Doug MacGinnitie Launches Effort to Increase Voting Opportunities for Military Personnel

Republican candidate for Georgia Secretary of State Doug MacGinnitie today launched an effort to increase opportunities for active duty service members and Reservists serving on active duty to participate in Georgia elections.

Research done by the Heritage Foundation in 2008 shows that 75-80% of military voters from across the United States were disenfranchised by their inability to request and return an absentee ballot within time limits as required by law. To make matters worse, for those who did cast an absentee ballot; local officials often reject military absentee ballots at far higher rates than other absentee ballots.

"Our men and women in uniform are putting their lives on the line to defend our freedoms," said MacGinnitie. "We should do everything possible to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the most basic of American rights, the right to vote."

In Georgia all absentee ballots must be returned by 7pm on election day. In runoffs, it is virtually impossible for active duty personnel forward deployed in hazardous duty environments; serving on ships or aboard submarines to request and return a ballot in four weeks.

To address this problem, MacGinnitie has created his Military Voting Advisory Committee, composed of veterans and reservists from across the state. Experts from the legal and technology communities will also serve on the committee to assist in their respective fields. The mission is to develop policy ideas to solve this critical flaw in our voting laws.

"Our current Secretary of State has done an outstanding job focusing on stopping voter fraud, and has implemented reforms to help military voters. As Secretary of State, I will ensure Georgia leads the nation in giving active military voters the opportunity to cast a ballot," said MacGinnitie.

The members of MacGinnitie's Military Voting Advisory Committee include:

Brad Carver, Esq., Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C.
Brigadier General Walter C. Corish, Jr., GAANG, Ret.
Major General (Ret.) Bruce W. MacLane, USAF
Lieutenant Colonel Oz Hill, USA, Ret.
Jim Lester III, retired CIO AFLAC, former chairman Georgia Technology Authority
Brigadier General Denis Shortal, USMC, (RET)
Craig Thornton, President, Cnetics Technologies

------
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
www.politicalpotluck.com
Political News You Can Use

McCain-Palin 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Tax Cutter"

Today, McCain-Palin 2008 released its latest television ad, entitled "Tax Cutter." The ad highlights Barack Obama's record of voting 94 times to raise taxes. Americans can hardly afford the tax increases that Barack Obama and his allies have supported in Congress and continue to propose today. The ad will be televised nationally.

VIEW THE AD HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bDXIcldmfo

Script For "Tax Cutter" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Who is Barack Obama?

BARACK OBAMA: "I'm a tax cutter."

ANNCR: Really?

Senator Obama voted ninety-four times for higher taxes.
Ninety-four times.
He's not truthful on taxes.
At least Congressional liberals admit they want to raise your taxes.
Add billions in new spending.
And oppose offshore drilling.
Congressional liberals. The truth hurts you.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

AD FACTS: Script For "Tax Cutter" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Who is Barack Obama? BARACK OBAMA: "I'm a tax cutter."

· Barack Obama: "I'm A Tax Cutter." OBAMA: "In fact, I offer three times the tax relief for middle class families as Senator McCain does. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle class. Don't believe those commercials. I'm a tax cutter." (CNN's "Ballot Bowl," 9/21/08)

ANNCR: Really? Senator Obama voted ninety-four times for higher taxes. Ninety-four times. He's not truthful on taxes.

