August 2008

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan released the following statement regarding U.S. Senator John McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential nominee: "I applaud John McCain's selection of Governor Sarah Palin, whose commitment to reform and record of bipartisanship is exactly what our country needs. I am confident that this team will continue to keep America safe and make our nation more prosperous." Full release

Senator John McCain just announced his choice for running mate: Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. To follow is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. "Senator McCain's choice for a running mate is beyond belief. By choosing Sarah Palin, McCain has clearly made a decision to continue the Bush legacy of destructive environmental policies.
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American Issues Project today wraps up its first phase of a television advertising and issue campaign, which called into question the longstanding relationship between Barack Obama and unrepentant 1960's domestic terrorist, William Ayers. Full release

Speaking at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, Former President Bill Clinton called for a reinvigorated response to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. In praising Presidential nominee Barack Obama, Clinton said, "He will continue and enhance our nation's commendable global leadership in an area in which I am deeply involved: the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, including -- and this is very important -- a renewal of the battle against HIV and AIDS here at home." Full release

The Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) will hold their first Take Back Labor Day Festival September 1st, at the foot of the Republican National Convention. The festival will celebrate workers and promote a new vision for the 21st Century. Full release

The Miss America Organization is pleased to announce that former Miss Alaska contestant, Sarah Heath Palin, has just been named as John McCain's vice-presidential candidate on the Republican ticket. In 1984, Palin was chosen as Miss Wasilla and went on to become the first runner-up in the Miss Alaska Pageant and received the Miss Congeniality award the same year. Her husband, Todd Palin was a judge in the 2008 Miss Alaska Pageant. Full release

Three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, progress in the reconstruction of the region and the return of displaced residents has slowed to a trickle. Today, tens of thousands of displaced Gulf Coast residents are still dispersed throughout the country, and many of those who have returned are underemployed and unable to access health care and other basic services - many are homeless or continue to occupy toxic trailers or other substandard housing due to the drastic decline in available and affordable rental properties. Full release

Today, the 2008 Republican National Convention officially launched its new Web site for the week of the convention. The site includes several cutting-edge features that will give journalists and other visitors to http://www.GOPConvention2008.com unprecedented access to convention news and information. "The convention's Web site will enable Americans to log on, experience the convention as it happens, and learn about John McCain's unparalleled record of service and sacrifice. The site will offer unprecedented access to convention proceedings and will help demonstrate why John McCain is best qualified to lead our country," said Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Howard Dean at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008: Not too long ago, many of us wanted to know what happened to our party. We were on the short end of the last two elections. We were in the minority in the House and Senate. But we had hope. A plan: "Show up." We knew if we knocked on doors and told people what we believe, they would respect us and vote for us. That's exactly what you did. And because you did, today, our party competes in all 50 states.
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The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Martin Luther King III at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008: While waiting to come to the podium, I could not help thinking how proud my father would be: proud of Barack Obama, proud of the party that nominated him and proud of the America that will elect him. On this day, exactly 45 years ago, my father stood on the National Mall in the shadow of Abraham Lincoln and proclaimed, "I have a dream! ... That one day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed." Full release

The following are excerpts of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008: "Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story - of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to." Full release

New data released by the World Bank estimates that the number of poor people around the world is far higher than originally estimated. The number of poor people in 2005 is now estimated at 1.4 billion, an increase of 500 million from earlier estimates of 948 million. Full release

Steelworkers across the United States -- and even in Canada -- will host "watch parties" tonight in their homes and in union halls as Sen. Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president. More than 400 parties are planned, from Minersville, Pennsylvania to San Antonio, Texas to celebrate the acceptance speech by the candidate endorsed by the largest industrial union in the U.S., with more than 850,000 members. Full release

More than 2,000 healthcare workers launched a 24-hour strike up and down California Thursday, calling on the Daughters of Charity Health System to improve patient care. Caregivers represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West organized the strike in response to Daughters of Charity's continued attempts to undermine the voice of caregivers in how quality care is delivered, and to protest a series of unfair labor practices committed by management, including the failure of hospital administration to bargain in good faith. Full release

Music star John Rich today announced he will perform "Raisin' McCain" -- his original song in support of Republican presidential candidate John McCain -- at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN on Sept. 3. In addition to his performance of the rock-infused anthem, Rich is also slated to perform "Our America" with Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy at the Convention on Sept. 3. Full release

SIRIUS XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced today that Academy Award(R)-winning actor, American Music Award-winning and Grammy(R)-nominated artist and comedian Jamie Foxx is taking his SIRIUS Foxxhole Radio channel to the Democratic National Convention to broadcast live from Invesco Field, the site where Barack Obama will accept the Democratic party's nomination for president. Full release

The Republican National Committee (RNC) restarted the countdown clock since Joe Biden's last gaffe on August 27, 2008, at 10:49:52 p.m. MDT - the time at which the Democrat vice presidential nominee and chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee mixed up military "battalions" with "brigades." This comes only four days, 17 hours, and 59 minutes since his last gaffe, made shortly after beginning his vice presidential bid. Full release

