2008 Presidential Election: Game Thread

[NewYorkExpress]

Bryan endorsed Sen. Bayh a long time ago.

No one told me this when I asked for his endorsement, before the New Hampshire primary... You really should have mentioned it then.

[Former Lincoln Assemblyman & Lt. Gov. RGN]

Bryan endorsed Sen. Bayh a long time ago.

No one told me this when I asked for his endorsement, before the New Hampshire primary... You really should have mentioned it then.

Ok, It's only now that I saw him in your schedule.

[Former Lincoln Assemblyman & Lt. Gov. RGN]

South: Evan Bayh

Jan. 16-19, 2008

Sen. Bayh talks to a voter in Greenville,SC

January 16, 2008
Morning: Arrived in SC

Morning: Press conference in Charleston, SC (airing in all major networks in SC, as well in MSNBC, CNN and Fox News)

Afternoon: Q&A in University of South Carolina
Afternoon: Interview w/ Charlie Gibson (ABC World News)
Afternoon: Barnstorming in Florence, SC
Evening: Barnstorming in Goose Creek, SC
Evening: Barnstorming in Aiken, SC

January 17, 2008
Morning: Breakfast with supporters in Spartanburg, SC
Morning: Barnstorming in Hilton Hill Head, SC
Afternoon: Barnstorming in Sumter, SC
Afternoon: Barnstorming in Summerville, SC
Evening: Barnstorming in Greenville, SC
Evening: Barnstorming in Rock Hill, SC

January 18, 2008
Morning: Barnstorming in Mount Peasant, SC
Morning: Barnstorming in North Charleston, SC
Afternoon: Barnstorming in Charleston, SC
Afternoon: Barnstorming in Columbia, SC
Evening: Interview at Hardball
Evening: Interview at CBS Evening News

Evening:

PRE-PRIMARY NIGHT at Colonial Life Arena, University of South Carolina (streaming live in MGM Grand Garden Arena, Nevada) (all endorsers except for Obama, state assemblymen from other states except for SC speak )

Evening: Issue final statement before caucuses

January 19, 2008
Morning: Fly to Nevada
Morning: Meet with the campaign staff/Press conference in MGM Grand Garden Arena, Nevada
Afternoon: Fly back to South Carolina

Afternoon: Interview at MSNBC @ South Carolina State House

Evening: Interview at Fox News

Evening: BIG NIGHT at Colonial Life Arena, University of South Carolina (streaming live also in Nevada)

[Former Lincoln Assemblyman & Lt. Gov. RGN]

Nevada: Evan Bayh (Barack Obama campaigning)

Jan. 16-19, 2008

Jan 16-18- Campaigned in different regions in Nevada
Jan 18 (night)- PRE-PRIMARY NIGHT in MGM Grand Garden Arena (live streaming for Evan Bayh)
Jan 19- Interview with the three major networks and three major news channels
Jan 19 (night)- BIG NIGHT in MGM Grand Garden Arena (live streaming for Evan Bayh)

[NHI]

General Election Polls: Gallup January 2008

Alaska: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 51%

Generic Democrat: 39%

Colorado: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Generic Democrat: 45%

Connecticut: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

Generic Democrat: 47%

Florida: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 50%

Generic Democrat: 45%

Maine: Tossup

Generic Democrat: 48%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

Michigan: Tossup

Generic Democrat: 49%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

New Hampshire: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

Generic Democrat: 44%

New Jersey: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

Generic Democrat: 47%

New York: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Generic Democrat: 45%

New Mexico: Tossup

Generic Democrat: 46%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

Nevada: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

Generic Democrat: 46%

Montana: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 49%

Generic Democrat: 45%

Ohio: Tossup

Rudy Giuliani: 50%

Generic Democrats: 47%

Wisconsin: Tossup

Generic Democrat: 48%

Rudy Giuliani: 48%

Virginia: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 52%

Generic Democrat: 43%

Missouri: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 52%

Generic Democrat: 45%

Kentucky: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 50%

Generic Democrat: 44%

Arkansas: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 50%

Generic Democrat: 46%

Georgia: Lean Giuliani:

Rudy Giuliani: 51%

Generic Democrat: 43%

North Carolina: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 50%

Generic Democrat: 44%

West Virginia: Lean Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani: 51%

Generic Democrat: 45%

Iowa: Lean Democrat

Generic Democrat: 49%

Rudy Giuliani: 44%

Oregon: Lean Democrat

Generic Democrat: 50%

Rudy Giuliani: 44%

Washington: Lean Democrat

Generic Democrat: 51%

Rudy Giuliani: 45%

Pennsylvania: Lean Democrat

Generic Democrat: 50%

Rudy Giuliani: 46%

[NHI]

Round 15: January 20-29, 2008

One year before Inauguration Day. The candidates are continuing their long slog ahead of the conventions. On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani became the presumptive nominee following the departure of Mark Sanford who dropped out of the race before the Michigan Primary. Giuliani, then announced his selection of George Allen, the Virginia Senator and the President's rival from four years ago to be his choice for Vice President. Many pundits see Allen as a perfect foil for Giuliani as he looks to bring back disaffected conservatives to the party.

On the Democratic the primary continues. Evan Bayh, the winner of the Michigan vote has seen a surge in support and is considered a strong contender for the nomination. Both Blanche Lincoln and Hillary Clinton are remaining factors in the race, but the former is seen as the stronger contender, than the latter as of late. Whether Lincoln will be able to close the deal remains to be seen. The Former Senator and VP nominee secured her first victory by winning the South Carolina Primary, narrowly beating Bayh who came close to overtaking Lincoln in a state she was widely expected to carry. Bayh benefited from strong support among African-Americans and most prominently Senator Barack Obama who joined him on the stump. Bayh's strong second place finish is considered a victory for his campaign going forward.

As for Clinton, she finally put some points on the board, with a narrow win over Bayh in the Nevada Caucus. From here the campaign presses on to the all important Florida Primary on January 29th, which pundits declare will be the decider for which of three candidates advance onto Super Tuesday.

South Carolina Primary: Democrats (100% Reported)

√ Blanche Lincoln: 37.41% (29)

Evan Bayh: 33.69% (18)

Hillary Clinton: 27.90%) (7)
Other: 1.00%

Nevada Caucuses: Democrats (100% Reported)

√ Hillary Clinton: 37.35% (11)

Evan Bayh: 37.01% (10)

Blanche Lincoln: 24.64% (4)

Delegate Count: Democrats

Evan Bayh: 74

Blanche Lincoln: 62 (*82 w/ Dean's Delegates)

Hillary Clinton: 55

Howard Dean: 20

Florida Primary Poll: January 29, 2008

Evan Bayh: 35%
Hillary Clinton: 32%
Blanche Lincoln: 30%
Undecided: 3%

Democratic Nomination Poll: Gallup (Bayh +4)

Evan Bayh: 35%
Hillary Clinton: 31%
Blanche Lincoln: 29%
Undecided: 5%

General Election Poll: Gallup

Rudy Giuliani: 49% (R+3)

Evan Bayh: 46%

Rudy Giuliani: 50% (R+4)

Hillary Clinton: 46%

Rudy Giuliani: 50% (R+3)

Blanche Lincoln: 47%

Gallup: Four-way Race

Rudy Giuliani: 37% (R+4)

Evan Bayh: 33%

Michael Bloomberg: 13%
Jesse Ventura: 11%

Rudy Giuliani: 38% (R+5)

Hillary Clinton: 33%

Michael Bloomberg: 15%
Jesse Ventura: 12%

Rudy Giuliani: 37% (R+4)

Blanche Lincoln: 33%

Michael Bloomberg: 14%
Jesse Ventura: 12%

Gallup Average: General Election
Two-way Race: R+ 3.4
Four-way Race: R+ 4.0

Rudy Giuliani: 49.7%

Generic Democrat: 46.3%

Rudy Giuliani: 37.3%

Generic Democrat: 33.0%

Michael Bloomberg: 14.0%
Jesse Ventura: 11.7%

Rudy Giuliani: 241 (44.8% of EV)

Generic Democrat: 190 (35% of EV)

This Round will Close on Wednesday at 11:59pm EST

[Potus]

Americans For Opportunity

The most important aspect, in this early stage of the election, is to expand the universe of possible voters and to begin to discern persuadable voters. Democrats have typically held the advantage when it comes to what political observers call "the ground game"(i.e. registering, contacting, turning out voters). Americans for Opportunity is intent on changing that.

