Responses to the Four State Pledge Letter 2008
Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina
August 31, 2007

Aug 31, 2007 3:50 PM
Governor Bill Richardson Signs Four State Pledge Letter and Reaffirms Support for DNC Primary Process
Richardson committed to right and tradition of Iowa and New Hampshire as first in the country caucuses and primary

SANTA FE, NM -- Governor Bill Richardson today became the first Democratic Presidential candidate to officially sign the Four State Pledge Letter that promises he will not campaign in any state which schedules a Presidential election primary or caucus before February 5, 2008. The pledge was authored by Democratic officials in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina and is designed to support the Democratic National Committee's sanctioned primary and caucus schedule, thereby avoiding chaos in the nominating process.

"This process is completely out of control and only an agreement by the candidates can restore sanity," Governor Richardson said. "I hope no candidate tries to manipulate this situation for his or her own purposes. The DNC rules were established for a purpose -- to allow retail campaigning in a few early states and choose those states based on geographic and demographic diversity. Each candidate for President should do whatever possible to preserve the established rules. Anarchy in the nominating process does nothing to further the cause of changing America."
 

Aug 31, 2007 4:23 PM
CHRIS DODD SIGNS PLEDGE TO EARLY CAUCUS AND PRIMARY STATES
Calls Commitment to Retail Politics More Important This Year

WASHINGTON, DC – Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd today signed a pledge from the Democratic Parties of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to honor their status as the early primary and caucus states as established by the Democratic National Committee’s 2008 nominating calendar.  Dodd reaffirmed his belief in the power of retail politics and the serious thought and weight that citizens of these states put into their consideration of the candidates.

“I believe that Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada offer a cross-section of America and allow for voters to probe the experience and vision of candidates in a meaningful way,” said Dodd.  “In this year, where the national media focus seems to be on celebrity and bank accounts, the role of these states is more important than ever.  I am committed to the DNC nominating calendar and preserving the first-in-the-nation status of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
 

Aug 31, 2007 5:04 PM
BIDEN CAMPAIGN ISSUES STATEMENT ON EARLY STATES DEMOCRATIC PARTIES PLEDGE

Wilmington, DE (August 31, 2007) – The Biden for President Campaign issued the following statement from campaign manager, Luis Navarro, in response to the pledge released by the Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina Democratic Parties.

"It is time to end all the maneuvering around the dates of the early primaries and caucuses. We intend not only to sign the pledge, but to honor our pledge to Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina to respect their primacy to the process,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro.  “They played by the rules of the DNC. We respect those rules.  The public despises this kind of maneuvering for political advantage. If the Republicans want to play this way, let them. But we will not be a party to it."
 

Sep 1, 2007 10:19 AM
EDWARDS SIGNS FOUR STATE PLEDGE

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards today signed the “Four State Pledge” to show his support of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.  By signing the pledge, Edwards has agreed not to campaign in any state, other than the 4 designated early states, that schedules a presidential primary or caucus before February 5, 2008.  The pledge is written and sponsored by the State Democratic Parties in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

“This election, more than any other, is about real change and choosing the candidate who is going to fight for that change,” said Edwards.  “Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina need to be first because in these states ideas count, not just money. These are places where voters get to look the candidate in the eye and measure their policies, ideas, and integrity.  That’s why I am signing this pledge.  This tried-and-true nominating system is the only way for voters to judge the field based on the quality of the candidate, not the depth of their war chest.

“I strongly encourage my fellow candidates to support this four state pledge.  The Democratic Party is the party of ideas, not money; Main Street, not Wall Street; and real people, not Washington insiders, and signing this pledge reaffirms that.”
 

Sep 1, 2007 11:04 AM
Obama Pledges to Honor Role of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina in Choosing Democratic Nominee for President

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.
 

Sep 1, 2007 4:02 PM
Clinton Campaign Statement

The following is a statement by Clinton Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle.

"We believe Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina play a unique and special role in the nominating process.

And we believe the DNC’s rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role.

Thus, we will be signing the pledge to adhere to the DNC approved nominating calendar."
 
 
Copyright © 2007  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action