Evening Briefing: 10.31.07
October 31, 2007
- Sacramento’s KCRA interviewed Fred:
- Jonathan Martin:
Also today — at a press avail before a fundraiser in California — Thompson asked, “Why aren’t they being apprehended and sent home if they come in and announce that they’re illegal?”
“We’ve either got to be serious enforcing our laws or not. I don’t think we can afford to be selective in that regard.”
- The San Francisco Chronicle:
Thompson also turned his attention to his possible Democratic rivals, especially front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been pummeled repeated by the Republicans.
Clinton was grilled at Tuesday’s Democratic debate about her past statements that giving driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants “made sense” – a statement she appeared to step back from.
“It’s another example of dodging hard issues,” Thompson said. “She is taking the typical political position … that if you have got a lead in the polls, you tend to get real restricted in what you answer for fear you will make some kind of mistake, instead of saying what is in your mind and on heart. … She is trying to straddle the fence and be noncommittal.”
“As far as I’m concerned, giving driver’s licenses to illegals is a bad idea for a lot of reasons,” he said.
- The Shooting Wire:
Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Fred Thompson is making his bones with the firearms community. He has issued a statement regarding his position on the United Nations and their campaign to regulate “small arms” globally. We don’t have a favorite in the Republican primary candidates, but it would seem former Senator Thompson from Tennessee has taken a page from the playbook of another plain-spoken Tennessean Senator, Senator Davy Crockett.
- The Fishing Wire:
Former Senator Fred Thompson and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney have also said they have reservations about the [Law of the Sea] convention. A Romney spokesman says he has concerns because of the granting of more power to “unaccountable international institutions.” Thompson is even further, saying flatly he opposes it because it “threatens U.S. sovereignty and gives a United Nations organization far too-much authority over U.S. interests in international waters.”
AARP Interview
October 31, 2007
AARP asked that we respond to statements regarding a wide variety of issues. The following will be published in the AARP Bulletin:
AARP Statement:
We believe wellness and prevention efforts, including changes in personal behavior such as diet and exercise, should be top national priorities.
Tancredo Response:
"The key to good health is individual choice and people need to take personal responsibility for these choices. As President I would encourage the health community to continue their efforts to inform Americans of the benefits of diet and exercise. Living healthy increases an individual’s quality of life and reduces their health care costs."
AARP Statement:
We believe Americans should have choices when it comes to long-term care – allowing them to maintain their independence at home or in their communities with expanded and affordable financing options.
Tancredo Response:
"All Americans should be able to decide on how best to care for themselves, and it should be affordable and pragmatic."
AARP Statement:
We believe Americans of all ages should have access to tools to help manage their finances, and save for the future and better, easy to understand information to help them increase their financial literacy and manage their money wisely.
Tancredo Response:
"Americans of all ages should have such tools available to them and the last I looked, you could find it on every other corner of most towns, in cities, in the local banks and other financial institutions. Additionally, considering the job the federal government has done in managing the finances of our nation, I would suggest it is in best interest of Americans to get this information from the private sector."
Debate watchers in Asheville say…
October 31, 2007
"We were a very vocal group — there was a lot of unanimous clapping and standing up to cheer."
Just talked to Michelle, a teacher and one of the very active organizers of WNC For Obama (West North Carolina for Obama) who reports they had a great turnout last night for their debate watching party. And they all agreed: Barack turned in an excellent performance.
The WNC group meets every Tuesday at the Asheville Brewing Co., inviting any and everyone to come out, socialize and talk informally about Barack Obama. So last night’s debate falling on a Tuesday worked out perfectly.
"We had a lot of people wander over — some Obama supporters, some undecided — but everyone seemed very open to Barack."
The next debate is just around the corner — November 15 — so you can create your own debate watching party here, and start getting the word out now…
Barack’s on the Ballot in South Carolina
October 31, 2007
We’re now officially on the ballot here in South Carolina! Yesterday afternoon in downtown Columbia, Obama supporters from across the state rallied at the State House and marched to the South Carolina Democratic Party Headquarters.
The crowd was really fired up as we began our march with the sounds of the Columbia High School Marching Band leading the way.
We were met with a lot of fanfare by store owners and pedestrians as we marched down Main Street.
After arriving at the SC Democratic Party Headquarters, Chairwoman Carol Fowler thanked us for helping Barack put his name on the ballot. Chairwoman Fowler was so impressed by the crowd and the marching band that she joked that over the next four years she would work to ensure:
“…that in 2012, no one will be on the ballot if they don’t come with a marching band.”
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The campaign held a voter registration drive and block party to cap the successful march and rally. Supporters and members of Columbia High enjoyed great food and several musical guests, such as The Elements.
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You can still be a part of the Grassroots Finance Committee
October 31, 2007
This Monday, the Grassroots Finance Committee had its first conference call, and it was a total hit.
What’s the Grassroots Finance Committee? Conference call?
This is neat: the GFC is a group of extraordinary supporters like you who have each pledged to raise an impressive $1000 for Barack Obama. Your record-setting grassroots organization and contributions to this campaign have surpassed any in political history — over 500,000 donations from over 350,000 donors nationwide. And not a dime in there from the federal lobbyists or PACs.
This overwhelming success told us we’re ready to take personal fundraising to the next level. That’s how the Grassroots Finance Committee was born, and already the number of individuals who have signed up and pledged to raise $1,000 each has been amazing.
But, is $1,000 kind of a lot?
It is, and that’s why the Grassroots Finance Committee is with you every step of the way. As a member, you are in regular contact with campaign headquarters senior staff, who give you the tools and the fundraising know-how to reach your pledge of $1,000.
This kind of commitment from you sends the message loud and clear that we can do this — we the people, not we the special interest groups. Not we the PACs.
It’s still not too late to sign up. Join the Grassroots Finance Committee today, get on a conference call next week, and build the movement of ordinary Americans who are willing to stand up to the special interests and prove that the ‘power of the grassroots’ isn’t just a catch phrase — it’s the way we’re going to change the country.
Ron Paul to Jay Leno: ‘I could win’
October 31, 2007
After a great interview with Jay Leno on last night’s Tonight Show, Ron Paul also was the star at a fundraising event in the Hollywood Hills.
“The campaign has been going so well in his view that ‘there’s probably a risk I could win,’ Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul just told NBC-TV’s Jay Leno.”
Click here to read more from an early USA Today report.
Dodd Wins PA Democratic Party Straw Poll
October 31, 2007
Following last night’s presidential debate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party ran a straw poll to see who people thought won the debate…and it was Chris Dodd, winning big!
Candidate % of Vote
Dodd 31%
Edwards 22%
Clinton 18%
Obama 14%
Biden 8%
Kucinich 4%
Richardson 2%
This poll shows that people liked what the saw in Senator Dodd’s performance last night. A candidate who spoke clearly, presented bold ideas, and drew real distinctions between himself and the other candidates, from standing up to stop a march to war with Iran to having the vision to stop global warming. Thanks to everyone who voted for Senator Dodd in the PA Democratic Party poll!
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