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~DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION~ AUGUST 25-28, 2008 DENVER, COLORADO
~REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION~ September 1-4, 2008 MINNEAPOLIS- SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
On The Campaign Trail... What They Are Saying
  
Page 1 2 May 26, 2008 "He really has no experience or knowledge or judgement about the issues of Iraq and he has wanted to surrender for a long time. If there was any other issue before the American people, and you hadn't had anything to do with it for a couple of years, I think the American people would judge that very harshly." Senator John McCain challenging Senator Barack Obama to accompany him to Iraq, May 26, 2008, noting that the Illinois senator's last trip to Iraq came before the military buildup that is credited with curbing violence. May 22, 2008 "I can't understand why he would line up behind the president in his opposition to this GI bill. I can't believe why he believes it is too generous to our veterans." Comments made by Senator Barack Obama Thursday, May 22, 2008, on the senate floor, criticizing Senator McCain. "And I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did.” Senator John McCain saying Thursday, May 22, 2008, in Union City, California that Senator Barack Obama had no right to criticize his position on military scholarships because the Illinois senator did not serve in uniform.
May 21, 2008
"We know the road to a Democratic White House runs right through Florida and Michigan." Senator Hillary Clinton's remarks on counting every vote at a "solutions for America" event in Boca Raton, FL, May 21, 2008. May 20, 2008 "I will leave it up to Senator McCain to explain to the American people whether his policies and positions represent long held convictions or Washington calculations, but one thing they don't represent is change." Remarks made by Senator Barack Obama in Des Moines, IA, May 20, 2008.
May 14, 2008 “We are here tonight because the Democratic voters have made their choice, and so have I…We must come together as Democrats to defeat Republican John McCain in November.” Comments made by John Edwards as he endorsed Senator Barack Obama, May 14, 2008, to thunderous applause from an audience in Grand Rapids, Michigan. May 13, 2008 “…The faith of the Mountain State has moved me. I am more determined than ever to carry on this campaign until everyone has had a chance to make their voices heard.” Remarks made by Senator Hillary Clinton at a celebration event in Charleston, West Virginia, May 13, 2008. May 7, 2008 “Nobody drops out of a presidential race; they just run out of money.” Senator Sherrod Brown, speaking at a breakfast May 7, 2008 put on by the Center on Politics & Foreign Relations and the Financial Times at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. In addition to discussing U.S. trade policy, he offered insight into the current presidential race. May 6, 2008 “Tonight we’ve come from behind, we’ve broken the tie, and thanks to you, it’s full speed on to the White House.” Senator Hillary Clinton making Election Day remarks in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 6, 2008. “More importantly, because of you, we have seen that it's possible to overcome the politics of division and distraction; that it's possible to overcome the same old negative attacks that are always about scoring points and never about solving our problems. We've seen that the American people aren't looking for more spin or more gimmicks, but honest answers about the challenges we face. That's what you've accomplished in this campaign, and that's how we'll change this country together.” Remarks made by Senator Barack Obama on primary night in Raleigh, North Carolina, May 6, 2008. April 24, 2008 “Never again, never again, will a disaster of this nature be handled in the disgraceful way it was handled." Comments made by Senator McCain in New Orleans, April 24, 2008, regarding the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. April 23, 2008 “We can't afford to play the same Washington games with the same Washington players and expect a different result. Not this time. Not now.” Comments made by Senator Barack Obama, April 23rd, 2008, in Evansville, Indiana, telling the people that they have the power to change this country. “You know, some people counted me out and said to drop out. But the American people don’t quit and they deserve a President who doesn’t quit either.” Comments made by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in Pennsylvania after winning the primary, April 23, 2008. April 17, 2008 "We should only sit down with Hamas if they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist, and abide by past agreements." Sen. Obama parting ideologically with Jimmy Carter, April 17, 2008. April 16, 2008
"He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit."
Comments made by rock star Bruce Springsteen in a letter in which he endorsed Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for president Wednesday, April 16, 2008. "I may be a lot of things but I am not dumb…[I] said some things that weren't in keeping with what I knew to be the case.'' Sen. Clinton responding to a question about her Bosnian sniper fire exaggeration during the debate with Sen. Obama on ABC, April 16, 2008. “But a simple yes-or-no question: Do you think Senator Obama can beat John McCain or not?” "Yes, yes, yes,” "I think I could do a better job." An exchange between George Stephanopoulos and Sen. Clinton during last night’s debate, April 16, 2008. He questioned about her reported statements that Obama could not win in the fall, she was unable to escape with her equivocal answers from the past. “In a general election, we know there are going to be all kinds of attacks launched…What the American people want are not distractions.” Sen. Obama during the Wednesday April 16, 2008 debates on ABC, trying to focus attention back to the issues. April 14, 2008 “The people of faith I know don't 'cling' to religion because they're bitter… People embrace faith not because they are materially poor, but because they are spiritually rich…People don't need a president who looks down on them. They need a president who stands up for them.” Comments made by Sen. Clinton in an address to workers at a plant in Indianapolis, April 14, 2008, as she responded to Sen. Obama’s “elitist and out of touch” comments. April 13, 2008 “Shame on her. Shame on her. She knows better. She is running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen. She, how she values the Second Amendment, she’s talking like she is Annie Oakley. Hillary Clinton is out there like she’s out in the duck blind every Sunday. She’s packing a six shooter. Come on. She knows better. That’s some politics being played by Hillary Clinton. I want to see that picture of her out there in the duck blind. You know, come on.” Comments made by Sen. Obama in Steelton, Pa. April 13, 2008, in an attempt to seek approval from the crowd. April 9, 2008
“One candidate will continue the war, one candidate only says he’ll end the war. And one candidate is ready, willing, and able to end the war.”
