FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Contact:
Mark Paustenbach

Wilmington, DE (October 9, 2007) – In keeping with the rules established by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) regarding the Democratic Presidential primary calendar, today the Biden for President Campaign announced that Sen. Biden would not participate in the Michigan State Democratic Primary and that formal steps were being taken to remove Sen. Biden’s name from the ballot in that state.

“Today’s decision reaffirms our pledge to respect the primary calendar as established by the DNC and makes it clear that we will not play into the politics of money and Republican machinations that only serve to interfere with the primary calendar,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro.
 
 

“It’s important we respect the role that the four early states play in the nominating process.  In Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada voters can look their candidate in the eye and determine who is best to bring about real change in America. In these early states issues matter more than money, celebrity and advertisements.  Voters want and deserve a candidate who represents real people, not corporate special interests, and this primary process will help ensure that’s exactly what the American people get.”  –Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior

“Governor Richardson has pledged not to compete in any states holding contests before February 5 except those first four sanctioned by the DNC, and he keeps his word. He is fully committed to Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.”

Tom Reynolds
National Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, October 9, 2007

DOVER, NH - The Kucinich for President campaign announced this afternoon that it has filed an affidavit with the Michigan Secretary of State's office officially requesting that the name of Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich be withdrawn from the Michigan Democratic primary ballot.

The sworn statement requesting withdrawal was submitted via fax by Kucinich National Campaign Manager Mike Klein shortly before today's 4 p.m. deadline.

At the same time, the Kucinich campaign issued the following statement on behalf of the candidate, who is campaigning in Arizona today:

"We signed a public pledge recently, promising to stand with New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, and the DNC-approved 'early window', and the action we are taking today protects New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status, and Nevada's early caucus."

The statement continued: "We support the grassroots nature of the New Hampshire, small-state primary, and we support the diversity efforts that Chairman Dean and the DNC instituted last year, when they added Nevada and South Carolina to the window in January 2008.  We are obviously committed to New Hampshire's historic role."

Klein, who recently moved to Dover, NH to run the national Kucinich campaign, added, "We will continue to adhere to the DNC-approved primary schedule."

Media contacts:
Washington, D.C.: Sharon Manitta, (202) 506-6683, Sharon.manitta@kucinich.us
National HQ: Andy Juniewicz, (216) 409-8992, ajuniewicz@aol.com
Website: www.dennis4president.com

CHICAGO, IL - US Senator Barack Obama today announced his commitment to follow the presidential nomination process sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.

Obama signed a pledge written by the Democratic Party Chairs in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina saying the process ensured that candidates would be tested by the rigors of a retail political campaign while appropriately incorporating the regional and ethnic diversity of the Democratic Party.

“As I have campaigned across America over the last six months, it’s become clear that Governor Dean and the Democratic National Committee have put together a presidential nomination process that’s in the best interests of our party and our nation,” said Senator Obama.  “I look forward to continuing the dialogue with voters and building the kind of grassroots movement in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina and the rest of the country that will send a clear signal to Washington that the American people are ready for change.”

Obama campaign officials also urged states in danger of violating DNC rules to adjust their plans to comply with the DNC’s calendar, so that every state contributes delegates to the nominating process.

“To become the Democratic nominee for president, a candidate must secure a majority of delegates to the national convention,” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.  “Because states that violate DNC rules will not be allowed to contribute to the delegate tally, we urge all states to ensure their compliance with DNC rules so they can participate in our Democratic nominating process. Our campaign will work within the rules established by the DNC to earn the support of Democrats across America and run a grassroots campaign to unite Americans around Senator Obama’s commitment to challenging the conventional thinking in Washington.”

Next week, Senator Obama will celebrate Labor Day in New Hampshire before kicking off a two-day swing through western Iowa.  Obama is scheduled to campaign in Nevada on Thursday.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2007
Contact: Obama Press Office; 312-819-2423

''We're honoring the pledge and we won't campaign or spend money in states that aren't in compliance with the DNC calendar,'' said Clinton spokesman Jay Carson. ''We don't think it's necessary to remove Senator Clinton from the ballot.''

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2007

Contact:

Hari Sevugan
Colleen Flanagan

(Washington) Hari Sevugan, Communications Director for Chris Dodd for President, released the following statement regarding Michigan's primary ballot.

"We are committed to the importance of Iowa and New Hampshire going first, and we signed the four-state pledge to hopefully prevail upon the DNC and the state parties to add clarity to that situation. However, it does not benefit any of us if we are the nominee to pull our name off the ballot and slight Michigan voters."
 
 

Concord - "Today's turn of events only further amplifies the fact that the Michigan primary is irrelevant," said Ray Buckley.  "Our Secretary of State, Bill Gardner, now has more flexibility in his scheduling decision because the Michigan event is no longer a 'similar event' to the New Hampshire primary."