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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
WATCH: New McCain ad - ' Enough is Enough'
One day after the biggest drop on Wall Street since just after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Republican presidential candidate John McCain launched a cable TV ad in Iowa and across the country.
"The economy is in crisis. Enough is enough. I'll meet this crisis head on," McCain says. "Reform Wall Street. New rules for fairness and honesty. I won't tolerate a system that puts you and your family at risk. Your savings, your jobs ... I'll keep them safe."
Barack Obama has a new TV ad hitting John McCain for his support for President Bush's policies and for backing a policy of spending $10 billion a month in Iraq "while the Iraqis sell oil for record prices."
Democratic legislative leaders today said 2008 may go down as one of the best sessions on record.
Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, served in the 1965 Legislature, which he said made significant strides for the state. He added 2008 will go down as one of the better years in the Iowa Legislature with funding the state's environmental program at $18 million, establishing and continuing funding of the Iowa Power Fund and all the legislation passed for veterans.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, and House Speaker Pat Murphy also touted the sound budgeting practices of Democrats.
But Senate Majority Leader Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, tabbed the 2008 session with a failing grade today. Wieck told reporters this afternoon he is upset more wasn't done in terms of property tax relief, illegal immigration and establishing higher standards in Iowa's school classrooms.
WATCH: Rants, Mascher react to Condition of the State address
House Minority Leader Christopher Rants said he was "extremely disappointed" that Gov. Chet Culver pushed "the most divisive issue this General Assembly has faced in a long time, and that's the gutting of Iowa's right-to-work law."
He also said the speech sent the message that "tax increases are on the horizon."
Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, said she was interested in Culver's rhetoric on cooperation and bipartisan unity.
"We as Democrats, if anything, do that better than anybody in terms of reaching across the aisle and working in a bipartisan fashion," she said.
She also called the proposed bottle deposit increase "an uphill battle" but "do-able."
The 2008 session of the Iowa Legislature is under way and top House Dems addressed members of the media about the issues that could arise in the weeks ahead, shooting down discussion that this would be a "do-nothing" Legislature.
Minority leaders Rep. Christopher Rants and Sen. Ron Wieck also addressed the press. They challenged Dems on taxes and spending.
Click below for more video, plus audio and text from today's session.
Mike Huckabee's campaign today said it was launching an ad titled "Tax Cuts Matter" in Iowa, even though a Monday note to supporters said the ad would be playing exclusively in New Hampshire.
The ad discusses his record as governor of Arkansas, saying he cut taxes more than 90 times and left behind a budget surplus.
In concert with a full-page ad his campaign purchased in today's Des Moines Register, John Edwards' campaign is planning to air a 60-second ad featuring former Maytag employee Doug Bishop, who argues that Edwards is ready to fight for "saving the middle class and American jobs in the face of corporate greed.
Mike Huckabee's new Iowa ad, called "Our Values," highlights his opposition to abortion: "The pro-life position was the one espoused by our founding fathers," he says in the ad.
Huckabee shot this ad and two others in Little Rock on Sunday. One of the other ads was the negative ad he decided not to run today. In a note to supporters, Huckabee explained his decision on that ad:
"This morning, I ordered my staff to pull the ad; I told them I do not want it to be run. If it was run at all, it would be until the stations pulled it off their schedules. And we are now committed, from now through the rest of the caucuses, that we will run only the a ds that talk about why I should be president, and not why Mitt Romney should not.
Common Sense Issues is a 501 c4 non-profit group running this ad, which favors Mike Huckabee in a comparison with Mitt Romney. The ad is titled "Trust."
Mike Huckabee has two new Iowa ads. "Founding Fathers," shown above, is an upbeat ad that shows graphics touting his record as governor with audio of Huckabee discussing the values of the country's founding fathers. "Start Now" criticizes the "desperate and dishonest" attacks on him coming from other candidates and outside groups.
Two new ads from Barack Obama today:
-- "Interest" highlights the money spent by outside groups to attack Obama's health care plan.
