A new statewide charter school that is in the application process in South Carolina. It’s called the “Insight School of South Carolina” and it will be a tuition-free cyber high school, which will be a huge benefit to families with children looking for an alternative to the traditional school environment. Insight is already operating virtual schools in several states with good results. They have set up a list-serve for people who want to be kept posted on the school’s progress in SC. You can sign up by going to the following link:

http://fs7.formsite.com/InsightSchool/form675192862/index.html

Remarks As Prepared for Delivery Provided Below

Washington, DC— In remarks at the Democratic National Committee’s annual fall meeting, Barack Obama today pledged to bring an end to the bitter partisanship that has divided the country and unite Americans behind a sense of common purpose.  Rather than re-fight the partisan battles of the 1990s, Obama said he would build a new majority focused not just on winning, but on governing, and deliver change that is more than just a slogan – change we can believe in.

As Prepared for Delivery:

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Democratic National Committee Fall Meeting
Friday, November 30^th, 2007
Washington, DC

Less than a year from now, you will go into the voting booth and you will select the President of the United States of America.

Now, here’s the good news - the name George W. Bush will not be on the ballot. The name of my cousin Dick Cheney will not be on the ballot. We’ve been trying to hide that for a long time. Everybody has a black sheep in the family. The era of Scooter Libby justice, and Brownie incompetence, and Karl Rove politics will finally be over.

But the question you’re going to have to ask yourself when you vote this year and next is this:

“What’s next for America?”

We are in a defining moment in our history. Our nation is at war. The planet is in peril. The dream that so many generations fought for feels as if it’s slowly slipping away. We are working harder for less. We’ve never paid more for health care or for college. It’s harder to save and it’s harder to retire. And most of all we’ve lost faith that our leaders can or will do anything about it.

We were promised compassionate conservatism and all we got was Katrina and wiretaps.

We were promised a uniter, and we got a President who could not even lead the half of the country that voted for him.

We were promised a more ethical and more efficient Washington, and instead we have a town that is more corrupt and more wasteful than it was before. And the only mission that was ever accomplished is to use fear and falsehood to take this country to a war that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged.

It is because of these failures that America is listening, intently, to what we say here today - not just Democrats, but Republicans and Independents who’ve lost trust in their government, but want to believe again.

And it is because of these failures that we not only have a moment of great challenge, but also a moment of great opportunity. We have a chance to bring the country together in a new majority - to finally tackle problems that George Bush made far worse, but that had festered long before George Bush ever took office - problems that we’ve talked about year after year after year.

And that is why the same old Washington textbook campaigns just won’t do in this election.  An electoral strategy that starts out leaving half the country behind just won’t do.  Telling the American people what we think they want to hear instead of telling the American people what they need to hear just won’t do. Triangulating and poll-driven positions because we’re worried about what Mitt or Rudy might say about us just won’t do. If we are really serious about wining this election Democrats, we can’t live in fear of losing it.

This party - the party of Jefferson and Jackson; of Roosevelt and Kennedy - has always made the biggest difference in the lives of the American people when we led, not by polls, but by principle; not by calculation, but by conviction; when we summoned the entire nation to a common purpose - a higher purpose. And I run for the Presidency of the United States of America because that’s the party America needs us to be right now.  A party that doesn’t just offer change as a slogan, but real, meaningful change - change that America can believe in.

That’s why I’m in this race.  I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists - and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not get a job in my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am President.

I’m in this race to take those tax breaks away from companies that are moving jobs overseas and put them in the pockets of hard working Americans who deserve it. And I won’t raise the minimum wage every ten years -I will raise it to keep pace so that workers don’t’ fall behind.

That is why I am in it.  I’m in this race because I want to stop talking about the outrage of 47 million Americans without health care and start actually doing something about it. I expanded health care in Illinois by bringing Democrats and Republicans together. By taking on the insurance industry. And I have put forth a universal health care plan that will do more to cut the cost of health care than any other proposal in this race.  Here’s the truth – if you can’t afford health insurance right now, you will when I’m President.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is more interested in scoring points than solving problems.  And I’m in it because we’ve had enough of that.

I run for president to make sure that every American child has the best education that we have to offer- from the day they are born to the day they graduate from college. And I won’t just talk about how great teachers are - as President I will reward them for their greatness - by raising salaries and giving them more support. That’s why I’m in this race.

