Republican National Committee: Back for More? Nothing Says Change Like Scandal Prone Washington Insider Bill Richardson Back In The Cabinet

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:

Richardson Has Nearly 20 Years Experience As A Washington Insider:

Richardson Was A Congressman In Washington For 14 Years (1983-1997). (Biographical Directory Of The United States Congress Website, congress.gov, Accessed 9/28/02)

Richardson Was Clinton's U.S. Ambassador To The U.N. For Two Years (1997-1998). (Biographical Directory Of The United States Congress Website, congress.gov, Accessed 9/28/02)

Richardson Was Clinton's Energy Secretary For Three Years (1998-2001). (Biographical Directory Of The United States Congress Website, congress.gov, Accessed 9/28/02)

Richardson Has Been Described As A "Washington Insider." (Steve Terrell, "Roundhouse Roundup," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 6/23/05)

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Called Richardson A "Former Clinton Insider." (MSNBC's "Scarborough Country," 3/22/04)

Richardson In 2001: "You know, I've always been in the Congress, at the UN. I've been Energy Secretary. I've never had, as they say, a real job." (CNN's "Spin Room," 3/8/01)

Click Here To Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSzbh0Y8UOQ

RICHARDSON'S CAREER HAS BEEN FILLED WITH SCANDAL AND ETHICAL PROBLEMS

During Richardson's Tenure As Director, Peregrine Systems Engaged In An Accounting Scheme Which Allowed Executives To Take Millions While Investors Were Defrauded:

Richardson Served As A Board Member Of Peregrine Systems From February 2001 To June 2002. "New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was a member of Peregrine's board of directors from February 2001 until he resigned after winning the Democratic nomination for governor in the June 2002 primary." (Elliot Spagat, "Former Peregrine CFO Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy, Fraud," The Associated Press, 4/13/03)

Peregrine Engaged In Accounting "Scheme To Prematurely Recognize Revenue, An Effort To Boost The Company's Share Price And Mislead Investors." "The former chief financial officer at Peregrine Systems Inc. pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy and securities fraud after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors who are investigating accounting irregularities at the software company. Matthew C. Gless, Peregrine's chief financial officer from November 2000 to May 2002, admitted taking part in a scheme to prematurely recognize revenue, an effort to boost the company's share price and mislead investors." (Elliot Spagat, "Former Peregrine CFO Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy, Fraud," The Associated Press, 4/13/03)

-- Peregrine Executives "Spent Millions Of Dollars On Bonuses And Golf-Club Memberships" As Investors, Including Pension And School Funds "Suffered Losses Totaling Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars." "Public reports filed by Peregrine Systems while Bill Richardson was a director showed the company was headed toward possible failure at a time it spent millions of dollars on bonuses and golf-club memberships for executives. Investors in the San Diego-based software company, including pension and school funds in New Mexico, have suffered losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and the company has filed for bankruptcy protection." (Thomas J. Cole, "Tenure At Peregrine Haunts Richardson," The Albuquerque Journal, 10/27/02)

Richardson Claimed He Was An "Outside" Director, Had "No Involvement" With The Company's Accounting Behavior, And Attended Just Five Board Meetings. "'Really, I had no involvement because I was what was called an outside director,' Richardson said in an interview Friday. 'I had no stock or made no stock purchases, and I was unaware of some of the accounting disputes.' Richardson said he attended about five meetings of the board of directors during the 16 months he was with Peregrine. He said he learned about the accounting problems and the ensuing SEC investigation from newspaper articles." (Gilbert Gallegos, "SEC Probes Tech Company Once Linked To Richardson," The Albuquerque Tribune, 7/9/02)

-- "But Corporate Governance Experts Say He Should Have Known Better. 'It's The Job Of The Board Of Directors To Know What's Going On,' Said Nell Minow Of The Corporate Executive Board, A Longtime Governance Gadfly. 'When You're A Director, It's No Better To Be A Schnook Than A Crook.'" (Justin Rood and Robert Lewis, "'A Schnook Is No Better Than A Crook,'" ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 7/9/07)

-- "Records Show That Richardson Attended, In Person Or By Phone, 15 Board Meetings. In Those Meetings, Directors Were Hearing That The Company Might Get Caught Cooking The Books." (Don Bauder, "Feeble Alibis," The San Diego Reader, www.sandiegoreader.com, 3/22/07)

Richardson Was Named As A Defendant In A Class Action Law Suit Filed By Shareholders Against Peregrine. "Some shareholders have joined in class-action lawsuits against Peregrine, and Richardson is a defendant in some of those suits." (Thomas J. Cole, "Tenure At Peregrine Haunts Richardson," The Albuquerque Journal, 10/27/02)