· In 109th -- 110th Congresses, Obama Voted At Least 94 Times For Higher Taxes. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #425: Motion Rejected 59-40: R 9-39; D 48-1; I 2-0, 12/13/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #416: Motion Rejected 53-42: R 5-39; D 46-3; I 2-0, 12/7/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #352: Motion Agreed To 69-30: R 18-30; D 49-0; I 2-0, 9/27/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #307: Passed 68-31: R 18-31; D 48-0; I 2-0, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #306: Motion Agreed To 67-32: R 17-32; D 48-0; I 2-0, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #304: Motion Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #296: Motion Rejected 39-60: R 37-12; D 2-46; I 0-2, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #295: Motion Rejected 47-52: R 46-3; D 1-47; I 0-2, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #292: Rejected 36-60: R 1-46; D 33-14; I 2-0, 8/1/07, O bama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #223: Motion Rejected 57-36: R 10-34; D 45-2; I 2-0, 6/21/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Motion Agreed To 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #172: Adopted 52-40: R 2-40; D 48-0; I 2-0, 5/17/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #161: Motion Rejected 44-51: R 44-2; D 0-47; I 0-2, 5/9/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #159: Motion Agreed To 54-41: R 46-0; D 8-39; I 0-2, 5/9/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 1591, CQ Vote #118: Adopted 74-23: R 25-22; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/28/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #113: Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #109: Rejected 44-55: R 44-5; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #108: Rejected 44-53: R 44-3; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #107: Rejected 46-52: R 46-2; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Co n. Res. 21, CQ Vote #105: Adopted 59-40: R 13-36; D 44-4; I 2-0, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #102: Rejected 48-51: R 48-1; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #100: Rejected 46-53: R 46-3; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #98: Rejected 42-53: R 42-4; D 0-47; I 0-2, 3/22/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #94: Rejected 38-58: R 0-47; D 36-11; I 2-0, 3/22/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #83: Rejected 47-51: R 47-2; D 0-47; I 0-2, 3/21/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #38: Motion Rejected 46-50: R 44-3; D 2-45; I 0-2, 1/31/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #37: Motion Agreed To 49-48: R 1-46; D 46-2; I 2-0, 1/31/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #32: Motion Agreed To 50-42: R 3-42; D 45-0; I 2-0, 1/25/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #30: Motion Rejected 43-50: R 42-3; D 1-45; I 0-2, 1/25/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #28: Motion Rejected 42-51: R 41-4; D 1-45; I 0-2, 1/25/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. 256, CQ Vote #27: Rejected 38-61: R 38-17; D 0-43; I 0-1, 3/7/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #50: Rejected 46-54: R 1-54; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/15/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #61: Rejected 44-56: R 1-54; D 42-2; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #63: Rejected 40-59: R 0-54; D 40-4; I 0-1, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #81: Adopted 51-49: R 51-4; D 0-44; I 0-1, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #65: Rejected 49-51: R 4-51; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #68: Motion Adopted 51-49: R 6-49; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #70: Rejected 45-55: R 0-55; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #74: Motion Adopted 55-45: R 50-5; D 5-39; I 0-1, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #75: Rejected 47-53: R 3-52; D 43-1; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama V oted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #78: Rejected 45-55: R 0-55; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #79: Rejected 37-63: R 1-54; D 35-9; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #114: Motion Adopted 52-47: R 52-3; D 0-43; I 0-1, 4/28/05, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 3058, CQ Vote #258: Motion Rejected 42-57: R 42-13; D 0-43; I 0-1, 10/19/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. 2020, CQ Vote #330: Rejected 44-55: R 2-53; D 41-2; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #331: Motion Rejected 35-64: R 0-55; D 34-9; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #333: Motion Rejected 40-59: R 1-54; D 38-5; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #337: Motion Rejected 43-55: R 0-54; D 42-1; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #338: Motion Rejected 36-62: R 0-54; D 35-8; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #339: Motion Rejected 50-48: R 9-45; D 40-3; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #3 41: Motion Rejected 33-65: R 0-54; D 32-11; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #343: Motion Rejected 43-55: R 1-53; D 41-2; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #345: Motion Rejected 47-51: R 3-51; D 43-0; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #346: Motion Rejected 42-56: R 0-54; D 41-2; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #347: Passed 64-33: R 49-4; D 15-28; I 0-1, 11/18/05, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #7: Motion Rejected 44-53: R 1-52; D 42-1; I 1-0, 2/2/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #8: Motion Rejected 44-53: R 1-52; D 42-1; I 1-0, 2/2/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #10: Passed 66-31: R 49-4; D 17-26; I 0-1, 2/2/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #15: Motion Rejected 40-53: R 1-52; D 39-1; I 0-0, 2/13/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #16: Motion Agreed To 53-47: R 51-4; D 2-42; I 0-1, 2/14/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #17: Motion Rejected 47-53: R 3-52; D 43- 1; I 1-0, 2/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #18: Motion Rejected 45-55: R 1-54; D 43-1; I 1-0, 2/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #39: Rejected 50-50: R 5-50; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #41: Rejected 46-54: R 1-54; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #42: Rejected 46-54: R 3-52; D 42-2; I 1-0, 3/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #43: Rejected 45-53: R 1-53; D 43-0; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #45: Rejected 43-55: R 0-54; D 42-1; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #47: Rejected 43-53: R 0-53; D 42-0; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #51: Rejected 44-53: R 1-53; D 42-0; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #57: Motion Adopted 51-49: R 6-49; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #60: Rejected 48-49: R 5-49; D 42-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Y ea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #61: Rejected 42-56: R 0-55; D 41-1; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #63: Rejected 46-54: R 2-53; D 43-1; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #64: Rejected 49-51: R 4-51; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #66: Rejected 48-52: R 3-52; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #67: Rejected 46-53: R 2-52; D 43-1; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #69: Rejected 43-57: R 1-54; D 41-3; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #118: Motion Adopted 54-44: R 51-3; D 3-40; I 0-1, 5/11/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #164: Motion Rejected 57-41: R 53-2; D 4-38; I 0-1, 6/8/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 5970, CQ Vote #229: Motion Rejected 56-42: R 52-3; D 4-38; I 0-1, 8/3/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4954, CQ Vote #244: Motion Agreed To 57-41: R 54-0; D 3-40; I 0-1, 9/13/06, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: A dopted 48- 45: R 2- 44; D 44- 1; I 2-0, 6/4/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85, Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #82, Rejected 45-51: R 45-1; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #77, Rejected 48-50: R 47-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #74, Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #50: Rejected 50-50: R 48-1; D 2-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #52: Rejected 47-53: R 47-2; D 0-49; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #48: Rejected 49-51: R 48-1; D 1-48; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #43: Rejected 47-52: R 47-2; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #47: Motion Agreed To: 50-50: R 49-0, Vice President Cheney Casting A Yea' Vote; D 1-48; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, C Q Vote #46: Motion Rejected 49-51: R 0-49; D 47-2; I 2-0, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Yea S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #45: Rejected 49-50: R 47-1; D 2-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #64: Rejected 43-55: R 1-47; D 40-8; I 2-0, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Yea)

