2004 Presidential Election and Beyond: The Giuliani Years (GAME THREAD)

[DKrol]

Giuliani Endorsements


Governor Olene Walker I believe that Mayor Giuliani is the kind of leader that our nation needs. He is strong, determined, and courageous. The Mayor will stand strong in the face of our enemies. I'm backing Rudy Giuliani for President of the United States.
- Governor Walker spends March 3rd to 9th campaigning for the Republican Nomination for Governor of Utah.


U.S. Chamber of Commerce Mayor Giuliani has a dedicated record of job creation and we feel that, regardless of who the Democrats nominate, he will be the best candidate to spur economic growth and create jobs.
- The U.S.C.C. spends March 3rd to 9th raising funds for Mayor Giuliani and preparing a large ad-buy.


RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie Between his own delegate totals, and the delegates transferred from Senator Allen, Mayor Rudy Giuliani has surpassed the threshold for our party's nomination for President. He has the full support of myself, the Republican Party, and Republicans across the nation.
- Chairman Gillespie spends March 3rd to 9th helping President Bush and the White House determine a Vice Presidential nominee.

[NewYorkExpress]

New Clinton Endorsements

Former Senator Carol Moseley Braun


Congressman Rahm Emanuel


Former Chief of Staff Leon Panetta


Former Congressman Lee Hamilton


Former Congressman Timothy Roemer


Governor Kathleen Blanco


New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin


Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu


Former Governor Mark White


Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk


Governor Mike Easley


Former Governor Jim Hunt

Isn't this a bit much?

I just asked for them... NHI approved them, direct your fire at him.

[Maxwell]

NHI, I thought there was an agreement that 3 Endorsements + 2 ads or 5 Endorsments + 0 Ads. Not that that matters, since I'm out of the game

[NHI]

Going forward: I will allow for 6Endorsements +2 ads = 8 total.

Thanks everyone!

NHI

[badgate]

12 is a ridiculous amount of endorsements. Is Easley begging for a primary challenge?

OOC: I can remember when I thought colin farrell was hot....bleh

[badgate]

New Biden Endorsements



Barack Obama, state Senator from Illinois
--Obama released an e-mail to his donor/supporter list endorsing Senator Biden, and inviting people to an upcoming event with Senator Biden in his state Senate district. Obama's Senate campaign simultaneously released a press release announcing its endorsement.


Sheila Jackson Lee, Representative from the 18th congressional district of Texas
--Rep. Jackson Lee used her office's good relationship with the Houston Chronicle to get her endorsement mentioned on the front page, above the fold on Thursday March 4. Rep. Jackson Lee also invited her district out to see the endorsement events in Houston later in the week.


Al Sharpton, reverend and civil rights activist from New York
--On March 3, Sharpton issued a press release endorsing Senator Biden and inviting people to Houston, Dallas, and Miami to see them appear together.
--Sharpton released an op-ed to the Chicago Tribune on March 3, The Clarion Ledger (Jackson, MS) on March 4, the Miami Herald on March 5, and the Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) on March 7. In the 3/5 piece Sharpton invited people to an upcoming rally where he would endorse Senator Biden in person.


Jesse Jackson, former shadow Senator from the District of Columbia
--On March 3, Jackson issued a press release endorsing Senator Biden and inviting people in Jackson, Miami, Houston, and Dallas to see them appear together.
--Jackson released an op-ed to the Miami Herald on March 3, the Chicago Tribune on March 4, The Clarion Ledger (Jackson, MS) on March 5, and The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) on March 6. Jackson stated in all three that Joe Biden was the best candidate to tackle global and domestic poverty, and that after the March 9th contests Senator Biden would be speaking at the Rainbow/PUSH headquarters (joined by Jackson, Sharpton, & Obama) in Illinois.




OOC: I'm deleting the schedule I posted, and will repost it with the changes I need to make.

[DKrol]

Statement from the Giuliani Campaign

At this early point in Mayor Giuliani's campaign, two things are certain: The Mayor will be the Republican Nominee for President and the Mayor will need a running mate. The list below includes the names of various possible running mates who's names have been thrown around at meetings of the campaign team. This list is in no way definitive and is likely to change many times before the Convention in August.

