Road to Victory 2008
Courageous Service, Experienced Leadership, Bold Solutions.
The McCain Message
9 John McCain is ready to be Commander-in-Chief and protect the United States from Day One. His personal narrative makes him the only candidate with real national security credentials and the proven leadership to protect our nation and win the war against Islamic extremists.
9 John McCain embodies conservative ideals. He will appoint strict constructionist judges, veto all wasteful spending, and balance the budget. He will stand up to Democrats and fight for conservative principles; including protecting the rights of the born and unborn.
9 John McCain will reform government. He will fight to reform and protect Social Security, reform health care while protecting patients’ rights, provide assistance to dislocated workers, protect free trade, increase our energy independence and security, and ensure our nation honors its obligations to our veterans.
9 John McCain will restore trust in government. He will fight special interests, take on education unions to promote competition and choice in education, stand up to the trial lawyers by signing tort reform laws, and create a public standard of ethics in government.
9 John McCain is a leader who will pass the test instead of passing the buck.
Wide Open Race & No Clear Front Runner
¾ The 2008 primary election is dramatically front-loaded. By February 5, 2008, nearly 60% of primary delegates will be chosen.
¾ We believe that this schedule puts more pressure on candidates to win early primary states than ever before.
January 14th Iowa (c) January 19th Nevada (c) New Hampshire January 22nd Wyoming (c) Florida January 29th Michigan (tbd) February 2nd South Carolina February 1-3rd Maine Alabama Alaska (c) Arizona Arkansas California Colorado (c) Connecticut Delaware Georgia Hawaii (c) Super Tuesday Illinois February 5th Minnesota Missouri New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota (c) Oklahoma Tennessee (c) Utah West Virginia
¾ Historically, the GOP nominee wins either Iowa or New Hampshire and South Carolina.
2004 George W. Bush (unopposed) 2000 George W. Bush Iowa & South Carolina 1996 Bob Dole Iowa & South Carolina 1992 George H.W. Bush New Hampshire & Iowa & South Carolina 1988 George H.W. Bush New Hampshire & South Carolina 1984 Ronald Reagan (unopposed) 1980 Ronald Reagan New Hampshire & South Carolina Iowa
• John McCain has a strong grassroots organization with special emphasis on social conservatives. The principal structure has been in place since January and only grown since then. • Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson have spent little time in the state and have limited organizational infrastructure in Iowa. • Mitt Romney is heavily invested in Iowa, having already purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars in television ads and will likely continue to attempt to “buy” a caucus victory. • With a strong organization and a great campaign appeal, John McCain will over-perform in Iowa. New Hampshire
• New Hampshire is John McCain country. An organization second to none and a capability to out-campaign all the competition in the state gives John McCain a decided advantage. • Rudy Giuliani has spent little time in this state. • Spending heavily in this state too, Romney is looking for a regional appeal that he could not get in four years as governor of a neighboring state. South Carolina
• South Carolina is John McCain’s best organized state and one that will reward his steadfast position on Iraq. • Rudy Giuliani seems to be looking past South Carolina. His positions on issues of life and traditional marriage will likely prove insurmountable in this conservative state. • Mitt Romney is the only competitor to John McCain’s organization in the state and Fred Thompson’s entrance will put pressure on Romney supporters looking for one of their own. • Our goal will be to continue to strengthen our strong political and organizational structure here, with the momentum of a New Hampshire win sweeping us to a victory in South Carolina. IOWA
Organization
¾ The Iowa McCain operation has chairs in over half of Iowa’s counties, constituting over 66% of the total projected GOP caucus vote.
¾ Leading the effort are some of the best activists in Iowa:
Dave Roederer: A former Chief of Staff to 4-term Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad, Dave is a well established and respected party activist and organizer. He served as the Bush-Cheney ’04 Iowa Chairman and agreed to Chair the Iowa effort for John McCain last fall.
Chuck Larson: An Iraq war veteran and former State Party Chairman, Chuck Larson has been one of the most visible Republicans in Iowa politics for nearly a decade. Chuck serves as a spokesman, strategist, and leader to John McCain’s efforts across the state.
Marlys Popma: Marlys is the top social conservative organizer in Iowa. She has served as the President and Executive Director of Iowa Right to Life, Executive Director of the Iowa Family Policy Center, and Executive Director of the Republican Party of Iowa. Marlys initially signed on to lead the coalition effort but has moved into a broader role helping to craft and implement caucus strategy for John’s Iowa effort.
Issues
A Commander-In-Chief: John McCain knows we live in a dangerous world and he alone has the military background and experience to defend America’s interests and lead the fight against anti-American terrorism and Islamic extremism. He is the only candidate running who has the credentials to be Commander-in-Chief on the very first day of his presidency.
A Crusader against Government Spending: John McCain has been a leader for twenty years in the fight against wasteful federal spending. He has never been one of the insiders who waste money on special interest projects in the false hope they can bribe their way to re-election. As president, John McCain will veto any bill with wasteful pet projects and special interest earmarks; not just some of these bills, all of these bills.