· FactCheck.org: Despite His Denial, Barack Obama Did Vote For Higher Taxes On People Making Just $42,000. "Obama denied voting for a bill that called for increased taxes on 'people' making as little as $42,000 a year, as McCain accused him of doing. McCain was right, though only for single taxpayers." ("FactChecking Debate No. 1," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 9/27/08)

ANNCR: At least Congressional liberals admit they want to raise your taxes.

· Majority Of Democrats Voted For The FY 2009 Budget Resolution That Would Raise Taxes On Those Making Just $42,000 A Year. (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 48- 45: R 2- 44; D 44- 1; I 2-0, 6/4/08, Obama Voted Yea)

· The Budget Resolution Would Have Allowed Most Of The Provisions Of The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts To Expire. "What Obama voted for was a budget resolution that would have allowed most of the provisions of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire. In particular, the resolution would allow the 25 percent tax bracket to return to its pre-2001 level of 28 percent. That bracket kicks in at $32,550 for an individual or $65,100 for a married couple. ... But as those of you who have filled out a 1040 know, that's not actually how income taxes work. We don't pay taxes on our total earnings; we pay them based on our 'taxable income.' The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center's Eric Toder told FactCheck.org that 'people with taxable income of $32,000 would have a total income greater than that.' In 2008, anyone filing taxes with single status would be entitled to a standard deduction of $5,450, as well as a personal exemption of $3,500. So to have a tax able income high enough to reach the 25 percent bracket, an individual would need to earn at least $41,500 in total income, while a married couple would need a combined income of at least $83,000." ("The $32,000 Question," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 7/8/08)

ANNCR: Add billions in new spending.

· In 2008, Congressional Democrats' Budget Was $20 Billion Above The President's Request. "Congressional Democratic leaders have reached agreement on a $3 trillion budget blueprint that would authorize a small increase for domestic priorities and spare millions of households from an unpopular tax. But it postpones most major budget decisions until after this fall's presidential election. The deal, reached late Friday between House Budget Committee Chairman John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.) and Senate Budget Committee chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), would increase spending on government programs in the fiscal year that begins in October about $20 billion beyond President Bush's request." (Lori Montgomery, "Democrats Agree on Budget Plan That Avoids the Biggest Decisions," The Washington Post, 5/14/08)

