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Friday, November 30, 2007

In Remarks at DNC Fall Meeting, Obama Pledges to Deliver Change We Can Believe In

Remarks As Prepared for Delivery Provided Below

Washington, DC— In remarks at the Democratic National Committee’s annual fall meeting, Barack Obama today pledged to bring an end to the bitter partisanship that has divided the country and unite Americans behind a sense of common purpose. Rather than re-fight the partisan battles of the 1990s, Obama said he would build a new majority focused not just on winning, but on governing, and deliver change that is more than just a slogan – change we can believe in.


As Prepared for Delivery:






Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Democratic National Committee Fall Meeting
Friday, November 30th, 2007
Washington, DC

Less than a year from now, you will go into the voting booth and you will select the President of the United States of America.

Now, here's the good news - the name George W. Bush will not be on the ballot. The name of my cousin Dick Cheney will not be on the ballot. We've been trying to hide that for a long time. Everybody has a black sheep in the family. The era of Scooter Libby justice, and Brownie incompetence, and Karl Rove politics will finally be over.

But the question you're going to have to ask yourself when you vote this year and next is this:



"What's next for America?"

We are in a defining moment in our history. Our nation is at war. The planet is in peril. The dream that so many generations fought for feels as if it's slowly slipping away. We are working harder for less. We've never paid more for health care or for college. It's harder to save and it's harder to retire. And most of all we've lost faith that our leaders can or will do anything about it.

We were promised compassionate conservatism and all we got was Katrina and wiretaps.



We were promised a uniter, and we got a President who could not even lead the half of the country that voted for him.



We were promised a more ethical and more efficient Washington, and instead we have a town that is more corrupt and more wasteful than it was before. And the only mission that was ever accomplished is to use fear and falsehood to take this country to a war that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged.

It is because of these failures that America is listening, intently, to what we say here today - not just Democrats, but Republicans and Independents who've lost trust in their government, but want to believe again.

And it is because of these failures that we not only have a moment of great challenge, but also a moment of great opportunity. We have a chance to bring the country together in a new majority - to finally tackle problems that George Bush made far worse, but that had festered long before George Bush ever took office - problems that we've talked about year after year after year.

And that is why the same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do in this election. An electoral strategy that starts out leaving half the country behind just won't do. Telling the American people what we think they want to hear instead of telling the American people what they need to hear just won't do. Triangulating and poll-driven positions because we're worried about what Mitt or Rudy might say about us just won't do. If we are really serious about wining this election Democrats, we can't live in fear of losing it.

This party - the party of Jefferson and Jackson; of Roosevelt and Kennedy - has always made the biggest difference in the lives of the American people when we led, not by polls, but by principle; not by calculation, but by conviction; when we summoned the entire nation to a common purpose - a higher purpose. And I run for the Presidency of the United States of America because that's the party America needs us to be right now. A party that doesn't just offer change as a slogan, but real, meaningful change - change that America can believe in.

That's why I'm in this race. I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists - and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not get a job in my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am President.

I'm in this race to take those tax breaks away from companies that are moving jobs overseas and put them in the pockets of hard working Americans who deserve it. And I won't raise the minimum wage every ten years -I will raise it to keep pace so that workers don't' fall behind.

That is why I am in it. I'm in this race because I want to stop talking about the outrage of 47 million Americans without health care and start actually doing something about it. I expanded health care in Illinois by bringing Democrats and Republicans together. By taking on the insurance industry. And I have put forth a universal health care plan that will do more to cut the cost of health care than any other proposal in this race. Here’s the truth – if you can’t afford health insurance right now, you will when I’m President. Anyone who tells you otherwise is more interested in scoring points than solving problems. And I’m in it because we’ve had enough of that.

I run for president to make sure that every American child has the best education that we have to offer- from the day they are born to the day they graduate from college. And I won't just talk about how great teachers are - as President I will reward them for their greatness - by raising salaries and giving them more support. That's why I'm in this race.

I am running for President because I am sick and tired of Democrats thinking that the only way to look tough on national security is by talking, and acting, and voting like George Bush Republicans.

When I am this party's nominee, my opponent will not be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran; or that I supported Bush-Cheney policies of not talking to leaders that we don't like. And he will not be able to say that I wavered on something as fundamental as whether or not it is ok for America to torture - because it is never ok. That's why I am in it.

As President, I will end the war in Iraq. We will have our troops home in sixteen months. I will close Guantanamo. I will restore habeas corpus. I will finish the fight against Al Qaeda. And I will lead the world to combat the common threats of the 21st century - nuclear weapons and terrorism; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. And I will send once more a message to those yearning faces beyond our shores that says, "You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now."

America, our moment is now.

Our moment is now.

I don't want to spend 2008 re-fighting the same fights that we had in the 1990s. That’s exactly what Mitt and Rudy want. That’s they’re only hope of winning because they know that if this election is about health care, or ending this war, or making college affordable, then they will lose. They are counting on the same bitter partisanship and the same electoral map we’ve had for far too long.



I believe I can transform that map. In my Senate race I won some of the reddest, most Republican counties in Illinois. In 2006, when House and Senate candidates in states like Missouri, and Nebraska, and Tennessee, and Virginia, and Indiana needed someone to come campaign for them, I was the one they called. And I’m attracting more Independents and Republicans to our cause than anyone else in this campaign.



It’s because I believe we can build that new majority – not just to win, but to govern – to actually get something done. I don't want to pit Red America against Blue America, I want to be President of the United States of America. And that won't just be a Democratic victory; that will be an American victory.

And that is a victory America needs right now.

I am not in this race to fulfill some long-held ambitions or because I believe it's somehow owed to me. I never expected to be here, I always knew this journey was improbable. I've never been on a journey that wasn't.

I am running in this race because of what Dr. King called "the fierce urgency of now." Because I believe that there's such a thing as being too late. And that hour is almost upon us.

I don't want to wake up four years from now and find out that millions of Americans still lack health care because we couldn't take on the insurance industry.

I don't want to see that the oceans have risen a few more inches. The planet has reached a point of no return because we couldn't find a way to stop buying oil from dictators.

I don't want to see more American lives put at risk because no one had the judgment or the courage to stand up against a misguided war before we sent our troops into fight.

I don't want to see homeless veterans on the streets. I don't want to send another generation of American children to failing schools. I don't want that future for my daughters. I don't want that future for your sons. I do not want that future for America.

I'm in this race for the same reason that I fought for jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless on the streets of Chicago; for the same reason I fought for justice and equality as a civil rights lawyer; for the same reason that I fought for Illinois families for over a decade.

Because I will never forget that the only reason that I'm standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn't popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world.

That's why I'm running, Democrats – to give our children and grandchildren the same chances somebody gave me.

That's why I'm running - to keep the American Dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for equality.

That's why I'm asking you to stand with me, that's why I'm asking you to vote for me, that's why I am asking you to stop settling for what the cynics say we have to accept. In this election - in this moment - let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again. Thank you very much everybody.


###


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2007





This message was sent from Obama For America

Thursday, November 29, 2007

In Case You Missed It: Same Old Bill

Same Old Bill

From New York Post Editorial November 29, 2007

Bill Clinton has always been a stranger to the truth, but is it possible that he's never heard of Google? Apparently. How else to explain his ridiculous claim - while campaigning for Hillary out in Iowa - that he "opposed [the] Iraq [war] from the beginning"? ... Indeed, the former president boasted in a June 2004 interview with Time magazine: "I have repeatedly defended President Bush against the left on Iraq." For the record, then, here's what Clinton really had to say about the Iraq war. "We've got the power, we've got the juice. We should do the job," he told students at the University of Florida in an April 2003 speech. Later that month, Clinton declared in St. Louis: "Saddam is gone and good riddance" - adding: "Bush has done the right thing in removing Saddam Hussein from power." ... Clinton's aides now insist that he really did oppose the war - his public statements notwithstanding - but considered it inappropriate to publicly go against a sitting president. So why not just keep his mouth shut? ...