Current Senators and Members of Congress
Senator George Allen
Senator John Warner
Senator Kit Bond
Senator Judd Gregg
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Senator John McCain
Senator Sam Brownback
Senator Norm Coleman
Senator Rick Santorum
Congressman Paul Ryan
Congressman Rob Portman
Congressman John Kasich

Current Governors and Mayors
Governor Bill Owens
Governor Mitt Romney
Governor Rick Perry
Governor Mark Sanford
Governor Linda Lingle

Cabinet Officials
Attorney General John Ashcroft
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

Former Senators, Congressmen, and Governors
Senator Fred Thompson
Senator Robert C. Smith
Congressman Jack Kemp
Congressman Newt Gingrich
Governor March Racicot
Governor Christine Todd Whitman
Governor Pete Wilson
Governor Bill Weld
Governor John H. Sununu

[NewYorkExpress]

Surrogate Schedules-Hillary Clinton

Governor Kathleen Blanco

March 3,4,7

Be Governor of Louisiana

March 5, 2004

GOTV in Oil City, Louisiana

GOTV in Blanchard, Louisiana

GOTV in Mooringsport, Louisiana

GOTV in Belcher, Louisiana

GOTV in Hosston, Louisiana

GOTV in Greenwood, Louisiana

March 6, 2004

Rally at Louisiana Redbud Festival, Vivian, Louisiana (With Mitch Landrieu)

You see those redbuds out there? The Redbuds we're celebrating today? Well, I hate to be bearer of bad news, but under a Giuliani administration, and a Republican Congress, those Redbuds, won't exist! Republicans want to trample on our environment, removing regulations that require businesses to clean up up themselves, and pushing off maintenance of federal land  on states that have neither the manpower nor the budget room, to do these things. Tell Republicans we want to keep places like Denali National Park, and Bayous here in Louisiana clean for generations to come. Elect a Democrat to the White House. Elect Hillary Clinton.

GOTV in Rodessa, Louisiana

GOTV in Stonewall, Louisiana

GOTV in Mansfield Louisiana

GOTV in Logansport, Louisiana

GOTV in Keachi

March 8, 2004

GOTV in Zwolle, Louisiana

GOTV in Many, Louisiana

GOTV in Converse, Louisiana

GOTV in Leesville , Louisiana

GOTV in Hornbeck, Louisiana

GOTV in Rosepine, Louisiana

March 9, 2004

GOTV in DeRidder Louisiana

GOTV in Merryville, Louisiana

GOTV in DeQuincy, Louisiana

Election Night Rally at Cowboy Stadium, in Lake Charles, Louisiana(With Mitch Landrieu)


Senator Mary Landrieu
March 4-7
Be Senator Washington D.C

March 8, 2004
GOTV, French Quarter, New Orleans

GOTV, Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans

GOTV Fontainbleau, New Orleans

GOTV, Gentilly, New Orleans

March 9, 2004

GOTV, Spanish Town, Baton Rouge Louisiana

GOTV, Brownfields, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

GOTV, LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Election Night Rally at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans Louisiana.

[NHI]

Reminder: This Round will close on Friday 5/30/14 at 11:59 PM

[Donerail]

Is Hillary withdrawing without endorsing?

[DKrol]

Is Hillary withdrawing without endorsing?

Where do you see this? Am I missing something?

[Donerail]

Is Hillary withdrawing without endorsing?

Where do you see this? Am I missing something?

You Guys are getting you're wish!


As soon as NHI processes my exit from 2004 election game, I'm done with this forum!

So, if you don't like me and want to see me gone sooner, pester him for that!

[NHI]

BREAKING NEWS: HILLARY CLINTON ENDS CAMPAIGN

Hillary Clinton announced that she will be suspending her campaign for President, following the discovery that her husband former President Bill Clinton has coronary artery disease will need to undergo quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery. The former President, while campaigning suffered an episode of angina and after an angiography it Clinton's condition was discovered. Hillary Clinton said in a statement, "now is a time for her to be with her husband and family and that his recovery and health are her top priorities." She did not endorse a candidate and announced it will happen when either of the two remaining candidates take a clear lead in the delegate count.

[NHI]

Democratic Nomination Polling:

Joe Biden: 45%

John Edwards: 42%

Undecided: 13%

[NHI]

General Election Polling:

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 47%

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 46%

[MadmanMotley]

Gary Johnson Campaign Rumblings!

Gary Johnson has announced a "Freedom Rally" for the end of the week, March 9th in Albuquerque with Congressmen Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Joe Scarborough, and Barry Goldwater Jr. As well as Governors Jesse Ventura, William Weld and Buddy Roemer, and actor Clint Eastwood

[badgate]

Statement from Senator Joe Biden



Good evening. I just finished speaking to Senator Clinton on the phone, congratulating her on the superb campaign she ran and offering my sincerest wishes for President Clinton's health and full recovery.