Lawmakers And Media Called For Richardson's Resignation Over Security Breach At Laboratory In Los Alamos, NM:

Richardson's Department Of Energy Showed Extreme Carelessness In Securing Our National Secrets. "The whereabouts of two computer hard drives at the center of a Los Alamos National Laboratory security breach investigation may have been unknown for as long as six months - not the six weeks originally reported ..." ("Timeline On Missing Los Alamos Hard Drives in Question: Their Whereabouts May Have Been Unknown For Months, Not Weeks," CNN.com, 6/20/00)

-- Richardson Faced Scrutiny Because Scientist Was Under Investigation For Three Years And Allowed To Keep Job. "Under Republican attack over security at federal nuclear weapons labs, the Clinton administration fired a Chinese-American computer scientist who has been the subject of a three-year espionage investigation." (H. Josef Hebert, "Chinese-American Scientist Fired At Weapons Lab Amid Spy Probe," The Associated Press, 3/9/99)

In Aftermath, Senate Intel Chairman Called For Richardson's Resignation. "Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., called on Energy Secretary Bill Richardson to step down in light of security lapses at the Los Alamos nuclear labs." ("Senate Leader Calls On Richardson To Step Down," United Press International, 6/18/00)

Even Democrats Were Upset With Richardson Over Handling Of Security Breach. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV): "You have shown an extreme contempt ... of this Congress." (H. Josef Hebert, "Richardson At The Center Of Security, Gas Prices Firestorm," The Associated Press, 6/22/00)

-- Sen. Byrd: "You've had a bright and brilliant career. But you will never again receive the support of the Senate of the United States for any office to which you might be appointed. It's gone. You've squandered your treasure." (H. Josef Hebert, "Richardson At The Center Of Security, Gas Prices Firestorm," The Associated Press, 6/22/00)

-- Click Here To Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpANBymakjM

-- Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Also Criticized Richardson. Sen. Kerry: "In my judgment the damage to U.S. interests is very real and what has leaked out is a very serious issue." (Andrew Miga, "Kerry Warns Of More Cases Of Alleged Chinese Spying," The Boston Herald, 3/22/99)

As Governor, Richardson Used Tobacco Company's Jet For Five Trips Worth More Than $40,000:

Richardson Took Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars In Free Flights From Largest Smokeless Tobacco Firm. "Gov. Bill Richardson has taken tens of thousands of dollars worth of free corporate jet flights from the world's largest smokeless-tobacco company in his role as head of the Democratic Governors Association." (Jeff Jones, "Smokeless On These Flights," Albuquerque Journal, 5/14/06)

-- "The Company, UST, Is The Parent Corporation Of The Firm That Makes Skoal And Copenhagen, Among Other Brands." ("Tobacco Company Provides Travel To Richardson," The Associated Press, 5/15/06)

-- "The Five Free Flights Provided To Richardson Through The Association, Which He Chairs, In 2005 And Early 2006 Were Worth More Than $40,000 ..." ("Tobacco Company Provides Travel To Richardson," The Associated Press, 5/15/06)

UST Lobbied New Mexico Legislature For Beneficial Legislation. "That company - UST, the parent corporation of the firm that makes Skoal, Copenhagen and other brands - lobbied hard at the New Mexico Legislature earlier this year for a tobacco-tax change that critics said would have exclusively benefited UST." (Jeff Jones, "Smokeless On These Flights," Albuquerque Journal, 5/14/06)

-- The Bill Was Sponsored By Richardson's Chief Ally. "The bill, sponsored by Richardson's chief legislative ally, House Speaker Ben Lujan, passed the House after a state financial impact report to lawmakers was drastically changed using UST's numbers. The measure ran out of steam in the Senate, where it died." (Jeff Jones, "Smokeless On These Flights," Albuquerque Journal, 5/14/06)

Gov. Richardson Invented Portion Of Biography:

Richardson Falsely Claimed To Have Been Drafted By The Kansas City A's. "The Albuquerque Journal reported last month that it had found no record of Richardson being drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 1960s as Richardson had claimed in a biography when he ran for Congress in 1982. The governor acknowledged the error." (Barry Massey, "GOP Airs Ad Criticizing Governor As 'King Bill,'" The Associated Press, 12/6/05)

As Governor, Richardson Used State Helicopter To Go Horseback Riding At A Ranch:

"The New Mexican's Mitote Column Of Sept. 21 Reported The Governor Had Taken A State Helicopter To Go Horseback Riding At The Chama Ranch Of Santa Fe Art And Real-Estate Investor Gerald Peters." (Tom Sharpe, "Helicopter Flight Raises Questions," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 10/10/03)