Americans for Opportunity is launching a Twelve State Voter Registration Initiative. AfO will be active in states pivotal to guaranteeing a Giuliani re-election. The efforts are focused on registering Republican voters in:

-New York
-Pennsylvania
-Ohio
-Virginia
-Florida
-Wisconsin
-Colorado
-Iowa
-New Mexico
-Colorado
-New Jersey

Phase One: The first step in building the Republican firewall in critical swing states is to identify easy-to-register individuals and get them registered. Americans for Opportunity was active in the 2004 and 2006 elections. This involvement allowed us to collect information for thousands of Giuliani supporters across the country. Phase One is built on the bedrock of that support. By purchasing consumer data, AfO will hope to identify the supporter's family members or close friends. Americans for Opportunity will contact every supporter and ask if their friends and family members are registered to vote. By enlisting members of the target individual's family, we will maximize our effectiveness. All newly registered voters will have seen an "Americans for Opportunity Voter Information" flyer. This flyer is mailed back to AfO to be cataloged for later contact.

Phase Two: Several constituencies are heavily influenced to support Republican candidates. Many churchgoers, middle-management level employees, and other suburban would-be voters are not registered to vote. AfO will target parent-teacher organizations, youth sports leagues, churches, etc. to identify lean-R voters. Making a concerted effort via mail and phone to make registration as easy as possible. All newly registered voters will have seen an "Americans for Opportunity Voter Information" flyer. This flyer is mailed back to AfO to be cataloged for later contact.

Phase Three: By the completion of Phase Two, we will be nearing a divergence in state election laws in terms of voter registration. This portion of the Initiative will focus on contacting every single person who received assistance registering to vote. If they are registered, they'll be subject to a persuasion message. If they are not, special attention will be given by a volunteer or field director on the ground near the would-be voter. Phase Three is about tying up loose ends and solidifying the gains of Phases One and Two.




Case Calling: Rather than having a new volunteer call each time, AfO field directors will be assigned a "case" for each individual. When someone is contacted, the volunteer making the call is logged. If that volunteer is phonebanking again, the field director will make sure the volunteer reinforces their past contact with a target. This will hopefully increase the effectiveness of the calls. Field directors are responsible for informing the AfO headquarters about the effectiveness of the case calling. If it has demonstrated no improvement over traditional calls, the program will be ended at the close of Phase Two.



Focus Grouping: Americans for Opportunity, starting in the final stretch of Phase Two, will launch a 50-state focus group campaign. This campaign is to test messages across the country and enhance the effectiveness of AfO's future spending. This issue research will reveal weaknesses of the non-Republican candidates and inform AfO of Giuliani's greatest strengths.




The Voter Registration Initiative could tip this election. The message research done in the focus groups could make the difference. Elections are won on Election Day. Millions of dollars will be spent on television, radio, mail, and newspapers. Americans for Opportunity will play a role in that as well. We can move polls all day long, but if our voters don't show, we lose. Americans for Opportunity believes we can move 2%-5% of the vote in the Twelve States in terms of registration alone. Turnout operations could add an even larger bonus to the President's percentage.

[NHI]

BAYH CONTESTS NEVADA RESULTS

Another close race and another recount. Evan Bayh is requesting a recount following the narrow win for Clinton in Nevada.

[NewYorkExpress]

Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina, 1:30 AM


This race isn't over yet, as we're still picking up delegates, and will do so even if the imminent recount in Nevada falls short for us. We're still in second in Florida, and we're still within striking distance there, so we're going to soldier on!

[NHI]

Super Tuesday Polls:

