announces Georgia Regional Chairs

New York – The Rudy Giuliani Campaign today made the first of its regional chair announcements, naming campaign leadership in the Coastal, Central, Eastern and Greater Atlanta Regions of Georgia.

A talented group of current and former legislators and party leaders join Giuliani Georgia Chairman, Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson. 

“Rudy Giuliani has the executive experience and proven record we need in our next President.  I look forward to helping the Mayor build a strong grassroots effort throughout the central and southern parts of this state,” said state Representative Jay Roberts, the Central Georgia Regional Chairman.

“Rudy Giuliani continues to impress Republicans in Georgia with his solid grasp of the challenges our country faces,” said former Georgia GOP Chairman and Giuliani Greater Atlanta Co-Chair, Rusty Paul.

“This team will help spread the message across Georgia that Mayor Giuliani is the candidate that has a proven record on our most important issues,” said Georgia Co-Chair State Sen. Ronnie Chance.  

Rudy Giuliani’s Georgia Regional Team

Coastal Georgia Chair Mary Flanders
Greater Atlanta Co-Chair Rusty Paul
Greater Atlanta Co-Chair Jay Morgan
Greater Atlanta Co-Chair William Woodall
Greater Atlanta Co-Chair State Representative Jeff May
East Georgia Chair State Representative Barry A. Fleming
East Georgia Co-Chair Gwen Fulcher Young
Central Georgia Chair - State Representative Jay Roberts

Giuliani Announces California Leadership Team

Giuliani Announces California Leadership Team
Announces Opening of State Campaign Headquarters in Glendale

New York City –The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today Rudy’s California Leadership Team. The team will be chaired by Bill Simon, co-chairman of William E. Simon and Sons, LLC, and former California Republican gubernatorial nominee. In addition to Simon, the team brings together political and business leaders throughout California, including six current members of Congress.

“Voters throughout California are hearing Mayor Giuliani’s message of strong leadership and his record of results,” said Simon.  “Rudy is the Republican presidential candidate that can win the California primary and defeat the Democratic candidate in the general election statewide.” 

Mayor Giuliani’s campaign also announced it will open a state campaign headquarters in Glendale, California.

About the California Leadership Team:

California State Chair
Bill Simon, Former California Republican Gubernatorial Nominee

California State Co-Chairs
Mary Bono, United States Congresswoman
David Dreier, United States Congressman
Jerry Lewis, United States Congressman
Devin Nunes, United States Congressman
George Radanovich, United States Congressman
Ed Royce, United States Congressman
Curt Pringle, Mayor of Anaheim
Greg Aghazarian, State Assemblyman
Ted Gaines, State Assemblyman
Sharon Runner, State Assemblywoman
Cameron Smyth, State Assemblyman
Chuck Poochigian, Former State Senator
Mike Antonovich, Los Angeles County Supervisor
Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Supervisor
John Herrington, Former State GOP Chair
Robert Naylor, Former State GOP Chair
Frank Visco, Former State GOP Chair
Michelle Steel, Board of Equalization Member
Dr. Joel Strom, Los Angeles Businessman

Giuliani Campaign Unveils Northwest Iowa Endorsements

Giuliani Campaign Unveils Northwest Iowa Endorsements

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today continued to build on its growing Iowa team announcing endorsements in Northwest Iowa.  Fort Dodge Mayor Terry Lutz, former State Senator Jim Kersten, local business owner Charese Yanney, the campaign’s Northwest Regional Chair Theresa Hammond and several county chairs and county co-chairs throughout the region are actively working to help grow Rudy Giuliani’s grassroots organization. 

“Rudy is not only the fiscal conservative candidate, he is a proven leader with the executive experience this country needs,” said Mayor Terry Lutz. “He understands lowering taxes, controlling wasteful Washington spending and keeping Americans safe at home are important issues for Iowans.”

“Rudy’s organization continues to grow in Iowa and our momentum builds as we approach the Iowa Caucuses,” said Giuliani’s National Political Director Mark Campbell. “We are honored to have Mayor Lutz and a strong support system across Northwest Iowa helping to communicate Mayor Giuliani’s positive message and strong leadership to voters in the region.”