-- Use Of Helicopter Cost Taxpayers $2,500. "According to the report, a high-tech Blackhawk helicopter scheduled for a training trip from Santa Fe to Carlsbad on Sept. 6 [2003] was diverted to Chama at Richardson's request -- a cost to taxpayers of $2,500 -- on a day when a state police helicopter often used by Richardson was grounded for maintenance." (Tom Sharpe, "Helicopter Flight Raises Questions," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 10/10/03)

As Governor, Richardson Used Taxpayer Money For Private Needs:

Richardson Uses Taxpayer Money To Buy Starbucks, Cigars, Newspaper, A Mattress And Meals While Traveling. "Cigars. Starbucks coffee. Copies of The New York Times. A $960 mattress. Meals in Switzerland, Mexico City and Washington and hotel rooms in Phoenix. They are among the items taxpayers have bought for Gov. Bill Richardson or his staff in recent months by virtue of a little-known state fund - an unaudited expense account that the Democratic-controlled Legislature quietly boosted by $60,000 shortly after the governor took office." (Barry Massey, "Richardson Uses State 'Contingency' Fund For Cigars, Starbucks, Overseas Meals," The Associated Press, 10/31/03)

-- Richardson Refused To Say How Expensive Meals Were. "[T]he governor refuses to elaborate on some of the fund's expenditures - including costs of meals and lodging that were charged on state credit cards by state police officers who serve as his security agents." (Barry Massey, "Richardson Uses State 'Contingency' Fund For Cigars, Starbucks, Overseas Meals," The Associated Press, 10/3130/03)

As Governor, Richardson Hired Lavish New Chef On Taxpayer's Dime:

Richardson Hired New Chef On Taxpayer Dollars. "All that wining and dining legislators have been raving about at the governor's mansion comes with a price [of] nearly $60,000 a year for a new chef." (David Miles, "Governor's Entertaining Runs Up Salary Costs," Albuquerque Journal, 4/2/03)

-- Richardson Spent Thousands More On Mansion Personnel Than His Republican Predecessor. "Based on a 40-hour workweek, the salaries of four employees at the mansion will total about $167,100 a year under Richardson, according to state Department of Finance and Administration records obtained by the Journal. The combined salaries of four mansion workers in the [Gov. Gary] Johnson [(R-NM)] era added up to roughly $93,900 as of last July." (David Miles, "Governor's Entertaining Runs Up Salary Costs," Albuquerque Journal, 4/2/03)

As Governor, Richardson's Administration Bought Land From Major Contributor And Then Received Large Donation From Contractor:

"Gov. Bill Richardson's Administration Bought 12 Acres Of Vacant Santa Fe Land From A Major Campaign Contributor And His Family, Paying $3.2 Million More Than The Family Had Paid For The Property 28 Months Before." ("Richardson Donor Sold 12 Acres To Administration," The Associated Press, 6/19/06)

-- "Contractor Sonny Otero Then Made A $50,000 Donation To Richardson's Re-Election Campaign About Two Months After The Sale Was Finalized ..." ("Richardson Donor Sold 12 Acres To Administration," The Associated Press, 6/19/06)

-- "Several Of Richardson's Largest Campaign Donors Have Contracts Or Other Business With His Administration. The Governor Has Said He Makes Decisions Based On What Is Best For The State, Not For His Contributors." ("Richardson Donor Sold 12 Acres To Administration," The Associated Press, 6/19/06)

As Governor, Richardson Created Jobs "Out Of Thin Air" To Please Friends And Relatives In Need Of Work:

Richardson Allegedly Bypassed Paper Trail To Invent Jobs For Supporters. "What do you do when you're the governor and you've already filled the executive branch's 647 exempt positions, but you've still got friends, political supporters and their relatives who need work? According to a report by KRQE Channel 13 investigative reporter Larry Barker, when you're Gov. Bill Richardson, you just create new jobs 'out of thin air.'" (Steve Terrell, "Governor's 'Gifts' Under Scrutiny," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 3/2/06)

-- KRQE [Albuquerque, NM] Channel 13 Investigative Reporter Larry Barker: "The practice is so common that state agencies have coined a name for it ... When the governor sends a new hire down to claim a job that doesn't exist, they call it 'a gift from the North.'" (Steve Terrell, "Governor's 'Gifts' Under Scrutiny," The Santa Fe New Mexican, 3/2/06)

In 2004, Richardson Gave 122 State Jobs To Campaign Contributors And Family Members:

"Gov. Bill Richardson Has Doled Out At Least 122 State Jobs To Campaign Contributors Or Family Members Of Financial Supporters, Many Of Them Getting High-Paying Positions." ("Richardson Gives Jobs To Campaign Donors; Says Workers Are Qualified," The Associated Press, 6/13/04)

-- "Contributors Or Their Family Members Hired By Richardson Gave At Least $245,500 To The Governor's Campaign In 2002. One Appointee Gave More Than $22,000." (Thomas J. Cole, "Governor's Contributors Rake In Jobs," Albuquerque Journal, 6/13/04)

-- "The Top 25 Individual Contributors To Richardson Who Were Appointed To Jobs Earn An Average Of Just Under $76,000 A Year On The State Payroll." (Thomas J. Cole, "Governor's Contributors Rake In Jobs," Albuquerque Journal, 6/13/04)

-- The Median Household Income In New Mexico As Of 2006 Was $40,126. (U.S. Census Bureau Website, www.census.gov, Accessed 12/3/08)

Richardson Almost Doubled The Number Of Positions That Serve At The Pleasure Of The Governor. "Richardson has expanded the number of exempt positions, which stood at 292 within 23 executive agencies as of April 30 ... There were 167 under Johnson [the previous governor]." ("Richardson Gives Jobs To Campaign Donors; Says Workers Are Qualified," The Associated Press, 6/13/04)

As Governor, Richardson Appointed Man Convicted Of Vehicular Homicide To Commission On Higher Education:

"Gov. Bill Richardson Has Appointed [Paul Donisthorpe, Partner Of Spectrum Financial Group, An Albuquerque Investment Banking Firm] ... To The 15-Member Commission On Higher Education." (Olivier Uyttebrouck, "Gov. Names Pick To Head Higher Ed," Albuquerque Journal, 6/10/03)

-- "Paul Donisthorpe Pleaded No Contest And Was Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For The 1990 Alcohol-Related Crash That Killed Albuquerque Sixth-Grade Teacher Jillian A. Howard." ("New Commissioner Once Convicted Of Vehicular Homicide," The Associated Press, 6/14/03)

Richardson Defended The Appointment. "Gov. Bill Richardson defended the appointment, saying Paul Donisthorpe is 'sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust,' a spokesman said." (Olivier Uyttebrouck, "Convicted Banker Seated On Board," Albuquerque Journal, 6/14/03)

-- Richardson's Spokesman, Gilbert Gallegos: "The governor was aware of Mr. Donisthorpe's history and, while it was troubling, after careful consideration the governor decided he was fit to serve on the Commission on Higher Education." (Olivier Uyttebrouck, "Convicted Banker Seated On Board," Albuquerque Journal, 6/14/03)

Donisthorpe Had Also Contributed Thousands To Richardson's Campaign. "Donisthorpe, a partner in the Albuquerque investment firm Spectrum Financial Group, contributed $7,700 to Richardson's gubernatorial campaign last year, according to campaign contribution reports." ("State Official Once Convicted Of Vehicular Homicide Resigns," The Associated Press, 6/16/03)

Donisthorpe Resigned Less Than A Week After He Was Sworn In. "A member of the state Commission on Higher Education resigned Monday because his vehicular homicide conviction from more than a decade ago was drawing too much negative attention, he said." ("State Official Once Convicted Of Vehicular Homicide Resigns," The Associated Press, 6/16/03)

As Governor, Richardson Hired Motor Vehicle Division Director Who Had Prior Drunk Driving Charge:

Richardson Removed Motor Vehicle Division Director After It Was Released That He Was Arrested For Drunk Driving. "Gov. Bill Richardson ... on Tuesday removed Julian Luna as Motor Vehicle Division director after it was revealed that he was arrested for drunken driving in a state car 10 years ago." ("Richardson Removes New MVD Chief," The Associated Press, 1/29/03)

-- "Luna Was Arrested On A Driving-While-Intoxicated Charge In August 1993 Near Belen After Police Said He Nearly Hit An Ambulance." ("Richardson Removes New MVD Chief," The Associated Press, 1/29/03)

As Governor, Richardson's Choice For Director Of Adult Probation And Parole Division Had A Domestic Abuse Restraining Order Against Him:

"Charles Countee, Richardson's Pick As Director Of The Adult Probation And Parole Division, Who Lost His Job In January After His Domestic Abuse Restraining Order Came To Light." (David Miles, "Gov.'s Hiring Hit, Defended," Albuquerque Journal, 5/25/03)

-- Countee Said He Was Hired But Governor's Aide Said He Was Never Hired. "A juvenile probation officer who is under a domestic abuse restraining order said he was fired after one day as director of the state Adult Probation and Parole Division, but a governor's aide said he was never hired." ("Man Contends He Was Hired, Fired As State Probation Head," The Associated Press, 1/8/03)