Alabama: Lincoln +13
Lincoln: 40%
Clinton: 27%
Bayh: 27%

Alaska: Clinton +1
Clinton: 34%
Bayh: 33%
Lincoln: 29%

American Samoa: Clinton+11
Clinton: 40%
Bayh: 29%
Lincoln: 26%

Arizona: Clinton +1
Clinton: 36%
Bayh: 35%
Lincoln: 29%

Arkansas: Lincoln+8
Lincoln: 45%
Clinton: 37%
Bayh:    13%

California: Clinton +3
Clinton: 35%
Bayh: 32%
Lincoln: 28%

Colorado: Bayh+3
Bayh: 36%
Clinton: 33%
Lincoln: 29%

Connecticut: Clinton+8
Clinton: 40%
Bayh: 32%
Lincoln: 25%

Delaware: Bayh+6
Bayh: 37%
Clinton: 31%
Lincoln: 28%

Georgia: Lincoln+5
Lincoln: 37%
Clinton: 32%
Bayh: 27%

Idaho: Clinton+9
Clinton: 44%
Bayh:   35%
Lincoln: 16%

Illinois: Tied
Clinton: 34%
Bayh:    34%
Lincoln: 28%

Indiana: Bayh+32
Bayh: 64%
Clinton: 21%
Lincoln: 12%

Massachusetts: Clinton+4
Clinton: 37%
Bayh:   33%
Lincoln: 25%

Minnesota: Bayh +1
Bayh: 36%
Lincoln: 35%
Clinton: 28%

Missouri: Lincoln+5
Lincoln: 36%
Bayh: 31%
Clinton: 28%

New Jersey: Clinton+28
Clinton: 53%
Bayh:   25%
Lincoln: 15%

New Mexico: Bayh+3
Bayh: 32%
Lincoln: 29%
Clinton: 29%

New York: Clinton+44
Clinton: 64%
Bayh:   20%
Lincoln: 13%

North Dakota: Lincoln+5
Lincoln: 37%
Bayh: 32%
Clinton: 23%

Oklahoma: Lincoln+12
Lincoln: 41%
Clinton: 29%
Bayh: 25%

Tennessee: Lincon+6
Lincoln: 37%
Clinton: 31%
Bayh: 25%

Utah: Bayh+3
Bayh: 36%
Clinton: 32%
Lincoln: 27%

[NewYorkExpress]

Hillary Clinton-New Endorsements

Birmingham City Council President Roderick Royal (D-AL)


Labor Leader/Activist Dolores Huerta (D-CA)


Former Education Commissioner Betty Castor (D-FL)


Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL)


Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL)


Former State Attorney General Bob Butterworth (D-FL)


Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)

[DKrol]

Question: Why are Bloomberg and Ventura still drawing double digit numbers in polls? Neither have posted for several rounds.

[DKrol]

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Schedule for Jan. 20th-29th, 2008

President Giuliani's 2008 Campaign Staff
Honorary Co-Chairmen: Dick Cheney and Tim Pawlenty
Campaign Manager: Mary Matalin
Chief of Staff: Joe Allbaugh
Press Secretary: Dana Perino
Finance Director: Fred Malek
Chief Pollsters: Neil Newhouse and Bill McInturff

January 20th, 2008; Wisconsin
-- Meeting with Gov. Jim Doyle
-- Speech to local union members
-- Attend New York Giants-Green Bay Packers NFL Play Off Game
-- Fly to Washington, D.C.

January 21st, 2008; Washington, D.C.
-- Breakfast with Rev. Al Sharpton and Joel Osteen
-- One-on-One interview with Barbara Walters for ABC
-- Lunch with Speaker Hastert and Rep. Pelosi
-- Speak with AFSCME Representatives in the Oval Office
-- Fly to New Jersey

January 22nd, 2008; New Jersey
-- Meeting with Gov. Jon Corzine in Trenton, NJ
-- Meeting with U.S. Attorney Chris Christie in Trenton, NJ
-- Speech at Seton Hall University School of Law
-- Meet-and-Greet at Seton Hall University School of Law
-- Fly to California

January 23rd, 2008; California
-- Speech to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
-- Meeting with the Harvey Milk Democratic Club
-- Lunch with Governor Schwarzenegger
-- Rally in Alamo Square with Gov. Schwarzenegger

January 24th, 2008; California
-- Inspect repairs of the San Bernardino Freeway
-- Visit “The Art Depot” in Fontana, CA
-- Fly to Alaska

January 25th, 2008; Alaska
-- Meeting with representatives of the Aleut community in Anchorage
-- Watch a Alaska Aces hockey game
-- Meeting with Governor Sarah Palin

January 26th, 2008; Alaska
-- Interview with Alaska Dispatch News
-- Appearance on CNN via satellite
-- Appearance on MSNBC via satellite
-- Tour an igloo
-- Speak to students at East Anchorage High School
-- Go bear hunting with state lawmakers
-- Fly to Washington, D.C.