-- "Listening" features footage of Obama's speech before Iowa Democrats at this year's Iowa Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner and endorsements from Iowa newspapers.
Mitt Romney's new ad, "Ready," criticizes rival Mike Huckabee for being "soft on government spending," and granting more than 1,000 pardons and commutations as governor.
Clinton: "President"
Here's the script of Hillary Clinton's new ad, titled "President":
ANNCR: What if we had a different president this year?
ANNCR: Hillary Clinton called for action on America's housing crisis in March… in June… in August.
ANNCR: George Bush and Wall Street did nothing.
ANNCR: Since then home prices have plummeted and millions may lose their homes.
ANNCR: Hillary's plan: freeze home foreclosures, freeze rates on adjustable mortgages, provide real tax relief for the middle class.
ANNCR: When we choose a president next year, let's choose one that would have started fixing our economy this year.
ANNCR: Hillary Clinton: "I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message"
Fred Thompson's new ad calls him the "clear conservative choice" and ticks off a list of endorsements and praise for his plans on taxes, immigration and the military.
Here's the ad script:
Fred Thompson: I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message.
Announcer: The Wall Street Journal says Fred Thompson's tax cut plan "leads the GOP field."
A leading economic group calls it a plan "conservatives can rally around."
The conservative National Review says only Thompson has outlined "specific, conservative policies" on immigration.
Investor's Daily says Thompson's national security plan features a "Reaganesque rebuilding of our military."
And the National Right to Life Committee endorsed him because they know he can win.
Democrat Joe Biden's new ad "Office" asks voters to think about the kind of person they want sitting in the Oval Office in 2009. His campaign is using the ad in a fundraising push in hopes of paying for ad time.
WATCH: Two new Edwards ads, "Choice" and "Time for Truth"
John Edwards has unveiled two new ads in Iowa, "Choice" and "Time for Truth." Here are the transcripts:
"Choice" (30 seconds) I'm John Edwards and I approve this message
Here's the choice:
Keep going the way we are,
Pretend the system works while corporate greed rules,
Insurance lobbyists kill health care,
Energy giant make billions from insane gas prices,
And the middle class is squeezed to the breaking point.
Or tell the truth – the status quo and good intentions aren't enough
We're not going to look our kids in the eye and say corporate greed stole your future.
We're going to say America rose up, saved the middle class, gave you a better life,
And it started right here in Iowa.
"Time for Truth" (30 seconds)
It's time to tell the truth.
These big corporations and their greed,
They are stealing your children's future.
We will never change this country
Unless we're willing to take those people on.
I believe that on the night of January 3rd,
You're going to say enough is enough.
There's going to be a rising that begins right here in Iowa
And it's going to spread across America
And it will be a wave of change that cannot be stopped.
I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.
John Edwards' campaign is airing a new television ad in Iowa, "30 Years." The ad features the Democratic presidential candidate's wife Elizabeth, who discussed her husband's character and strength.
Sen. Hillary Clinton is airing a new television ad in Iowa called "Stakes." The ad focuses on what is at stake in the upcoming election such as the war, foreclosure crisis and national debt.
Hillary Clinton has a new ad running in Iowa and New Hampshire. The ad, "Proud," features her mother Dorothy Rodham and daughter Chelsea Clinton. It is the first ad Chelsea has appeared in during the 2008 presidential campaign.
John Edwards has released a new television ad called "Voice." The ad features James Lowe, a coal miner from Virginia who lived 50 years without speaking because of a cleft palate he could not fix be due to being unable to afford the surgery.
"This is wrong," Edwards said in the ad. "It is immoral. When are we going to stop letting drug companies, insurance companies and their lobbyists run this country? America belongs to us. James Lowe finally got his voice, now it's time for yours."
ONE Vote '08, a group co-chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Bill Frist of Tennessee and Tom Daschle of South Dakota, is encouraging caucus-goers to vote for the presidential candidate with the strongest policy proposals to improve global health and alleviate extreme poverty.
