John McCain on Second Amendment Rights

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John McCain on 2nd Amendment rights from JohnMcCain.Com:

• John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect.
• "We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens."
• John McCain opposes holding gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed by third parties using a firearm.
• John McCain opposes restrictions on so-called "assault rifles".
• He opposes bans on the importation of certain types of ammunition magazines and has voted against such limitations.
• John McCain has supported legislation requiring gun manufacturers to include gun safety devices such as trigger locks in product packaging.
• He cosponsored legislation to lift a ban on the citizens of the District of Columbia from exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms.
• John McCain supports instant criminal background checks to help prohibit criminals from buying firearms.
• He is for standardizing sales procedures at gun shows.
• John McCain has opposed "waiting periods" for law abiding citizen's purchase of firearms.
• He also opposes the confiscation of firearms from private citizens, particularly during times of crisis or emergency.
• John McCain believes in strict, mandatory penalties for criminals who use a firearm in the commission of a crime or illegally possess a firearm.

Source:

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/77636553-6337-4ecd-b170-49e1c07d2fbd.htm

AP: Music and candidates: An uneasy alliance

The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 28, 2008

EDITOR'S NOTE — This latest chapter of "The Measure of a Nation," a yearlong series of multimedia story packages about the presidency and the 2008 election as seen through the prism of the culture, explores the ways candidates use — and misuse — music in their efforts to capture the White House.

So let's say it's the early 1980s, and you're a rising young musician named John Cougar Mellencamp. You cut a song with a chorus that oozes Jeffersonian democracy and adds a touch of postwar suburban placidity. "Ain't that America — for you and me," you sing in your gravelly Indiana voice. "Ain't that America; we're something to see. Ain't that America: home of the free. Little pink houses for you and me."

Now let's say you're a strategist for Sen. John McCain, Republican candidate for president in 2008. You hear "Pink Houses" 25 years after it was recorded and think to yourself, hey — this is perfect. Let's blast this out at the big guy's rallies and hitch our wagon to Mellencamp's imagery.

That scenario proved problematic when it unfolded earlier this year. First, Mellencamp is a Democrat and activist who has supported John Edwards. He didn't like his work being co-opted and asked McCain to stop. Second, and just as important, "Pink Houses" is an edgy, melancholy song about chances lost and potential wasted:

"'Cause they told me when I was younger, said, 'Boy, you gonna be president.' But just like everything else, those old crazy dreams just kind of came and went."

Click here for the full AP article on Music and Candidates.

AP Campaign Minute Video: May 30, 2008

John McCain Hispanic/Immigration Memorial Day Web Ad

Related Post: McCain to Attend La Raza Annual Convention in July



Ad Transcript:

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, I want you, the next time you're down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite. You'll find a whole lot of Hispanic names.

When you go to Iraq or Afghanistan today, you're going to see a whole lot of people who are of Hispanic background.

You're even going to meet some of the few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country, who love this country so much that they're willing to risk their lives in its service in order to accelerate their path to citizenship and enjoy the bountiful, blessed nation.

So let's, from time to time, remember that these are God's children. They must come into country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them.

Thank you.

I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

StarTribune.Com: Ron Paul to visit before state GOP convention

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By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune
May 27, 2008

The Republican presidential race is on the verge of heating back up in Minnesota.

More than three months after the state's precinct caucuses, a showdown is in the offing at the state GOP convention in Rochester this weekend.

Long-shot insurgent candidate Ron Paul plans to speak to his supporters Friday morning, just before the convention begins. Then, those supporters hope to nab as many of the 14 national convention delegate spots that remain up for grabs as they can.

"We're not looking for fireworks, and we're not looking to disrupt the campaign," said longtime GOP activist Marianne Stebbins, who has been running Paul's campaign in Minnesota.

"From our perspective, John McCain's the presumptive Republican nominee," said state Republican Party spokesman Mark Drake. "It's been fought here, Paul lost here and it's time to move forward. Case closed. He had his chance and didn't get it done."

Click here for the full Star Tribune article.

McCain in Essence Interview: "I will go to the NAACP Convention"

• The following are excerpts from an Essence interview with John McCain released May 20, 2008 in which he declared that he will attend the NAACP Convention after declining last year's invitation.

"ESSENCE: Republican Newt Gingrich said the Republicans should not ignore the African-American and Latino community, but this election year Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani didn’t bother to address the Black community. As the Republican nominee, how will you reach out to the Black community, not only in this election, but afterward?

"McCain: Go to places and venues that would allow me to continue a dialogue with the African-American community. I will go to the NAACP convention.

ESSENCE: You will?