Events like today's announcement are a reminder that we must do all we can with our limited time on Earth to leave a better world for our children. I believe President Clinton will make a full and speedy recover, but it is clear that as President he accomplished that goal. It was former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, a brave woman who ran for President against all odds in 1972, that said that public service was the rent we pay for our time on earth. Those words could not ring more true today. President Clinton is a laudable public servant and I am confident he will be around for years to come. Thank you.

[NHI]

March 9th: Polling

American Samoa: Tossup

John Edwards: 48%

Joe Biden: 47%

Undecided: 5%

Florida: Lean Edwards

John Edwards: 49%

Joe Biden: 45%

Undecided: 6%

Louisiana: Lean Edwards

John Edwards: 49%

Joe Biden: 46%

Undecided: 5%

Mississippi: Tossup

Joe Biden: 47%

John Edwards: 47%

Undecided: 6%

Texas: Lean Biden

Joe Biden: 50%

John Edwards: 45%

Undecided: 5%

Hillary Clinton: 966

John Edwards: 650 (30%)

Joe Biden: 378 (17%)

Dennis Kucinich: 168

53% of the delegate remaining: 2,162

Hillary Clinton's departure from the Democratic race leaves only Senator Joe Biden and former Senator John Edwards as the contenders for the nomination. Biden, whose recent momentum in recent weeks, hopes it to be enough to get him over the finish line, while Edwards is trying to regain the momentum he had at the start of the primary, before his health sidelined him. Though, he has bounced back in recent weeks, most importantly by winning the Ohio primary on Super Tuesday. Biden has the most ground to makeup, considering he trails Edwards in current delegate totals, but most pundits predict the two will likely be dead even after the March 9th contests.

[DKrol]

Statement from the Giuliani Campaign

Our hearts are heavy in our chests after hearing the news of President Clinton's illness. All at the campaign wish him a speedy recovery. We also thank Senator Clinton for bringing various issues to the for-front of the public discussion over the course of her campaign for the White House. She would have provided a good challenge to Mayor Giuliani in November.

[badgate]

Statement from Biden Campaign

The campaign has expanded its ad buy for the TV Ad "Candidate of Experience" to include American Samoa.

[NHI]

Snapshot of Battleground Polls:

Ohio:

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

Joe Biden: 46%

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

John Edwards: 46%

Florida:

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 48%

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

John Edwards: 46%

Pennsylvania:

Joe Biden: 50%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

John Edwards: 48%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

New Hampshire:

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 45%

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

John Edwards: 45%

Missouri:

Rudy Giuliani: 51%

Joe Biden: 44%

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

John Edwards: 45%

New York:

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 47%

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 46%

New Mexico:

Joe Biden: 49%

Rudy Giuliani: 47%

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

John Edwards: 48%

Iowa:

Joe Biden: 49%

Rudy Giuliani: 47%

John Edwards: 48%

Rudy Giuliani: 47%

New Jersey:

Joe Biden: 47%

Rudy Giuliani: 47%

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

John Edwards: 47%

Nevada:

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Joe Biden: 46%

Rudy Giuliani: 50%

John Edwards: 45%

North Carolina:

Rudy Giuliani: 51%

Joe Biden: 45%

John Edwards: 48%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

Giuliani vs. Biden Map

Rudy Giuliani: 262

Joe Biden: 204

Tossup: 72

Lean Giuliani: 51

Solid Giuliani: 211

Lean Biden: 47

Solid Biden: 157

Giuliani vs. Edwards Map:

Rudy Giuliani: 262

John Edwards: 207

Tossup: 69

Lean Giuliani: 108

Solid Giuliani: 154

Lean Edwards: 71

Solid Edwards: 136

Questions for Democratic Voters?

Who is the strongest general election candidate?
Joe Biden: 47% John Edwards: 45% Undecided: 8%

Which candidate best represents you and your values?
Joe Biden: 46% John Edwards: 46% Undecided: 8%

What is an important attribute in picking a candidate?
Can Win: 51% Shares my values: 45% Undecided: 4%

Which Ticket would you prefer?
Biden/Edwards: 48% Edwards/Biden: 45% Neither: 7%

Question to Republican Voters?