This announcement of support comes on the heels of Giuliani announcing his Southwest Iowa leadership team.    

Northwest Iowa Endorsements:

Terry Lutz, Mayor of Fort Dodge
Former State Senator Jim Kersten, State Co-Chair
Former Sloan Mayor Tom Ullrich, Woodbury County Co-Chair
Theresa Hammond, Northwest Regional Chair and Woodbury County Chair
Charese Yanney, Woodbury County Small Business Owner
Dennis Hill, Woodbury County Co-Chair
Shirley Grant, Calhoun County Chair
Keeley Sinnard, Carroll County Chair
Brian Jannssen, Cherokee County Co-Chair
John Adams, Dickinson County Chair
Karen Butler, Emmet County Chair
Joan Luchtel, Sac County Chair
Jay Dorschner, Sioux County Chair

Southwest Iowa Endorsements:

Edward Martin, Former Mayor of Decatur City
Pottawattamie County Chair Loren Knauss, Southwest Iowa Regional Chair
Dennis Bloom, Montgomery County Co-Chair

Giuliani Announces Campaign Staff In California

Giuliani Announces Campaign Staff in California

New York City –The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today the campaign’s California staff. Brent Lowder will serve as California Executive Director. He will oversee the campaign’s daily statewide operation building upon the Mayor’s momentum leading into next year’s Republican primary. 

In addition to Lowder, Thomas Roberts will serve as the campaign’s California Political Director and Jessica Patterson as Deputy Political Director. Steve Frank, Coalitions Director, will help grow the grassroots efforts throughout the state.

“Rudy’s support in California continues to grow and our campaign staff in the Golden State will turn that support into a strong victory in the Republican primary,” said Giuliani’s National Political Director Mark Campbell. “We have made tremendous progress from the grassroots to statewide fundraising, and we are excited to have such a strong political team in a state as important as California.”

Giuliani Campaign Announces Southwest Iowa Endorsements

Giuliani Campaign Announces Southwest Iowa Endorsements

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced endorsements in Southwest Iowa led by Southwest Regional Chair Loren Knauss, Pottawattamie County Supervisor. Also joining the team are the campaign’s Montgomery County Co-Chair Dennis Bloom and Edward Martin, former Decatur City Mayor.

“I know from experience that Rudy Giuliani is the proven leader we need as our next President.  It is a privilege to work for Rudy in Southwest Iowa helping to communicate his optimistic message of fiscal discipline, lower taxes, and commitment to keeping Americans safe. These issues are important to our communities,” said Knauss, a veteran local law enforcement officer.

“Rudy is committed to winning the Iowa Caucuses, and we are aggressively building our ground organization across the state,” said Giuliani’s National Political Director Mark Campbell. “This team will help us build support throughout Southwest Iowa. We are glad to have them on board.”

Giuliani Campaign Announces Illinois Campaign Staff

Giuliani Campaign Announces Illinois Campaign Staff

New York City –The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today Kevin Artl will serve as Executive Director of Mayor Giuliani’s Illinois campaign. Joining Artl is Jayme Siemer, the campaign’s state Political Director.  Together, they will run the day-to-day campaign operation statewide by building upon the Mayor’s strong fundraising and increasing support at the grassroots level.

The campaign also announced Andrew Proctor and Nick McNeely as field staff in Illinois. They will generate local grassroots support and manage volunteers in the state.

Giuliani’s Illinois Campaign Chairman Representative Tom Cross, the Illinois General Assembly’s House Republican Leader, said this team will help spread Rudy’ optimistic leadership throughout the state. “Mayor Giuliani is the Republican presidential candidate who can win Illinois in the primary and general elections.  We fully intend to run a strong campaign in the state,” said Cross. “And Rudy’s experienced staff, led by Kevin and Jayme, will help solidify the Mayor’s support among Republican voters.”

In addition to Representative Cross, Ron Gidwitz, a local business leader, is the campaign’s statewide Co-Chairman.