To View The Entire Article, Please Visit: http://www.nypost.com/seven/11292007/postopinion/editorials/same_old_bill_71062.htm <http://www.nypost.com/seven/11292007/postopinion/editorials/same_old_bill_71062.htm> A Product Of The RNC Research Department

Paid for by the Republican National Committee.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Statement by Communications Director Todd Harris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Press Office
November 28, 2007

Statement by Communications Director Todd Harris

McLean, VA -Thompson for President Communications Director Todd Harris released the following statement on tonight's debate:

"During a night of bizarre videos and personal attacks, there was only one leader on the stage tonight talking about the real issues facing our nation and that was Fred Thompson.

"While Mitt Romney was running away from his record, and Mike Huckabee was distorting his liberal tax and spend record, Fred Thompson talked about saving and protecting Social Security, cutting taxes for all Americans, ending illegal immigration, staying in Iraq until the job is done and protecting America's national security.

"Some of the other candidates may be louder than Fred Thompson, they may be more slick, they may have more positions on any one issue and they certainly may be more liberal, but only Fred Thompson showed himself tonight to be the one conservative who can beat Hillary Clinton."

Paid for by Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc.

ROMNEY AND SANCTUARY CITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Press Office
November 28, 2007

ROMNEY AND SANCTUARY CITIES

REALITY CHECK:

AS GOVERNOR, MITT ROMNEY ALLOWED SANCTUARY CITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS Cambridge, Orleans, And Brewster

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Re-declared Itself A Sanctuary City On May 8, 2006. (Yvonne Abraham, "City's Sanctuary Status Mocked," Boston Globe, 7/5/06)

A Congressional Research Service Report Listed Both Cambridge And Orleans As Sanctuary Cities. (Lisa M. Seghetti et.al., "Enforcing Immigration Law: The Role of State and Local Law Enforcement," Congressional Research Service, RL32270, 11/14/06)

A November 2003 Resolution Passed In Brewster, Massachusetts Forbids Town Officials From "Enforcing Immigration Matters."
(Town Resolution, http://www.bordc.org/detail.php?id=197, accessed 10/1/07)

ROMNEY'S RHETORIC AND RECORD

RHETORIC At A Recent Presidential Debate, Romney Claimed That He Fought Sanctuary Cities By Having His State Troopers "Enforce The Law." "In my case, as soon as I learned about a program in the department of ICE that we could have our state police authorized to enforce the law, I did just that so that in sanctuary cities in our state -- and nonsanctuary cities -- the law would be enforced." (Mitt Romney, GOP Presidential Debate, Durham, NH, 9/7/07)

RECORD In Reality, Romney Did Not Seek To Do This Until June Of 2006. "Gov. Mitt Romney is seeking an agreement with federal authorities that would give Massachusetts state troopers expanded powers to arrest undocumented immigrants for immigration violations. The Republican governor has instructed legal counsel to contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement to begin the process that would give state police a way of 'finding and detaining illegal aliens in the course of ordinary business,' Romney said." ("Mass. State Troopers May Soon Arrest Undocumented Immigrants," Associated Press State & Local Wire, 6/21/06)

And Massachusetts State Police Weren't Actually Allowed To Enforce Immigration Laws Until December 13, 2006, With Nineteen Days Left In Romney's Term.
"Governor Mitt Romney signed a controversial agreement yesterday with federal authorities that will allow specially trained Massachusetts State troopers to arrest suspected illegal immigrants and charge them with violating US immigration laws." (Jonathan Saltzman, "Romney Ok's Pact So Troopers Can Arrest Illegal Immigrants," Boston Globe, 12/14/06)

###

FRED THOMPSON: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON HUCKABEE's IMMIGRATION CLAIMS

Supported amnesty bill at the federal level.
Supported President Bush's immigration plan and claimed that opposition to Bush's proposal was driven by "racism or nativism" and that it wasn't amnesty. (Ralph Hallow, "Huckabee 'Serious' About Presidency," Washington Times, 5/17/06)

Championed an effort to give illegal immigrants taxpayer-funded college scholarships and in-state tuition.
Championed an effort in Arkansas to give in-state tuition at state colleges and taxpayer-funded scholarships to illegal immigrants, similar to the DREAM Act proposal at the federal level. (Laura Kellams, "Senators research U.S. law on aliens," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/27/05)

Led an effort in opposition to increased citizenship verification procedures for voting and public benefits and called the legislation "race-baiting".
When Republican state senators in Arkansas proposed legislation modeled after Arizona's Proposition 200 [to require proof of citizenship for voting and public benefits], "Huckabee described it as 'inflammatory ... race-baiting ... demagoguery.' He said the bill, which seeks to forbid public assistance and voting rights to illegal immigrants, 'inflames those who are racist and bigots and makes them think there's a real problem. But there's not.'" ("Governor says anti-illega ls measure could scare off companies like Toyota," Associated Press, 2/3/05)

Opposed a raid on an Arkansas employer that utilized illegal immigrants.
Opposed a raid on illegal immigrants in an Arkansas poultry plant even though calls to his office were "about 1,000 to one" against his stance. (Melissa Nelson, "Huckabee Risks Political Fortunes To Denounce Immigration Raid," Associated Press, 8/5/05)

Championed the effort to open a Mexican Consulate in Arkansas to issue identification cards to legal and illegal residents.
Helped lead the effort to open a Mexican Consulate in Little Rock to issue Matricula Consular cards to Mexicans living in the U.S. (including those in the U.S. illegally). Many banks, including some in Arkansas, accept the card as a valid form of identification. (Jon Gambrell, "Ark. Candidates Criticize Mexican Matricula Cards," AP, 10/18/06)

###
HUCKABEE'S CLAIM ON HIS RECORD ON IMMIGRATION:


His plan to give illegal in-state tuition was for illegal immigrants who had been in Arkansas public schools for many years.

· Huckabee: "If you're an A student from 5 or 6, you're an exceptional student..."



FRED THOMPSON: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Reality: There was a three year requirement to receive in-state tuition.


"Any tuition rate that is granted to residents of Arkansas shall be granted on the same terms to all persons, regardless of immigration status, who have attended a secondary educational institution in Arkansas for at least three (3) years and who have either graduated from an Arkansas high school or received a general education diploma in the state."

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1525.pdf

###

GIULIANI VS GIULIANI ON
NO NEW TAX PLEDGES


Tonight: Giuliani said he would PLEDGE not to raise taxes.


HOWEVER

In September 2007, Giuliani Said His Record As Mayor Shows He Doesn't Need To Sign A Pledge Not To Raise Taxes And He CitedThe Constitution As The Only Pledge A President Should Take.