I am running for President because I am sick and tired of Democrats thinking that the only way to look tough on national security is by talking, and acting, and voting like George Bush Republicans.

When I am this party’s nominee, my opponent will not be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran; or that I supported Bush-Cheney policies of not talking to leaders that we don’t like. And he will not be able to say that I wavered on something as fundamental as whether or not it is ok for America to torture - because it is never ok. That’s why I am in it.

As President, I will end the war in Iraq. We will have our troops home in sixteen months. I will close Guantanamo. I will restore habeas corpus. I will finish the fight against Al Qaeda. And I will lead the world to combat the common threats of the 21st century - nuclear weapons and terrorism; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. And I will send once more a message to those yearning faces beyond our shores that says, “You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now.”

America, our moment is now.

Our moment is now.

I don’t want to spend 2008 re-fighting the same fights that we had in the 1990s.  That’s exactly what Mitt and Rudy want.  That’s they’re only hope of winning because they know that if this election is about health care, or ending this war, or making college affordable, then they will lose.  They are counting on the same bitter partisanship and the same electoral map we’ve had for far too long. 

I believe I can transform that map.  In my Senate race I won some of the reddest, most Republican counties in Illinois.  In 2006, when House and Senate candidates in states like Missouri, and Nebraska, and Tennessee, and Virginia, and Indiana needed someone to come campaign for them, I was the one they called.  And I’m attracting more Independents and Republicans to our cause than anyone else in this campaign. 

It’s because I believe we can build that new majority – not just to win, but to govern – to actually get something done.  I don’t want to pit Red America against Blue America, I want to be President of the United States of America.  And that won’t just be a Democratic victory; that will be an American victory.

And that is a victory America needs right now.

I am not in this race to fulfill some long-held ambitions or because I believe it’s somehow owed to me. I never expected to be here, I always knew this journey was improbable. I’ve never been on a journey that wasn’t.

I am running in this race because of what Dr. King called “the fierce urgency of now.” Because I believe that there’s such a thing as being too late. And that hour is almost upon us.

I don’t want to wake up four years from now and find out that millions of Americans still lack health care because we couldn’t take on the insurance industry.

I don’t want to see that the oceans have risen a few more inches. The planet has reached a point of no return because we couldn’t find a way to stop buying oil from dictators.

I don’t want to see more American lives put at risk because no one had the judgment or the courage to stand up against a misguided war before we sent our troops into fight.

I don’t want to see homeless veterans on the streets. I don’t want to send another generation of American children to failing schools. I don’t want that future for my daughters. I don’t want that future for your sons. I do not want that future for America.

I’m in this race for the same reason that I fought for jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless on the streets of Chicago; for the same reason I fought for justice and equality as a civil rights lawyer; for the same reason that I fought for Illinois families for over a decade.

Because I will never forget that the only reason that I’m standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn’t popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world.

That’s why I’m running, Democrats – to give our children and grandchildren the same chances somebody gave me.

That’s why I’m running - to keep the American Dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for equality.

That’s why I’m asking you to stand with me, that’s why I’m asking you to vote for me, that’s why I am asking you to stop settling for what the cynics say we have to accept. In this election - in this moment - let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again. Thank you very much everybody.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2007
Contact: Obama Press; (312) 819-2423

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 30, 2007

New Details:  Location and Time Now Available

COLUMBIA, SC – The Obama for America campaign announced that Oprah Winfrey will join Barack Obama for a tour through three early voting states on December 8th and 9th.  Winfrey and Obama will hold two events in Iowa, one in South Carolina, and one in New Hampshire.  All events will be free and open to the public.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Columbia, SC

RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA AND SPECIAL GUEST MS. OPRAH WINFREY

The Colonial Center

801 Lincoln Street

Columbia, SC 29208

Doors Open: 12:30 PM

Media Coverage: The events are open press. For credentials, please e-mail media@barackobama.com.  Please include that you are interested in covering the Columbia, SC event in the subject line of the email.

The event is free and open to the public.  However, tickets are required, though there is no reserved seating and seating will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.  For tickets and for more information, please visit www.barackobama.com or call the Obama for America office near you:

Columbia

803-255-8008

Former President Headlines “South Carolina Thanks Dick Riley” Event on December 17(Columbia, SC) South Carolina New Democrats will welcome former President Bill Clinton to the state on December 17 for an evening honoring former South Carolina Governor and Secretary of Education Richard Riley.