ANNCR: And oppose offshore drilling. Congressional liberals. The truth hurts you.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

· Barack Obama Said That Drilling Will Not "Solve Our Problem" And That Its "Not Real." "'If I thought that by drilling offshore we could solve our problem, I'd do it This is not real. I know it's tempting. The polls say the majority of Americans think it's one way we'll resolve our problems, but it's not real." (John Whitesides, "Obama, Mccain Duel Over Celebrity Ad, Attacks," Reuters, 7/30/08)

· House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Called Offshore Drilling A "Decoy." PELOSI: "We have had seven and a half years of failed energy policy by the Bush administration. We have a faltering, downturning economy. The president needs a decoy, so he's going out there -- he's even had the nerve to say the economy would be better off if we could drill in protected areas offshore." (CNN's "Late Edition," 7/20/08)

John McCain 2008 Launches New Web Video: "Obama Love"

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its latest web video entitled "Obama Love." The video highlights the media's love affair with Barack Obama -- or as MSNBC's Chris Matthews says, that "thrill going up my leg."

Watch "Obama Love": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfogMFL7UJo

Vote For Your Favorite Love Song For "Obama Love": http://www.johnmccain.com/video/love.htm

Giuliani News Roundup

McCain expects Martinez's help -- so does Giuliani
MiamiHerald.com - Miami,FL,USA
But Martinez isn't sure he'll endorse him now because he feels badly for McCain's opponent, Rudy Giuliani -- who also thought he had a shot at Martinez's ...

Giuliani Vows To Send NASA Back to Moon
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL,USA
Former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Friday pledged his unwavering support to return America to the moon and send astronauts to Mars, promising that if he were ...

Giuliani plummets, McCain jumps in Pennsylvania poll
Allentown Morning Call - Allentown,PA,USA
By Josh Drobnyk Call Washington Bureau January 18, 2008 WASHINGTON - In a sign of Rudy Giuliani's sagging political fortunes, the former New York City ...

Guests For The Sunday TV News Shows
Guardian Unlimited - UK
From AP By AP ABC's ``This Week'' - Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Charles Rangel, DN.Y. CBS' ``Face the Nation'' - Former Sen. ...

A look at Rudy Giuliani ad
MiamiHerald.com - Miami,FL,USA
Audio: Narrator: ''Taxes, insurance, housing, all a mess, but Rudy Giuliani knows how to fix those. He reformed welfare before others tried, and delivered ...

Giuliani promises to make space a priority if elected president
MiamiHerald.com - Miami,FL,USA
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani promised aerospace leaders Friday that he will work to close the looming ...

Biographical information on Rudy Giuliani
The Southern - Carbondale,IL,USA
By AP CAREER _ Stepped down this year as head of Giuliani Partners consulting firm; New York mayor, 1994-2001; US attorney, Southern District of New York, ...

Why Rudy Giuliani's Survival Depends on Winning the Florida Primary
U.S. News & World Report - Washington,DC,USA
By Liz Halloran ORLANDO—When former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani settled on his unorthodox strategy to win the GOP presidential nomination—ignore failures ...

Giuliani, McCain Closest to Voters
Outside the Beltway - VA,USA
Thus, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain have to be pleased by the results. Matt Yglesias correctly notes that it’s “bad news for liberals” that “the ...

News from around the world on the Iowa Caucus

New faces win Iowa caucus
Radio Netherlands - Netherlands... of thousands of dollars to spend in his campaign, against the many millions of Matt Romney, the more conventionally conservative Republican candidate. ...

US presidential candidates shift to New Hampshire
CBC News - Toronto,Ontario,Canada
Republican candidate Huckabee swept to victory on support of evangelical Christians, defeating former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Sen. ...

Huckabee rises on 'faith, family' theme
DetNews.com - Detroit,MI,USA
In a clear shot at the well-heeled Romney, Huckabee says he's the Republican candidate from humble beginnings who understands the plight of voters in ...

Does any Republican Candidate Want to Win Iowa?
HULIQ - Hickory,NC,USA
The website of the Democratic Party of USA has a very interesting information on what the republican candidates for the US Presidency have said about Iowa ...

The Mayor's birds of prey
Al-Ahram Weekly - Cairo,Egypt
And they know that since the public is unhappy with President Bush because of the Iraq war, if they can make a republican candidate out to be warlike then ...