WATCH: New Huckabee ads - 'Secure Borders' and 'A Better America'
Republican Mike Huckabee is on the air with two new TV ads beginning Monday. The ad shown above is called "A Better America." The other ad, "Secure Borders," deals with Huckabee's plan to curtail illegal immigration.
WATCH/LISTEN: Pundit panel gathers at Drake to discuss caucus race
A panel of political reporters and commentators assembled at Drake University to discuss the triumphs and tribulations of the Iowa caucuses and the campaigns running in the 2008 race. The event included: Rick Pearson, political writer for the Chicago Tribune; M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Iowa’s Bureau Chief for the Rocky Mountain News; David Price, chief political reporter for WHO-TV of Des Moines; and Dennis J. Goldford, a Drake University professor and analyst for KCCI-TV of Des Moines.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson today released an ad touting Richardson's experience as a diplomatic troubleshooter.
The ad, titled "Only One," details a hostage situation in Iraq that then-Congressman Richardson was called upon to defuse. In the 60-second spot, Bill Barloon, the late David Daliberti, and his wife Kathy Daliberti praise Richardson for obtaining the release of the two men from Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in July 1995.
WATCH/LISTEN: Obama highlights his early opposition to Iraq war
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a Democratic presidential candidate, speaks out against the war in Iraq and says he brings a new vision for America at a campaign stop Oct. 2 in Des Moines.
WATCH: Legislators, landowners concerned about potential Osceola
reservoir
State Representatives Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, and Jodi Tymeson, R-Winterset, along with former Rep. Ed Fallon, D-Des Moines, discuss a proposed water source in Clarke County at the Iowa Capitol. The lawmakers and affected landowners question the potential use of eminent domain and if challenges the current state law.
WATCH/LISTEN: Thompson stops in Des Moines for first official campaign
visit
On the first official campaign stop since declaring his candidacy, former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson told more than 200 Iowans that he was ready to run for president to improve the country for his children and grandchildren.
"The preseason is over," Thompson said. "Let's get on with it."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a GOP presidential candidate, discusses Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' savings plan and other differences he has with Democrats at a July 27 gathering in Madison County.
WATCH/LISTEN: Edwards looks to fix 'rigged' federal government with tax
reform plan
Special interests and lobbyists in Washington have rigged the U.S. government, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday as he rolled out a plan to fix the problems he sees.
Click the video above to see a clip from Edwards meeting with reporters after his speech.
WATCH: McCain remains committed to compete in Iowa
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said July 22 in Urbandale that there isn't a doubt in his mind Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina will help determine the presidential nominee for the GOP and Democratic parties.
WATCH: Huckabee attends West Des Moines house party
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a GOP presidential hopeful, speaks July 19 about the Republican Party of Iowa straw poll at a West Des Moines house party.
LISTEN: Richardson addresses dangers of nuclear proliferation
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday spoke about the importance of keeping nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists, and also insisted the United States should step up its efforts to move away from nuclear arms.
Richardson, former ambassador to the United Nations, spoke about foreign policy at a noon gathering at the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy. He is the fourth presidential candidate to address the group, following Sens. Joe Biden, D-Del., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Republican.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a Democratic presidential candidate, said he wants to improve the economy by using the money spent on the war in Iraq on fueling people's pocketbooks during a July 10 campaign stop at DMACC in Des Moines.
WATCH: Obama airs first Iowa TV ads: "Carry" and "Choices"
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is going on the air in Iowa with two biographical TV ads. Watch the ads and read the descriptions below.
"Carry"
Campaign description: 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"
Campaign description: 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.
WATCH/LISTEN: Richardson discusses electability at IowaPolitics.com/Drake event
Gov. Bill Richardson talks to reporters about electability following a IowaPolitics.com-Drake University "Cookies and Conversation with the Candidate" event in Des Moines.
Mitt Romney has a new TV ad in Iowa focusing on his drive for conservative change in Washington, D.C. The 30-second spot, called "Work Like Crazy," will also air in New Hampshire.
Excerpt: "Government is simply too big. State government's too big. The federal government's too big. It's spending too much. ... 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."