The evening events entitled South Carolina Thanks Dick Riley will feature a reception, dinner, historic exhibits and other events. It will be held beginning at 6:00 PM on Monday Dec. 17th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC. Individual tickets can be purchased and sponsorships opportunities are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.SCNewDemocrats.org, or call 843-577-9652 or 803-252-6820 before December 14.

“As a legislator, as governor, as Secretary of Education and as a private citizen, Dick Riley has made enormous contributions to his state and nation,” said Phil Noble, President of SC New Democrats. “We’re grateful to President Clinton for coming to South Carolina to help us thank Secretary Riley for his years of exemplary public service.”

The evening’s activities will feature a Presidential Reception with Pres. Clinton and Gov. Riley, a Celebration Banquet and a special Historic Exhibit of Gov. Riley’s career.

“This is a very special event in the life of our state,” said Mayor Floyd Nicholson of Greenwood and Co-chair of the SC New Democrats. “Gov. Riley has done so much for literally hundreds of thousands of people in our state and this is a very special opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’ for all that he has done.”

“Many people and organizations across the state are working to make this happen,” said Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and Co-chair of the SC New Democrats. “We want to especially thank Lee Bussell and his staff at Chernoff Newman who are directing the whole evening’s activities and Trip King of the SC Political Collections at USC and the Riley Institute at Furman that are developing the Historic Exhibit of Gov. Riley’s career.”

Proceeds from the evening’s events will go to support the innovative projects and operations of the SC New Democrats.

About Gov. Richard Riley

A former Secretary of Education (1993-2001) and a former Governor of South Carolina (1979-87), Richard W. Riley is regarded by many Americans as one of the great statesmen of education over the last century. During his tenure with the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary Riley helped launch historic initiatives to raise academic standards, improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged, increase parental involvement in education, expand loans to help more Americans attend college, and prepare young Americans for the world of work. As Governor of South Carolina, he initiated the Education Improvement Act, heralded to be the “most comprehensive educational reform measure in the United States.”

About SC New Democrats

While serving as Governor, Gov. Riley and Senator Isadore Laurie started the SC Democratic Leadership Council as the state affiliate of the highly successful national Democratic Leadership Council. Founded in 1985, the DLC is an idea center, catalyst, and national voice for a reform movement that is reshaping American politics by moving it beyond the old left-right debate. In 1991, then Governor Bill Clinton, Chairman of the DLC, successfully built his presidential campaign on the New Democrat principles and innovations championed by the DLC.

SC New Democrats continue this reform tradition in the Palmetto state by developing new and innovative policy ideas and encouraging new creative leadership. Their activities include New Voices from New Democrats, a weekday radio program; creating a Local Elected Officials Network; developing the Reform Agenda for Success in the 21st Century: Restoring Hope and the American Dream For Everyone in South Carolina; holding numerous policy briefings and issue forums and many other activities. Most recently, they have launched the “5 Big Ideas” Campaign to develop bold reforms in education and health care to serve as a new, unifying vision for the Democratic Party and the future for our state.

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Romney for President Press Release

“Most annoying to some conservatives are Mr. Huckabee’s positions on immigration. For many Republicans, immigration is the deal-breaker in judging which candidate is worthy of support. ‘Rudy Giuliani spent years defending the right of New York City to remain a sanctuary for illegal aliens. Yet Giuliani was a veritable Lou Dobbs Jr. on illegal immigration in comparison to Mike Huckabee,’ said Jim Boulet Jr., executive director of English First, a Springfield, Va., lobbying group.” (Ralph Z. Hallow, “Huckabee Stirs Up Third Party Fear,” Washington Times, 10/29/07)

In The CNN/YouTube Debate, Mayor Giuliani Claimed His Sanctuary Policies Were Limited To Essential Services:

Mayor Giuliani Said That New York City Only Allowed Illegal Immigrants To Go To School, Report Crimes, And Receive Emergency Medical Care. MAYOR GIULIANI: “New York City was not a sanctuary city. New York City did three exceptions. The three exceptions were to allow children to go to school, to allow those illegal immigrants who were the victims of crime to report the person who assaulted them, beat them up, mugged them. And third, to allow emergency care in the hospitals, which we were required to do by federal law.” (CNN/YouTube, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, St. Petersburg, FL, 11/28/07)