"It's a matter of principle. I think if you're president of the United States, you take one pledge: to uphold the Constitution of the United States. It is my intention to lower taxes. I have without any doubt of all the people running for president the strongest record of lowering taxes. I did it 23 times in a city that never lowered a tax before. Well over $9 billion. I lowered the personal income tax 25 percent, and I was collecting 40 percent more in revenues from the lower tax than the higher tax. I made supply-side economics work in a city that didn't understand it. And I ended up having a very positive impact on the economy of the city as the result of that. I lowered 23 different taxes in a city that had a city council with 45 Democrats and six Republicans. So my record is very, very strong as a tax cutter. But I only think a man running or a woman running for president should take one pledge, and that is to uphold the Con stitution of the United States." (Rudy Giuliani, GOP Presidential Debate, Durham, NH, 9/5/07)


###

MITT, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ABORTION

Yes, Romney has flipped on abortion, and we all know he says he's changed his mind

The problem is, he also says he has changed his mind on:

GAY RIGHTS
EMPLOYMENT NONDISCRIMINATION ACT
IMMIGRATION
2nd AMENDMENT
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
THE REAGAN LEGACY
BUSH TAX CUTS
GLOBAL WARMING
(And that's just a PARTIAL list)

Mitt, what do you really believe? And what will you believe tomorrow?
###


HUCKABEE'S CLAIM TONIGHT ON HIS TAX RECORD:

"I cut taxes 90 times"
FRED THOMPSON: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Increased Taxes 21 Times. Huckabee increased taxes 21 times, increasing tax revenue by almost $890 million. (Daniel Nasaw, "10-Year Record On Taxes Studied," Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/9/07)

The net tax increase under Huckabee was $505 million, adjusted for inflation and economic growth. (Daniel Nasaw, "10-Year Record On Taxes Studied," Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/9/07)
2003 Video of Huckabee begging the Legislature to send him a tax increase: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pLOC4krZI4
Transcript: "Again let me state what I've said privately as well as publicly.... I want to get it on the record again. There is a lot of support for a tax at the wholesale level for tobacco. That's fine with me. I will very happily sign that... Some have suggested the retail level of tobacco. If that ends up being your preference, I will accept that. Others have suggested a surcharge on the income tax. That's acceptable. I'm fine with that. Others have suggested perhaps a sales tax.. That's fine. Yet others have suggested a hybrid that would collect some moneys from any one or combination of those various ideas. If that's the plan that the H ouse and Senate agree upon, then you will have nothing but my profound thanks.''

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ROMNEY AND GAY RIGHTS

In 1994, Mitt Romney Ran To The Left Of Ted Kennedy On Gay Marriage

Romney Sent A Letter To Log Cabin Republicans In 1994 Saying He Would Go Further Than Kennedy On Gay Right Issues. (Micahael Luo, "Romney's Tone On Gay Rights Is Seen As Shift," New York Times, 9/8/07)

In The Same 1994 Letter, Romney Promised "More Effective Leadership Than My Opponent" On Gay Rights Issues. (Don Aucoin, "Gays Split In Governor's Race," The Boston Globe, 10/17/94)

1994, Romney Supported Passage Of A Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. (Josh Gerstein, "Victory On The Hill Within Reach For Gay Community," New York Sun, 11/28/06)

When Romney ran for Senate in 1994, he argued that only he had the credibility to effectively argue for causes on behalf of the gay community. (Christopher Muther, "Romney: I'll Be Better Than Ted For Gay Rights," Bay Windows, 8/25/94)

And Also In 2002

Romney Campaign Flyer

http://www.fred08.com/Virtual/Media/Romney_Flier_Pride_Weekend.gif

Paid for by Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

HILLARY'S GLASS HOUSE

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Criticized Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) For Connections To Controversial PAC Activity:

"Hillary Rodham Clinton Yesterday Accused Barack Obama Of Possible Federal Campaign Finance Violations After The Illinois Senator Steered $176,000 From His Pet Political Action Committee Into The Key Primary States Of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada And South Carolina." (Glenn Thrush, "Clinton: Obama Campaign Misused PAC Funds," [New York] Newsday, 11/27/07)

Clinton Campaign: "[I]t was surprising to learn that he [Obama] has been using his PAC in a manner that appears to be inconsistent with the prevailing election laws." (Matthew Mosk, "Clinton Critiques Obama PAC," The Washington Post's "The Trail" Blog, www.washingtonpost.com, 11/26/07)

Earlier This Year, The FEC Passed "Third Largest Fine" In History Against Group With Ties To Hillary's Campaign:

FEC Fined America Coming Together, An Influential Liberal PAC, $775,000 For Violating Campaign Finance Laws In 2004. "The Federal Election Commission has fined one of the last cycle's biggest liberal political action committees $775,000 for using unregulated soft money to boost John Kerry and other Democratic candidates during the 2004 elections. America Coming Together (ACT) raised $137 million for its get-out-the-vote effort in 2004, but the FEC found most of that cash came through contributions that violated federal limits." (Kenneth P. Vogel, "Soros-Linked Group Hit With Huge Fine," The Politico, 8/29/07)



"The Penalty ... Is The Third Largest Fine Ever Levied By The FEC." ("FEC Fines Political Group From 2004 Race," The Associated Press, 8/29/07)

Longtime Clinton Adviser, Harold Ickes, Was Chief Of Staff For America Coming Together During 2004 Campaign Cycle. "Ickes, the chief of staff of ACT and former director of The Media Fund, is a member of the executive committee of the Democratic National Committee." (James V. Grimaldi and Thomas B. Edsall, "Super Rich Step Into Political Vacuum," The Washington Post, 10/17/04)

Ickes Is Now Volunteering As "Adviser To The Campaign Manager" On Hillary's Presidential Campaign. "The Clintons are back on war footing, and Harold Ickes is back at the center of things. Ickes is technically a volunteer for the campaign known as Hillary for President. His title, carefully chosen in a world with intricate internal politics, is 'Adviser to the Campaign Manager.'" (Ben Smith, "Hillary's Hammer Returns," The Politico, 4/18/07)

"A Deputy Chief Of Staff In The Clinton White House Who Once Worked For Ex-Mayor David Dinkins, Ickes Joined Clinton's First Senate Race, And Remains Crucial To Her Operations." ("Hillary's Team," [New York] Daily News, 1/21/07)

And Last Week, The FEC Also Fined The Media Fund, Another Ickes-Run Group, For Illegal Advertisements In The 2004 Election:

The FEC Fined Media Fund $580,000 For Illegal Advertisements In 2004. "A union-financed advocacy group that played a major role in the 2004 elections has agreed to pay a $580,000 fine after the Federal Election Commission concluded it illegally ran advertising against President Bush and in favor of Democrat John Kerry. In an agreement announced Monday, the FEC said the now inactive Media Fund spent $53.4 million during the contest on television, radio and newspaper ads and direct mail that made reference to Bush or Kerry." (Jim Kuhnhenn, "FEC Fines Group Allied With Democrats," The Associated Press, 11/19/07)

"[T]he Media Fund ... [Is] A George Soros-Funded Group Run By Clinton Political Guru Harold Ickes." (Ian Bishop, "Hill's $5m Ad-Vantage," New York Post, 10/20/06)

A Product Of The RNC Research Department

Monday, November 26, 2007

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Press Office


Monday, November 26, 2007


ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced a new television ad to run statewide in New Hampshire. The new ad highlights John McCain's record of standing up to corrupting special interests, leadership in working to eliminate wasteful and irresponsible earmark spending, and judgment to call for a new strategy in Iraq over four years ago. General election polling shows John McCain is the only candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton or any other Democratic nominee and his record of leadership on the critical issues differentiates him from the field. The sixty and thirty second versions of the ad are entitled "Love America Enough.”



VIEW THE NEW ADS HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/tvads/



Script for "Love America Enough" (:60-TV)



JOHN MCCAIN: “Since I’ve been in Washington, I’ve made a lot of people angry.



“I made defense contractors angry when I blew the whistle on a $30 billion dollar boondoggle and the culprits were sent to jail.



“I upset the special interests and Washington lobbyists when I passed campaign finance reform.



“I made the Pentagon angry when I criticized Rumsfeld’s Iraq strategy, and I upset the media when I supported the strategy that’s now succeeding.