January 27th, 2008; Washington, D.C.
-- SOTU Prep

January 28th, 2008; Washington, D.C.
-- Deliver SOTU

January 29th, 2008; Washington, D.C.
-- Meeting with NSC
-- Meeting with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Apple CEO Steve Jobs
-- Meeting with Senior Campaign Staff

[NewYorkExpress]

Question: Why are Bloomberg and Ventura still drawing double digit numbers in polls? Neither have posted for several rounds.

They really don't have to until both major parties have nominees IMO.

[DKrol]

Question: Why are Bloomberg and Ventura still drawing double digit numbers in polls? Neither have posted for several rounds.

They really don't have to until both major parties have nominees IMO.

But double digits?

[NHI]

√ CLINTON PREVAILS IN NEVADA RECOUNT

January 22, 2008

Hillary Clinton came out on top in the Nevada Recount. The win is the first for Clinton, who narrowly lost the New Hampshire Primary to Howard Dean. The campaign is hoping that this win will put her back in the running for the nomination. Currently Clinton is running second nationally and in Florida behind Evan Bayh. As of this point all three remaining candidates have each won a state wide contest.

Nevada Caucuses Recount: 100% Reported

√ Hillary Clinton: 37.34%

Evan Bayh: 37.07%
Blanche Lincoln: 24.59%
Other: 1.00%

[NHI]

Question: Why are Bloomberg and Ventura still drawing double digit numbers in polls? Neither have posted for several rounds.

They really don't have to until both major parties have nominees IMO.

But double digits?

The four-way race polls given an indication of their strength, the head-to-head polls are a more accurate picture of the race.

[NHI]

To The Democratic Candidates:

Interested in answering questions from a Meet The Press Roundtable Discussion with Russert?

[NewYorkExpress]

Hillary Clinton 2008; Schedule for Chelsea Clinton

January 20, 2008

GOTV in Beardstown, Illinois (With Dick Durbin)

GOTV in Mason City, Illinois (With Warren Rudman)

GOTV in Havana, Illinois (With Warren Rudman)

GOTV in Canton, Illinois (With Warren Rudman, Nancy Kassebaum and Dick Durbin)

GOTV in Knoxville, Illinois (With Nancy Kassebaum and Jo Ann Zimmerman)

January 21, 2008

GOTV in Loretto, Minnesota (With John Melcher and John Durkin)

GOTV in Crystal, Minnesota (With Dick Gephardt, Chuck Schumer)

GOTV in Hopkins, Minnesota (With John Melcher and James Blanchard)

January 22, 2008

GOTV in Rye, Colorado

GOTV in Pueblo, Colorado

GOTV in Fountain, Colorado

January 23, 2008

GOTV in Nogales, Arizona

GOTV in Globe, Arizona

GOTV in Payson, Arizona

January 24, 2008

GOTV in Bell Gardens, California

GOTV in Inglewood, California (With Dolores Huerta)

GOTV in Santa Clarita, California (With Dolores Huerta)

GOTV in Corona, California (With Dolores Huerta)

January 25, 2008

GOTV, The Castro, San Francisco (With Gavin Newsom)

GOTV, Chinatown, San Francisco (With Gavin Newsom)

GOTV, Diamond Heights, San Francisco (With Gavin Newsom)

January 26, 2008

GOTV, Fruitvale, Oakland (With Ron Dellums)

GOTV, Ridgemont, Oakland (With Ron Dellums)

GOTV, Redwood Heights, Oakland (With Ron Dellums)

GOTV, Koreatown, Oakland (With Ron Dellums)

January 27, 2008

GOTV in Juneau, Alaska

GOTV in Dillingham, Alaska

January 28, 2008

GOTV in Anchorage, Alaska

January 29, 2008

GOTV in Valdosta, Georgia (With Richard Riley, Mitch Landrieu, Mike Espy and Ken Bentsen Jr)

Election Night Rally at the Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake, Florida

[NewYorkExpress]

To The Democratic Candidates:

Interested in answering questions from a Meet The Press Roundtable Discussion with Russert?

Sure...

[DKrol]

OOC: I do not have time to write out a full SOTU this time, so instead I've come up with an overview of the policies Giuliani would be discussing.

2008 State of the Union Address

President Rudolph William Louis Giuliani

Agenda:
- Health Care - Senators George Allen and John McCain will present the "Healthcare for America Act" on February 1st on behalf of President Giuliani. The bill will follow the strategy listed below.