FACT: The Sanctuary Policies Mayor Giuliani Supported Led To Tuition Breaks For Illegal Aliens:

ABC News: “New York Became A Sanctuary City … Through An Executive Order Signed By Mayor Ed Koch In 1989.” “New York became a sanctuary city, where illegal immigrants enjoy some measure of protection, through an executive order signed by Mayor Ed Koch in 1989, five years before Giuliani became mayor in January 1994. But if Giuliani inherited the policy, he reissued it and seemed to embrace it.” (Jake Tapper and Ron Claiborne, “Romney: Giuliani’s NYC ‘Sanctuary’ For Illegal Immigrants,” ABC News, 8/8/07)

In Response To Executive Order 124, CUNY Gave In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants. “Responding to the 1989 Order, CUNY changed its tuition policy, applying the above provision by making undocumented or out-of-status alien students eligible for the resident rate of tuition.[8] This policy allowed undocumented students to pay the resident tuition rate, if they had resided in New York State for twelve months or had attended a New York City high school for the previous two semesters.[9].” (”Report Of The Human Services Division,” The Council Of The City Of New York, http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/, 5/31/02)

• “The Policy Was Maintained From 1989 Until 1996 Without Any Comment Or Controversy.” (”Report Of The Human Services Division,” The Council Of The City Of New York, http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/, 5/31/02)

After Signing Executive Order 124, Koch Praised CUNY’s Policy To Give In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants. ‘”The City of New York has declared that all undocumented immigrants are eligible for city services without qualification,’ the Mayor said in a letter to the chancellor last week, referring to a policy initiated in 1985. The letter praised the new tuition policy.” (Marvine Howe, “CUNY To Enroll Some Illegal Aliens As Residents,” The New York Times, 8/9/89)

• “The University Said The Approach Reflected The City’s Historic Support For Immigrants And Conformed To Policy Laid Out By Mayor Edward I. Koch In 1989.” (Karen W. Arenson, “Illegal Immigrants At CUNY,” The New York Times, 10/31/01)

Giuliani Reaffirmed CUNY’s Policy Of Giving In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants When He Renewed New York’s Sanctuary Policy. “CUNY’s policy of charging illegal immigrants the lower rate reflected the city’s historic embrace of immigrants and conformed to a policy laid out by Mayor Edward I. Koch in 1989 and reaffirmed by Mayors David N. Dinkins and Rudolph W. Giuliani. In reviewing the policy, Mr. Schaffer came across a brief section of a 1996 immigration law that said illegal immigrants should not be eligible for educational benefits not available to American citizens from other states, CUNY officials said. When the law was passed, CUNY lawyers reviewed it and decided that the university should not make changes until regulations were issued to carry out the law. Mr. Schaffer said he concluded, however, that at this point the university had no choice but to change its tuition policy.” (Karen W. Arenson, “CUNY Raises Tuition Rates For Foreigners Here Illegally,” The New York Times, 11/3/01)

As Mayor, Giuliani Actually Invited More Illegal Immigrants To Come To New York. “[Mr. Giuliani said,] ‘If you come here and you work hard and you happen to be in an undocumented status, you’re one of the people who we want in this city. You’re somebody that we want to protect, and we want you to get out from under what is often a life of being like a fugitive, which is really unfair.’” (Deborah Sontag, “New York Officials Welcome Immigrants, Legal Or Illegal,” The New York Times, 6/10/94)

The New York Times Headline, 1994: “New York Officials Welcome Immigrants, Legal Or Illegal”
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFDD133AF933A25755C0A962958260

In The CNN/YouTube Debate, Gov. Huckabee Claimed He Didn’t Support Tuition Breaks For Illegal Aliens:

Gov. Huckabee Said He Did Not Support Giving Illegals Tuition Breaks. GOV. HUCKABEE: “Ashley, first of all let me just express that you’re a little misinformed. We never passed a bill that gave special privileges to the children of illegals to go to college.” (CNN/YouTube, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, St. Petersburg, FL, 11/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee Went On To Claim That What He Actually Supported Was Achievement-Based Scholarships, Not Tuition Breaks. GOV. HUCKABEE: “Let me tell you what I did do. I supported the bill that would have allowed those children who had been in our schools their entire school life, the opportunity to have the same scholarship that their peers had, who had also gone to high school with them and sat in the same classrooms. They couldn’t just move in in their senior year and go to college. It wasn’t about out-of-state tuition, it was an academic meritorious scholarship, called the academic challenge scholarship.” (CNN/YouTube, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, St. Petersburg, FL, 11/28/07)

