Politics

August 13, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - The Obama for America Campaign announced today that former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic Convention on Tuesday, August 26th, the second night of the Convention.

An innovative businessman known for his ability to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents, campaign officials said that Warner's vision for Virginia and his leadership style echoed the Convention's theme of Americans coming together for change.    » read more »

August 13, 2008 -- OREGON CITY, OR -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced Oregon's Grassroots Leadership Team. This team of local Oregon leaders will help organize and manage the campaign's grassroots efforts, including the "get out the vote" turnout operation, in each county and city across the state of Oregon.

Each of Oregon's 36 counties will have a designated chairman at the local level to serve as the point of contact for local volunteers and supporters, and to help communicate John McCain's message of country first, national security, stronger economy and government reform.    » read more »

Aug 7, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK, AR — Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels today certified a petition submitted by independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader allowing him and his vice presidential running mate, Matt Gonzalez, to appear on the Arkansas ballot in the November 4, 2008 general election.

The Secretary of State’s office verified 1,234 signatures. 1,000 valid signatures from registered Arkansas voters are required of political groups and independent candidates wishing to appear on the state’s general election ballot for the offices of US President and Vice President.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- Statement from Jason Furman, Obama Campaign Economic Policy Director, on the new trade deficit numbers:

"While Senator McCain may believe that the small reduction in the trade deficit represents great progress in an economy he thinks is doing just fine, Barack Obama believes that America can do better than a $693 billion trade deficit over the last year.

"Barns for Obama": Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)

We cannot afford another four years of the massive trade deficits we've had under President Bush - trade deficits that Senator McCain's economic policies would only make worse.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- As John McCain continues his "Job-Killing John" tour in Pennsylvania today, it's clearer than ever how out of touch he is with working Americans. McCain is insulated from the economic struggles of most Americans.

As Americans face the consequences of seven months of job losses and spiraling energy costs, John McCain, who owns seven houses, has said that there has "been great progress economically." Perhaps it's not surprising then that John McCain is so out of touch with the struggles facing Americans today that he actually has said that the nation's economic problems are merely "psychological" and why he is calling for more of the same failed Bush policies and politics that have already cost thousands of Americans their jobs.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The Democratic National Committee today launched the first web ad of the Exxon-McCain '08 campaign. The ad, called "Exxon John," highlights McCain's promise of more giveaways for his new friends in Big Oil. Released on the same day activists across the country are participating in an Exxon-McCain '08 National Day of Action, "Exxon John" is a parody of the "Big John" video released earlier this year by Republican Senator John Cornyn.    » read more »

Exxon-McCain '08

August 11, 2008 -- Activists across the country will take part in a National Day of Action to protest the Exxon-McCain '08 campaign on Tuesday, August 12. Tomorrow's events are the cornerstone of a week of grassroots activism in as many as 18 states aimed at highlighting Exxon John's promise of four more years of gimmicks and giveaways that line Big Oil's pockets but do nothing to help Americans deal with skyrocketing energy costs.    » read more »

August 11, 2008 -- John McCain is in Pennsylvania today on a so-called "jobs tour," promoting more of the same Bush economic policies that have been a disaster for the state. From supporting corporate tax breaks at the expense of tax breaks for middle class Americans, to proposing billions of dollars in new deficit spending, to advocating for unfair trade deals that have helped his lobbyist friends but led to a loss of over 44,000 jobs in Pennsylvania alone, the McCain Bush economy is the last thing Pennsylvania needs.    » read more »

August 11, 2008 -- With John McCain embarking on a so-called "jobs tour" aimed at hiding his job-killing record, the Democratic National Committee today released a new web video called "Job-Killing John" that highlights his pattern of putting his lobbyist friends ahead of Americas' workers.

The video comes days after the leak of an internal McCain campaign memo that shows McCain will attempt to distort the record by falsely portraying Senator Obama as a "job killing machine." In reality--from opposing Buy American rules to supporting unfair trade deals that have cost America hundreds of thousands of jobs--John McCain has repeatedly supported policies that outsource American jobs.    » read more »

August 11, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Today Senator Barack Obama made the following statement on the contract agreement between Verizon Communications Inc., Communications Workers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"I want to congratulate Verizon, CWA and IBEW for reaching an agreement that will provide tens of thousands of workers with the good pay, health care, and benefits they deserve. And I want to commend Verizon for recognizing the good work that union members can do for their company."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

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 11, 2008 -- WOODBRIDGE, N.J.-- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Mayor Richard J. Gerbounka (Linden, N.J.) has endorsed John McCain for president.

"I am proud to support John McCain for president," said Mayor Gerbounka.

John McCain: Photo by Paul Dietzel II (CC)

Mayor Gerbounka formally endorsed John McCain in a press conference held today on the steps of Linden City Hall. State Senator Bill Baroni, who serves as the New Jersey Chairman for John McCain's presidential campaign, was on hand to welcome the endorsement.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- August 11, 2008 -- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) sent a letter Monday to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller pressing the Director to provide more information to Committee members about the misuse of so-called “exigent letters.” Press accounts last week revealed that Mueller apologized to editors at The New York Times and The Washington Post for a 2004 breach of Department of Justice guidelines regarding subpoenas for reporters’ phone records.    » read more »