Rudy Giuliani’s Statement On Passing Of Lady Bird Johnson

Rudy Giuliani’s Statement on Passing of Lady Bird Johnson

Mayor Rudy Giuliani made the following statement today regarding the passing of the former First Lady:

"Today America lost a great First Lady and a true daughter of Texas. Judith and I extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Johnson family."

Giuliani Campaign Announces Northeast Florida Endorsements

Giuliani Campaign Announces Northeast Florida Endorsements

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced endorsements from Northeast Florida led by Regional Chair Richard Clark, Jacksonville City Councilman. Also joining the team are the campaign’s Duval County Chair Toni Ann Van Orman, the campaign’s St. Johns County Chair Elvira Fernandez Hasty, and Glorious Johnson, Jacksonville City Councilwoman.

This diverse group of local Republican Party officials will focus on building Mayor Giuliani’s campaign in Northeast Florida and will help continue the campaign’s success in the state.

“Rudy is a strong leader and is definitely the candidate with the vision for the future that Floridians are looking for. I’m honored to help him become the next President of the United States,” said Councilman Clark.  

Giuliani’s Florida Senior Advisor Karen Unger said these additions are evidence of the Mayor’s strong support in Florida. “Florida will be an important player in the upcoming elections, and we are putting together the team it will take to make sure every Floridian knows Mayor Giuliani’s record and vision for the country,” said Unger.

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani’s Second Quarter Fundraising

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani’s Second Quarter Fundraising

Fox News’ Shepard Smith Said Giuliani’s Fundraising “Far Outpaces” GOP Field. Fox News’ Shepard Smith: “We’ve often said that the amount of money you raise can be a good indicator of how things are going. Rudy Giuliani’s campaign just announced that he’s raised more than $17 million in the second quarter for both the primary and general elections, ended the quarter with no debt and $18 million cash on hand. That far outpaces the rest of the Republican candidates.” (Fox News’ “Studio B,” 7/3/07)

CNN’s Bill Schneider: “Now Giuliani is the only one of the top three Republicans whose total went up in the second quarter. He now leads the Republican field in fund-raising …” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 7/3/07)

American Spectator’s Philip Klein: “[L]ooks like a solid quarter for Rudy relative to his GOP rivals …” (Philip Klein, American Spectator Blog, “Rudy Raises $15 Mln (Primary), $17 Mln (Total),” www.spectator.org, Accessed: 7/3/07)

Klein: “So, by any monetary measure, Giuliani is now ahead of Romney.” (Philip Klein, American Spectator Blog, “Rudy Raises $15 Mln (Primary), $17 Mln (Total),” www.spectator.org, Accessed: 7/3/07)

Los Angeles Times’ Andrew Malcolm: “Rudy Giuliani's campaign reported … a whopping $18 million-plus in cash on hand now with zero debt.” (Andrew Malcolm, “Go Get $6.5 Million From The ATM, Will You Please?,” Los Angeles Times’ Blog, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/07/go-get-65-milli.html, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

Newsday’s Tom Brune: “[Giuliani] has put more money in the bank than he has spent so far on his campaign this year.” (Tom Brune, “Rudy Takes Lead In GOP Fundraising,” Newsday, 7/3/07)

National Review’s Yuval Levin: “[T]he GOP funding figures paint a picture of a strong Giuliani campaign …” (Yuval Levin, “GOP Money,” National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTJmZDgzZTMwOTI5YmU5NTVlNWE2OTE4MjcyZGM3MmY, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

CBN’s David Brody: Giuliani “Continues To Defy The Odds.” “[A]t the end of the day, the story here is Giuliani. He continues to defy the odds. People want to write him off because as a Republican, his views are too liberal. Well, he's been pretty clear and public with his views and so far, financially at least, he's not taking a hit. … [C]learly, there seems to be an appetite for Giuliani out there.” (David Brody, CBN News’ “The Brody File” Blog, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/189113.aspx, 7/3/07)