A Champion of Energy Security: Our national security depends on energy security, which we cannot achieve if we remain dependent on imported oil from Middle Eastern governments who support terrorists. This is why John McCain believes our objective must be energy security – that means a mix of energy that is abundant, diverse, reliable, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible. Energy security includes creating new markets for farmers by providing incentives to create low carbon auto fuels like ethanol and other energy sources from corn. NEW HAMPSHIRE
Organization
¾ We have county chairs in each of New Hampshire’s ten counties and town chairs in 147 of 234 incorporated towns.
¾ We have completed over 31,000 volunteer and staff phone calls.
¾ We have phone bank locations in 9 of 10 counties, with 4 active locations.
Peter Spaulding: Our New Hampshire Chairman served as an executive councilor from 1983 – 2007 and was chairman of the McCain campaign in 2000. (In New Hampshire, the 5-member Executive Council is a prominent body that serves in place of a lieutenant governor, approves gubernatorial appointments, judicial appointments, and all state contracts that are awarded in the private sector.)
Steve Duprey: A Bush Pioneer, Steve is a former New Hampshire GOP state chairman and prominent local businessman who serves as a Vice-Chair for the John McCain campaign.
Chuck Douglas: Also a Vice-Chair for the campaign, he is a former congressman and New Hampshire Supreme Court justice.
Jayne Millerick: Jayne is a former New Hampshire GOP state chair and popular activist in the state who serves as a Vice-Chair on the McCain 2008 campaign.
Issues
Government Reform: John McCain believes that believe that public service is a noble profession and wants to restore integrity and bring honesty back to the political process. He has been a leader in the Republican party for twenty years, fighting to bring more openness to government, controlling wasteful government spending programs, and taking on special interests in Washington D.C. He has long fought to bring honor and honesty to public service.
Low Taxes: John McCain has consistently voted to keep taxes low and supported tax cuts that grow the economy and create jobs. John McCain also believes we should make it more difficult for Congress to raise taxes on Americans by requiring a three-fifths super majority vote, sixty votes of one hundred, to raise taxes.
Energy & Environment: Increasing our energy independence is a national security issue. America’s security will be improved by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels that often carry geopolitical costs. John McCain supports a market-based system of “cap and trade” that will set responsible, common sense greenhouse gas reduction goals, and provide economic incentives for entrepreneurs, innovators, and the business community at large to achieve them. SOUTH CAROLINA
Organization
¾ John McCain was the first candidate to have named County Chairmen in each of South Carolina’s forty-six counties.
¾ We have the support of the majority of the Republican members in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
¾ Four of the state’s eight Republican constitutional officers support John McCain: Attorney General Henry McMaster, Adjutant General Stan Spears, Secretary of State Mark Hammond, and Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham: Senator Graham previously served in the S.C. State House and U.S. Congress (SC-3). Currently, he serves as South Carolina Co-Chair for John McCain.
S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell: First elected to the S.C. House in 1992, Speaker Harrell was chosen in 2005 by his peers to serve as Speaker of the House. He has been instrumental in lining up legislative support for John McCain and serves as South Carolina Co- Chair and as the National Co-Chair of Legislators.
S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster: McMaster was first elected Attorney General in 2002, and was overwhelming re-elected in 2006. Prior to serving as AG, he was the South Carolina GOP State Chairman. Currently, he serves as S.C. Co-Chair for John McCain.
Issues
The Most Consistent Social Conservative in the Race: John McCain has a consistent conservative record. He has a twenty-year-plus pro-life voting record and supports the reversal of Roe v. Wade. He has received a 0% rating from both NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood. He also opposes gay marriage and supported Arizona’s efforts to protect traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
A Man of Faith: John McCain has said that he believes his faith in a Supreme Being sustained and strengthened him for five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. He believes that we all have a higher mission in life, and that is to live a life based on honor and integrity.
Steadfast Supporter of our Troops: John McCain watched with regret as Democrats in Congress cheered and voted to deny our troops in Iraq the support needed to carry out their mission. He says he was stunned that Democrats would celebrate this vote because it is like celebrating America’s defeat and surrender. John McCain knows that America must win the worldwide war against terror and that the United States cannot afford to surrender and retreat from Iraq. Living off the Land: A Plan for Financial Viability
GOP Contenders – July 2007 Financial Snapshot
Disbursements & Donors Primary $ Raised Cash on Hand Debt
Rudy Giuliani $35.6 million $17.3 million $18.3 million 56,000
Mitt Romney $44.4 million $41.3 million $3.1 million 80,000
John McCain $25.3 million $23.7 million $1.6 million 72,000
*est. $5 mill in Fred Thompson N/A N/A N/A commitments
Step 1: Spend Less
• Significantly reduce the size of campaign overhead • Hold expenses below the lowest income month • Take advantage of free media events such as debates • Participate in more “sponsored events” = live off the land
Step 2: Raise More
• Expand the base of our donor program to include smaller donors • Make events more efficient, improve net income • Broaden surrogate fundraising effort
3rd Quarter Goals
• Continue to expand campaign organization in early primary states • Increase cash on hand each month this quarter • Continue to win debates and outperform other candidates • Emerge post-Labor Day with strong campaign themes, energy, and focus