2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Statement From Rudy Giuliani Regarding Jim Nussle

Statement from Rudy Giuliani Regarding President’s Intention to Nominate Jim Nussle to be OMB Director

New York City – Rudy Giuliani made the following statement today regarding President Bush’s intention to nominate Jim Nussle to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget:

“President Bush made a great choice in Jim Nussle for Director of the Office of Management and Budget.  The President’s decision was the right one for our country and for taxpayers. 

“Jim and I have long shared a commitment to fiscal discipline and I have every confidence he will continue to be an effective steward of taxpayers’ hard earned dollars in his new position. 

“As our campaign continues to grow our team in Iowa, I am grateful to Jim for his early support and for his hard work in helping our team get started.”

Rudy Giuliani Unveils Twelve Commitments to the American People

Rudy Giuliani Unveils Twelve Commitments to the American People

Bedford, NH – During a speech at the Old Bedford Town Hall in New Hampshire today, Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced Twelve Commitments to the American people, a bold vision aimed at moving America forward through change and reform, overcoming new challenges and increasing accountability in Washington.

Rudy’s Twelve Commitments are based on the principles of giving people more freedom, more power, and more responsibility over their own lives, while protecting our nation, strengthening our economy, and improving the quality of life.

“I believe America solves its problems best from strength, not weakness, and from optimism, not pessimism,” Giuliani said. “My Twelve Commitments are a promise to this generation and generations to come that we will keep the American dream alive. I believe it’s the kind of leadership and common sense accountability the American people need in Washington.”

Mayor Giuliani will travel the country this summer to detail each of his Twelve Commitments.

The Twelve Commitments:

• I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists’ War on Us. 
• I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation. 
• I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.  
• I will cut taxes and reform the tax code. 
• I will impose accountability on Washington.
• I will lead America towards energy independence.  
• I will give Americans more control over, and access to, healthcare with affordable and portable free-market solutions. 
• I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children.
• I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
• I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
• I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
• I will expand America’s involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.

Giuliani Announces Iowa Leadership Team

Giuliani Announces Iowa Leadership Team

New York –The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the members of Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s Iowa leadership team. The team will be chaired by former Secretary of State Paul Pate, and co-chaired by Senate Minority Leader Mary Lundby, State Senator Jeff Angelo, former Lieutenant Governor Joy Corning, former Senate Minority Leader Jack Rife, and former State Senator Jim Kersten.

“Rudy’s leadership team truly shows that we have a strong support system in Iowa which will lead us to victory in the caucuses,” said Giuliani’s Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime. “This team brings an incredible amount of political knowledge and skill to the campaign.  Mayor Giuliani is proud to have these Iowa campaign veterans on his side.”

Iowa Leadership Team

State Chair Paul Pate, former Mayor of Cedar Rapids, former State Senator, former Secretary of State

State Co-Chairs
Jeff Angelo, State Senator from the 48th district
Joy Corning, former Lieutenant Governor, former State Senator
Jim Kersten, former State Senator
Mary Lundby, State Senate Minority Leader from the 18th district
Jack Rife, former State Senate Minority Leader

Caucus Chair
Russ Cross, Story County Republican Chairman

Regional Chairs
Leah Adams, East Central Region
Theresa Hammond, Northwest Region
Ann Jorgensen, Northeast Region
Loren Knauss, Southwest Region
Gene Maddox, Central Region
Maggie Tinsman, Southeast Region