FACT: The Bill Huckabee Actually Pushed To Pass Granted ONLY In-State Tuition Breaks For Illegals:

The Scholarship Portion Of The Bill Huckabee Supported Was Stripped From The Bill. “The bill began as one touted by Gov. Mike Huckabee to allow undocumented Arkansans to qualify for state-sponsored academic scholarships the same way as legal residents. The governor, who drew criticism from some quarters for backing the proposal, said children who have been good students deserve the same opportunities, regardless of their parents’ standing. Hard-liners, led by state Sen. Jim Holt, R-Springdale, said ‘illegal aliens,’ as they prefer, have no rights because they’re lawbreakers. It may not be fair to single Holt out because he had plenty of company. When House Bill 1525 stalled in a Senate committee, the scholarship portion of the bill was stripped out, sending the measure to the Senate floor, where it failed twice, the final time by only two votes.” (Dennis Byrd, “Federal Judge: Illegal Immigrants Qualify For Tuition Breaks,” Arkansas News, 7/10/05; www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/07/10/DennisByrd/324273.html)

And The Bill That Was Actually Voted On Only Included In-State Tuition Breaks For Illegals:

• H.B. 1525, “Access To Postsecondary Education Act Of 2005″: www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1525.pdf

Governor Huckabee Fought To Pass The Stripped Bill Which Granted ONLY In-State Tuition Breaks For Illegals. “Other than the highway plan, the only bill in the governor’s 21-bill legislative package that failed to win legislative approval was a proposal to make the children of illegal immigrants eligible for state-funded scholarships and in-state tuition to Arkansas colleges. After passing the House relatively early in the session, the bill faltered in the Senate where it was amended to remove the scholarship provision but fell just short of passage Tuesday and Wednesday. Huckabee said his office worked throughout the day Wednesday for the two Senate votes needed to pass the bill. ‘I don’t understand the opposition to it, I just honestly don’t,’ Huckabee said.” (Melissa Nelson, “Governor Touts Successful End To Legislative Session,” The Associated Press, 4/13/05)

The Washington Post Recently Noted That Huckabee Has Been Misleading On The Issue. “On Fox News Wednesday, he was asked about a bill he supported as governor that would have granted tuition breaks to the children of illegal immigrants. He suggested that he had only wanted to give such children access to scholarships. ‘What I supported was the idea that if a student had been in our Arkansas high schools and had done academically well to be able to compete for an academic challenged scholarship which was meritorious then that student should be able to have the same opportunity as anyone else,’ Huckabee said. In fact, the initial bill he supported did have a scholarship provision. But that provision was later stripped out, and was not included in the legislation that Huckabee continued to push. The bill read: ‘Any tuition rate that is granted to residents of Arkansas shall be granted on the same terms to all persons, regardless of immigration status, who have attended a secondary educational institution in Arkansas for at least three (3) years and who have either graduated from an Arkansas high school or received a general education diploma in the state.’” (Michael D. Shear, “Rising in Iowa Polls, Huckabee Now In Crosshairs,” The Washington Post, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/11/15/on_a_roll_in_iowa_huckabee_fac.html, Posted 11/15/07)

Families Share Stories, Put a Local Face on a National Crisis

(Columbia, S.C., Nov. 29) — Today local families joined forces with the National Health Council, Alzheimer’s Association and nearly 50 other groups representing patients in an effort to educate candidates about the growing health care crisis in our nation.

This represents the first time that the nation’s leading patient groups have joined forces to support improving coverage for all Americans. A statement, signed by 48 patient group CEOs, calls on the 2008 presidential candidates to propose specific solutions that guarantee effective and affordable health and long-term care coverage for all Americans. 

“We’re facing a grave crisis that demands immediate action,” said Steven Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation. “Many are at risk, but none more so than the 100 million Americans we represent,” said Taylor, who is also a board member of the National Health Council. “We hope to not only educate candidates, but compel them to act on this vital issue.”

