I wish you could see this! You just wouldn't believe what's going on here in Iowa.
Right now, while Amanda's running around getting ready for our rally in Independence, I can hear the crowd shouting "We want Bill! We want Bill!"
We're getting huge crowds and packing houses everywhere we go. We've signed up 40 more volunteers today alone. Yesterday while campaigning in Hanover, NH the Governor even convinced one woman to vote absentee for him on the spot!
This is what we've been working for all year. You can feel the grassroots momentum taking over. People are literally flocking to the Governor.
But we've got just 14 days. 14 days to reach every caucus-goer in Iowa.
As the Governor says, "Iowans are known for making up their minds at the last minute." Right now, 50% of Iowa voters aren't sure who they are voting for.
Those are votes we can win.
Every time someone learns about Bill Richardson's proven leadership and experience, they decide to support him. And every single time we run a new ad, the Governor surges in the polls.
Check out our new ad showing voters the difference between the Governor and the other candidates on Iraq. We want to show caucus-goers there's only one candidate ready to bring ALL our troops home. The other major candidates won't even commit to getting our troops out of Iraq by 2013. That's over 5 years away!
So in these last 14 days, my job is to get this ad seen by as many folks as possible. And I'm counting on you to do your job and help me make that happen.
Friend, you signed up for this, and you've been behind us all year. Thanks to you, we've hit every target we've set.
But to keep up this momentum we've got to meet our goal of $400,000 by raising $20,000 every day between now and Jan. 3.
It's the only way we can keep this campaign running full tilt. And it's the only way we will win Iowa. Then the real race begins. I know we can do it.
Wow, the crowd outside is really going wild! Amanda's flagging me down, so I'm going to head out to the rally now. Then I'm going to call some more local TV stations about airing this ad.
I'll keep you posted.
Dave
Today our campaign released a new ad in Iowa entitled "When I Began." The ad, which will run in conjunction with the campaign's "Only One" ad, features Governor Richardson speaking directly to voters about his character and vision for the country.
Leaving residual troops in Iraq is one of the most important issues in the
Iraq debate. I think that we all can agree that our troops are targets, they've
served with honor and distinction, and it's time to bring them home. As I noted
in a previous post this morning, the Governor is still the only candidate that
will end this war by leaving no residual troops and as Jim VandeHei and John
F. Harris noted in The Politico this morning, Dems
could do far more to end Iraq war.
They're right and that's why I'd like to take this time to thank Chris Bowers,
Matt Stoller, and Christina Siun O'Connell for their help in making our latest
commercial and online video. Working together, we're asking the tough questions
that the media won't ask. Questions like, "How many troops -combat and
non-combat- will the other candidates leave?" We've worked hard to build
an honest two way relationship with the Democratic/Progressive netroots and
by working together with netroots leaders like Christina, Chris, and Matt, the
country is able to have an honest and conversation about ending the war in Iraq.
Residual Troops is an issue that deserves to be discussed and debated and
the only place that discussion is taking place is in the netroots.
Please join me in the comments and help me thank Chris, Christina, and Matt
for their help, their leadership, and their passion towards ending the war in
Iraq.
Thank You Chris.
Thank You Matt.
Thank You Christina.
The Video
The ad, Long Enough, running in New Hampshire
In the last Democratic Presidential debate in Iowa, the Governor said it
best:"You know, I think that Senator Obama does represent change. Senator
Clinton has experience. Change and experience: With me, you get both."
Today we released a new television ad in Iowa called "Offers". The
spot emphasizes that Bill Richardson is the only candidate in the race who brings
both change and experience to the Presidential race despite the fact that other
candidates may be "borrowing" the phrase.
The ad recounts the Governor's unparalleled experience and record of achievement
in foreign policy. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times
and recently helped negotiate the shutdown of North Korea's nuclear weapons
program.
Our new ad also reinforces that Governor Richardson is the only major candidate with a detailed plan to get all US troops out of Iraq, leaving behind no residual forces.
The latest Iowa poll by the American Research Group shows Governor Richardson at 13%, solidly in contention several months before the state's caucuses.
Today we launched two new television ads in Iowa. The first ad "Focused" showcases his record of achievement creating jobs and building economic momentum in his home state of New Mexico and explaining how he will do it nationally as President. The second ad is the fourth in the unique "Job Interview" commercial series. The new ads come two days before Governor Richardson will formally unveil his plan on jobs and the economy during a major speech in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Focused, details Richardson's economic successes in New Mexico.
Our campaign manager, Dave Contarino had this to say about our new ads;
"Bill Richardson's success in New Mexico is well documented. He has the experience creating new, high-wage jobs, expanding existing industries, supporting R&D and start-up businesses, and building a growing, vibrant economy."
"The Governor also has a proven record of fiscal responsibility, balancing five budgets, while cutting taxes and investing in jobs, health care and education. Others talk about it, he's done it."
The Governor's fourth "Job Interview" commercial emphasizes the message that he is the only Democratic Presidential candidate with executive experience and is most prepared on day one to start the necessary work to get our country back on track. The ad touches on a number of the Governor's achievements as Governor of New Mexico, including his record of helping create jobs, balancing budgets and investing in education.
In the last five years, the Governor has created over 80,000 new jobs. New Mexico's unemployment is at its lowest in history.
Governor Richardson passed a permanent rural jobs tax credit to spur employment and economic growth in rural New Mexico. And while making New Mexico the clean energy state, Governor Richardson focused on the development of renewable energy initiatives involving wind, solar and biomass to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help the fight against global climate change while simultaneously creating jobs.
