Democratic Party

August 11, 2008 -- "Good morning. The situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate because of the escalation of Russia's use of military force. I have spoken to President Saakashvili, and conveyed my deep regret over the loss of life, and the suffering of the people of Georgia.

For many months, I have warned that there needs to be active international engagement to peacefully address the disputes over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including a high-level and neutral international mediator, and a genuine international peacekeeping force - not simply Russian troops.    » read more »

August 09, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- "I just spoke separately with Secretary Rice and President Saakashvili about the grave crisis in Georgia. I told President Saakashvili that I was deeply concerned about the well-being of the people of Georgia.    » read more »

August 06, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- Below is a statement from Senator Obama on Today's Military Commission Verdict in the Hamdan Case:

"I commend the military officers who presided over this trial and served on the hearing panel under difficult and unprecedented circumstances. They and all our Armed Forces continue to serve this country with valor in the fight against terrorism.    » read more »

August 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the tenth anniversary of the African embassy bombings:

"Ten years ago, al Qaeda carried out simultaneous attacks on the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Two hundred and twenty-four people were killed, including 12 Americans. Some 5,000 more people were wounded. The pain those bombings inflicted on the loved ones of the Americans that we lost - and on the people and economies of Kenya and Tanzania - can never be fully measured nor healed. I renew my condolences to all of those whose lives were changed forever on that day.    » read more »

Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families Honor Senator Biden with the Best of Congress Award

August 12, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) has been honored by Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families with the Best of Congress award, for improving the American quality of life through family-friendly work policies. The award spotlights Senator Biden’s congressional leadership in supporting working families through legislation and for employing family-friendly policies in his own office. A profile of Sen. Biden is featured in the August/September 2008 issue of Working Mother magazine, which hits newsstands today, and at www.workingmother.com.    » read more »

McCain Touts Plan at Nuke Plant That Partially Melted Down, Gave Rise to Term "China Syndrome" & Caught Fire Just This Past May

August, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.--As John McCain is paying a visit today to the Enrico Fermi nuclear generating station in Monroe, Michigan he can be expected to tout his costly plan to build 45 new nuclear plants by 2030 and 55 more after that. This plan would effectively double the number of nuclear reactors and the amount of dangerous high-level nuclear waste that would need to be transported across the country.    » read more »

August, 2008 -- Washington, DC: In a recent speech, Senator Barack Obama outlined a comprehensive energy plan that focuses on moving America forward with sensible clean energy proposals that will create jobs and meet our energy needs. Below is a statement from Sierra Club Political Director Cathy Duvall:

Senator Obama's plan will put America on the path to a clean energy future because it prioritizes efforts that will benefit working families instead of the outdated fossil fuel industries. Senator Obama supports creating millions of jobs by investing in the cleanest, cheapest, and fastest technologies to meet our energy needs and stimulate our economy. The mix of short and long term measures includes key goals like:    » read more »

August 5, 2008 -- This week, with energy in the headlines and at the forefront of the economic struggles for America's families, Americans are demanding real solutions to soaring gas prices and the long-term energy crisis. But instead of looking ahead for comprehensive solutions to our nation's energy problems and towards reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and developing alternative energy sources, John McCain is turning to the Bush-Cheney play book which puts the interests of oil companies ahead of the interests of Americans. In fact, John McCain has at least 33 former oil lobbyists who advise him or fund-raise for his campaign.    » read more »

Site Highlight Potential McCain VP Pick

August 5, 2008 -- Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee today launched a new website, www.TheNextCheney.com that illustrates the most important thing the voters need to know about each of John McCain's potential vice presidential picks: no matter who he chooses, any ticket with John McCain on it means more of the same.

As McCain himself said in 2001, "with a little more luck" he'd have asked Dick Cheney to be his vice president. The new site, www.thenextcheney.com, features an initial list of seven contenders poised to be the next Cheney.    » read more »

August 4, 2008 -- This week, as John McCain continues on the Low Road Express, launching false attacks and airing desperate ads, donations from oil and gas companies are fueling his campaign - and driving his policies.    » read more »

August 4, 2008 -- Today, after a week of watching Senator McCain go back and forth on whether or not he would consider raising the Social Security payroll tax, McCain's campaign surrogates engaged in their own debate: with McCain.

On Fox News Sunday, Lindsey Graham said raising the Social Security payroll tax was "a dumb idea," even though McCain himself said he was open to the idea last weekend.

John McCain: Photo by Dan Bennett (CC)    » read more »

August 4, 2008 -- John McCain wrapped up his week by telling reporters in Florida that he thinks he is running "a very respectful campaign" and that he doesn't think his campaign "is negative in the slightest." In reality, independent organizations, Republican strategists and media observers alike have criticized him all week for taking the low road. In fact, if you're looking for the right word to sum up McCain's week, try one of these: "desperate," "dishonorable," "outright lies," "off the mark," "nasty," "the gutter," "baloney," or "baseless."    » read more »

Senators ask Secretary Gates to ensure soldiers with traumatic brain injuries have access to proven therapy

August 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - With an estimated 320,000 American soldiers who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan experiencing a possible traumatic brain injury (TBI), Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today called on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to extend military health care coverage to include proven treatment for the signature injury of the two wars.    » read more »

August 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama joined Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to cosponsor the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act:

"With nearly 54 million Americans living with disabilities today, we have a responsibility to ensure they have better access, more opportunities, and increased independence.

Barack Obama speaking in Titusville, Florida: Photo by Eric Lin (CC)    » read more »

August 01, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the latest jobs report and unveiled an Emergency Economic Plan that will take the excess profits of oil companies to help working families deal with energy costs with new $1,000 rebate checks and enact a $50 billion package to save more than 1 million jobs.    » read more »