RICHARDSON HAS BEEN A RELENTLESS SELF PROMOTER

A Billboard In Times Square Featured A Picture Of Richardson:

"The 70-Foot-Long Billboard Beams Down From The Northwest Corner Of 48th Street And 7th Avenue, Showing Blue Skies, Snow-Capped Mountains, A Desert Mesa And A Grinning Richardson." ("Richardson Dominates N.M. Big Apple Billboard," The Associated Press, 3/1/03)

-- "The Billboard In Times Square Inviting People To Visit The Land Of Enchantment Will Feature An Image Of The Governor In Western Wear." (Steve Terrell, "Pitchman Or Ambitious Self-Promoter?," Santa Fe New Mexican, 2/22/03)

Richardson Hired More Press Aides To Help With His Image Than Any Other Governor:

"To Trumpet His Accomplishments, Richardson-- Who Long Has Been Tagged As A Publicity Hound-- Has Created A Public-Relations Machine, With More Press Aides That Any Previous Governor." (Thomas J. Cole, "Govzilla 24/7," Albuquerque Journal, 2/11/07)

-- "He Hired More Than Two Dozen Print, TV And Radio Reporters, Many Of Them Filling Newly Created PR Jobs In State Agencies." (Thomas J. Cole, "Govzilla 24/7," Albuquerque Journal, 2/11/07)

Richardson Used "Goodie Bags" At 2004 Democratic National Convention To Promote Himself:

Richardson's Gift To Convention Delegates Had His Picture And Name On It. "Richardson's gift seems to have won out for pure self-promotion. The salsa is manufactured for the Albuquerque restaurant Garduno's, but labeled as if the governor diced the tomatoes himself somewhere in Santa Fe. The jar bears his picture, and its most prominent words are 'Governor Bill Richardson,' appearing atop a pile of chili peppers and other salsa ingredients." (John Dyer, Herb Jackson, and Josh Gohlke, "Lautenberg's View: Kerry Offers Strong Voice For Israel," The [Bergen County, NJ] Record, 7/29/04)

-- The New York Times' Reporters Gave Richardson The "Most Relentless Self-Promotion" Award For The Gift. "Most Relentless Self-Promotion: Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, for bringing bottles of his own brand of salsa into the hall to give to delegates, despite security regulations barring glass containers. He got special Secret Service approval." (Sheryl Gay Stolberg and John Tierney, "The Democrats; The Convention In Boston," The New York Times, 7/30/04)

Richardson Rode On New Mexico's Float In The Tournament Of Roses Parade:

"New Mexico's Float In The Tournament Of Roses Parade Will Feature ... Gov. Bill Richardson." (Deborah Baker, "New Mexico Governor To Be On Rose Parade Float," The Associated Press, 11/11/05)

"With Publicity-Conscious Richardson Considered A Likely Contender For The Democratic Presidential Nomination In 2008, One Critic Expressed Mock Relief At The Float Design Announced This Week." (Deborah Baker, "New Mexico Governor To Be On Rose Parade Float," The Associated Press, 11/11/05)

-- Dan Foley, A Republican Lawmaker From Roswell, New Mexico: "I figured (the float) was going to be a big bobble-head of the governor." (Deborah Baker, "New Mexico Governor To Be On Rose Parade Float," The Associated Press, 11/11/05)

Richardson Spent Time Away From Energy Department To Pursue Vice Presidency In 2000:

"Richardson Has Made No Secret Of His Interest In Becoming Vice President Gore's Running Mate." (Laurence McQuillan, "Political Light Fading For Energy Secretary," USA Today, 6/19/00)

-- He Was Behind Al Gore All The Way. "Few of Mr. Richardson's rivals could have failed to notice him beaming behind Mr. Gore's confetti-caked shoulder last week as the vice president gave his victory speech after sweeping the Super Tuesday primaries." (Philip Shenon, "Public Lives; The Magic Blue Blazer Vs. An Oily Patch Of Bad Luck," The New York Times, 3/13/00)

He Attended Fundraisers For Al Gore. "Gore had been scheduled to appear ... at the Hollywood home of Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth for a cocktail reception fund-raiser and then attend a gala honoring the 25th anniversary of Century Village in Deerfield Beach. Karenna Gore Schiff, the vice president's 26-year-old daughter, and Richardson, who is rumored to be a possible Gore running mate, are now expected in his place." (Steve Friess, "Gore Breaks S. Florida Date To Campaign in N.H., Iowa; His Daughter, Energy Chief To Be Fill-Ins," Sun-Sentinel [Fort Lauderdale, FL], 1/13/00)

A Product Of The RNC Research Department

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Senator Barack Obama Receives Endorsement of Senator John Kerry

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
John Kerry Endorsement
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
Charleston, South Carolina

I want to thank John Kerry for his support in this campaign and for his service to this nation.