County Chairs
Deborah Acuff VonSprecken, Jones County
John Adams, Dickinson County
Leah Adams, Johnson County
Steve Balk, Scott County
Roger Bang, Cerro Gordo County
Eric Branstad, Polk County
Karen Butler, Emmet County
Dick DeAngelis, Jefferson County
Stan Gustafson, Madison County
Max Halsted, Marshall County
Theresa Hammond, Woodbury County
John Hulsizer Jr. , Dubuque County
Joseph Isenberg, Boone County
Ann Jorgensen, Benton County
Suzanne Kmet, Warren County
Loren Knauss, Pottawattamie County
Michael Kramme, Washington County
Jim Lind, Black Hawk County
Joan Luchtel, Sac County
Craig Nelson, Linn County
Saundra Orth, Clinton County
Ruthi Rogers, Mahaska County
Joan Samp, Hardin County
Colin Sandberg, Iowa County
Keeley Sinnard, Carroll County
Sharon Smith, Butler County
Nancy Thompson, Dallas County
Carolyn Williams, Muscatine County

County Co-Chairs
Peggy Bang, Cerro Gordo County
Samantha Barry, Butler County
Lee Brinning, Washington County
Josh Bronsink, Polk County
Brad Buck, Polk County
Janet Burroughs, Scott County
Carol Christiansen, Johnson County
Jeffrey Crabtree, Polk County
John DeAngelis, Jefferson County
Mikel Derby, Polk County
Daniel Forcey, Polk County
Steven Garman, Polk County
Will Gries, Linn County
Benjamin Haldeman, Polk County
Linda Henderson, Polk County
Dennis Hill, Woodbury County
Troy Johnson, Pottawattamie County
Gary Koos, Scott County
James Mahony, Polk County
Scott Mikkelsen, Polk County
Jacob Nieuwsma, Linn County
Barbara Park, Scott County
Nicholas Pottebaum, Linn County
John Schmaltz, Cerro Gordo County
Ronald Seathoff, Butler County
Marlys Seathoff, Butler County
Richard Sipple, Scott County
Dory Stevens, Polk County
Tom Ullrich, Woodbury County

Rudy Giuliani Announces Iowa State Campaign Chair Paul Pate

Rudy Giuliani Announces Iowa State Campaign Chair Paul Pate

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee reaffirmed its commitment to winning the Iowa Caucuses by announcing today that former Iowa Secretary of State and former Cedar Rapids Mayor Paul Pate will serve as the campaign’s Iowa State Chairman.     

Pate will spearhead the campaign’s efforts across the state by communicating with other political leaders, building upon the campaign’s fundraising network, and increasing support at the grassroots level.  

“Mayor Giuliani is honored to have a well-respected Iowan like Paul Pate leading his efforts in the state,” said Giuliani’s Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime. “Iowa is a critical part of our campaign’s strategy and a great showing in the Iowa Caucuses is key to Rudy Giuliani winning the Republican nomination.”

“Iowa caucus-goers are looking for a strong leader like Rudy Giuliani. They want a candidate they know can get results on the difficult issues facing our country,” said Pate.  “We will work hard to share Mayor Giuliani’s strong vision for the future and his record of turning around New York City.”

Paul Pate is the latest Republican leader in Iowa to endorse Mayor Giuliani, joining former Congressman Jim Nussle, Iowa Senate Minority Leader Mary Lundby, and Iowa State Senator Jeff Angelo.

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Grand Opening Of Iowa Headquarters

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Grand Opening of Iowa Headquarters

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime will open the campaign’s Iowa headquarters tomorrow evening, at 7700 University Ave, Suite B, in Clive, Iowa.

Rudy Giuliani Will Not Participate In The Iowa Straw Poll

In a conference call this morning to reporters, Campaign Manager Michael DuHaime announced that Rudy Giuliani will not participate in the Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll on August 11, 2007.

"We are 100 percent committed to winning the Iowa caucuses. We're going to take the resources that would have been spent in the straw poll and dedicate them toward winning in January."