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- Foreign Policy - The United States will begin to withdraw troops from Iraq on the schedules below, subject to change at the advice of USCENTCOM.

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- Taxation - Senators Mitch McConnell and Tom Ridge will present the "Tax Relief for American Act" on March 3rd, 2008 on behalf of President Giuliani. The bill will follow the strategy below.

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- Appointments - President Giuliani will make the following appointments to the Executive Office.

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[NHI]

Democratic Candidates: Round Table Discussion with Tim Russert

The race is down to the final three, and at the end of this process one of you will be the Democratic Nominee, taking on an incumbent President, first off I'll give each of you an opportunity to elaborate briefly why you'd be the better candidate and number two how you would defeat President Giuliani.

Currently, there is a great debate in the country over whether or not to abolish the electoral college some states are already taking up that discussion. Would you support an end to the electoral college system, should we keep it, or should it be amended?

What are your thoughts about President Giuliani's proposals to reform health care and do you support the President nominees for Secretary of State and Defense?

The President has outlined a plan for withdrawing American troops in Iraq, starting in 2009, do you support it, does it go far enough, or is pulling out now the right option for the US?

Now this next answer will be partisan, but an honest estimate, how you rate President Giuliani's term in office, nearly four years in?

[NewYorkExpress]

Hillary Clinton on Meet the Press

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I'm the better candidate, because based in the three of our voting records, I can win enough liberals and hold most of the center. Senator Bayh and Senator Lincoln are fine people, and would be solid nominees in many other cycles, but they can't win over the left. President Giuliani has held his own so far, but with his selection of Senator Allen as his new running mate, he has abandoned the center, something former Congresswoman Roukema, and Former Senators Kassebaum and Rudman have been reminding people.

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What I would ideally would like to see is a constitutional amendment requiring that all states have the same number of electoral votes, a number that would be set within that amendment, and that no state can change its method of distributing electoral votes, without a prior constitutional amendment. Given that neither the electoral college as constructed nor a national popular is fair to more than one group, I feel that this is the most equitable solution.

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President Giuliani's Health Care plan looks similar to my 1994 Health Care plan, so I don't think it's going to make it through Congress. As for his new cabinet nominees, I certainly can support Eric Shinseki for Secretary of Defense, but Condoleeza Rice's pending nomination is a wholly different issue. America needs a Secretary of State that, if not liked by the rest of the world, is at least respected by the rest of world, and due to her service in the Bush Administration fanning the flames for the war in Iraq, Defense Secretary Rice is not that person. I simply cannot support her nomination, and while I cannot be there to filibuster it in person, call on my fellow Democrats to do so.

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It's an good step forward. I remember when the leadership said we were going to "Stay the Course", so any contemplation of a withdrawal is a good thing.

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He's definitely done better than the previous administration, but that's setting a low bar. I'd give him a C-, and I know any one of the three of us could bump that up to a B+ by January 2012, should we win.

[New_Conservative]

Senator George Allen Campaign Schedule for Jan. 20th-29th, 2008



January 20th, 2008: Kentucky
Meet Voters in Burlington, Kentucky
Speech to local union members in La Grange, Kentucky
Talk to coal miners in Pikeville, Kentucky
Speech to students at the University of Louisville
Dinner with Congressman Thomas Massie at Pasquale's in Maysville, Kentucky.
Bus to Cincinnati, Ohio.

January 21st, 2008: Ohio
Rally with supporters in Sharonville, Ohio
Meeting with Governor Ted Strickland in Columbus
Meet voters in Columbus, Ohio
Speak with AFL-CIO members in Columbus, Ohio
Dinner with Senator George Voinovich in Toledo, Ohio.
Fly to Des Moines, Iowa

January 22nd, 2008: Iowa
Speech at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA.
Meet with school teachers in Ankeny, IA.
Talk to voters at La Tavola Restaurant in Burlington, IA.
Meet-and-Greet with voters at Minerva's Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa.
Rally with supporters in Marion, Iowa
Fly to Arkansas

January 23rd, 2008: Arkansas
Breakfast and meet with voters at Denny's in Little Rock
Meeting with Governor Mike Beebe
Rally with supporters in Bentonville, Arkansas
Tour Tyson Foods headquarters and meet employees (Springfield, AR)
Dinner and meet with voters at Grapevine Restaurant in Paris, Arkansas