“I angered the big spenders in Congress when I called for earmark and spending reform. No more 233 million dollar bridges to nowhere or 74 million for peanut storage in a defense spending bill.



“I didn’t go to Washington to win the Mr. Congeniality award.



“I went to Washington to serve my country.



“I might not like the business as usual crowd in Washington. But I love America. I love her enough to make some people angry.



“I’m John McCain and I approve this message.”

OPRAH WINFREY TO TOUR EARLY STATES WITH BARACK OBAMA

CHICAGO, IL – The Obama for America campaign today announced that Oprah Winfrey will join Barack Obama for a tour through three early voting states on December 8th and 9th. Winfrey and Obama will hold two events in Iowa, one in South Carolina, and one in New Hampshire. All events will be free and open to the public.

TOUR SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY DECEMBER 8TH
DES MOINES, IA
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH
COLUMBIA, SC
MANCHESTER, NH

Locations and times for the events will be announced in the coming days. Those interested in attending can sign up online today to ensure that they receive the event details when they are announced.

Links below:

http://iowa.barackobama.com/oprah_dm
http://iowa.barackobama.com/oprah_cr
http://sc.barackobama.com/oprah_sc
http://nh.barackobama.com/oprah_nh

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 26, 2007

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Richardson: "Honoring picket line is more important than debate"

For Immediate Release
November 21, 2007
Contact: Tom Reynolds


SANTA FE, NM-- New Mexico Governor and Presidential candidate Bill Richardson today released the following statement on the circumstances surrounding the upcoming debate in Los Angeles, California:

"I have long stood with labor. If the CBS writers are still on strike, I will not cross the picket line for the upcoming Presidential debate.

"Supporting workers' rights is more important than anything I will say at the debate."


Paid for by Richardson for President, Inc.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

THE BLAIR SWITCH PROJECT

Questions Remain Regarding Diane Blair's Report Previously Set For Release, Now Remaining In Library Lockdown Until 2009


Arkansas Democrat Gazette Notes The University Of Arkansas' Diane Blair Report On 1992 Clinton Campaign Includes An Extensive Collection Of Interviews And Research...Bill And Hillary Have Only Other Known Copy:

Diane Blair's Report Contains Research And Candid Interviews From Clinton's 1992 Presidential Campaign. "The Blair papers consist of more than 30 years' worth of records, research papers, news clippings, letters, photos, videotapes and audiotapes collected by Blair, a close friend of the Clintons who died of lung cancer on June 26, 2000. ... The collection also includes a series of 126 interviews that Blair conducted with Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign staff. They are dubbed the 'Blair Report.'" (Carolyne Park, "Blair Papers Not Ready For Release," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/16/07)

Hillary And Bill Resisted Diane Blair's Desire To Write A Book About The Campaign Based Off Her Report. "She put together two 'big bound volumes' with the transcribed interviews and a 30-page introduction. She hoped to write a book, but the Clintons resisted." (Carolyne Park, "Blair Papers Not Ready For Release," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/16/07)

The Clintons Have The Only Other Copy Of Blair's Report. "Blair gave one copy [of the two volume campaign history] to the Clintons and kept the other." (Carolyne Park, "Blair Papers Not Ready For Release," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/16/07)

SWITCH: The University Of Arkansas Claims Blair Report Won't Be Processed Until 2009, Despite Annual Reports Indicating Project Was "Nearing Completion" In 2005-2006:

"Last Month The University Of Arkansas Announced That The Blair Papers Would Not Be Made Public Until 2009." (Jake Tapper, "Clinton Papers Won't Be Released Until After Election," ABC News, 11/6/07)

Librarian Says Papers Are Not Processed. "Andrea Cantrell, the head of research services at the university library's Special Collections, told reporters that the Papers were not yet processed." (Jake Tapper, "Clinton Papers Won't Be Released Until After Election," ABC News, 11/6/07)

However, 2005-2006 Annual Report From Library Indicates That The Processing Of The Records Was "Nearing Completion." "In its 2005-2006 University Libraries annual report ... the University of Arkansas reported that the process was almost done. 'Archivists were hired to process both the Diane Blair Papers and the records of former third district Congressman Asa Hutchinson, and both collections are nearing completion.'" (Jake Tapper, "Clinton Papers Won't Be Released Until After Election," ABC News, 11/6/07)

Also, In 2006, The University Of Arkansas Library Implied That The Diane Blair Project Was Complete. "[T]he University Of Arkansas Library Newsletter ... in 2006, implied the job has been completed, describing [archivist Kerry] Jones as having 'previously processed the papers of the late Diane Blair.'" (Jake Tapper, "Clinton Papers Won't Be Released Until After Election," ABC News, 11/6/07)

SWITCH: One Part-Time Person Now Working On Project; Previously At Least One Archivist And Two Student Assistants Worked On Processing Documents:

"One Part-Time Person Is Now Assigned To The [Blair Report] Task." (Andrew Malcolm, "Clinton Secrecy III: More Documents Hidden Through Election," Los Angeles Times' "Top Of The Ticket" Blog, www.latimes.com, 11/12/07)

In 2005, Kerry Jones Was Appointed As The "Diane Blair Papers Archivist." (University Of Arkansas Library Newsletter, "Books And Letters," libinfo.uark.edu, Volume 20, Number 2, 2006)

Then In 2006, The University Of Arkansas Library Newsletter Mentions Jones Archiving Papers Of Former Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, And Refers To His Work On The Blair Papers In The Past Tense. "[K]erry Jones ... previously processed the papers of the late Diane Blair..." (University Of Arkansas Library Newsletter, "Books And Letters," libinfo.uark.edu, Volume 20, Number 2, 2006)

2005 Library Newsletter Notes Two Student Assistants Worked On Diane Blair Collection. "Visitors to the Library's Special Collections Department might notice two students working diligently processing the papers of the late Professor Diane Blair. These students are the first two Diane Blair Interns appointed by the University Honors College in a collaborative venture with the University Libraries. Tom W. Dillard, head of the Special Collections Department, said the internship program is intended to give honors students the opportunity to gain useful experience working with original historical documents." (University Of Arkansas Library Newsletter, "Books And Letters," libinfo.uark.edu, Volume 19, Number 2, 2005, Page 2)

One Intern Said Collection "Will Be A Great Resource To Those Who Want To Study Women's Issues, State Politics, Or Bill And Hillary Clinton." "The first two interns are Lindley Carruth Shedd and David Prater, both history majors. Lindley commented that she finds her work in the Blair papers fascinating, and she believes the Blair collection "will be a great resource to those who want to study women's issues, state politics, or Bill and Hillary Clinton." (University Of Arkansas Library Newsletter, "Books And Letters," libinfo.uark.edu, Volume 19, Number 2, 2005, Page 2)

NOTE: Tom Dillard, Head Of University Of Arkansas Special Collections, Served In Governor Clinton's Cabinet And Wrote A Letter To The American Spectator In 2004 Defending Bill And Hillary Clinton.

Tom W. Dillard Served In Governor Clinton's Cabinet And Wrote A Letter To The American Spectator In 2004 Defending Bill And Hillary Clinton. "'Love and Hate in Arkansas,' by Daniel Wattenberg, published in the April-May issue of your magazine, is an insult to President Clinton, the state of Arkansas, and the American people. As the only Republican to serve in Governor Clinton's cabinet, I was not a blind ally of the governor ... However, the man portrayed by Wattenberg was not Bill Clinton--and certainly the woman he pictured as Hillary Clinton is not the Hillary I know. I have been in many meetings with the Governor as well and Mrs. Clinton, and I never saw either of them behave in a manner other than what is considered appropriate. ... Bill Clinton is not a perfect man, and I'm sure their marriage leaves something to be desired. However, your portrayal is beyond being believable..." ("Correspondence," The American Spectator, 7/94)


A Product Of The RNC Research Department

Thursday, November 15, 2007

“PLANTS FOR HILLARY” TAKES ROOT TODAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2007

CONTACT:
Colleen Murray

New web site, PlantsforHillary.com, bears fruit – showcases “Politics of Planting” video, testimonials from Hillary plants, “Top 10 Questions Plants Should Never Ask Hillary,” and “Plants for Hillary” merchandise

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, the Edwards campaign unveiled a new grassroots web site – PlantsforHillary.com. The new site will offer a one-stop shop for all Americans interested in growing the Hillary plant movement.

