Interview with Chris Faulkner, GOPGrunt.com

Check out Part 2 of GOPGrunt.com's series, "Lessons from the 2008 Trenches" with consultant Chris Faulkner:

Faulkner: Tell me about Florida?

RPOF's Erin VanSickle: Due to its sheer size, the State of Florida necessitates more than retail politicking—it requires any statewide campaign to have a methodical and energized ground game...

Faulkner: What does Obama’s victory in Florida over the McCain campaign say about the political ground game in Florida?

VanSickle: It shows that this was a perfect Democrat year. The Obama campaign simply had more resources--they out-spent McCain 7-1 in Florida, an extreme TV state where TV advertising is critical to success.

I would note, however, that because of the Republican team in Florida, McCain came within 21/2 points of winning Florida—which says a lot about the folks who worked tirelessly across Florida on behalf of the Republican ticket....

Check out the rest of the interview here.

Country First

A few proud young Americans in Seminole County got together over the weekend and decided to do something positive to remind everyone that this is still the greatest nation on earth, the most generous nation on earth, the most free and prosperous nation and that John McCain will stand up for America.

Roberta McCain Visits Volunteers in Venice

Storm

Fred's View

The Republican National Committee (RNC) today announced a new Web video, titled “Straight Talk From Fred Thompson.” The video presents former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) speaking frankly and openly about what’s at stake in this year’s presidential election. Sen. Thompson highlights the grave importance of electing a leader who has the experience and judgment to handle our nation’s most pressing concerns at this critical time.

Polls Show McCain Up in FL

Republicans are out-spent, out-staffed, out-registered, and out-advertised in Florida, but Florida voters see through the Obama hype and embrace the McCain-Palin message of keeping more tax dollars in our pockets instead of spreading the wealth around.

Mason Dixon shows McCain 46, Obama 45
Fox News/Rasmussen Reports Survey shows McCain 49, Obama 48

McCain: Obama Panders in FL, Shows Love to the Rays

"...I heard that Senator Obama was showing some love to the Rays down in Tampa Bay yesterday. Now, I'm not dumb enough to get mixed up in a World Series between swing states, but I think I may have detected a little pattern with Senator Obama. It's pretty simple really. When he's campaigning in Philadelphia, he roots for the Phillies, and when he's campaigning in Tampa Bay, he shows love to the Rays. It's kind of like the way he campaigns on tax cuts, but then votes for tax increases after he's elected. Or the way he says he backs the middle class and then goes and attacks Joe the Plumber after he's asked a tough question..."

-Remarks as prepared for delivery at the McCain-Palin 2008 rally in Bensalem, PA

McCain Up in Florida Poll!

McCain 49%, Obama 48% in Florida

The presidential race in Florida is now essentially even. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds John McCain ahead of Barack Obama 49% to 48%.

Support for the GOP nominee is at the highest level in the past five polls of the state. Last week, Obama held a 51% to 46% lead. He led by seven points in the Fox/Rasmussen poll the week before.

The tighter race in Florida is consistent with national polling, which has tightened up over the past week. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll has generally shown Obama up by four or five points nationally during the past week. Prior to that, Obama had consistently enjoyed a five-to-eight point lead.

EDUARDO VERASTEGUI ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN

Today the McCain-Palin campaign announced the endorsement of Eduardo Verastegui, one of today's fastest rising Latino stars. Best known for his starring roles in the 2006 movie Bella and other Mexican soap operas, Verastegui was voted by People en Espaol as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in the world. He has made appearances in the popular TV series, Charmed, as Mr. Right, and in Jennifer Lopez's "Ain't It Funny" video and her new perfume commercials.

"John McCain is the only candidate for president that shares my values of life," Verastegui said. "He truly recognizes that we are all God's children. John McCain is someone we can trust to do what is right and follow through on what he says -- as opposed to Barack Obama, who does not share our traditional values of defending innocent life and the sanctity of marriage. Obama has proven this time and time again. During his personal experience as a POW in Vietnam, McCain renewed and strengthened his faith. And early this year in the heat of a political battle, he had the courage to stand against his own party and support comprehensive immigration reform. His resolve serves as a reminder to us all that we must vote our values and our conscience, and not vote simply by party. We can't afford a president who lacks experience and judgment and would stand for values that are out of step with the Hispanic community and this country. Although I seldom thrust myself into political campaigns, I recognize the stakes and that it's most important that we put our values first and support John McCain."

A devout Catholic who attends Mass daily, he will talk about his values and announce his endorsement of John McCain during his Values Tour through the state. He will also hold a series of private events and meetings to drum up support for John McCain and Sarah Palin in the Hispanic and faith based communities.

Free Trade Creates Florida Jobs, But Obama Opposes It

Watch John McCain and Barack Obama talk about Free Trade during the presidential debate. Barack Obama reminded us tonight that he does not support free trade, even though it is critical to Florida's economy and our status as the "Hub of the Americas."

Reviews Are In--John McCain Wins the Last Debate

John McCain won tonight's debate by vowing to fight for "Joe the Plumber" everyday he is President.

John McCain was a spokesperson for millions of Americans who do not want their taxes raised and their health care socialized.

John McCain won with strong, clear straight talk about setting a new direction for our country and fighting for working families.