Our campaign has just released a new TV ad in Iowa, titled "Stand Up." In the ad, the Governor reiterates his call to get all US troops out of Iraq and for Congress to stand up to President Bush.
Check out the ad and tell us what you think in the comments.
Vaughn Ververs, writes in the CBS Blog
Bill Richardson is back with a third installment of his popular "job interview" ads. In this one , Richardson explains his commitment to combating global warming to a clearly uninterested job interviewer. The ad is running in Iowa and will soon be on the air in New Hampshire.
While Richardson is getting some attention for his humorous approach to introducing himself to early primary voters, this one has a rather pointed message beyond the subject of climate change. The annoying interviewer, who seems to be representing the media, cares little about the hefty subject Richardson discusses and only wants an answer to the question, "if you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?" A not-so-subtle reminder of the media's inability to focus on the important issues? You be the judge
ManchGuy, over at Blue Hampshire says,
"OK, the third job interview ad started today and it's the best thing I've ever seen about global warming in a political ad: no burning forests, no stranded polar bears, no little kids bouncing big globes singing creepy music. Just Gov. Richardson talking about his record in New Mexico and how he's gonna do it all as president."
DJ, from LA, had this to say at CNN's Political Ticker blog:
"A Candidate that talks about the issues? Commercials that highlight a specific plan? I like it. Nice to see that for a change."
So what did you think of the ad? What say ye Bill Richardson supporters?
In our campaign's new ad , the Governor points out to everyone's favorite job interviewer that under his leadership, New Mexico passed tax credits for wind, solar and bio-fuels energy production. Utility companies are now required to produce energy from renewable sources, and he set tough standards to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Yet again, we're up on the air in IA with our latest ad that features the Governor's record on making NM, the leading clean energy state. The Governor's made New Mexico the clean energy state and as President, he'll make the USA, the clean energy nation.
Check the ad out:
Under the Governor, New Mexico has started requiring utility companies to produce energy from renewable sources and New Mexico has invested directly in energy efficiency and is promoting renewable energy with tax credits for using wind, solar, and biofuels. The Governor has also led the effort to eliminate taxes on hybrid cars.
The League of Conservation Voters praised the Governor's proposals as the most aggressive plan of any candidate for president, saying
"Richardson sets the highest goals for reducing global warming pollution and increasing production from renewable energy sources."
Sierra Club President Carl Pope said the Governor's plan "raised the bar" in the fight against global warming, and is "much more aggressive than anything we've seen so far from the candidates. It is also significantly better elaborated..."
Dear Iowa Democrat,
It has been a busy week for Governor Bill Richardson's campaign here in Iowa: Our TV ads are still being widely praised and well-received; the Governor unveiled a bold new Energy Plan; and we had a very successful trip in Southwest Iowa.
Sunday's Des Moines Register showed Richardson moving significantly into double-digits in the latest statewide caucus poll.
Monday, the governor formally announced his candidacy for president.
And today we are announcing the launch of our new "Iowa for Richardson" webpage.
Make no mistake about - while we are using today's latest technology (including this email!) and innovative, engaging TV ads - we will run an aggressive, old-fashioned, one-handshake-at-a-time caucus operation.
But don't take my word for it - read what has been reported in the press over the past few days:
- RICHARDSON'S OLD-SCHOOL IOWA STRATEGY PAYING DIVIDENDS
Richardson's visit to the small GOP-leaning Montgomery County seat... is part of his campaign's strategy to play the Iowa caucuses game by the old rules, not rely on star quality and packed events that don't offer the access Iowans have come to expect, demand even. - Iowa Independent - ONE HANDSHAKE AT A TIME
"I'm going to be here for the next eight months - I'm not going to give a speech and leave." It is a strategy right out of the playbook of Jimmy Carter, who made Iowa caucuses his launching pad in 1976. Shake every hand; hit every town, large and small, and shock the political establishment with a surprise showing. - CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield - BIG HELPING OF POLITICS ON RICHARDSON'S BILL OF FARE
His grassroots campaign was on full display Friday at a Sapp Bros. truck plaza, where he treated about 20 potential Iowa caucusgoers to breakfast and answered questions about illegal immigration and Iraq. Afterward, the gregarious governor shook hands with cooks and waitresses and surprised diners. - Omaha World Herald - "GRASSROOTS" CAMPAIGNING LIVES
Instead, he prefers the grassroots way of doing things, appearing at coffee shops and in people's homes. "The voters want to see you up close," he said Friday. Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, is doing just that this weekend around the Omaha/Council Bluffs area - and, as he has done elsewhere, getting positive results. - Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil - RICHARDSON INSTINCTIVE WITH IOWA-FLAVORED HUMOR
Of the top four Democratic candidates in the race, Bill Richardson, the New Mexico governor, is most natural with a Sunday lemonade-brand of spontaneous humor. It's instinctive for him, and it's one of the reasons he's climbing in the polls... As Richardson hits the small towns of Iowa, pays his dues the old-fashioned way, he'll make many Iowans comfortable with him. He comes across as a person who genuinely likes people. The same cannot be said of all candidates. - Iowa Independent
Iowa will be seeing a great deal of Governor Bill Richardson this summer. We are committed to running a grassroots effort ... and committed to earning your support - "One handshake at a time."
Sincerely,
Robert Becker
State Director
Iowa for Richardson
Posts