As part of the PlantsforHillary.com web site, potential plants can listen to testimonials from past plants, read the “Top 10 Questions Plants Should Never Ask Hillary,” learn how to recognize other plants at Senator Clinton’s events, submit suggestions for planted questions, and purchase the soon to be released “Questions are hard...so plant them” t-shirt.

The site also features a new YouTube video - “Politics of Planting” - which highlights Senator Clinton’s evolution from parsing answers to answering planted questions.

-30-


Paid for by John Edwards for President.

Apparently Kerik-Gate Has Taught Them Nothing. . .Loyalty Trumps All in Giuliani Circle

The Daily Flipper

Read what the Republicans Wish You Wouldn’t …

November 15, 2007

TOP HEADLINE: Apparently Kerik-Gate Has Taught Them Nothing. . .Loyalty Trumps All in Giuliani Circle

In the Giuliani Kingdom, Carbonetti, 38, may be the key player, but it is a monarchy fortified by numerous other devoted courtiers and confidants who share one thing in common: intense loyalty, dating back years, even before Giuliani served as mayor of New York from 1994 to 2001.

They are barely known outside of New York and are, like Carbonetti, not on the campaign's payroll. But they have the candidate's ear and have been pressed into service as surrogates, mega-fundraisers and advisers. They are neither ideologues nor policy wonks, but part of an eclectic tableau of Giuliani's life and career.

Some held powerful jobs in city government and were mocked in New York political circles as the "YesRudys." They couldn't care less.

Their connection to him is anchored in the premise that mutual loyalty and longtime ties trump all else. Giuliani has performed their weddings and been the first to greet their babies at the hospital. They stood in for him at funerals in the horrific days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

In the former New York mayor's best-selling memoir "Leadership," he devotes an entire 24-page chapter to the topic of loyalty. It is called "The Vital Virtue."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402367.html

Giuliani Can Win In Blue States! That Is, If His Friends Can Rig the Election. . .

California Democrats mobilized against the initiative, arguing the entire affair is a backdoor effort by Giuliani supporters to improve their candidate’s chances of winning.

Giuliani, a former New York City mayor whose comparatively moderate social stances seem well-suited for California, has said he likes the idea behind the Electoral College initiative. But his campaign stresses that he’s not pushing it. Any Giuliani supporters backing the initiatives are acting independently, said his spokeswoman Maria Comella.

Paul Singer, a New York-based Giuliani policy adviser and fundraiser, donated $175,000 to underwrite early signature gathering for the Electoral College initiative. And Anne Dunsmore, formerly a deputy campaign manager for Giuliani, now works for a group backing the initiative, California Counts — Make Your Vote Count! Another leading backer of the initiative e-mailed Giuliani’s supporters, soliciting signatures to qualify it for the ballot.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6901.html

Abandon Ship! Top Romney Fundraiser Calls it Quits

One of Mitt Romney’s top financial aides is stepping down just seven weeks before the voting begins, but the campaign says Ben Godley will continue in an advisory capacity and never made more than a one-year commitment to the Republican contender.

Godley previously handled personnel matters when Romney was governor of Massachusetts. In April 2006, he became one of his first staffers to leave state service for the Commonwealth PAC, the political action committee Romney used to fund his political activities before creating his presidential committee in January.

Godley has since worked beside Spencer Zwick, another former State House aide who now serves as the Romney committee’s national finance director.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1044804

Romney A Little Bit Country? Are the Osmonds On the Mitt Bandwagon?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2007/11/14/lkl.osmonds.on.romney.cnn

Now and Then: Mitt Romney’s Evolution on Immigration

As a presidential candidate, Mitt Romney has made a big political issue out of his opposition to illegal immigration, lambasting Democratic and Republican rivals alike for failing to crack down on the phenomenon. He has accused Rudy Giuliani of allowing New York to become a "sanctuary city." Yesterday, he denounced Hillary Clinton as an "open border Democrat." But his own record as governor of Massachusetts in cracking down on illegals was patchy. Do we detect a whiff of hypocrisy here?

"Sanctuary cities" are certainly on Romney's mind these days. But he did not take any action to penalize towns in Massachusetts that adopted "sanctuary" policies toward illegal immigrants while he was governor. At least half a dozen Massachusetts communities, including Brookline, Somerville, and Cambridge, adopted resolutions encouraging illegal immigrants to make use of city services and report crimes to the police.

"We never heard from him on this issue," the mayor of Somerville, Joseph Curtatone, told me yesterday, when I called him to check up on what Romney had actually done against "sanctuary cities" as governor. "I never heard him talk about 'sanctuary cities,' until now. As far as I know, he never took a position on this."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/11/mitt_warns_illegal_immigrants_1.html

Mitt Romney’s All-Over-The-Map Policy Positions Could Cost Him at the Polls

His second problem is his shift on social policy.

Once he was pro-choice, now he's anti-abortion. In 1994, while running for Massachusetts senator, he wrote an association representing gay Republicans.

"If we are to achieve the goals we share," he told Log Cabin Republicans, "we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern. My opponent cannot do this. I can and will."

His opponent was Edward Kennedy. It prompted Fred Thompson to quip during a recent Republican debate: "Actually, Mitt, I didn't know there was any room to the left of Ted Kennedy."

Today Mr. Romney claims to represent "the Republican wing of the Republican Party," espousing a conservatism purer, he maintains, than any of his major rivals.

His answers to questions about his flip-flops have a disingenuous ring. For example, when asked during an interview on NBC about his switch on gay rights, Mr. Romney replied: "At that time, people weren't talking about gay marriage and civil unions. So I've always opposed gay marriage. But at the same time, I don't discriminate against people."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071115.wxmitt15/BNStory/International/home/?pageRequested=all

Chalk Off Another One. . . Romney Flips Adoption Stance

Mitt Romney made adoption promotion a part of his presidential campaign last week with a stop at a South Carolina adoption clinic and a speech announcing his proposal to make tax credits for adoption permanent.

Adoption advocates in Massachusetts were stunned to hear their former governor raise the issue. “I couldn’t believe he was talking about adoption,” said Charles Glick, a lobbyist who has worked with the adoption community.

Amy Cohen, a social worker and the head of the Adoption Professional Association of Massachusetts, agreed. “I would not believe him when he says that he cares about adoption, given his behavior. And I think behavior speaks louder than words.”

The behavior: As governor, Romney pocket-vetoed two significant pieces of legislation highly popular with adoption advocates. His term expired earlier this year and he left the bills unsigned on his desk.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6911.html

Thompson’s Solution For Iraq? Spend More Money!!

Why did Iraq go wrong?

Why is Afghanistan going wrong?

"Our military is simply too small."

So says former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who is running hard to displace former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the Dr. Strangelove of 2008 Republican presidential race.

NOTE: The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have already cost American taxpayers 20K per family:

Democratic Party members say the bill for the wars stands at about $US20,000 for each American family.

The Republican Party is yet to respond to the figures, but the chairman of the joint economic committee of Congress, Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer, says the costs are a big burden for families.