To Self-described Conservatives: Can you support Rudy Giuliani?
Yes: 60% No: 26% Undecided: 14%

Do you consider Rudy Giuliani to be too conservative, too liberal, about right?
About Right: 52% Too Liberal: 21% Too Conservative: 10% No opinion: 17%

Should Pres. Bush nominated Rudy Giuliani for Vice President, to replace Dick Cheney?
Yes: 62% No: 28% No opinion/undecided: 10%

Is Rudy Giuliani qualified to be President?
Yes: 63% No: 30% No opinion/undecided: 6%

General Election Questions:

Which issues are you most concerned about?
Terrorism/War on Terror: 47% Economy: 25% Role of Government: 17% No opinion: 11%

Which candidate is most qualified to be President? 
Rudy Giuliani: 44% Joe Biden: 32% John Edwards: 22% Undecided: 2%

Which candidate is most qualified to handle the War on Terror?
Rudy Giuliani: 48% Joe Biden: 35% John Edwards: 15% Undecided: 2%

Which candidate is most qualified to handle the economy?
Rudy Giuliani: 39% Joe Biden: 31% John Edwards: 28% Undecided: 2%

Generic Ballot: Republican vs. Democrat

Republican: 48% (+2)

Democrats: 46%

[MadmanMotley]

GARY JOHNSON FREEDOM RALLY!



Over the past several months I have campaigned for president in the Republican primary. I have had several success and the message of liberty and freedom is constantly spreading! Unfortunately, there are only three candidates left, and none of them support the principles of liberty. We have a Republican nominee who supports big government, the overreaching PATRIOT act, and increased gun control. On the democratic side, we have two senators who have constantly voted on measure that continue to spiral our country into debt, and voted for more control and government in our personal lives!

I have done a lot of thinking over the past week, and I have come to a realization. We must expand the ideas and the support of liberty across the nation. Which is why I am here today to announce that I will be running as and Independent through the Libertarian party for president. No other candidate represents the American people, nor the principles that America was founded on. It will not be an easy road, but together and with your help, we can win this.

My running mate will be the Former Governor of Minnesota, who ran as an independent and won, and got Minnesota on the right track, GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA! Together our ticket will fight for Liberty and Freedom in every way possible. My campaign slogan remains the same, LIVE FREE! Please welcome my running mate to the stage, Governor Ventura!



Thank you! Thank you! What more needs to be said? Governor Johnson is a great man, and I endorsed him for president early on in this campaign. The reason I endorsed him was because I saw in him the convictions, and ability to be president, while also standing up for Liberty and Freedom. When I ran for Governor in Minnesota, I ran as a governor for the people, and now Governor Johnson is running as a candidate for the American People, to be the people's president. His leadership of New Mexico was unprecented, and shows that he is an effective leader and his policies work! Together we will carry a torch for liberty, because we want all of you to LIVE FREE!

Other Speakers:


In all the time I have been in the congress, I have been constantly fighting for the principles of Liberty. I myself was tempted to run this year, but when Governor Johnson announced his run, I knew he was what America needed. His tenure as Governor proved his leadership, and his ability to implement policy. In order for freedom to ring we need this ticket to win. Let's support Governor Johnson and LIVE FREE!


Gary Johnson is a time tested, solid freedom fighter, one with the principles that America needs, not the failed policies that Rudy Giuliani, John Edwards and Joe Biden all support! They support big government, and intervention into our personal lives! We need Gary Johnson in the White House so that we can LIVE FREE!


Gary Johnson stands for one thing that no other candidate in this race does, that is FREEDOM! I know that Governor Johnson is a consistent fighter for liberty, and we need him in the White House!


In 1964 Ronald Reagan gave a speech for my father, "A Time For Choosing." Here again it is a time for choosing, except there are only two choices, the choice between Liberty or the Status Quo. Things will never change if we keep electing the same people over and over again! We need to choose someone new, someone who wants us to LIVE FREE, and that is Governor Johnson!


Governor Gary Johnson is a leader, through and through, he is a man with conviction. As Governor he proved himself by balancing the budget every year and making New Mexico the top state for job growth. We don't need someone with little experience, and especially no executive experience. Governor Johnson is the obvious choice, so stand with him to LIVE FREE!


I have been one of Governor Johnson's biggest supporters. He understand that it is not about party, it is about principle! His work with a bipartisan congress in balancing the budget and vastly improving job growth shouts leadership! He is the only candidate if we want to LIVE FREE!


Gary Johnson is working for the American people, he knows that he works for us, American citizens, not big money! He stands for the principles America was founded on, and will never compromise the Constitution. He is the only supporter of the 2nd amendment in this race, and will never stop in defense of our rights. Governor Johnson wants us to LIVE FREE!