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part Three

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part Three

New York Sun’s Ryan Sager: “Rudy Giuliani won that debate hands down.” (Ryan Sager, New York Sun’s “Latest Politics” Blog, http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/06/rudy-wins-thompson-loses-everyone.html, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Michael Graham: “Rudy does it in one sentence: ‘It's unimaginable that you’d leave Saddam in power while fighting a war on terror.’ That’s the argument the GOP should embrace, seize and use …” (Michael Graham, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZGY5MDBhNjVlMGQ2OWI5NGExNDlkODdjNjc5ZmYzMzM=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s John Derbyshire: “Rudy is way out ahead of the field.” (John Derbyshire, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OGYwOTk3NDJmNDYzMTc5NTk5OWJlYWFlZGEzMGRlNWQ=, 6/5/07)

Townhall’s Mary Katharine Ham: “Debates are composed of moments. And, Rudy is momentous.” (Mary Katharine Ham, Townhall.com Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog, 6/5/07)

Townhall’s Mary Katharine Ham: “[Giuliani] Effectively demonstrated his mastery of the terrorism issue on both an emotional and a tactical level. He went after Democrats: ‘This war is not a bumper sticker. This war is a real war.’” (Mary Katharine Ham, Townhall.com Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog, 6/5/07)

Townhall’s Mary Katharine Ham: “From his first answer on Iraq, in which he notably outdid Romney who answered the same question right before him, Rudy seemed on point tonight.” (Mary Katharine Ham, Townhall.com Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Jim Geraghty: “Rudy … has been en fuego, as they say on Sportscenter.” (Jim Geraghty, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://hillaryspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YTRjNjg4MzQwZTIyZTM3OTNkOTNjMjg2ZmIwMWVjOGI=, 6/5/07)

CNN’s Joe Johns: “Giuliani scored on what’s usually a Democratic issue, global warming. In fact, he got good reactions from all important independent swing voters.” (CNN’s '“Raw Politics,” 6/5/07)

The American Spectator’s Phillip Klein: “[Giuliani] was forceful, had a commanding presence, and a mastery of the issues.” (Phillip Klein, The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?bwd=23&byear=2007#6787, 6/5/07)

The American Spectator’s Phillip Klein: “Rudy also showed a grasp of the details in his criticism of the immigration bill …” (Phillip Klein The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?bwd=23&byear=2007#6787, 6/5/07)

The American Spectator’s Phillip Klein: “Giuliani … is displaying the qualities that made him such an effective mayor.” (Phillip Klein The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?bwd=23&byear=2007#6787, 6/5/07)

Townhall’s Hugh Hewitt Declared That Giuliani “Looked And Sounded Great Tonight” And Would Be A “Formidable” Candidate. (Hugh Hewitt, Townhall.com Blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog, 6/5/07)

Captain’s Quarters Blog’s Ed Morrissey: “Giuliani performed the best.” (Captain’s Quarters Blog, http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010156.php, 6/5/07)

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part Two

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part Two

CBN News’ David Brody: “Rudy Giuliani Seems To Just Get Better And Better With Each Debate.” (David Brody, CBN News’ “The Brody File” Blog. http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/171317.aspx, 6/5/07)

Brody: “[Rudy] comes across as a straight shooter and genuine when talking about defending this country. He told Americans tonight that it was the right decision to go into Iraq. He didn’t beat around the bush.” (David Brody, CBN News’ “The Brody File” Blog. http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/171317.aspx, 6/5/07)

New York Sun’s Ryan Sager: “Big Giuliani Win.” (Ryan Sager, New York Sun’s “Latest Politics” Blog, http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/06/the-nh-gop-debate.html, 6/5/07)

New York Sun’s Ryan Sager Said Giuliani Was “Very Articulate” And “Very Commanding” On Health Care. (Ryan Sager, New York Sun’s “Latest Politics” Blog, http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/06/the-nh-gop-debate.html, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy Wins.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog. http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDM1NmQzZTkwNDVmNTA3MDA2MGEzMjA4ZmZkMDU4N2Y