"The cost of the war is becoming the $800 billion gorilla in the room when it comes to opposition to the war," he said.

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/14/2090016.htm?section=justin

Giuliani Finds Another Place He Isn’t Welcome In Iowa. . .

After speaking briefly at a restaurant, Giuliani walked outside and decided to see the neighborhood. So he took a peek next door at a

local business and decided to poke his head in, as he does sometimes on the trail. Apparently, he didn't know that Curves is a gym for women.

He saw one woman in a sweatsuit on an aerobic machine, said hello and quickly walked out to his waiting car.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/14/467129.aspx

They Really Want to Keep This Story Going? McCain Camp Goes After CNN For Covering Supporter Calling Clinton, Well, You Know. . .

The camp of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) hoped to capitalize Wednesday on what it says was a biased report on CNN about a campaign event at which a McCain supporter referred to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as “the bitch.”

Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager, said in an e-mail to supporters that CNN owes the Arizona Republican an apology for its reporting of the story.

The campaign laments that CNN portrayed the event as though McCain did not defend Clinton forcefully enough. The senator, in the short video clip, expressed his respect for the former first lady.

“The CNN Network, affectionately known as the Clinton News Network, has stooped to an all-time low and is gratuitously attacking John McCain for not sufficiently defending Hillary Clinton enough when a South Carolina voter used the 'B' word to describe her when John McCain stopped into a luncheon yesterday at the Trinity restaurant in Hilton Head, S.C.,” Davis said in his e-mail.

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-camp-goes-after-cnn-2007-11-14.html

Fred Thompson Not The 100% Pro-Lifer You Knew and Loved

It is interesting that the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) has chosen to endorse Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson, a man who once offered legal advice to a pro-choice group, voted against key pro-life issues in the Senate and now espouses convoluted reasons for rejecting constitutional protection of the unborn.

In 1991, Mr. Thompson served as the White House liaison for the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, a pro-choice group that lobbied former President George H.W. Bush to overturn a ban put in place by the Reagan administration preventing the government from funding family planning clinics providing abortion information.

Mr. Thompson, who was a lobbyist working at a prominent Washington law firm, voluntarily agreed to take the case.

Recently, Mr. Thompson refused to support a constitutional amendment that would protect innocent life by restricting the availability of abortions. The sanctity-of-life amendment was a core plank in the Republican Party's 2004 election platform, and yet Mr. Thompson said he could not support it, saying his objection stems from his federalist views.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071115/EDITORIAL/111150008/1013

The Daily Flipper is distributed by the DNC Research Department.

Hillary In The Headlights

From New York Post

Editorial
November 15, 2007

Hillary Clinton certainly knows how to read the polls - especially ones showing overwhelming public opposition to Gov. Spitzer's now-aborted plan to let illegal aliens get driver's licenses. ...

But that's not what she's been saying.

In fact, it comes just two weeks after her campaign declared that "Sen. Clinton supports governors like Gov. Spitzer who believe they need such a measure to deal with the crisis caused by this administration's failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform." ...

In fact, it has never been all that easy, given her public statements, to figure out exactly where Clinton stood on this contentious issue. ...

Not until the last Democratic debate, on Oct. 30, was she forced to speak to the issue directly. And when she did, she gave several different answers - each more confusing than the last. ...

[H]illary responded the best way she knows how: by accusing her rivals - and debate moderator Tim Russert - of "piling on" against her because she's a woman. ...

Not until Eliot Spitzer pulled the plug yesterday was Hillary ready to say what she really thought - yesterday, anyway.

So, let us be clear, even if the senator can't be: Hillary Clinton lacks principles. ...

[W]hen things don't go according to the neat little script that Team Clinton has crafted for this campaign, watch out - the candidate simply unravels. ...

If Hillary Clinton can't even cope with a relatively simple challenge - answering a tough question at a campaign debate without panicking and losing her cool - how on earth does she hope to deal with people like Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and North Korea's Kim Jong-Il?

Accusing Iran of leading a global pile-on against her sure won't solve the problem.

To View The Entire Article, Please Visit: http://www.nypost.com/seven/11152007/postopinion/editorials/hillary_in_the_headlights_542916.htm

A Product Of The RNC Research Department

VEGAS DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT: W2W4

A Quick Guide On "What 2 Watch 4" As Democrat Candidates Gather To Debate By Dodging Issues And Their Records

Will Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Continue Dodging Questions During The Debate?

During The Last Democrat Debate, Hillary Continued A Strategy Of "Avoiding Direct Answers To Questions."
"[S]he continued her strategy of avoiding direct answers to questions: She wouldn't say how she would address Social Security; she declined to pledge whether she would stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon..." (Nedra Pickler, "Clinton Gets No Love In Democrats Debate," The Associated Press, 10/31/07)

When Asked About The Clinton Library Lockdown, Hillary Responded That It Was Not Her "Decision." NBC's Tim Russert: "But there was a letter written by President Clinton specifically asking that any communication between you and the president not be made available to the public until 2012. Would you lift that ban?" Hillary: "Well, that's not my decision to make ..." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Philadelphia, PA, 10/30/07)

"In An Exchange Sure To Inflame Clinton Critics, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton Side-Stepped A Question Over Whether She Would Approve The Release Of Presidential Papers Related To Her Role In The White House During Her Husband's Presidency." (Susan Davis, "Clinton Papers At Issue," The Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" Blog, blogs.wsj.com, 10/30/07)

Click Here To Ask Hillary To Unlock The Library

Hillary Dodged A Question On Social Security, Claiming She Didn't Have Two Positions And Dismissed Her Suggestion To An Iowa Voter Of Lifting The Income Cap For Social Security Taxes. Hillary: "Well, Tim, I don't. I have said consistently that my plan for Social Security is fiscal responsibility first ... Russert: "But you did raise it [lifting the tax cap] as a possibility with Tod Bowman?" Hillary: "Well, but everybody knows what the possibilities are, Tim. Everybody knows that. But I do not advocate it. I do not support it. I have laid out what I do believe, and I am going to continue to emphasize that." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Candida te Debate, Philadelphia, PA, 10/30/07)

Hillary Would Not Commit To A Specific Plan Dealing With The Alternative Minimum Tax. "Rangel has suggested repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax, which has proved a burden to some middle-class Americans, and imposing a 4% surtax on individuals earning more than $150,000 a year or families making more than $200,000. Clinton said she agreed with Rangel's goal but did not like 'all the details' and declined to commit to a specific approach." (Mark Z. Barabak and Peter Nicholas, "In Debate, Rivals Say Clinton Is Too Divisive," Los Angeles Times, 10/31/07)

"Clinton Also Wavered When Asked If She Backs A Plan Put Forward By One Of Her Chief Supporters, Rep. Charles Rangel Of New York." (Mark Z. Barabak and Peter Nicholas, "In Debate, Rivals Say Clinton Is Too Divisive," Los Angeles Times, 10/31/07)

Will Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Dodge The Issues Like He Did In The Illinois State Senate?