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) celebrates 31 years of serving Latino youth with its 31st Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. This year's theme, The Power to Make the Difference, commemorates the vast contributions Hispanic Americans have made to this country and celebrates the historic opportunity it has to impact the future of the United States. Full release

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (LOCAL), Live Performances (before gavel) - Yonder Mountain String Band Performance, Jeff Austin, Adam Aijala, Ben Kaufmann, Dave Johnston - Voter Registration Presentation, Remarks, The Honorable Luis Gutierrez, Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois, David Plouffe, Obama Campaign Manager... Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by The Honorable Chet Edwards at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 27, 2008: Revised Version - As the proud son of a World War II naval aviator, it is a privilege for me to express tonight, on behalf of America's Democrats, our profound respect for the sacrifices made by our service men and women and our veterans. We also salute the unsung heroes in our nation's defense: the spouses, children, and loved ones of our troops and veterans. Maybe they haven't worn our nation's uniform, but they have surely served us all through their daily sacrifice. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Charles E. Schumer, US Senator, New York, at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 27, 2008: Sixty-nine days from now, the journey that was launched in Springfield, Illinois, and continues here today will culminate with millions of Americans coming out to elect Barack Obama our next president. And with President Obama leading the way, in 2009 we will take the next step on that path to reverse the disastrous course that George Bush, John McCain and their friends in Washington have set for this country. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by The Honorable Harry Reid at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 27, 2008: The history of the last hundred years has been a toxic mix of oil and war. Wars were funded by, impossible without, and usually fought over oil. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the Nazi invasion of Russia, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, and countless other conflicts have been based in whole or in part on the world's addiction to oil. Even today, dictators and authoritarians from Venezuela to Russia, from Sudan to North Korea, base their actions-and their power to oppress their citizens and threaten their neighbors-solely on access to or sale of oil on the world market. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 27, 2008: I am honored to be here tonight to support Barack Obama. And to warm up the crowd for Joe Biden, though as you'll soon see, he doesn't need any help from me. I love Joe Biden, and America will too. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Joe Biden, US Senator, Delaware, at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 27, 2008: Beau, I love you. I am so proud of you. Proud of the son you are. Proud of the father you've become. And I'm so proud of my son Hunter, my daughter Ashley, and my wife Jill, the only one who leaves me breathless and speechless at the same time. It is an honor to share this stage tonight with President Clinton. And last night, it was moving to watch Hillary, one of the great leaders of our party, a woman who has made history and will continue to make history: my colleague and my friend, Senator Hillary Clinton. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by John Kerry at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 27, 2008: Thank you so much. Four years ago, you gave me the honor of fighting our fight. I was proud to stand with you then, and I am proud to stand with you now, to help elect Barack Obama as President of the United States. Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Nancy Pelosi at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 27, 2008: One hundred years ago, the first five women ever to vote at a national convention were delegates in Denver. This year, we celebrate another milestone: for the first time ever, the majority of delegates are women.
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Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has consistently supported President Bush, playing follow the leader on the economy at a high cost to Floridians. Since 2007, Crist has backed more of the same failed Bush-McCain economic policies in Florida that have already driven the American economy into a recession. Crist has a long-standing relationship with Bush. In 2000, during Bush's presidential campaign, Crist and Bush were already close enough for Bush to bestow a nickname on Crist, "Chalkboard Charlie." It's no surprise that Crist has leaped to Bush's defense, saying, "I'm not concerned with being linked with him at all ... I'm proud of my president." Full release

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (LOCAL) Call to Order - The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte, State Senator from Texas, Co-Chair, Democratic National Convention; Invocation - Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America; Presentation of Colors - Colorado Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Franz Wedeman, Thomas Chesner, David Shuker, John Harrington... Full release

Organizers of UNCONVENTIONAL '08, today announced that more than 3,500 people have signed up asking for tickets to watch a powerful lineup of bands perform during the DNC Convention in Denver on Wednesday, August 27th at 6:00 pm at Manifest Hope Gallery, making the concert aimed at young Democrats the hottest party in town tonight. Full release

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC), Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton announced today the speakers who will nominate and second Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton during Wednesday night's Convention program. Michael Wilson of Florida, a Republican and Air Force medic veteran of Iraq, will formally nominate Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's candidate. Wilson, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who served eight years as an Air Force medic, was one of Senator Obama's dinner guests on September 3, 2007. United States Senator Ken Salazar (CO), United States Representatives Artur Davis (AL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) will second the nomination for Obama. Full release

All over America, children like Marcus Lewis are riding their bikes, starting sixth grade and dreaming of breaking Olympic records -- or just finding a good job and raising a family. But unless we turn our country around, they're not going to make it, not even into the middle class. Full release

Henrietta Fore, Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance and Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will lead the U.S. delegation attending the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana from September 2-4, 2008. Full release

