I apologies for the complete lack of updates in the past month!! I am very sorry for this, obviously this blog isn’t working with my busy schedule. So, until further notice I will not update this blog until later this year (Nov -Dec?). If you are a political blogger and you are interested in blogging for this blog, contact me and we can go from there!

Email: blogpresident4_2008@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Jayson

Well, that’s not exactly the message he sent to supporters yesterday. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2004, said yesterday that he won’t be seeking the presidency next year.

“I’ve concluded this isn’t the time for me to mount a presidential campaign,”

Kerry, said in an online video speech and press release. Kerry’s decision still leaves many Democratic candidates, including the top three: Senator Hillary Clinton, former Senator John Edwards, and Senator Barack Obama.

John Kerry’s Offical Statement: (below the fold)

Dear Friend,

I wanted to start by just saying thank
you — thank you to each and every one of you who has come together in the johnkerry.com community.

Thanks to you, we have a new Democratic Congress that is fighting to stop the administration’s disastrous course in Iraq, thanks to you we can be a Congress that addresses issues like climate change and health care, and thanks to you, change is coming to Washington.

Over the last two years, when you could’ve walked off the field after getting knocked down in 2004, you didn’t walk away, you kept fighting. Together, three million strong, you helped provide $14 million to more than 260 candidates, committees and progressive causes. Nineteen of those candidates received over $100,000 each in donations from our community. Just think of the special support that you helped us provide to veterans running for office — helping to make Chris Carney, Tim Walz, Joe Sestak, and Patrick Murphy members of Congress today. And because you dug in early when a lot of people said it couldn’t be done, you helped a courageous Vietnam veteran Jim Webb on his march to become the 51st Senator and give Democrats our majority in the Senate.

I hope you are as proud of what you’ve accomplished as I am. But this isn’t a time to rest on our accomplishments.

The work isn’t over. Today I hope you’ll help me with another big mission.

35 years ago, I got into public life to end a war that was wrong. I believe now as strongly as I did then that it is wrong to ask more young Americans to die for anyone’s mistakes. And I believe that a Congress that shares responsibility for getting us into this war must bear responsibility for getting us out.

Americans went to the polls and voted for change in Iraq. They sent a strong and clear message to all of us, on both sides of the aisle, that they wanted real change in Iraq. They certainly did not vote for us to sit by while some national leaders actually advocate escalating the war and sending more American troops into the middle of an Iraqi civil war. We must stand for a change in Iraq, or we don’t stand for anything at all.

This mission, this responsibility, is something all of us must accept. As someone who voted for the resolution that gave the president the authority to go to war, I feel the weight of a personal responsibility to act.

I sought the presidency to lead us on a different course. There are powerful reasons to want to continue that fight now. But I’ve concluded this isn’t the time for me to mount a presidential campaign. It is the time to put my energy to work as part of the new Democratic majority in the Senate, to do all I can to end this war and strengthen our security and our ability to fight the real war on terror.

The people of Massachusetts have given me an incredible privilege to serve in the Senate, to represent the birthplace of freedom, the cradle of liberty, and a state where in Faneuil Hall patriotic dissenters stood on principle. I want to continue representing Massachusetts, and that’s why I am running for reelection so I can use my voice all day every day to end this war and galvanize grassroots action to force Washington and our Democratic Party to live up to its responsibility.

Together, all of us, starting with the three million of you who have built this online community, must remain steadfast in protecting the principles we fought for every day of our campaign. You have a responsibility to urge those who are running this time to step up and address those issues, and particularly on Iraq to find not just a new way forward, but the right way forward.

Above all else, the mission we must all join is to end the war in Iraq.

Our first step toward that goal is to force President Bush to set a deadline to redeploy our troops.

I hope you will come to http://www.setadeadline.com and take the opportunity to speak out on the importance of setting a deadline to redeploy our troops and bring our heroes home. Speak out at http://www.setadeadline.com.

Now that a new Democratic Congressional majority has convened in the U.S. Capitol, a deadline must be set. Working together as Americans, holding leaders accountable, is our best hope to ensure that it is.

Please come to http://www.setadeadline.com and get on board.

Thank you,

John Kerry

Click here to view the video!

The president, in his sixth State of the Union address, presses on to further his Iraq policies before a Congress dominated by Democrats.

For more on this click here.

Mitt Romney is apparently going to pick-up the endorsement of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, according to the Politico blog. They don’t come much more mainstream, middle-American conservative than Denny Hastert. But the Politico also argues that Hastert commands considerable good-will within the House GOP Conference, and thus should help Romney’s outreach to Republican House members.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Announces Presidential Campaign Exploratory Committee

Richardson has unparalleled experience and proven record of success as a Congressman, UN Ambassador, Energy Secretary, and Governor

SANTA FE, NM–New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced the formation of a Presidential campaign exploratory committee, with the clear intention of seeking the Democratic nomination for President in 2008.

“I am taking this step because we have to repair the damage that’s been done to our country over the last six years,” said Richardson. “Our reputation in the world is diminished, our economy has languished, and civility and common decency in government has perished.”