Dems Want Repubs to Nominate Huckabee
WEBCommentary - USA
But if he moves forward and potentially becomes the Republican candidate...what will you do then? Will you continue to attack him... or his opponent on the ...

State may still carry primary weight
The Capital Times - Madison,WI,USA
Thursday's strong showings by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mike Huckabee could breathe new life into Wisconsin's ...

Why Losing in Iowa Means More than Winning
FOX News - USA
Even now, rumors have spread in the media that Republican candidate Fred Thompson will drop from the race if he doesn't perform well in Iowa. ...

Exeter community readies for 2008 primary
Exeter News-Letter - Exeter,NH,USA
On Wednesday morning, a group of Ron Paul volunteers showed support for the Republican candidate by waving signs and catching the attention of motorists ...

Giuliani: Strategy Memo: Looking Good

As voting nears in the Republican nomination process, our campaign remains convinced that our strategy we have long had in place is right – bold, innovative and designed to deal with the radically different election calendar. While many of the beltway insiders seem to remain committed to the old "Carter/Clinton" approach and have questioned the adjustments we have made to our strategic thinking based on the new calendar, we clearly have a winning plan to secure the nomination in an election cycle unlike any other. History will prove us right.

As we enter the final stages of the campaign we have seen a tightening in the national polling and the emergence of a real 5-way race for the Republican nomination. Mayor Giuliani has led virtually every national major media poll conducted in 2007. We are now at a point in the campaign where we are seeing increasing polling volatility as public attention turns to the horse races in individual states.

Important to our long term strategy, Mayor Giuliani has enjoyed a commanding lead in nearly every public poll conducted in the delegate rich states of Florida, California, Illinois, New York and New Jersey.

2007 November – December Public Polling Averages Mayor Giuliani and Closest Opponent in state polling
State Mayor Giuliani Average Closest Opponent Average
Florida 30% 17%
California 29% 15%
New Jersey 38% 12%
New York 40% 12%

The Primary Calendar2008 will be unlike any recent Republican nomination process. What typically has been a primary process that stretched into March or April has been accelerated and compacted into a 33 day sprint.

Our rivals seemingly have built campaigns based on the old calendars’ strategies — a couple of very early state wins to propel them deeper in to the nomination process. To the contrary, our plan allocates time and resources to the many states which vote a bit later — on January 29 (Florida) and February 5.

For the record, only 78 delegates will be picked prior to Florida whereas 1,039 delegates will be picked on January 29 and February 5. Additionally, it is important to note that voting HAS ALREADY STARTED in Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and New York – tens of thousands of people will have already cast their ballot by the time you are reading this note. And more February 5th states, including California will begin early and absentee voting soon. All of this points to the folly of over-estimating the impact of the results of Iowa and New Hampshire and the wisdom of our strategy.

Putting a high priority on spending our time and money in a proportional basis in Florida and the large delegate states voting on February 5th is clearly the right thing to do.

The Early States
The pre-February 5th states are Iowa, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina, Florida and Maine. Delegates are at stake in just five states before February 5. Wyoming will select a portion of its delegates at their caucus in January, but will not allocate all of their delegates until later in the year. Iowa, Nevada and Maine award NO delegates at this time. Florida is the big prize on January 29, with 57 winner-take-all delegates – the only winner-take-all state before February 5th.

Pre February 5th Contests
Date State Estimated Delegates after RNC Penalty
1/3 Iowa 0*
1/5 Wyoming 12
1/8 New Hampshire 12
1/15 Michigan 30
1/19 Nevada 0*
1/19 South Carolina 24
1/29 Florida 57
2/1 Maine 0*

Because states selecting delegates before February 5th are in violation of Republican National Committee rules, those states have been penalized half of their normal delegates; Iowa, Nevada, and Maine do not select any delegates at their caucuses, but rather at state party conventions in late spring. The states before February 5th will allocate delegates to multiple candidates under varying state election laws and state party rules. Thus, it is highly unlikely that any single candidate will win all of any one state’s delegates except Florida’s, which will be winner-take-all.
Florida accounts for more than 40% of all delegates allocated before February 5th and has almost twice as many delegates as the next largest state. It is therefore easy and correct to conclude that in a multiple candidate race, whichever candidate wins Florida, with their winner-take-all delegates, will very likely have a delegate lead going into February 5th.