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy Is A Freevangelical. He keeps coming back again and again to freedom—spreading it overseas, believing in it here at home.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YThjNDdmM2FhN2VmNzFiZDY5ZDRmMzU4NmJkYTJhNDU=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Self-confident, good-natured—that sums up the Rudy of the last two debates.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzBlOWU3MmY1M2FiODNjMzg0MWM0ZDBkMGNmNmMyNTc=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Kathryn Jean Lopez: “Rudy Won.” (Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NjliZTY5MzE4NGRjMzNmMGI4NzhmNWY2YjY0ZjY3MDA=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s John Derbyshire: “Rudy Looked Great.” (John Derbyshire, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Kate O’Beirne: “Rudy Finishes Strong.” (Kate O’Beirne, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, 6/5/07)

The Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “The answer [Rudy] just gave on immigration, citing Lincoln, was superb.” (Jonathan Martin, “Rudy Is Having A Good Night,” The Politico’s Blog, http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0607/Rudy_is_having_a_good_night.html, 6/5/07)

Power Line Blog’s John Hinderaker: “Rudy Giuliani stepped forward … His performance was terrific.” (John Hinderaker, Power Line Blog, http://powerlineblog.com/archives/017849.php, 6/5/07)

NBC News’ Chuck Todd: “Rudy Giuliani was solid …” (Chuck Todd, NBC News’ First Read, http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/, 6/5/07)

Power Line Blog’s John Hinderaker: “Rudy Giuliani … broke away from the pack tonight …” (John Hinderaker, Power Line Blog, http://powerlineblog.com/archives/017849.php, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “[Rudy] was quick, commanding, authoritative-sounding—altogether the big man on stage, projecting the image of the kind of guy you can trust during a time of war.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDM1NmQzZTkwNDVmNTA3MDA2MGEzMjA4ZmZkMDU4N2Y=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “He kept taking digs at Washington, burnishing his outsider credentials, and was frank and feisty …” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDM1NmQzZTkwNDVmNTA3MDA2MGEzMjA4ZmZkMDU4N2Y=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “[R]udy's strength and emphasis on freedom is probably what is going to strike most voters as really Reaganesque.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDM1NmQzZTkwNDVmNTA3MDA2MGEzMjA4ZmZkMDU4N2Y=, 6/5/07)

CBN’s David Brody: “On immigration, it’s a very complicated issue but Giuliani was able to boil it down to basically say ‘throw the bad people out’ and then was able to weave his idea for national ID cards into the answer.” (David Brody, The Brody File, http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/171317.aspx, 6/5/07

National Review’s John Podhoretz: “[Rudy] is doing a brilliant job tonight.” (John Podhoretz, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=N2E0YTUzY2I5OWMyYzUzZTM4NjliNjFjMDc1NjIzN2Y=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Kathryn Jean Lopez: “[Rudy was] in command, indeed.” (Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Mark Levin: “[W]hen Rudy is good, he's really good …  His answers on Iraq, Libby and health care were outstanding.” (Mark Levin, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDRmNWMxZDlkYjE2YTgyOTMyZjFjM2Q2MGM0NGEwYTE= , 6/5/07)

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part One

What They Are Saying … About Mayor Giuliani, Part One

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “‘I turned around New York City, I can turn around Washington’ That's the Rudy message and it's a powerful one (and Romney seemed tinny immediately afterward talking about "our products and services").” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTNlMzI4MTBiYThkZDg5OTI5YmVkOGMzZjQ3YWExOTQ=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry On Giuliani: “Does anyone doubt that this guy is ready to be President of the United States? Makes almost everyone else on the stage look small by comparison.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OWU5ZmMxODdkZjE5NTk3Y2YwMzE1NDhiNzRmMTgyYmY=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s John Podhoretz On Giuliani: “He is doing a brilliant job tonight.” (John Podhoretz, Nation Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=N2E0YTUzY2I5OWMyYzUzZTM4NjliNjFjMDc1NjIzN2Y=, 6/5/07)