Brody: Giuliani “Plays Well In Certain Evangelical Circles.” “His strength is in the ideological middle and his tough talk on terrorism and reputation as a crime fighting straight talking guy who gets things done plays well in certain Evangelical circles. Not to mention, these Evangelicals think he is the only Republican that can beat Hillary Clinton in the General Election.” (David Brody, CBN News’ “The Brody File” Blog, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/189113.aspx, 7/3/07)

Brody: ““It's a long road to The White House but Giuliani is beginning to prove he has staying power.” (David Brody, CBN News’ “The Brody File” Blog, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/189113.aspx, 7/3/07)

Bloomberg’s Kristen Johnson: “[R]udy Giuliani beat rivals by raising more than $17 million in the second quarter for his campaign, outpacing his take in the first three months.” (Kristen Johnson, “Giuliani Beats Rivals, Raises More Than $17 Million in Quarter,” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a4KZUgLO_kMo&refer=us, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

New York Sun’s Ryan Sager: “The numbers are in, and Rudy Giuliani has taken the lead in the money race for 2008 …” (Ryan Sager, “Cash Chase: Rudy Takes The Lead,” New York Sun’s “Latest Politics” Blog, http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/07/cash-chase-rudy-takes-the-lead.html, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

The Associated Press’ Jim Kuhnhenn: “[G]iuliani saw an increase in his fundraising over the first quarter …” (Jim Kuhnhenn, “Giuliani Raises $15 Million, Romney Collects $14 Million In Second Quarter,” The Associated Press, 7/3/07)

New York Observer’s Andrew Rice: “[I]t looks like Rudy Giuliani's going to be the second-quarter fundraising champ on the Republican side. This should cement his position as the frontrunner …” (Andrew Rice, “Rudy’s Out Front,” New York Observer’s “The Politicker” Blog, http://www.observer.com/2007/rudys-out-front, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

CBS News’ David Miller: “[Giuliani] … the only one of the top three declared GOP candidates to see his receipts rise from one quarter to the next.” (David Miller, “Pure Horserace: Giuliani Leads The Way,” CBSnews.com, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/03/politics/purehorserace/main3012959, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder: “Only Rudy sustained his fundraising pace.” (Marc Ambinder, “Rudy’s 2nd Quarter: $15M+ For The Primary,” The Atlantic’s Blog, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/07/rudys_2nd_quarter_15m_for_the.php, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

The Wall Street Journal’s Amy Schatz: “The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee … has outraised every other Republican campaign and has over $18 million cash on hand.” (Amy Schatz, “McCain’s Competitors Report Money Results,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Washington Wire” Blog, http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/07/03/mccain%e2%80%99s-competitors-report-money-results/, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

The Wall Street Journal’s Amy Schatz: “Not to be outdone, the Giuliani camp reported it received donations ‘from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.’” (Amy Schatz, “McCain’s Competitors Report Money Results,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Washington Wire” Blog, http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/07/03/mccain%e2%80%99s-competitors-report-money-results/, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

NY1’s Lewis Dodley: “Rudy Giuliani is tops among the GOP presidential candidates when it comes to raising cash.” (NY1, 7/3/07)

The Politico’s Jonathan Martin: Giuliani’s “thrifty ways left him with $18 million in the bank.” (Jonathan Martin, “GOP Quickie Cash Wrap,” The Politico’s Blog, http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0707/GOP_quickie_cash_wrap.html, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

Martin: Giuliani’s “cash on hand … makes him the ostensible Republican money leader.” (Jonathan Martin, “GOP Quickie Cash Wrap,” The Politico’s Blog, http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0707/GOP_quickie_cash_wrap.html, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)

RealClearPolitics Blog’s Tom Bevan: “Giuliani has $18 million cash on hand, which is $6 million more than Mitt Romney and $16 million more than John McCain.” (Tom Bevan, “Rudy Reports Q2 Numbers,” Real Clear Politics Blog, http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/07/rudys_reports_q2_numbers.html?xid=rss-rcp, 7/3/07, Accessed 7/3/07)