[badgate]

Biden Surrogates

Governor Mario Cuomo
Barnstorm and GOTV in Florida

Senator Mark Warner
Barnstorm and GOTV in Mississippi

Senator Arlen Specter
Barnstorm and GOTV in Florida

Senator Olympia Snowe
Working as Senator
Fundraising in New York

Senator Jay Rockefeller
Barnstorming in West Virginia

Senator Maria Cantwell
Fundraising in Seattle, Los Angeles, & Austin

Sen. Max Clealand
Barnstorming and GOTV in Florida

Sen. Max Baucus
Working on legislation

Sen. Mark Dayton
Fundraising in Chicago

Gov. Gary Locke
Working

Sen. Daniel Inoyue
Working

Gov. Jerry Brown
Fundraising in San Francisco, Berkeley, & Los Angeles

Rep. Ben Chandler
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi

Sen. Herb Kohl
Barnstorming in Illinois

Sen. Ted Kennedy
Barnstorming and GOTV in Florida

Mayor Marion Barry
Barnstorming and GOTV in Florida

Vincent C. Gray, candidate for Ward 7 City Council
Campaigning for City Council

Mayor Anthony A. Williams
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
Working

Rep. Tammy Baldwin
Working

Mayor R.T. Rybak
Working

Mayor Randy Kelly
Working

Rep. Betty McCollum
Fundraising in Twin Cities

Rep. Martin Olav Sabo
Fundraising in Twin Cities

Rep. Barbara Lee
Barnstorming and GOTV in Dallas & Houston

Rep. Henry Waxman
Fundraising in Los Angeles

Mayor James Hahn
Fundraising in Los Angeles

Sen. Jack Reed
Barnstorming and GOTV in Texas

Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy
Barnstorming and GOTV in Florida

Rep. Jim Langevin
Working

Rep. Ed Markey
Barnstorming and GOTV in Florida

Rep. Richard Neal
Barnstorming and GOTV in Florida

Rep. Ted Strickland
Barnstorming and GOTV in Texas/Mississippi

Sen. Paul Sarbanes
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi

Gov. Ann Richards
Barnstorming and GOTV in Texas (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Barnstorming and GOTV in Texas (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

Rep. Gene Taylor
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

Rep. Bennie Thompson
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

State Sen. Barack Obama
Barnstorming in Illinois

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Barnstorming and GOTV in Texas (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

Rev. Al Sharpton
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi/Florida (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

Sen. Jesse Jackson
Barnstorming and GOTV in Mississippi/Florida (when not campaigning w/ Sen. Biden)

[badgate]

Biden Campaign Schedule

March 3, 2004 Texas
Issues pushed: ENDA, Raise the minimum wage, bring home our troops & clean up the mess in Iraq.

-7:45am - Live interview on Good Morning Texas, filmed in Dallas (WFAA)
-9:00am - Student Forum in Denton, TX at University of North Texas
-11:00am - Town Hall in Dallas.
-12:00pm - Rally in Dallas, w/ Gov. Ann Richards. Gov. Richards endorses Senator Joe Biden for President
-2:45pm - Student Forum in Waco, TX at Baylor University, w/ Gov. Richards
-3:45pm - Town Hall in Waco, w/ Gov. Richards
-6:30pm - Town Hall in Austin, w/ Gov. Richards & Rep. Doggett
-8:00pm - Rally in Austin, w/ Gov. Richards & Rep. Doggett. Rep. Lloyd Doggett endorses Senator Joe Biden for President
-10:00pm - Fundraiser in Austin, w/ Gov. Richards & Rep. Doggett, Mario Cuomo, Ted Kennedy, & special guest speaker Dr. Jill Biden

(local affiliates invited to every stop)



Sen. Biden at the rally in Jackson, MS

March 4, 2004 Mississippi
Issues pushed: Raise the Minimum Wage, experienced candidate who will get things done, bring home our troops and clean up the mess in Iraq.