This is a man who knows how much people who love their country can change it.

This is the man who sacrificed the comforts of youth to fight in the jungles of Vietnam; the young Lieutenant who extended his hand to a brother in arms, pulling him from a river as the bullets screamed by.

This is the hero who returned to a Washington where politicians continued a senseless war day after day; life after life because they were too afraid to challenge the conventional thinking; too consumed with their own careers and ambitions.

This is the patriot who saw all of this and said, “No more”; who posed a question to our leaders that challenged the conscience of a nation; who believed in his heart that change does not come from the halls of power, but from the power of a movement thousands of voices strong.

John Kerry is a man of courage; a man of conviction; and a man who’s life story has given him an intimate understanding of the kind of change we need right now.

This is a defining moment in our history. Our nation is at war. Our planet is in peril. The dream that so many generations have fought for feels as if it’s slowly slipping away.

I’ve heard from seniors who were betrayed by CEOs who dumped their pensions while pocketing bonuses.

I’ve met Maytag workers who labored all their lives only to see their jobs shipped overseas; who should not be competing with their teenagers for $7-an-hour jobs at Wal-Mart.

And I’ve seen hope in the eyes of a young woman who works the night shift after a full day of college and still can’t afford health care for a sister who’s ill; a young woman who still believes that this country will give her the chance to live out her dreams.

Many of you have experienced these struggles. You’ve seen the cost of Washington’s inaction and indifference in your own lives. And so you’ve come out in record numbers; in lines that stretch block after block because you know that we can’t afford the same old politics anymore. We can’t afford to settle anymore. In this election – at this moment – our time for change has come.

The time has come to tell the lobbyists who think their money and their influence speak louder than our voices that they don’t own this government, we do; and we’re here to take it back.

The time has come for a President who’ll be honest about the choices and the challenges we face; who’ll listen to you and learn from you even when we disagree; who won’t just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know.

The time has come to build a new majority that can lead this nation out of a long political darkness – Democrats, Independents and Republicans who are tired of the division and distraction that has clouded Washington; who know that we can disagree without being disagreeable; who understand that if we mobilize our voices to challenge the money and influence that’s stood in our way and challenge ourselves to reach for something better, there’s no problem we can’t solve – no destiny we cannot fulfill. That’s why I’m running in this campaign, and that’s the kind of President I’ll be for America.

I’ll be a President who finally makes health care affordable and available to every single American the same way I expanded health care in Illinois – by bringing Democrats and Republicans together to get the job done.

I’ll be a President who ends the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas and puts a middle-class tax cut into the pockets of the working Americans who deserve it.

I’ll be a President who stops sending our children to schools with corridors of shame and start putting them on a pathway to success. I’ll stop talking about how great teachers are and start rewarding them for their greatness.

I’ll be a President who harnesses the ingenuity of farmers and scientists; citizens and entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil once and for all.

And when I am President, we will end this war in Iraq and bring our troops home; we will finish the job against al Qaeda in Afghanistan; we will care for our veterans; and we will restore our moral standing in the world. And I’ll be a President who understands that 9/11 is not a way to scare up votes, but a challenge that should unite America and the world against the common threats of the twenty-first century: terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease.

I’m running because I believe that the size of these challenges has outgrown the capacity of our broken and divided politics to solve them; because I believe Americans of every political stripe are hungry for a new kind of politics, a politics that’s focused not just on how to win but why we should, a politics that’s focused on those values and ideals that we hold in common as Americans; a politics that favors common sense over ideology, straight talk over spin.

And I’m running because I believe the real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result. That’s a risk we can’t take. Not this year. Not when the stakes are this high. Our time for change has come.

This has been our message since the beginning of this campaign. It was our message when we were down, and our message when we were up. And it must have caught on, because now everyone is talking about change.

But for me, change isn’t just the rhetoric of a campaign. It’s been the cause of my life.

It’s what led me to leave a job on Wall Street and take one as an organizer on the streets of Chicago so that I could fight joblessness and poverty when the local steel plant closed. It’s what led me to stand up as a civil rights lawyer for those who were denied opportunity on the job or justice at the voting booth because of what they looked like or where they came from. It’s what led me to take on lobbyists in Illinois and Washington – and win; passing historic ethics reform that no one thought was possible. And it’s the kind of change I will bring to this country as your next President – not just change as a slogan, but real change; fundamental change; change we can believe in.