On issue after issue, Barack Obama showed that his words do not match his record. Whether it was his tax plan, his spending plans or his record, Barack Obama was full of half-truths.

John McCain outlined his specific, bold plan for creating jobs, helping those near retirement, keeping people in their homes, curbing spending by a hatchet and scalpel, lowering health care costs and achieving energy independence.

Read RPOF Communications Director Erin VanSickle's debate response for the Palm Beach Post here.

Breaking: McCain Unveils New "Fighter" Speech

Politico reports that John McCain will unveil a new speech today "...designed to get voters and reporters to give him one more look..."

Excerpt: "Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 22 days to go. We're six points down. The national media has written us off. Senator Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them.

"What America needs in this hour is a fighter; someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people. I come from a long line of McCains who believed that to love America is to fight for her. I have fought for you most of my life. There are other ways to love this country, but I've never been the kind to do it from the sidelines."

New Web Ad: "ACORN"

McCain: Investigate ACORN

Diageo/Hotline Poll Shows McCain Climbing

The Early Line: Diageo/Hotline Tracking Poll

Obama/Biden 45%
McCain/Palin 44%
Undec 9%

- Obama and McCain are now tied 44-44% among men. Today's Diageo/Hotline poll is the first in which Obama has not led men since he trailed them 46-45% in the survey completed 9/26.

- The candidates remained tied on economic issues. 42% believe Obama would do the best job handling the U.S. economy, and 42% say McCain. 62% meanwhile believe the economy is the most important issue facing the U.S.

- McCain, however, now has his largest lead ever on energy issues. 46% favor the GOP nominee on managing U.S. energy policies, and 40% favor Obama. One week ago, in the survey completed 9/30, Obama led 46-40% on energy.

Today's Diageo/Hotline tracking poll, conducted 10/5-7 by FD, surveyed 904 LVs and has a margin of error of +/- 3.3%. Party ID Breakdown for the sample is 41%D, 36%R, 18%I.

McCain Resurgence Plan

John McCain tonight announced a bold initiative--The McCain Resurgence Plan--to help struggling Americans, stabilize the housing finance market, and put a foundation under our financial system.

The McCain Resurgence Plan will target the root cause of the financial crisis: mortgages that are “under water” because of falling house prices, unmanageable payments, and rising defaults. The factors are hurting families and are the source of the unknowable risks that have frozen financial markets.

The McCain Resurgence Plan improves the use of taxpayer money by reducing the need to spend taxpayer money to purchase toxic assets from Wall Street because those assets would now have known value, and lower the need for bailout money for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Debate-Watching Parties

Florida McCain-Palin Supporters Gather to Watch Second Presidential Debate

The McCain-Palin presidential campaign today announced that supporters across Florida will hold debate watching parties this evening as John McCain and Barack Obama participate in the second presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

John McCain's supporters are joining friends, family and co-workers to watch John McCain square off with Barack Obama. Supporters are also gathering for larger parties at Victory offices and restaurants to share in this historic night with other McCain-Palin supporters.

MCCAIN NATION DEBATE WATCHING PARTIES

WHO: Florida McCain-Palin Supporters
WHAT: Presidential Debate Watching Parties
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. EDT
WHERE: Three locations across Florida

Miami

Victory Office 2008
7780 NW 25th Street, Suite 33
Miami, FL 33122Host: Ariel Fernandez at 305-772-8956

Jacksonville

GOP Headquarters
4963 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Contact: David Abroms at 205-531-9059

Coral Springs

Wings Plus
9880 W Sample Road
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Contact: Brian at 954-752-4460

New Citizens Register to Vote for McCain-Palin

RPOF volunteers register new voters at naturalization ceremonies in Miami. The ceremony was the last before the voter registration deadline on Oct. 6.

McCain-Palin Campaign Statement on Today's Vote

“From the minute John McCain suspended his campaign and arrived in Washington to address this crisis, he was attacked by the Democratic leadership: Senators Obama and Reid, Speaker Pelosi and others. Their partisan attacks were an effort to gain political advantage during a national economic crisis. By doing so, they put at risk the homes, livelihoods and savings of millions of American families.

“Barack Obama failed to lead, phoned it in, attacked John McCain, and refused to even say if he supported the final bill.

“Just before the vote, when the outcome was still in doubt, Speaker Pelosi gave a strongly worded partisan speech and poisoned the outcome.

“This bill failed because Barack Obama and the Democrats put politics ahead of country.” --McCain-Palin senior policy adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin

Before McCain Came To Washington, Senate Democrats Called On McCain For Leadership In Economic Crisis

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV): "We Need The Republican Nominee For President To Let Us Know Where He Stands And What We Should Do." Reid: "We need, now, the Republicans to start producing some votes for us. We need the Republican nominee for president to let us know where he stands and what we should do." (Sen. Harry Reid, Press Conference, Washington, D.C., 9/23/08)

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3f0BwyZKMw

The Debate's Over...Now What?

Here’s the best summary of last night’s debate that we’ve heard: "If we were choosing a leader of the Harvard debate team, I think it'd be Barack. Street fight, McCain. We'll have to see what kind of president they want."--Mike Murphy, MSNBC

With the candidates out of a shared spotlight, the economy is back in it.

John McCain will continue to be the American taxpayer’s strongest ally, putting country first.