On An Abortion Bill In The Illinois State Senate, Obama Voted "Present" So As Not To "Look Insensitive And Endanger [His] Re-Election." "Obama said he sought compromise with abortion opponents, but they balked. As a fallback, he said he worked out an arrangement with abortion-rights advocates to encourage Democrats to vote 'present' on some bills if they feared a 'no' would look insensitive and endanger their re-election." (Rick Pearson and Ray Long, "Careful Steps, Looking Ahead," Chicago Tribune, 5/3/07)

In 1997, Obama Voted "Present" On Legislation Banning Partial Birth Abortions That Contained An Exception For The Life Of The Mother And A Provision Prohibiting Prosecution Of The Mother. (David A. Joens and Paul Kleppner, Almanac Of Illinois Politics - 1998, p. 81)

"We Aren't Talking About A 'Present' Vote On Whether To Name A State Office Building After A Deceased State Official, But Rather About Votes That Reflect An Officeholder's Core Values." (Nathan Gonzales, Op-Ed, "The Ever-'Present' Obama," The Rothenberg Political Report, 2/13/07)

In 1999, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill Requiring Mandatory Adult Prosecution For Aggravated Discharge Of Firearms On Or Near School Property. (S.B. 759: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed 52-1-5, 3/25/99, Obama Voted Present)

In 1999, Obama Was The Only Senator Who Voted "Present" On Legislation To Protect The Privacy Of Sex-Abuse Victims By Allowing Petitions To Have The Trial Records Sealed. (H.B. 854: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed 58-0-1, 5/11/99, Obama Voted Present)

In 2001, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill Restricting "Adult" Establishments Near Schools, Churches, And Homes. In 2001, Obama refused to support a bill restricting "adult use" establishments by prohibiting locations of such establishments within 1000 feet of schools, parks, places of worship, preschools, day cares and other residential areas. (S.B. 609: Senate Floor Third Reading, Failed 33-15-5, 3/29/01, Obama Voted Present)

Will Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) Dodge His Record Of Sticking It To The "Average Joe"?

Edwards Promises To Raise Taxes By $120 Billion For Health Care. NBC's Tim Russert: "Would you be willing to raise taxes in order to help pay for this?" Former Sen. Edwards: "Yes. We'll have to raise taxes. The only way you can pay for a health care plan ... that costs anywhere from $90 billion to $120 billion is there has to be revenue source." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 2/4/07)

Edwards Sees Clinton-Era Tax Levels As A "Floor, Not A Ceiling" For His Tax Hikes. "[J]ohn Edwards said ... raising taxes for higher-income families back to their levels under the Clinton administration is a floor, not a ceiling, and he would consider even higher tax increases. 'What I believe is the starting place is to go back to the Clinton levels,' Mr. Edwards told reporters ..." (Stephen Dinan, "Edwards Pitches Clinton-Era Taxes," The Washington Times, 4/30/07)

Even Former President Clinton Admitted His Tax Increase Was "Too Much." Clinton: "Probably there are people in this room still mad at me at that budget because you think I raised your taxes too much. It might surprise you to know I think I raised them too much too." (Nancy Gibbs, et al., "Stomping On Principle," Time, 10/30/95)

Edwards Made Nearly Half A Million At Fortress Investment Group, Which Was Involved In The Subprime Lending Business. "[D]espite the fact he denounces 'predatory lending' and sub-prime mortgages for the poor, Edwards made nearly $500,000 as a consultant to a hedge fund involved in that business. The former senator defended his gig on the grounds that he took the job to learn how financial markets relate to poverty. This is a bit like saying you frequent brothels so you can learn where babies come from." (Jonah Goldberg, Op-Ed, "John Edwards' Poor Scam," Los Angeles Times, 5/29/07)

Fortress Also Owns Subprime-Lending Units That Have Brought At Least 34 Foreclosure Suits On New Orleans Home Owners. "The Wall Street Journal has identified 34 New Orleans homes whose owners have faced foreclosure suits from subprime-lending units of Fortress Investment Group LLC. Mr. Edwards has about $16 million invested in Fortress funds, according to a campaign aide who confirmed a more general Federal Election Commission report. Mr. Edwards worked for Fortress, a publicly held private-equity fund, from late 2005 through 2006." (Christopher Cooper, "Edwards, Foreclosure Critic, Has Investing Tie To Subprime Lenders," The Wall Street Journal, 8/17/07)

A Product Of The RNC Research Department

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Actor/Activist Tony Plana to Serve as National Mi Familia con Richardson Spokesperson

Richardson announces national co-chairs and staff;
Mi Familia program beats goal of 100 chapters in 100 days

For Immediate Release
November 14, 2007
Contact: Tom Reynolds

FRESNO, CA-- The Richardson for President campaign today announced that actor/activist Tony Plana, a star of ABC's hit show "Ugly Betty," will serve as the National Spokesperson for Mi Familia con Richardson, the campaign's grassroots Latino outreach program.

To learn more about Mi Familia con Bill Richardson, click here.

"Tony Plana not only is a brilliant actor, he also is an activist committed to serving the Latino community and working to improve the lives of every American," Governor Richardson said. "I often have said that this election will not be decided by which candidate is the biggest rock star. However, I never said anything about TV stars. I am proud to have Tony on my team to help lead this critically important outreach effort.”

Plana is one of the many leading Latino activists who have joined Mi Familia con Richardson. Grassroots leaders, community activists, and concerned citizens all are getting involved in this growing outreach program.

"Bill Richardson has spent his career in public service bringing people together to make life better for everyone," Plana said. "I am privileged to be a part of his campaign and to help him reach out to Latinos across the United States. I am excited that a Latino is running for the White House, but more importantly, I am excited that Bill Richardson has a vision for a better America and the experience to make that vision a reality."

The Richardson campaign also announced that the Mi Familia program has surpassed its goal of creating 100 chapters in 100 days.

"We are thrilled that the response to the Mi Familia program has been overwhelming, beyond our most optimistic expectations," Mi Familia National Director John Gomez said. "We are proud that Latinos across the country are joining the movement to elect Bill Richardson as the next President of the United States."

The Richardson for President campaign also announced the national and regional leadership of Mi Familia con Bill Richardson. Please find this information below:

TONY PLANA -- NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON

Tony Plana was educated at Loyola High School, Los Angeles, and Loyola Marymount University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree through the Honors Program in Literature and Theatre Arts, graduating magna cum laude. He received professional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.

Plana currently stars as Ignacio Suarez, the widowed father to America Ferrera's Ugly Betty, in ABC's landmark, groundbreaking hit series for which he received the 2006 Golden Satellite Award from the International Press Academy and an Alma Award nomination for the best supporting actor in a television comedy.

As an actor, Plana has starred in more than 70 feature films, including JFK, Nixon, Salvador, An Officer and a Gentleman, Lone Star, Three Amigos, Born in East L.A., El Norte, 187, Primal Fear, Romero, One Good Cop, Havana, The Rookie, Silver Strand and Picking Up the Pieces with Woody Allen. He recently appeared in the action thriller Half Past Dead with Steven Seagal, Morris Chestnut, and Ja Rule; The Lost City, with Andy Garcia, Bill Murray, and Dustin Hoffman; and Disney's highly acclaimed GOAL, The Dream Begins! His soon-to-be-released feature film projects include El Muerto, starring Wilmer Valderrama, Justified, Towards Darkness, and American East with Tony Shalhoub.

He has been married to actress Ada Maris for nineteen years and is the proud father of Alejandro and Isabel.

RICHARD HERNANDEZ -- CO-CHAIR

Rick Hernandez is the President and CEO of the Metec Group, a financial consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.

Hernandez served on the Senior White House Staff of President Carter and was Counselor to Vice President Al Gore for his Reinventing Government program. He also served as Chief of Operations at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Hernandez is the founder of the Mexican American Democrats of Texas and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Richardson for President campaign.

MIRIAM CRUZ -- CO-CHAIR

Miriam Cruz is the President of Cruz and Associates, an educational consulting firm servicing Hispanic universities and other educational institutions.

In 1996, she helped organize the National Hispanic Religious Partnership for Community Health. She was awarded the Medallion of Excellence by the Hispanic Congressional Caucus.

Cruz is a trustee of the National City Christian Church Foundation and a member of the Board of Higher Education of the Christian Church.