-9:00am - Meet & Greet with volunteers from all over MS-2 (meet & greet located backstage at Jackson rally), w/ Rep. Bennie Thompson
-10:00am - Rally in Jackson, w/ Rep. Bennie Thompson. Rep. Bennie Thompson endorses Senator Joe Biden for President
-11:30am - Town hall in Clinton, w/ Rep. Bennie Thompson
-1:15pm - Town hall in Vicksburg, w/ Rep. Bennie Thompson
-2:00pm - Rally in Vicksburg, w/ Rep. Bennie Thompson
-3:30pm - Fly from Jackson to Gulfport
-4:30pm - Rally in Gulfport, w/ Rep. Taylor. Rep. Gene Taylor endorses Biden for President
-5:15pm - Town Hall in Gulfport, w/ Rep. Taylor
-6:30pm - Rally in Biloxi, w/ Rep. Taylor
-8:00pm - Meet & Greet in Biloxi with MS-4 volunteers, w/ Rep. Taylor

(local affiliates invited to every stop)



Candid photo from the meet & greet in Lubbock

March 5, 2004 Texas
Issues pushed: Raise the minimum wage, bring home our troops and clean up the mess in Iraq, experienced candidate who will get things done, Immigration Reform (but not in Lubbock).

9:15am- Meet & greet with voters in Lubbock Breakfast House, a diner.
-10:00am - Rally in Lubbock, w/ Gov. Richards
-11:15am-12:15pm - Fly from Lubbock to Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport
-12:45pm - Town Hall in Ft. Worth, w/ Gov. Richards
-1:45pm - Rally in Ft. Worth, w/ Gov. Richards
-2:50-3:50pm - Fly from Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport to Houston
-4:15pm - Town Hall in North Houston, w/ Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
-5:30pm - Rally in downtown Houston, w/ Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Rep. Jackson Lee endorses Senator Joe Biden for President
-6:45pm - Town Hall in Westside, w/ Rep. Jackson Lee
-7:45pm - Rally in Southwest Houston, w/ Rep. Jackson Lee

(local affiliates invited to every stop)


March 6, 2004 Texas - Rio Grande Valley Tour
Issues pushed: Joe Biden is Catholic, Raise the Minimum Wage, Immigration Reform.

-9:45am - Meet & Greet with Rio Grande Valley volunteers in Brownsville, w/ Gov. Richards
-10:45am - Rally in Brownsville, w/ Gov. Richards
-11:20am - Town Hall in Harlingen, w/ Gov. Richards
-1:00pm - Town Hall in McAllen, w/ Gov. Richards
-2:00pm - Rally in McAllen, w/ Gov. Richards
-3:30pm - Town Hall in Edinburg, w/ Gov. Richards
-5:30pm - Speech on the environment & water infrastructure at Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, w/ Gov. Richards
-7:45pm - Town Hall in Rio Grande City, w/ Gov. Richards

(local affiliates invited to every stop)

Excerpt from Town Halls, GOTV, & Rally

I know that many of you may still be undecided in the coming primaries. More of you still may be currently committed to another candidate, but want to hear what I have to say. I respect that and am eager to say why I am the best Democrat to win in November.

In the Senate I've been a leader on issues concerning our national security, including negotiating international arms control treaties and chairing the Senate committee on Foreign Relations. I am currently the top ranking Democrat on that committee. When the SALT treaty for arms control fell apart in the late 70s, I personally met with Russia's Foreign Minister and worked out a compromise so that our world would be safer. I stood up against President Reagan's attempts to violate the second SALT treaty, and again against Reagan's dangerously conservative Supreme Court nominees. In 1994 the President signed a sweeping crime bill into law that was drafted by my office. In that same year I wrote and passed the Violence Against Women Act, making sure America is a safe haven from gender-based hate crimes.

I support raising the minimum wage and indexing it to our inflation rate to ensure the hardworking among us are not left behind. I have introduced this law in to the Senate, and in a matter of days, my leadership inspired Senator Edwards to follow my lead in support of raising the wage. While I truly, deeply appreciate his support for my bill...look, I believe the President should be a leader, first and foremost.

That is why I am also out front on the need for an ongoing discussion about the issue of medical marijuana. Too many cancer patients suffer double from the side effects of legal medication; side effects that don't exist under a medical marijuana prescription. We can surely find a way to legally implement this and keep the drug, like all legal drugs, out of the wrong hands.

And I've proposed new measures to lower college tuition and make student loans more accessible and affordable, to ensure that anybody who wants to pursue an education has the opportunity. We will make sure that 80% of tuition fees goes directly to things for students; forcing universities to do away with superfluous fee hikes, administrative redundancies and legacy posts. We will cut out the big bank middle men in the student loan process, and ensure that loan repayment for a college graduate reflects their income so that it is not a burden to those just starting their careers.

The challenges we face in the next four years are not insurmountable. We can end the war in Iraq and fulfill the responsibilities expected of a global leader by holding fair and free elections and stabilizing their government. We can restore the international prestige of our name. We can raise the minimum wage so that work pays fairly and ensure the work place is a level playing field. But "can" is for the runners up. Vote for me, and we will.