February 5th
On February 5th, 982 delegates will be in play. Most importantly, a bloc of 201 winner-take-all delegates will be at stake in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware, all states in which Mayor Giuliani has double digit leads. Aside from the huge northeast delegate prize, Missouri will award 58 winner-take-all delegates, and Senator Kit Bond’s endorsement gives our organization a great statewide network there. Also on February 5th, large states such as California, Georgia and Illinois will award most of their delegates by Congressional District vote. It is for this reason that Mayor Giuliani has spent a great deal of time in each of those states and has always polled well in them.

Path to VictoryIf Mayor Giuliani wins even a minority share of the 78 delegates from pre Florida states, wins Florida’s 57 delegates, wins the 201 available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware, and wins only a plurality of delegates from large February 5th states like California, Georgia and Illinois, he will have a commanding lead in delegates for the nomination with more than half of the delegates selected.

State Polling and OutlooksAs noted above, polling has been and will continue to be dynamic and incredibly volatile. In Iowa for instance -just in December- we have seen polls placing the Mayor’s support from as high as 3rd to as low as 6th place. Senator McCain caucus support has ranged from a high of 20% to a low of 5%. And polling over the Christmas and New Year holidays will not be any less fickle.

In Iowa, one could anticipate that Mayor Giuliani might finish outside of the top 3. Governors Huckabee and Romney are battling it out for first, Senator Thompson is spending a lot of time in the state over the closing days of the campaign and Senator McCain received a recent boost from the endorsement of the Des Moines Register. While placement in Iowa will be a focus of the media, it should be remembered that Senator McCain came in 5th place in Iowa (behind Bauer and Keyes) before winning New Hampshire.

The most covered story out of Iowa will likely be the Democratic race, but on the Republican side, the Huckabee/Romney race will be very interesting. The Romney campaign has invested millions of dollars and assembled a massive paid staff; some now question whether Mitt Romney’s Iowa investment and organization will prevail over Mike Huckabee. While Governor Huckabee was climbing rapidly in polls before Christmas, he now seems to have plateaued. Governor Romney’s strategy has long been based on winning the first few races to build momentum. Many believe the Romney organization (and a few million more dollars of get-out-the-vote money) will pull this one out for their campaign.

New Hampshire is only a few days after Iowa and voters there are notoriously late deciders on their presidential primary vote. New Hampshire will be very much in flux after Iowa. Governor Romney was governor of neighboring Massachusetts and Senator McCain won New Hampshire in 2000. In addition to Senator McCain’s base of support, he has recently put together a series of high profile endorsements in the area to further reinvigorate his campaign. The unprecedented personal spending by Governor Romney should not be underestimated. It is apparent that he has put more than $40 million of his own money into this race.

Accurate polling in New Hampshire will be nearly impossible, with the holidays complicating it logistically and the Iowa news cycle dominating press and potentially disrupting the order of the race.

Although we should expect to see more polling from South Carolina, Michigan and the other early states, one should remember that because of the furious pace of the election calendar and the never ending news cycle, polling will be very difficult to conduct, have a very short shelf life and become even more unstable and unreliable. The polling picture will be further blurred with the range of new polling methodologies that are being tested, ranging from robotic calling to internet polling.

Thus, we should all be ready for a barrage of state and national polls in January with seemingly contradictory results — some of it good news, much of it related to early January states as bad news. We should all have confidence in the strong organizations and also in the strong bases of support in Florida and other February 5th states which will endure the ups and downs of January.

Also, by the time we get to Florida, the field of candidates and the race will look remarkably different than it does right now. Florida will be the important battleground not only for our campaign but for the race itself.

Polling in Florida has been stable all year. For most of the second half of 2007, the support for Mayor Giuliani has averaged 33 or 34%. Virtually every other candidate in the race has polled in second place to us at one point or another over the year. We have remained on top in Florida. As in all races, expect to see signs of tightening in Florida as Election Day approaches, but also expect us to consolidate more support as candidates drop out of the race. We are very proud of our Florida organization, which, like all of our state organizations, is prepared for the long, hard fight to win.

One should conclude, as voting nears, that our campaign is focused on the right prize – winning enough delegates to secure the Republican nomination. Our national campaign is the right strategy for getting it done.