“The next president of the United States must get our troops out of Iraq without delay. Before I became Governor of New Mexico, I served as Ambassador to the United Nations and as Secretary of Energy. I know the Middle East well and it’s clear that our presence in Iraq isn’t helping any longer,” said Richardson.

“Our next President must be able to bring a country together that is divided and partisan,” said Richardson. “It is clear that Washington is broken and it’s going to take a return to bipartisanship and simple respect for each other’s views to get it fixed. Most public policy solutions these days are coming from Governors and state government. On issues like the environment, jobs, and health care, state governments are leading the way. And that’s because we can’t be partisan or we won’t get our jobs done. That’s a lesson I’ve learned as Governor and that’s what I’ll do as President.”

When New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson speaks about embracing diversity, the American dream, and public service, he speaks from unparalleled experience. Born November 15, 1947 in Pasadena, California to an American father and Mexican mother, Governor Richardson grew up in Mexico City before moving to New England, where he attended high school and college. He has dedicated his life to public service, as a United States Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy, and now as Governor of New Mexico.

This past November, Richardson won re-election to his second term as Governor of New Mexico with a resounding 69% of the vote, the largest margin of victory in state history. He was supported by Democrats, Republicans and Independents, winning in both urban and rural counties. New Mexicans overwhelmingly endorsed Governor Richardson’s aggressive efforts to improve education, cut taxes, build a high-wage economy, expand health care access, invest in renewable energy and make New Mexico safer.

Bill Richardson’s fiscally responsible governing style has allowed New Mexico to tackle important priorities, while maintaining a balanced budget and the highest reserves in state history. He cut $230 million in bureaucratic waste, invested in new opportunities for New Mexico’s children and returned more than $1 billion dollars in taxes to working families. His innovative policies have turned New Mexico’s economy around, with 84,000 new jobs, rising personal income and a growing high tech sector that includes manufacturing, aviation, and renewable energy.

As Secretary of Energy to President Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson implemented tough efficiency standards to save energy. And as Governor, he has made New Mexico the Clean Energy State by requiring utility companies to produce energy through renewable resources and reduce carbon emissions.

Before becoming Governor, Bill Richardson served in Congress for 15 years and helped President Clinton pass the economic plan that created millions of jobs and led America to its first balanced budget in 30 years.

Appointed by President Clinton as the Ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson worked with world leaders to build alliances and help prevent the development of nuclear weapons in North Korea. Bill Richardson has been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the release of hostages, American servicemen and political prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, and Cuba. Governor Richardson recently negotiated a 60-day cease fire in war-torn Darfur following direct talks with rebel leaders and the President of Sudan.

As Chairman of the Democratic Governor’s Association, Governor Richardson raised more than $28 million for gubernatorial candidates and helped elect the first Democratic majority of governors since 1994. Governor Richardson also served as Chair of the Western Governors Association, Border Governor’s Conference and the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Bill Richardson has been married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara, for 33 years. Richardson received a BA from Tufts in 1970 and a MA from Tuft’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971.

The Bill Richardson for President Exploratory Committee will be headquartered in New Mexico. To view Governor Bill Richardson’s video statement in both English and Spanish please go to: www.richardsonforpresident.com

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson intends to say today that he is taking the first step toward the Democratic presidential nomination, several officials with knowledge of his plans said Friday.

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s exploratory committee today announced that Stuart Stevens and Russ Schriefer of the Stevens & Schriefer Group and Fred Davis of Strategic Perception will join Mark McKinnon and the firm of Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm as media consultants to the Arizona Senator’s exploratory committee.

Russ Schriefer will oversee the day-to-day media operation and Davis will serve as the exploratory committee’s chief creative consultant.

Stuart Stevens has built his political career helping elect more governors and senators than any other Republican media consultant.

TOPEKA, Kan. – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today announced his candidacy for President of the United States. He delivered the following remarks from Heritage Hall in his hometown of Topeka, Kansas:

“I am declaring today my candidacy for President of the United States.

“Ours is a great nation and I make one pledge to you, to use our greatness for goodness.

“We are a great nation because our greatness is built on the foundation of fundamental goodness. If ever we lose our goodness, we will surely lose our greatness. Our purposes, from the time of our nation’s founding, have always been bigger than we are. They must be if we are to fulfill our destiny.

“But destinies are built on daily achievements. Inch by inch, step by step, we press on to our higher calling. Today I wish to state what I believe those next steps are, for our nation and for our people.

“Two hundred years ago this year, a little known British Parliamentarian by the name of William Wilberforce finally achieved success after a lifetime of effort to end the slave trade in the British Empire. A committed Christian who believed his faith should be a force for good in Britain and around the world, Wilberforce had two great passions: ending the slave trade and renewing the culture. Although his goals appeared impossibly lofty, both were achieved.

“He used Britain’s greatness for goodness.

“Our mandate today has a similar feel. If William Wilberforce were alive today, I believe he would be passionately fighting for the dignity of every human life everywhere, without regard to race, wealth, or status. He would also feel compelled to take up the vital cause of renewing the family and the culture.

“These are our fights today.

“We must fight for the downtrodden, the voiceless and the powerless. We must fight for freedom and justice. To do otherwise would be a betrayal of our heritage.