Comments made by Sen. Clinton while campaigning in Pennsylvania, April 9, 2008, one day after she and her two rivals questioned the top US military commander for Iraq. “Hillary Clinton’s tired and discredited attack is just the same old politics that won’t end this war that she voted to authorize, and won’t change the fact that she has repeatedly misled the American people about her Iraq record.” Comments made in a statement released by spokesman for Obama for America in response to Sen. Clinton’s latest misleading attack regarding Iraq, April 9, 2008. April 8, 2008
“By giving our men and women in uniform the time and support necessary to succeed in Iraq, we have before us a hard road…yet the alternative path is, in the end, the far costlier one. As we convene this hearing and as we continue to debate our future in Iraq, Americans continue to risk everything -- everything -- to accomplish their mission on our behalf.”
Remarks made by Sen. McCain in his opening statement during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, April 8, 2008. “I think it could be fair to say that it might well be irresponsible to continue the policy that has not produced the results that have been promised time and time again at such tremendous cost to our national security and to the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States military.” Remarks made by Sen. Clinton when she questioned General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker during the Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing, April 8, 2008. “We don't anticipate that there's never going to be some individual or group of individuals in Iraq that might have sympathies toward Al Qaeda. Our goal is not to hunt down and eliminate every single trace, but rather to create a manageable situation where they're not posing a threat to Iraq or using it as a base to launch attacks outside of Iraq. Is that accurate?” A question directed to Gen. Petraeus from Sen. Obama during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, April 8, 2008.
April 7, 2008
“To promise a withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, regardless of the calamitous consequences to the Iraqi people, our most vital interests, and the future of the Middle East, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a failure of leadership.”
Sen. McCain, April 7, 2008, addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He criticized Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton, insisting that last year’s troop surge made a positive difference there despite the recent outbreak of heavy fighting. April 6, 2008 “After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as chief strategist of the Clinton Campaign; Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign.” Comments made by Maggie Williams, Clinton campaign manager, in a statement released Sunday April 6, 2008. April 5, 2008 “I have absolutely nothing against rich people. As a matter of fact, my husband – much to my surprise and his – has made a lot of money since he left the White House doing what he loves doing most, talking to people.” Comments made by Sen. Clinton in North Dakota at their party convention. April 5, 2008. April 4, 2008
"The quality of his character is only more apparent. His good name will be honored as long as the creed of America is honored."
Remarks made by Sen. McCain, April 4, 2008, in front of the balcony where King was shot in 1968. "You know, Dr. King once said that the arc of the moral universe is long but bends toward justice. It bends toward justice. Here is the thing. It does not bend on its own. It bends because each of us in our own way put our hand on that arc and we bend it in the direction of justice." Comments made by Barack Obama, speaking at a town hall meeting in Fort Wayne, Ind., on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, April 4, 2008.
April 3, 2008
“It is so great to be here, I was so worried I wasn’t going to make it. I was pinned down by sniper fire.
Sen. Hillary Clinton making fun of herself Thursday as a guest on the “Tonight Show” hosted by Jay Leno, April 3, 2008.
April 2, 2008
"I'm honored to have Heidi's support and I want to assure her that I never miss an episode of 'The Hills,' especially since the new season started."
Sen. John McCain commenting to Swampland, a Time blog April 2nd, on his reaction to the news that he had been endorsed by MTV reality star Heidi Montag.
“We expect our NATO allies to shoulder the burden necessary to succeed.”
Remarks made by President Bush, April 2nd, at the three day NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania as he welcomed the recent announcement of several NATO countries that they would provide additional troops, creating a force 47,000 strong for Afghanistan. “I think he is driven by the search for the common good.” Comments made by Lee Hamilton, former Indiana Representative and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, as he endorsed Senator Barack Obama April 2nd . April 1, 2008 "Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing a fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people." Remarks made by Senator Clinton Tuesday during a meeting of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.
March 31st "He's able to dissolve the hard cynical edge that has dominated our politics under the Bush Administration." Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on her endorsement of Barack Obama.