SUPERVISOR GLORIA MOLINA -- CO-CHAIR

In the 1970's, Gloria Molina served in the White House under President Carter and the San Francisco Department of Health and Human Services.

She was elected to the California State Assembly in 1982 and the Los Angeles City Council in 1987. On February 19, 1991, she became the first Latina ever elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

She was named as one of the Democratic Party's "10 Rising Stars" by TIME magazine in 1996. Molina served as one of four vice chairs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) through 2004.

JOHN GOMEZ -- NATIONAL MI FAMILIA DIRECTOR

John Gomez is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He has over fifteen years of grassroots political and operational expertise, most recently as Director of Operations and Hispanic Outreach for Jim Pederson's U.S. Senate race in Arizona. He also has served as Campaign Manager for Richardson for President Arizona Co-Chair and State Minority Whip Rep. Steve Gallardo's House and School Board races and has directed campaigns for FieldWorks, Inc., SEIU, and ACORN.

He has served on various boards and commissions for the City of Phoenix, including the Phoenix 2006 Bond Committee, GLBT Advisory Board, Hispanic Advisory Board, and the Village Planning and Zoning Commission.

Gomez has been very involved with the Arizona State Democratic Party as Precinct and State Committeeman and Vice Chair of Legislative District 10. Gomez also has served on the Executive Board for the Maricopa County Democratic Party as Sergeant-at-Arms.

DANIEL FIGUEROA III -- EASTERN STATES DIRECTOR

Daniel Figueroa currently is the Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera, Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus. He also is the former Executive Director of the New York State Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. Under Assemblyman Rivera's direction, Figueroa oversaw the development of a Hispanic legislative agenda for New York.

Figueroa has worked as a criminal defense attorney for the Bronx Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Division, prosecutor of disciplinary violations at the New York City Department of Sanitation, and Police Prosecutor for the New York Police Department.

Figueroa also has served as adjunct professor of Latin American History at Mercy College and has taught paralegal courses as part of the Bronx Community College Paralegal Program.

He also is the longest serving president of the Community Democratic Club in the Bronx and is a political operative with the Bronx Democratic County Committee and the New York State Democratic Committee.

FERNANDO ROMERO -- NEVADA HISPANIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Fernando Romero has a long history in Nevada politics. A graduate of UNLV, Romero has been volunteering and working on political campaigns for over 37 years, having first volunteered on Harry Reid's campaign for Lieutenant Governor.

Romero has directed two state agencies: the Nevada Equal Rights Commission and the Nevada Equal Employment Opportunity Office. He also has served as Manager of Government Relations for Mirage Resorts, Inc.

In past elections, Romero has served as a political consultant specializing in Hispanic affairs for U.S. Senators Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, Governor Bob Miller, and many others.

DIANA SALAZAR -- SOUTH CAROLINA HISPANIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Diana Salazar has been an activist in South Carolina for over 20 years. Most recently, Salazar organized the first immigration march in South Carolina history. Her office provides translation services for various legal entities, including the courts, and for various Latino community organizations. Diana has been an Administrative Assistant in the Legislative Delegation Office for eight Senators and thirteen House members in downtown Charleston and currently is the President of The Latino Association of Charleston.

JOSE ALEJANDRO URRUTIA -- NEW HAMPSHIRE HISPANIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Alejandro Urrutia has worked as a medical researcher and as the Community Outreach Director for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay. He currently is the director of a health and safety consulting firm.

ANNETTE TORRES -- IOWA HISPANIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Annette Torres has been a community activist for many years. She was a VISTA volunteer for AmeriCorps, providing leadership to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.

Torres has worked on campaigns in Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and Maryland. A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, she also sits on the Advisory Board for the Paseo del Norte Civil Rights Project in El Paso.

Hillary Calls 'Time Out'

From The Wall Street Journal

Editorial
November 14, 2007

Her fellow Democrats keep trying to pin Hillary Clinton down on the issues, but they seem only to be driving her to even greater feats of triangulation. Take the Senator's position on trade agreements, which she and her husband championed in the 1990s but which she has, well, you figure it out.

[T]he former first lady finally announced that she'd support the U.S.-Peru trade agreement... But then on Monday in Iowa, speaking to the United Auto Workers, she declared that if elected President she would call a "time out" on trade deals. ...

Mrs. Clinton is trying to have it several different ways, signaling to business that she remains open to trade deals, while telling labor that she's more protectionist than her husband. Her "time out" ploy is one more example of how she wants to disguise her real beliefs until she's elected.

To View The Entire Article, Please Visit: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010860

A Product Of The RNC Research Department

OBAMA UNVEILS INNOVATION AGENDA AT GOOGLE

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – At a town hall meeting today at Google headquarters, U.S. Senator Barack Obama will unveil an innovation agenda that will connect and empower Americans through technology. The comprehensive plan will ensure the full and free exchange of information by protecting the openness of the internet and encouraging diversity in media ownership, create a transparent and connected democracy by opening up government to its citizens, modernize our communications infrastructure, employ technology and information to take on the challenges facing America, and improve our nation’s competitiveness.

Excerpts from Obama’s prepared remarks are below:

“Together, we could open up government and invite citizens in, while connecting all of America to 21st century broadband. We could use technology to help achieve universal health care, to reach for a clean energy future, and to ensure that young Americans can compete – and win – in the global economy. If America recommits itself to science and innovation, we can lead the world to a new future of productivity and prosperity. That’s what we can do if we seize this moment."

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“I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality. Because once providers start to privilege some applications or web sites over others, then the smaller voices get squeezed out, and we all lose. The Internet is perhaps the most open network in history. We have to keep it that way.”

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“To seize this moment, we have to use technology to open up our democracy. It’s no coincidence that one of the most secretive Administrations in history has favored special interests and pursued policies that could not stand up to sunlight. As President, I’ll change that. I’ll put government data online in universally accessible formats. I’ll let citizens track federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and lobbyist contacts. I’ll let you participate in government forums, ask questions in real time, offer suggestions that will be reviewed before decisions are made, and let you comment on legislation before it is signed. And to ensure that every government agency is meeting 21st century standards, I’ll appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer.”

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“We need to make sure that the next success story – the next Google – happens here in America. The Google story is about what can be achieved when we cultivate new ideas and keep the playing field level for new businesses. But it’s also about not settling for what we’ve achieved. It’s about constantly raising the bar so that we’re more competitive, and so we use technology to reach ever-expanding horizons…The promise and prosperity of our new economy must not become the property of the few, it must be a force that lifts up our entire country, and that lifts up the world.”


Obama's innovation agenda would:

I. Ensure the Full and Free Exchange of Information through an Open Internet and Diverse Media Outlets





· Protect the Openness of the Internet

· Encourage Diversity in Media Ownership

· Protect Our Children While Preserving the First Amendment

· Safeguard Our Right to Privacy

II. Create a Transparent and Connected Democracy

· Open Up Government to its Citizens

· Bring Government into the 21st Century

III. Deploy a Modern Communications Infrastructure

· Deploy Next-Generation Broadband

IV. Employ Technology and Innovation to Solve Our Nation’s Most Pressing Problems

· Lower Health Care Costs by Investing in Electronic Information Systems

· Invest in Climate-Friendly Energy Development and Deployment

· Upgrade Education to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century

· Create New Jobs

· Modernize Public Safety Networks

V. Improve America’s Competitiveness

· Invest in the Sciences

· Make the R & D Tax Cut Permanent

· Reform Immigration

· Promote American Businesses Abroad

· Ensure Competitive Markets

· Protect American Intellectual Property Abroad

· Protect Intellectual American Property at Home

· Reform the Patent System



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 14, 2007