McCain: Oh, yeah. I don’t know any reason why not. I went to Selma and stood at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and talked about the need to include “forgotten Americans.” I will never as long as I live forget the beautiful women of Gees Bend, Alabama, with the quilts. They were singing spirituals. On the first occasion I could find in the White House I would have them sing again. It was so moving. There was a woman there who was 91 years old. Can you imagine the environment she lived in when she was 21? And yet, this woman was full of hope, compassion and forgiveness. But does that mean in my campaign I am going to get a majority of the African-American vote? Probably not. But what it does mean, what I’ve committed to, is assuring and promising all Americans whether they vote for me or not, I am going to be their president. Americans are sick and tired of partisanship and divisions along party lines that cause gridlock and frustration and lack of addressing the issues that confront America.

ESSENCE: I talked to Condoleezza Rice last year. She said she definitely would not run for president.

McCain: [Laughs] I am happy about that.

ESSENCE: Some in your party believe she would be a great vice-president for you. Is that a consideration?

McCain: I think Condi Rice should be a consideration for any job, including president of the United States, because she is a true American in every respect.

Click here for the full Essence article.

Republican Primary Results for Kentucky and Oregon Ignored by MSM

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• Kentucky Republican Primary Results:
• John McCain received 142,855 votes to Mike Huckabee's 16,329, Ron Paul's 13,439, Mitt Romney's 9,151, Rudy Guiliani's 3,126, Alan Keyes 2,138 and "uncommitted" 10,630.
• The top three candiates John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul received 72%, 8% and 7% of the Kentucky vote respectively.
  
  http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primaries/states/ky/r/
  
• Oregon Republican Primary Results:
• John McCain received 263,788 or 85% of the vote to Ron Paul's 46,279 or 15%
  of the vote with 88% of precincts reporting.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primaries/states/or/r/

LATimes.Com: John McCain's age inspires website aiming to amuse and provoke

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Later this week, John McCain's campaign is expected to confront head-on questions about his physical fitness to be president -- an issue stemming partly from his age -- with the release of his medical records and a briefing from doctors.

Over the weekend, McCain himself took a crack at using humor to deflate concerns about whether, at 72 years old on Inauguration Day, he would be stretching the appropriate age for someone about to start serving as president. During an appearance on "Saturday Night Live," he joshed about the matter. (Sample: a reference to his "great, great, great grandchildren," some of whom "are nearing retirement .")

McCain, though, is not alone in poking fun at his age. A recently unveiled website creating a buzz also has that goal -- as well as stirring a serious discussion of the topic.

The site, thingsyoungerthanmccain.com, is the brainchild of a fellow who, for now, simply wants to be identified as Joe. We talked to him and did learn that he lives in New York City and works by day as a graphic designer and copy writer. As for his own age, he's 40 -- not so far away from being viewed as hopelessly out of it by some of those born a few decades after him.

He makes no bones about his age-inspired skepticism toward a McCain stint in the White House.

Click here for the full LATimes.Com article on "things younger than McCain."

The Arizona Republic: A look at McCain's circle of advisers

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by Dan Nowicki - May. 20, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Sen. John McCain's presidential-campaign team underwent a major overhaul in summer 2007. Nearly broke after six months of weak fundraising and heavy spending, McCain had to lay off dozens of staffers. Then, Terry Nelson, his national campaign manager, and John Weaver, his longtime political guru, exited, taking several more senior officials with them.

McCain's lean-and-mean team managed to pull off a major political comeback in this year's primaries. Recent days, however, have found some aides with lobbying ties leaving the campaign. On Sunday, Tom Loeffler, a Texas congressman turned lobbyist who served with McCain in the House during the 1980s, quit his roles as national campaign co-chairman and national finance chairman.

Here is a glimpse at who is advising McCain as he gears up for the general-election battle:

Rick Davis Reprising his role as campaign manager from McCain's 2000 race, Davis, a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist, helped steer the demoralized and nearly bankrupt McCain 2008 organization out of red ink to victory in the 2008 Republican primaries.

Charlie Black A longtime Republican operative, Reagan administration veteran and, in recent years, a well-connected Washington lobbyist, Black emerged as McCain senior strategist in the wake of Weaver's departure.

Click here for the full Arizona Republic article.