Three families each described how chronic disease and disability affect their lives, the daily challenges they face, and their difficulty in obtaining the health and long-term care coverage they need to survive and thrive. 

They are not alone. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in South Carolina. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, nearly 1.5 million residents suffer from one of the five most common chronic diseases and they cost the state $11 billion a year.

For many of these South Carolina residents, obtaining effective health and long-term care coverage is difficult, if not impossible. In addition to those unable to obtain coverage, many residents are underinsured or have reached the lifetime cap, effectively ending the care they can receive.

The National Health Council, founded in 1920, is leading the effort to educate presidential candidates and the media about the importance of ensuring that all Americans have coverage.  The Alzheimer’s Association and nearly 50 other patient groups that comprise its membership join it in this effort.

“We can no longer sit on the sidelines and remain quiet when so many of the people we represent are suffering,” Taylor said. “This problem has been brewing for years. Candidates, the media and the public at large must understand that we cannot wait any longer.”

The National Health Council is a nonprofit umbrella organization of 119 national health-related organizations working to bring quality health care to all people. Its core membership includes some 50 of the nation’s leading voluntary health agencies representing about 100 million people with chronic diseases and/or disabilities. Other Council members include professional and membership associations, nonprofits with an interest in health, and major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Council serves as a place for diverse health-related groups to build consensus with a focus on patients and their needs.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

“You know, one of the arguments about Fred Thompson is, “Well, I can’t see the fire in his belly.”  Well, he’s got a different personality than the others.  We’ll just have to see how all this shakes out.”
…

To View The Transcript, Please Visit:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_112907/content/01125108.guest.html 

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION CHAIRMAN JOINS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – David A. Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union and long time Republican strategist, today endorsed the presidential candidacy of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

In a statement issued today, Keene said that “while I certainly can’t pretend to speak for all or even most conservatives, the road that led me here today is one that many conservatives find themselves on and it is my hope that they will end up where I am today – convinced that Mitt Romney represents our best hope for 2008.

“As this race began, I intended to remain neutral both because there was no conservative consensus candidate and because I know and admire several of those running for the Republican nomination who I believe could win next fall.

“In recent months, however, Governor Romney has emerged as the single candidate most worthy of conservative support.  That’s why I’m endorsing him and intend to spend as much time as possible in the weeks ahead convincing my fellow conservatives that if we are serious about electing a conservative president in 2008, it’s time to unite behind his candidacy.”

Welcoming today’s announcement, Governor Romney said, “I am proud that David Keene has decided to join our campaign for conservative change that strengthens our military, economy and families.  As Chairman of the American Conservative Union, he has greatly advanced the conservative movement.  I look forward to working with him as our campaign moves forward.”

Background On David A. Keene:

David A. Keene Has Been The Chairman Of The American Conservative Union Since December 1984.  Keene, a major national conservative spokesman since the seventies, has worked in the White House and the Senate, writes a weekly opinion column for The Hill and his articles have appeared in National Review, Human Events and the American Spectator.  He has held senior positions in the past presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and former Kansas Senator Bob Dole.

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Editor’s Note: It is our policy to publish almost every press release we receive. We did not receive any other press releases on this subject last night. 

HUCKABEE’S CLAIM ON HIS RECORD ON IMMIGRATION:

FRED THOMPSON: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON HUCKABEE’s IMMIGRATION CLAIMS

HUCKABEE’S CLAIM TONIGHT ON HIS TAX RECORD:

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ROMNEY AND SANCTUARY CITIES

A November 2003 Resolution Passed In Brewster, Massachusetts Forbids Town Officials From “Enforcing Immigration Matters.”
(Town Resolution, http://www.bordc.org/detail.php?id=197 <http://www.bordc.org/detail.php?id=197> , accessed 10/1/07)

ROMNEY’S RHETORIC AND RECORD

And Massachusetts State Police Weren’t Actually Allowed To Enforce Immigration Laws Until December 13, 2006, With Nineteen Days Left In Romney’s Term.

“Governor Mitt Romney signed a controversial agreement yesterday with federal authorities that will allow specially trained Massachusetts State troopers to arrest suspected illegal immigrants and charge them with violating US immigration laws.” (Jonathan Saltzman, “Romney Ok’s Pact So Troopers Can Arrest Illegal Immigrants,” Boston Globe, 12/14/06)

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