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, and Jeannie Ritter, wife of Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado, kicked off the Democratic National Convention's Delegate Service Day in Denver's Curtis Park neighborhood today. All three women and their families joined hundreds of volunteers to prepare care packages for troops serving abroad. The event was sponsored by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois National Guard Major and Iraq War veteran, also joined today's service project. Full release

From ABC News' Political Radar: When Sen. Barack Obama moves the convention from the Pepsi Center to Invesco Field on Thursday, the Illinois Democrat is reportedly planning to speak from a columned stage resembling an ancient Greek temple. The Reuters report, which detailed an elaborate rock concert set-up for Obama's speech complete with post-speech fireworks, was sure to earn GOP knocks from Republicans looking to fold the trappings of Obama's rhetoric into its anti-Obama celebrity narrative. Full release

An AARP focus group in Denver found that neither the Obama campaign's focus on "change" nor the McCain campaign's focus on "experience" appears to be working with undecided voters. The panel of 21 swing voters, conducted by Luntz Maslansky Strategic Research, Inc., found that these voters want specific information on their proposals -- including how the candidates plan to pay for them -- and accountability on their promises. Full release

Hour # 1 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (LOCAL) Call to Order - The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte, State Senator from Texas, Co-Chair, Democratic National Convention. Invocation - Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America... Full release

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Lilly Ledbetter, the voice and face of the pay equity fight in the United States at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, August 26, 2008: Scheduled for delivery: August 26, 2008 - 7:00-8:00 pm MT - EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY. Good evening. Many of you are probably asking: Who is that grandmother from Alabama at the podium? I can assure you, nobody is more surprised, or humbled, than I am. I'm here to talk about America's commitment to fairness and equality, and how people like me -- and like you -- suffer when that commitment is betrayed. Full release

The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the names of additional speakers for the program of events that will run Sept. 1-4. The convention's overall theme, "Country First," reflects John McCain's remarkable record of leadership and service to America. Each day of proceedings will center on a touchstone theme that has defined John McCain's life and will be central to his vision for leading our nation forward as president. Full release

Today, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan announced the Assistant Officers for the 2008 Republican National Convention. "With less than a week before the official kick off of 2008 Republican National Convention, we are honored to have such an esteemed group of individuals serving as Convention Officers and Assistant Officers this year. I am confident that the Convention officials will ensure that the proceedings are carried out successfully under our Party's longstanding rules and traditions," Duncan said. Full release

Congressional Quarterly Inc., the nation's premier provider of news, analysis and information on Congress, politics and public policy, today announced that it is providing convention-goers and readers back home with up-to-the-minute comprehensive coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Full release

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic Presidential Nominee Senator Barack Obama, and his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, hosted a roundtable discussion with working women from across the country in Denver Tuesday. There, they heard stories of the challenges women face in juggling work and family commitments and discussed the Obama / Biden plans to support working women and their families in the White House. Full release

Today, RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, Platform Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) and Platform Committee Co-Chairman U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) announced the Subcommittee assignments for the 2008 Platform Committee. Full release

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America campaign announced today some featured speakers for Thursday night's Convention program at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Speaking before a crowd of more than 75,000 will be former Vice President Al Gore, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., United States Senator Richard Durbin (IL) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Governor Howard Dean. Full release

JOSEPH FARAH, who was characterized by the Clinton administration and the DNC as the leader of the "Right Wing Smear Machine," says JOHN MCCAIN will be a worse choice for the U.S. in the long run than BARACK OBAMA. "Republicans who are thinking about holding their nose and voting for McCain out of fear of Obama are going to experience their worst fears anyway," says Farah. "McCain will govern much like Obama for four years, be a one-term president and leave us in 2012 with a Democratic president -- probably Obama or possibly Hillary Clinton." Full release.

Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine, have issued the following statement: In the course of a "Meet the Press" interview on abortion and other public issues on August 24, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion. Full release.

The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25, 2008. Full release.

I am very proud to have been elected the first Latina attorney general in America. I bring greetings from beautiful New Mexico, a battleground state where we know that Barack Obama will lead the Democrats this fall in renewing the promise of America. Full release

Hour #1 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (LOCAL), Call to Order - The Honorable Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia; Invocation - Reverend Cynthia Hal, Disciples of Christ - Decatur, Georgia. Full release

Barack Obama can capture the votes of America's workers, including so-called Reagan Democrats, with a strong message of economic populism and sharp contrasts with McCain on taxes, health care, trade and corporate power, according to a new survey conducted by Lake Research Partners and released today at a news briefing at the 2008 Democratic National Convention by Change to Win. Full release

Over the last few years, Barack Obama has joined with Americans in every state in this country in a positive campaign for change. The stories of the people he has met throughout this campaign have inspired Barack Obama and helped to shape the policies he will promote as President. The speakers selected to be part of the nightly program come from across the nation, but they are all brought together through their personal stories, which address real life challenges. Full release

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