DNC Announces "McCainpedia" Wiki

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• The DNC launched its McCainpedia wiki saying "McCainpedia.org is a wiki run by the DNC's Research, Communications, and Internet teams. The goal is to centralize research material, allowing the general public to use it as they see fit."
• "John McCain has been anything but transparent during the course of his campaign. From tax returns that he refuses to disclose to his failure to fully explain how he's going to pay for his massive tax cuts for corporations, he's attempting to avoid very basic levels of scrutiny. Because his goal is to hide facts about his policies and his record, we've made those available to everybody so that the American people can see for themselves that John McCain is offering a third Bush term."
• Check out the wiki for yourself here: http://www.mccainpedia.org/index.php/Main_Page

MoveOn.Org Calls for McCain to Fire Political Advisor Charlie Black

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Nader Invites Obama, Clinton and McCain to Oil Industry Protest

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• On his blog, Ralph Nader and his running mate invited Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain to join them at an oil industry protest.
• The protest is scheduled for Noon, May 20th, at the American Petroleum Institute located at 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (Corner of 13th and L Streets, NW).
• The goal "is to protest oil industry speculation, manipulation, and conglomeration that is driving gasoline prices over $4 a gallon."

Source: http://www.votenader.org/index.html

John McCain Launches New Eco-Friendly Store on Website

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• In an email to John McCain supporters the campaign manager, Rick Davis, announced the new section of the website selling "eco-friendly" items.
• Eco-friendly items being offered include bamboo tees, polo shirts and onesies, tote bags, and travel mugs manufactured out of recycled materials that include "an Enhanced Biodegradability Additive".
• Obama and Clinton do not yet have eco-friendly sections in their campaign stores which today advertise 100% cotton shirts.

Video: AP Campaign Minute 5/19/08

Video: John McCain on 5/17/08 Saturday Night Live

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What America needs is an old President.........

Clinton Statement on John McCain's May 15, 2008 Speech

Related Post: Video and Text of New Web Ad for John McCain "2013"

• The following statement was posted on HillaryClinton.Com in response to John McCain's May 15, 2008 speech in which he outlined his vision for America at the end of his first term:

"This morning, John McCain said that four more years of the same strategy will produce victory in Iraq, though he provided no new approach or new proposals. This is not the first time Senator McCain has predicted victory in Iraq. He promises more of the same Bush policies that have weakened our military, our national security, and our standing in the world. Our country cannot afford more empty promises on Iraq. When I am President, the United States will no longer give Iraq a blank check. I will bring this war to a swift and honorable conclusion, and bring our troops home, beginning within 60 days of taking office."

Source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7707

Related Post: Video and Text of New Web Ad for John McCain "2013"

Video and Text of New Web Ad for John McCain "2013"

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• John McCain's campaign released a new web ad entitled "2013" chronicling what McCain "envisions achieving during his first term in the White House."
  

• The following is the text of the ad:

ANNCR: The year, 2013. The Middle East stabilized.Nuclear terror threat reduced. Border security strengthened. Energy independence advanced. Wasteful spending reformed. Health care choice delivered. Economic confidence restored. The year, 2013. The President, John McCain.

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

Source: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/a9721ee6-32bf-4bf6-9c07-0110a06fda10.htm

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McCain Conflict With Campaign Manager's Lobbying Firm Over Ukraine

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• Similar to Hillary Clinton's conflict with Mark Penn and his lobbying activities for the Columbia free trade agreement, John McCain finds himself at odds with his campaign manager over his firm's lobbying activities in the Ukraine.
• In the past year the John McCain campaign has used lobbying firm Davis Manafort, Inc. The firm is co-owned by lobbyist Rick Davis who also serves as John McCain's campaign manager.
• According to the Wall Street Journal John McCain has come out in support of "a political movement in Ukraine that is at odds with the Putin-backed Party of Regions.""
• A January filing with the Justice Department revealed that Daniel J. Edelman Inc., a public relations firm hired by Davis Manafort, was paid $35,000 a month last year to promote the Party of Regions which directly conflicts with John McCain's position on Ukraine politics.
• The filing states that the firm was hired to influence public opinion in the United States and that the effort was aimed at "select top-tier media in the U.S.," as well as "experts and analysts focused on the former Soviet Union."

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121072447597990171.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Nebraska Republican Primary Results

Related Post: Nebraska Democrat Caucus Results

• The WashingtonPost.Com reports that John McCain won the May 13, 2008 Nebraska Republican primary 87% to 13% with 100% of precincts reporting.
• Total votes equalled 135,771 with 118,114 votes for John McCain and 17,657 for Ron Paul.
• Nebraska has an estimated population of 1,768,331.

Sources:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primaries/states/wv/r/

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31000.html

Related Post: Nebraska Democrat Caucus Results

Hillary Clinton’s Reaction to Sen. McCain’s Climate Change Proposal

• Hillary Clinton issued the following press release in response to John McCain's recent statements on "Global Warming/Global Climate Change"

"Senator McCain's proposal simply does not go far enough to address the growing
threat that the climate crisis poses to our children and grandchildren. Real leadership means taking this problem head on with a comprehensive, science-based plan instead of halfway measures. While Senator McCain's proposals may be improvement on President Bush's, that’s not saying much."

Source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7672