March 7, 2004 Florida
Issues pushed: Raise the Minimum Wage, experienced candidate who will get things done, immigration reform, bring home our troops and clean up the mess in Iraq.

-9:00am - Meet & Greet w/ Florida volunteers in Miami, w/ Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson
-10:00am - Speech in Miami Gardens Community Center, w/ Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Al Sharpton endorses Senator Joe Biden for President. Jesse Jackson endorses Senator Joe Biden for President
-11:00am - Rally in Miami, w/ Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Sharpton & Jackson repeat their endorsements.
-11:50am-12:50pm - Fly from Miami to Tampa
-1:10pm - Rally in Tampa
-2:45pm - Town Hall in Lakeland
-4:45pm - Rally in Orlando
-5:40pm - Town Hall in Orlando
-6:55-7:55pm - Fly from Orlando to Tallahassee
-8:15pm - Student Forum at Florida State University
-9:30pm - Interview with statewide news media, some aired live w/ evening news, all stations replayed interview clips the following morning and night

(local affiliates invited to every stop)



Sen. Biden after the Student Forum at Miami International University in Miami

March 8, 2004 Florida
Issues pushed: Raise the Minimum Wage, experienced candidate who will get things done, immigration reform, bring home our troops and clean up the mess in Iraq.

-9:40am - Meet & Greet with Tallahassee & Florida panhandle volunteers.
-10:00am - Barnstorm & GOTV in Tallahassee
-11:00am-11:50am - Fly to Jacksonville
-12:30pm - Barnstorm & GOTV in Jacksonville
-1:20pm - Fly to Orlando
-2:00pm - Barnstorm & GOTV in Orlando
-3:15-4:15pm - Fly to Miami
-4:45pm - Barnstorm & GOTV in Miami
-5:45pm - Student Forum at Miami International University
-7:30pm - Barnstorm & GOTV in Fort Lauderdale
-9:00pm - Conference call with statewide volunteers and field organizers in Florida, thanking them for their hard work and encouraging the necessary extra push on election day to get Biden over the top.
-9:30pm - Conference call with statewide volunteers and field organizers in Mississippi, thanking them for their hard work and encouraging the necessary extra push on election day to get Biden over the top.
-10:00pm - Conference call with statewide volunteers and field organizers in Texas, thanking them for their hard work and encouraging the necessary extra push on election day to get Biden over the top.

(local affiliates invited to every stop)


March 9, 2004 Mississippi & Texas
Issues pushed: Raise the Minimum Wage, experienced candidate who will get things done, immigration reform (Texas only), bring home our troops and clean up the mess in Iraq.

-10:00am - GOTV in Gulfport, w/ Rep. Taylor, Jesse Jackson, & Al Sharpton MS
-12:00-1:00pm - Fly from Gulfport to Jackson
-1:00pm - GOTV in Jackson, w/ Rep. Thompson, Jesse Jackson, & Al Sharpton MS
-2:00-3:20pm - Fly from Jackson to Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport
-3:45pm - GOTV in Dallas, w/ Gov. Richards, Jesse Jackson, & Al Sharpton TX
-4:45-5:45pm - Fly from Dallas to Austin
-6:00pm - GOTV in Austin, w/ Gov. Richards & Rep. Doggett, Jesse Jackson, & Al Sharpton TX
-9:00pm-12:00am - Watching results come in/speech, w/ Gov. Richards, Rep. Doggett & Jackson Lee, Jesse Jackson, & Al Sharpton TX

(local affiliates invited to every stop)


ooc: I am going to repost my GOTV/Talking Points entry.

[badgate]

GOTV Strategy/Talking Points

The Biden Campaign has put all its eggs in the states of Texas, Florida, and Mississippi. Joe Biden spent most of his campaign time in Texas, with one day in Mississippi's 2nd and 4th congressional districts, where he was strongly endorsed by their Democratic representatives, a pair of politicians that represent the two major factions of the state Democratic party, and two days in Florida.

In Texas, Senator Biden has strongly touted the endorsement of Ann Richards, the last Democrat to win Governor who is still adored by Texas Democrats. Biden also strategically secured the endorsement of Austin's congressman. While the 2003 redistricting/gerrymandering of Texas has forced Doggett to run in the newly created 25th congressional district, he has significant influence among Austin Democrats all over the area of his former 10th congressional district. (the new 10th district is strongly Republican) This strategy should give Senator Biden optimal exposure to the Texas Democrats most likely to vote in the March 9 primary.