WATCH/LISTEN: Giuliani looks to bring fiscal discipline to D.C.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani talks about the need to eliminate wasteful spending and making the federal government more accountable at a June 20 campaign stop in Des Moines.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a GOP presidential hopeful, meets with the media after a June 20 campaign stop in Des Moines.
WATCH/LOOK/LISTEN: Brownback takes bus tour of Iowa
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Sam Brownback meets with supporters June 18 in Winterset. Winterset was the fourth stop on the senator's four-day, 27-community bus tour through Iowa.
WATCH/LOOK/LISTEN: At Iowa HQ opening, Huckabee reiterates straw poll plans
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said he intends to participate in the Republican Party of Iowa's straw poll, adding he was shocked by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain's decision last week to withdraw from the Aug. 11 event.
"I am very disappointed in the McCain and Giuliani campaigns for throwing a monkey wrench into the process," Huckabee said.
Huckabee made the remarks at the opening of his Iowa campaign headquarters in downtown Des Moines.
WATCH: Two new TV ads from Dodd campaign, "Amazing Grace" and "Split"
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., is releasing two new television ads this week in Iowa and New Hampshire. The top ad, "Amazing Grace," focuses on why the Democrat is running for president. It features his oldest daughter Grace. The second ad is called "Split" and highlights Dodd's public service career, which began at the age of 22 when he joined the Peace Corps.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has a new ad, titled "Tested, Proven," airing in Iowa and New Hampshire and national cable stations
SCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER (Voice Over): "In the most liberal state in the country, one Republican stood up and cut spending, instead of raising taxes.
"He enforced immigration laws, stood up for traditional marriage and the sanctity of human life."
GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "This isn't the time for us to shrink from conservative principles. It's a time for us to stand in strength. Strong military, strong economy, strong families."
ANNOUNCER (Voice Over): "In the toughest place, Mitt Romney's done the toughest things."
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."
WATCH: Health orgs target presidential campaign HQs
The American Cancer Society teamed up with four other organizations May 22 to visit 12 presidential campaign headquarters in the Des Moines area to discuss health care. In this video Mike Huckabee's Iowa Director Eric Woolson (not visible) speaks to the volunteers on the bus at the former Arkansas governor's headquarters.
Republican Mitt Romney has a new TV ad, titled "Secure Borders," airing in Iowa and New Hampshire.
SCRIPT:
GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Yes Sir?"
QUESTIONER: "How would you deal with the border issue?"
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Number one, we should secure our border.
"And number two, we should put in place an employment verification system.
"And by that, I mean that everybody who is not a United States citizen, with a valid Social Security number, would be expected to get a card, with their name and their number and some biometric information. And would indicate their work status, whether they have a visa that allows them to work here or not.
"And then when an employer is thinking of hiring someone, if they don't have a valid Social Security number, he asks for the card, or she asks for the card. They input the number into the computer. The federal database immediately tells them whether they're available to be working or not.
"If they're not, you can't hire them. And if you do, you get the same penalties and fines as if you're not paying your taxes.
"Legal immigration is great. But illegal immigration, that we've got to end. Thank you. And amnesty is not the way to do it. Thanks so much, thank you.
In this new TV ad, U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd challenges other presidential candidates to join him in supporting legislation implementing a timetable to redeploy troops from Iraq by March 31, 2008.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a GOP presidential candidate, discusses his pro-life stance and religion with members of the media on May 9 in Ames.
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign has begun airing a new 30-second ad called "Now Is The Time" in Iowa, New Hampshire and on national cable networks. The ad calls for expanding the U.S. armed forces by 100,000 soldiers and committing 4 percent of the gross domestic product to military spending.
Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., is on the air in Iowa with this statewide TV ad urging Congress to resubmit another Iraq funding bill with a withdrawal date.
Video of the introduction to the March 9 Drake/IowaPolitics.com Luncheon, featuring the Iowa Democratic Party's Scott Brennan and the Republican Party of Iowa's Leon Mosley.