Now, we have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we’ve been told that we’re not ready, or that we shouldn’t try, or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.

Yes we can.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can.

And so as this campaign continues; as we understand that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America’s story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea – Yes. We. Can.

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "EVERYWHERE"

Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Everywhere." The ad features Governor Romney talking with the American people about the challenges confronting our country and the need to change Washington. With an exceptional record of turning around businesses and institutions, Governor Romney is the one candidate prepared to meet today's challenges. Together, he believes we can grow the economy, stop illegal immigration, defend life and preserve our traditional values. With his experience, vision and values, Governor Romney will make Washington work again and build a brighter future for America.

The ad will begin airing today as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa. Script and viewing links are below.

Script For "Everywhere" (TV:30):
GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Everywhere my family and I go we hear that America's challenges are simply too big for Washington politicians.
"I've spent my life tackling big problems – helping turn around business, the Olympics, and state government.
"Together we can grow our economy, stop illegal immigration, defend life and preserve the values that make America the hope of the earth.
"It's time to turn around Washington.
"I'm Mitt Romney, and I approve this message."

To watch "Everywhere," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=728429

AD FACTS: Script For "Everywhere" (TV:30):
GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Everywhere my family and I go we hear that America's challenges are simply too big for Washington politicians. I've spent my life tackling big problems – helping turn around business, the Olympics, and state government."

Bloomberg: "Romney's business record is unmatched by the current crop of leading candidates. At Bain & Co., a Boston management- consulting firm, he founded Bain Capital LLC in 1984, which has grown into one of the nation's five largest private-equity firms. Bain currently has $40 billion in assets under management, according to its Web site." (Heidi Pryzbyla, "Romney Finds Classmate Bush's Management Lapses Unlikely Hurdle," Bloomberg, 7/1/07)

Fortune: "He is, after all, the most serious major-party presidential candidate to come out of the business world since ... well, since his father, George Romney, onetime CEO of American Motors, who ran in 1968." (Marcia Vickers, "The Republicans' Mr. Fix-It," Fortune Magazine, 6/27/07)

The Boston Globe's Robert Gavin And Sacha Pfeiffer: "In time, Romney would lead the shaky start-up from a staff of seven people managing $37 million to 115 people managing $4 billion in assets. During Romney's 15-year tenure, Bain Capital would post an astonishing record, on average doubling its return on realized investments every year." (Robert Gavin and Sacha Pfeiffer, "Reaping Profit In Study, Sweat," The Boston Globe, 6/26/07)

The Associated Press: "Romney took over as head of Salt Lake's Olympic organizing committee in February 1999 after it was revealed Salt Lake organizers doled out more than $1 million in cash and gifts to members of the International Olympic Committee to win the 2002 bid. Under Romney's leadership, the Games were lauded as a critical success, a model of post-Sept. 11 security and turned a $100 million profit. Romney, a successful venture capitalist before the Games, wrote a book after titled 'Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games.'" (Debbie Hummel, "Utah's 'Adopted Son' Returns To State For Presidential Fundraiser," The Associated Press, 2/21/07)

Portfolio's Matthew Cooper: "When Romney took over the Salt Lake Organizing Committee in 1999, the games were a scandal-plagued fiscal wreck. He made them profitable." (Matthew Cooper, "Please, Not Another M.B.A. President," Portfolio, September 2007)

The Weekly Standard's Terry Eastland: "As governor, Romney has scored another turnaround, conservative in both ends and means. Told during the campaign that he would inherit a deficit of between $500 million and $1.5 billion, Romney discovered upon taking office a $650 million deficit in fiscal 2003 and an anticipated one of $3 billion in fiscal 2004. Romney balanced the 2003 budget, and he finished 2004 with a $700 million surplus. A reviving economy helped, but Romney didn't tax or borrow, and he reduced spending through government consolidation and reform." (Terry Eastland, "In 2008, Will It Be Mormon In America?" The Weekly Standard, 6/6/05)

In Massachusetts, Governor Romney Closed A Nearly $3 Billion Shortfall Without Raising Taxes. "When Mitt Romney became governor of Massachusetts in 2003, the state had a budget gap of almost $3 billion and was losing thousands of jobs a month. In Mr. Romney's four-year tenure, the deficit was eliminated without raising the sales tax or the income tax, and since the labor slump hit bottom in December 2003, the state has gained 81,000 jobs." (Pam Belluck, "Romney Candidacy Puts Massachusetts Economy In Spotlight," The New York Times, 3/16/07)

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Together we can grow our economy, stop illegal immigration, defend life and preserve the values that make America the hope of the earth. It's time to turn around Washington. I'm Mitt Romney, and I approve this message."