In Mississippi, Biden has made a hard play for a majority of the black vote, a significant bloc in both states' Democratic primaries. The campaign has also taken the "Wisconsin" approach to Mississippi, by garnering and touting the endorsements of the Democratic representatives from the state, and campaigning heavily in those congressional districts alongside the representatives. Biden also took a more populist tone, focusing on ending the Iraq war and raising the minimum wage in Rep. Gene Taylor's district.

The Biden Campaign has again made a hard play for a majority of the black vote in the Florida primary, campaigning in Miami Gardens and elsewhere alongside two high-profile African American surrogates (Jackson & Sharpton). Biden spoke on campus at Miami International University, which has 50,000 students, as well as Florida State University, which has 40,000 students.

The campaign has recruited volunteer teams in the following cities of Texas: El Paso, Lubbock, Denton, Ft. Worth, Dallas, Amarillo, Tyler, Waco, Austin, Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Brownsville/McAllen (Rio Grande Valley), & Corpus Christi. In Mississippi: Greenwood, Clarksdale, Greenville, Vicksburg, Clinton, Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Laurel, & Hattiesburg. In Florida: Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Gainesville, Miami Gardens, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, Lakeland, Gainesville, & Daytona Beach.

Volunteer teams have held phone banks on week nights, from 6pm to 9pm, and block walks on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. Phone banks averaged 9 attendees, with an average of 789 dials and a 18% conversation rate. Block Walks averaged 7 attendees, with an average of 648 doors knocked and a 29% conversation rate.

At these events volunteers persuaded undecided voters, made the case for Biden to committed Clinton and Edwards voters, and closer to March 9 the events also had GOTV purposes. Registered voters who had previously voted in a Democratic primary were called or reached door-to-door, and provided with their voting place and literature promoting Senator Joe Biden for President.


The campaign has allocated its remaining field organizers to the following areas/center]

Texas:
-1 in Austin metro
-1 in Rio Grande Valley (heavily Democratic/Hispanic)
-1 in Houston metro
-1 in Dallas/Ft. Worth metro
-1 in Lubbock metro
-1 in El Paso metro

Mississippi:
-2 in MS-2
-1 in MS-4

Florida:
-2 in Orlando metro
-2 in Miami metro
-1 in Tampa metro
-1 in Tallahassee metro
-1 in Jacksonville metro

Talking Points: Since Hillary Clinton has exited the race, the campaign is pulling back to the strategy used with Senator Biden's minimum wage proposal: using the issues to feed into the campaign's pre-existing narrative (one that voters have internalized from the campaign's ads) of Biden as the only qualified or experienced leader in the Democratic primary. The campaign and surrogates have turned to a more subtle tactic of promoting parts of Biden's record, which in turn subconsciously provides a contrast against the other candidate.

Senator Biden's proposal to raise the minimum wage might be becoming one-note, and as such Senator Biden has proposed new policy to curb the cost of tuition, strongly appealing to college students, and was recently asked about his support for medical marijuana. The campaign is betting that these issues and Senator Biden's position on them feed into the same narrative of him as the only qualified and experienced leader in the primary. In short: he is the only candidate if we actually want to see any of these things get done. PLEASE NOTE: Surrogates, you are advised to use your political discretion to discern which issues will appeal to or turn off the voters in front of you.

Though Biden himself declined to comment on Kucinich's endorsement of Edwards, chief surrogate Mario Cuomo quipped: "To be honest, Dennis isn't influential in the House and his endorsement hasn't had much influence in this primary."

Surrogates in the states that are voting on March 9 have been tasked with appealing to their connections in the state or district to get out the county machines for Biden.

Surrogates are also asked to make the case that Joe Biden is the best candidate against Rudy Giuliani. This is the crucial contrast. Despite Giuliani's experience as a Mayor, the events of 9/11 put him on a higher national stage and Edwards will be severely vulnerable to criticisms of inexperience against him. Biden, however, is immune and can match or possibly exceed Giuliani on foreign policy. Biden's appeal to the working class, as well, will make him more competitive against Giuliani who seems aloof and bums out evangelical voters.

Election Day GOTV

All volunteer teams held phone bank shifts from 11am-3pm and 3pm-7pm on March 9, calling voters who had been previously reached or who had been undecided and imploring them to go vote, and vote for Joe Biden. The reported conversation rate for the election day phone bank was 25%, high for a phone bank, with an average of 9 volunteers at each bank, and an average of 915 dials at each bank.