“But, our land needs healing.

“Our people need hope.

“Our world needs help.

“We need reconciliation. Lincoln properly observed that, ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand.’ We are divided and need healing.

“We need to rebuild our families. We need stronger families! We need people belonging and committed! By doing so, we will reduce poverty, strengthen our nation and increase hope.

“We need to support the foundational institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman for life. We should support marriage, not tax it. It’s wrong to take away welfare benefits just because someone gets married. Marriage remains the best place to raise children–not the only place, but the best.

“We must stop wasteful spending that steals a families’ income and then insults them by throwing their money away on pork-barrel projects.

“And we need more opportunities–not more taxes. I’ve never voted for a tax increase, and I certainly will never sign one!

“But that’s not enough. We need a different income tax system altogether. This one, the Internal Revenue Code, should be taken behind the barn and killed with a dull axe.

“I propose the creation of an alternative flat tax, which lets the people choose which system works for them.

“We need a social security system in which all Americans are given a choice in how to prepare for their retirement; a choice they do not presently have. No one should be required to leave the current system, and everyone must be guaranteed their current level of benefits. Every American should be given this freedom.

“We are a large nation. Let’s start embracing American-sized goals that lift us up and pull us together!

“Let’s put our energies into conquering the number one fear in America: the fear of getting cancer. We can end deaths by cancer in ten years. The last two years have seen a decrease in deaths by cancer. It’s time to put this killer to death. With our intense effort, we can make it a chronic–rather than a terminal–illness. What a gift to humanity!

“We need high-quality, affordable health care for everyone. Here, let me step back for a moment. I am a conservative. A conservative that believes in addressing problems, not ignoring them. We must address our health care problems with market-based solutions, not government-run health care. We can, and we must. This topic requires our urgent attention.

“We must be energy self-reliant in North America in the next fifteen years–at the same time we need to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. This is possible using our ingenuity, resources, and determination.

“Also, we need judges who want to be judges, not legislators.

“And for goodness sakes, the last thing we need in America is to take God out of our public lives and institutions! We need to embrace our nation’s motto ‘In God We Trust,’ not be ashamed of it. Search the record of history. To walk away from the almighty is to embrace decline for a nation. To embrace him leads to renewal, for individuals and for nations.

“Something most people feel deeply in their hearts is the need for a culture of life–a culture that doesn’t allow the strong to exploit the weak–a culture of compassion instead of a culture of convenience. Life is beautiful. We all know this. Let’s start following our hearts and work to protect all innocent human life.

“We are a nation at war. I just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our troops–the finest, most courageous people our nation has to offer–are fighting for the cause of liberty in places that have never known her. It is a long fight. We will win. We cannot lose our will to win! We must win to redeem our troops’ sacrifice. Let us resolve to have a bipartisan strategy for the war. We need unity here to win over there. This is not the time for partisanship on any side. Lives–and our future–are at stake.

“We will achieve these goals, not through government action, but by tapping into our innate goodness as a society and working together. This is how America has always achieved great goals.

“At the end of the day, it comes back to the basics: faith, family, and freedom. America is great because she is good. That goodness is not based in Washington, or New York, or even Topeka. It is based in the hearts of the American people. This is a goodness whose author is the divine. A goodness that doesn’t let us rest until our neighbor is at peace. A goodness that feels the chains of another rub on our own skin. A goodness from God that demands our vigilant action.

“How much better we will be as we seek to live the great commandment to love God and one another.

“Yes, we are great and that is a humbling thing, for to whom much is given, much is required.

“Let us, in this generation, continue our destiny of greatness by focusing on the heart, a heart full of good. That’s what I’ll seek to do everyday.

“So it is with sincere humility and a determination to do good that I declare my candidacy for President of the United States.

“God bless you all, and may God continue to bless this great nation!

Well it’s official. Sen. Hillary Clinton is a presidential candidate. She announced on her site. It’s not the best opening statement and it’s not the worst. It looked ‘middle ofthe road’ to me. She wants the ‘right’ end to the war, health insurance, energy independence, reduce the deficit, etc.

“I’m in,” she says in a statement on her new campaign Web site. “And I’m in to win.”

Mrs. Clinton, 59, called for “bold but practical changes” in foreign, domestic, and national security policy and said that she would focus on finding “a right end” to the Iraq war, expanding health insurance, pursuing greater energy independence and strengthening Social Security and Medicare

This will be a contentious campaign for Clinton as she had two easy elections in New York state. The first against Rick Lazio was a great example of the New York media treating her with kid gloves. The national media hopefully will not be so gentle.

The latest Zogby poll on Iowa:

WH ‘08 Primary Election Matchup:
(GOPers only)                 (Dems only)
R. Giuliani 19%                    J. Edwards 27%
J. McCain 17                        B. Obama 17
N. Gingrich 13                     T. Vilsack 16
C. Rice 9                               H. Clinton  16
M. Romney 5                      J. Biden 3
T. Tancredo 2                     J. Kerry 3
C. Hagel 2                            Other/undec 18
S. Brownback 1
T. Thompson 1
M. Huckabee 1
Other/undec 31