To read Governor Romney's plan to strengthen our economy, please see: http://mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Romney_Agenda_10.9.07

To read Governor Romney's plan to enforce our immigration laws, please see: http://mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Romney_Agenda_12.14.07

To read Governor Romney's pro-family agenda, please see:
http://mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Romney_Agenda_Strengthening_Families
National Review: "But [Romney] would be able to offer a persuasive outsider's critique of Washington." (Editorial, "Romney For President," National Review, 12/11/07)

To watch "Everywhere," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=728429

McCain: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: New Hampshire Union Leader: "Kill The Pork! Elect The Guy With The Knife"

"Let's put the veto pen in the hands of the one man who will use it to X out all pork-barrel spending and get Washington's fiscal house in order. Let's end once and for all this outrageous use of taxpayer money for the private benefit of elected officials. Let's elect John McCain President." -- New Hampshire Union Leader

Kill The Pork! Elect The Guy With The Knife
Editorial
New Hampshire Union Leader
December 23, 2007

Every single dollar you paid in federal income taxes this year was spent on pork projects.

Outraged yet?

About $20 billion of the just-passed $555 billion federal budget was earmarked for pork. That might sound like a small percentage, but Heritage Foundation analyst Brian Riedl calculated that it equals the entire federal income tax payments for everyone in Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Delaware.

So congratulations, every dollar you paid in federal taxes went to help some member of Congress get elected.

What wonderful projects did you pay for?
· The Andre Agassi prep school in Las Vegas -- $200,000.
· Olive fruit fly research in France -- $213,000.
· The Stark County, Ohio YMCA -- $500,000.
· A bike trail in Minnesota -- $700,000.

The police department in Bastrop, La., got $1.6 million, supposedly for bullet-proof vests. Even if you think Washington ought to fund local police, consider this comment from a Bastrop cop:
"There's no way we'd need that kind of money just to put all our people in vests," said Det. Curtis Stephenson.

Outraged yet?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged in March to cut the number of earmarks by half. Didn't happen. This budget contains more than 11,000 earmarks, the second-highest number in history.

Outraged yet?

Congress cannot be trusted to end earmarks. If left to the legislators who use earmarks to get re-elected, there's no way this robbery will end. It will take a President to stop it. And there is only one candidate running for President who can be trusted to do that: John McCain.

Sen. McCain was first elected to Congress in 1982. In the 25 years since, he has sponsored not a single earmark. Not one.

His yearly haranguing of Congress for its pork-barrel spending has helped bring national attention to this outrageous pilfering of taxpayer money. Sen. McCain has pledged that if elected President he will veto every bill that contains an earmark. And those who know him know he means it.

Let's put the veto pen in the hands of the one man who will use it to X out all pork-barrel spending and get Washington's fiscal house in order. Let's end once and for all this outrageous use of taxpayer money for the private benefit of elected officials. Let's elect John McCain President.

Read Union Leader Editorial: "Kill The Pork! Elect The Guy With The Knife"

Obama Discusses Plan to Protect Retirement Security

Today, in Washington, IA, Senator Barack Obama discussed his commitment to protecting retirement security for all Americans. Citing Cedar Rapids resident David Hartgrave, whose $1500 a month pension was cut to under $400 after his company folded, Senator Obama said that as President, he will change laws that protect credit card companies and banks, instead of the American people.

“It’s time to end the outrage of CEOs cashing out while workers lose their pensions. Right now, bankruptcy laws are more focused on protecting banks than the secure retirement that middle class Americans have earned,” said Senator Obama. “It’s time to stop cutting back the safety net for working people while we protect golden parachutes for the well-off. If you work hard and play by the rules, then you’ve earned every dollar of your pension. If a company goes bankrupt, then workers need to be our top priority – not an afterthought.”

Barack Obama has a record of fighting for working families that goes back more than two decades. In the U.S. Senate, he fought against a bankruptcy bill that did more to protect credit card companies and banks than to help working people.

As President, Obama will fight for middle class families by requiring the government to match some of the savings of workers making less than $75,000 a year. He’ll also create an automatic workplace pension enrollment policy that would require employers to enroll employees in retirement accounts. Obama’s retirement security plan will:

Limit circumstances when retirement benefits can be cut, and increase the wages and benefits that workers can claim in bankruptcy court.

Require companies to disclose their pension fund investments, and press them to make their funds solvent.

End the outrage of executives getting bonuses while workers watch pensions disappear.

To read more about Obama’s plan, click here [http://iowa.barackobama.com/RetirementSecurityFactSheet].