January 24th, 2008: Arkansas
Breakfast with Rep. Mike Ross in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Meet voters in Camden, Arkansas
Town Hall in Gurdon, Arkansas
Rally with supporters in Fordyce, Arkansas
Dinner/meet with voters at Waffle House in Clark, Arkansas
Fly to Kentucky

January 25th, 2008: Kentucky
Tour Humana headquarters in Louisville, meet employees
Dinner with Governor Steve Beshear

January 26th, 2008: Kentucky
Interview with Louisville Courier-Journal
Interview with Bowling Green Daily News
Tour and meet employees at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, KY
Tour Ford Motor Co. Truck Plant and meet employees in Louisville
Town Hall at Indian Hills, KY
Dinner with Senator Mitch McConnell in Louisville, KY.
Fly to Cleveland, Ohio

January 27th, 2008: Ohio
Attend mass at Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland
Meet Priest and mass-goers at Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland
Rest with family

January 28th, 2008: Ohio
Meet nurses and tour the Cleveland Clinic
Speech about health care at the Cleveland Clinic
Meet with Laborers Int'l Union in Cleveland
Speech at Cleveland State University
Dinner with Rep. Jim Jordan in Dayton, OH

January 29th, 2008: Ohio
Tour Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, meet with employees and military personnel.
Speech on foreign policy at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Town Hall at Ohio State University
Meet with employees at Procter and Gamble HQ in Cincinnati

[badgate]

Democratic Candidates: Round Table Discussion with Tim Russert

The race is down to the final three, and at the end of this process one of you will be the Democratic Nominee, taking on an incumbent President, first off I'll give each of you an opportunity to elaborate briefly why you'd be the better candidate and number two how you would defeat President Giuliani.

One of my heroes, Ann Richards, once said: "I've been tested by fire, and the fire lost."

When Joe Biden asked me to be on the ticket four years ago, I kept postponing the decision. We had to announce late because I knew if I did it it would be on my terms, in service and in duty. And so when so many people-from supporters and volunteers I'd meet in 2004 to people like Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood and the NAACP- encouraged me to run, I turned to God. I prayed on the choice, and ultimately the Lord has called on me to serve the country in this way. I accept that duty with faith and courage we will find our way.

Make no mistake: I know the road ahead will be hard. It will be rocky and rough and I will face obstacles that men, even Joe Biden, never faced in a campaign for President. But I was there four years ago. I've fought fire too. And I came out alive.

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My reading is that there are millions of people all over the country who feel because of the electoral college system, their votes and their voices don't count. I am supportive of a popular vote system, but I am fairly certain it should be done by constitutional amendment.

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With regards to his health care reforms, it's six bad ideas and a joke. The voucher plan is a joke.

But I absolutely do support Giuliani with keeping Ms. Rice in the presidential cabinet. With over 51% of the nation's population being female, it's important that at the very least his cabinet remains 13% female. Now, don't get me wrong, accurate representation would be ideal, but this is a strong plan B the President has come up with. *Laughs*

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Tim, Rudy Giuliani has never met a promise he intended to keep. After nearly four years, Americans know they bought sour milk in 2004. The minimum wage raise has languished, and his ideas of helping people get access to healthcare would be the envy of Ayn Rand. This is an out of touch President who has spent too much time in power.

I absolutely want our troops withdrawn in 2009, but I don't trust Rudy Giuliani to follow through.

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It may have been a blessing in disguise that I wasn't able to be on the 2004 ballot for Senate reelection as well as the Democratic ticket. Had I been reelected, these last four years would have been very tough time on the job: the opportunities to represent the people of Arkansas have depleted under Giuliani's gridlocked Washington. It would have been very frustrating to come to work for my state and find that there's nothing able to get done because of the atmosphere in the capital. We need a President willing to try new ideas and focus on helping people.

I am proud, and thrilled that I was able to affect positive change during this time as President of the Gates Foundation. The priorities I would have taken back to the senate, I took on on my own.  I worked to put modern computers and information technology in thousands of classrooms and secured funding for school repairs and maintenance in exactly 489 school districts nationwide.

In that same amount of time, President Giuliani sent more American soldiers overseas.