March 26, 2008
"...Western nations should make clear that the solidarity of NATO, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, is indivisible and that the organization's doors remain open to all democracies committed to the defense of that freedom." Remarks made by Senator McCain at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. March 12, 2008
“I’m very proud of you all. I thank you so much. Now I think I should have some grits.”
Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama thanks supporters at Buck's restaurant in Greenville, Mississippi following his win in the states presidential primary election, March 11, 2008. “I’ve got to tell you, there’s a big difference between talk and action. But if you’re going to talk, then you ought to mean what you say so people can count on it.” Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton campaigns in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 11, 2008. March 6, 2008
"That may be where this is headed. But of course we have to decide who is on the top of ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me."
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton tells the CBS Early Show that she would consider being part of a Democratic "dream ticket" that would include both her and presidential rival Senator Barack Obama; March 5, 2008. "We are just focused on winning the nomination. That is our focus. I respect Senator Clinton. She has been a tenacious opponent, but it is premature to talk about a joint ticket." Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama responds to rival candidate Senator Hillary Clinton's comments on the possibility of a Democratic "dream ticket", March 5, 2008. THE FLORIDA-MICHIGAN PRIMARY ELECTIONS CONTROVERSY On Wednesday March 5, 2008, both Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, and Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist, called on the Democratic National Committee to seat their state’s delegations at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. In a joint statement, they accused the Democratic party of silencing “the voices of 5,163,271 Americans” who voted in their primaries. "It is intolerable that the national political parties have denied the citizens of Michigan and Florida their votes and voices at their respective national conventions," they said. In an appearance on CNN's "American Morning," Crist -- who signed the bill that changed Florida's primary date -- pointed fingers outside the state. "People should be heard and not party bosses in Washington. This is about common sense and people having the right to vote. It is unconscionable that people's votes will not count. They should count." In response to the Governors, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean stated Thursday on CNN’s “American Morning” that the two states should have played by rules, "The rules were set a year and a half ago. Florida and Michigan voted for them and then decided that they didn't need to abide by the rules. When you're in a contest you do need to abide by the rules." Dean urged do-over contests in both Florida and Michigan. “All they have to do is come before us with rules that fit into what they agreed to a year and a half ago, and then they’ll be seated,” said the Chairman. In a Wednesday news conference, Governor Crist had told reporters that he would be open to another primary, but not if Florida has to foot the bill, which is estimated by the Florida Democratic Party to be about $ 25 million. He said he had discussed the prospect with Senator Bill Nelson, the state’s senior Democrat. “He said the only way to consider the possibility of that is to have the Democratic National Committee pay for it,” Crist said. Chairman Dean immediately brushed off the idea on the CBS “Early Show”, “We can’t afford to do that.” Dean said. ”That’s not our problem. We need our money to win the presidential race.” March 5, 2008 “Clearly, things didn't go our way tonight and we had hoped they would, but when the inevitable is staring you in the face, you accept it.” Republican Presidential candidate former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee speaks to his traveling press corps one last time on his flight home to Little Rock, Arkansas following his exit from the 2008 presidential race, March 4, 2008. “No matter what happens tonight, we have nearly the same delegate lead that we did this morning, and we are on our way to winning this nomination.” Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama rallies supporters in San Antonio, Texas following his losses to rival Democratic candidate Senator Hillary Clinton in three state primary elections, March 4, 2008. "Now, we begin the most important part of our campaign, to make a respectful, determined and convincing case to the American people that our campaign and my election as president, given the alternatives presented by our friends in the other party, are in the best interests of the country we love.” Republican Arizona Senator John McCain celebrates his nomination as the 2008 Republican presidential candidate with a victory speech in Dallas, Texas, March 4, 2008. ``As Ohio goes, so goes the nation. This nation's coming back, and so is this campaign.'' Democratic Presidential candidate New York Senator Hillary Clinton proclaims a revival of her presidential campaign after a string of victories in the Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas state primaries; Columbus, Ohio, March 4, 2008. READ MORE Page1 2
Read about transatlantic relations on our sister Website: transAtlantic Magazine
Welcome to our new Center on Politics & Foreign Relations at the Foreign Policy Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C. CPFR is the new center at SAIS connecting the worlds of politics and foreign policy under one roof. CPFR, along with our partners the Financial Times and the Johns Hopkins University School of Government, is putting on conferences with all of the potential 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. Since our inauguration on September 28, 2006 the Center on Politics and Foreign Relations has hosted as our guest speakers Senator John Kerry, the Prime Minister of Croatia Dr. Ivo Sanader, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and Moderator of “Face the Nation” Bob Schieffer, the co-founder and chairman of the Blackstone Group and chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations Peter G. Peterson, 2008 Democratic presidential candidates New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and General Wesley Clark. We recently hosted a debate solely on Iraq with the 2008 Democratic candidates for president in June of 2007. I am excited about this new venture, and I look forward to your comments and suggestions on how we can build the nation's first and best Center on Politics and Foreign Relations.
Director, CPFR
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