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was more forceful on the question. ‘It was absolutely the right thing to do,’ said Giuliani. He pivoted to assert that the ‘Democrats were in denial’ by trying to separate Iraq from the broader global war on terror.” (Chris Cillizza, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/06/iraq_kicks_it_off.html,  6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry On Mayor Giuliani’s Answer To Immigration Question: “‘No unifying purpose,’ ‘typical Washington mess’—right on the substance and right on the politics.” (Rich Lowry, National Review's "The Corner" Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZGMzYmViZjIxZGRiOThhN2YzYTRjNDRkNDY1MDAzMzk=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “The Underlying Thematic Argument between Rudy and McCain on the immigration bill is anti-Washington v. pro-Washington, with Rudy attacking the way Washington worked on this thing and McCain defending it. Politically, that's a big winner for Rudy.” (Rich Lowry, Nation Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDM0MTczOGIxMTM0MzQ3ZDcwYWUyNGE2YzdkYThhZGE=, 6/5/07)

The New York Times’ Katharine Seelye: “Rudolph W. Giuliani is criticizing the Democrats too. (Hmmm.) He was typically direct — yes, he said, he would not rule out the nuclear option against Iran if Iran developed nuclear weapons — but he got in a dig at the Democrats. He said that during their debate, they sounded like they were ‘back in the 1990’s.’ Those were the Clinton years, lest anyone has forgotten.” (Katharine Steelye, The New York Times’ “The Caucus” Blog, http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy’s Straight-forward answer to the Iraq question—not a mistake—made Romney seem wishy-washy.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDE5MDliZmQ4MDgyMTBhYTZmYjM4OTQwZjdkZDNhZDQ=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s John Derbyshire: “Forty Minutes In: Rudy looking good—lucid, good-humored, pushing the ‘executive prowess’ image ...” (John Derbyshire, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YjFiZDQ3Yjc5NGI1Y2I1MjUxZGI1ZmViODQ4OTNkMjk=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy on Gays in the Military: Artful.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=M2M3YTcwZGUxOWFiN2RmZThhOTJiYWRkMzdiYmY5N2Y=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Kathryn Jean Lopez: “Rudy's Libby answer was excellent -- including when he scolded Wolf for playing throwing the clock at him when we're talking about ‘a man's life.’” (Kathryn Jean Lopez, Nation Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDE2Y2IzNzM5MjVmMTE3MTdjYTI1MWFmYjc3MTI5N2M=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Rudy: man, he’s in command of these debates lately.” (Rich Lowry, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDE2Y2IzNzM5MjVmMTE3MTdjYTI1MWFmYjc3MTI5N2M=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s John Podhoretz: "’The sentence was wildly excessive.’ Straightforward and powerful, and gave Rudy a chance to point out he recommended 5,000 pardons to Ronald Reagan. In this debate you can see how good Rudy can be on his feet when he's focused.” (John Podhoretz, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZGY2ZmJkNjE0ODA4YWVlNWQxYTBkY2M0YjNiMjcxNWI=, 6/5/07)

National Review’s John Derbyshire: “ [Giuliani] jumps right into health insurance issue. Clear, concise.  He’s looking really good tonight.” (John Derbyshire, National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWJjNzBjNzgxMjcwMTI4YWY0MWY3YTI5MTE1NTc0OGI=, 6/5/07)

American Spectator’s James Poulos: “Rudy finally clear, commanding, and crisp on socialized health care. Standing up from his chair looks professional and respectful, a dare I say Clintonian assertiveness.” (James Poulos, American Spectator’s Blog, http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=6784, 6/5/07)

Giuliani Communications Director Katie Levinson Statement On The Republican Debate

Statement from the Communications Director

New York City – Below is a statement from Giuliani Communications Director Katie Levinson regarding tonight’s Republican debate:

“Tonight, Rudy Giuliani once again demonstrated why he should be the next President of the United States.  Whether it’s staying on offense in the terrorists’ war against us, securing our nation’s borders or keeping our economy strong, Rudy knows what it takes to make government accountable and efficient.  He is the strong, optimistic and proven leader our country needs during these challenging times.”