Post Debate 2008 - Edwards Takes it for the Dems, Republicans McCain and Giuliani Lead the Rep. Pack

FOX's own Terra Rossetto met with members of the press, as well as Secretary of State Drew Halfmann to get their opinions on the debate directly after the fact.



After Tuesday's debate, FOX News Correspondent Winni Yan was able to speak with both Sen. McCain and Gov. Huckabee and see what their thoughts were on their performance, as well as the performances of their collegues.

This Just In

by: Mariya Lapida

Senator Hilary Clinton wins California Primary. For the Republicans, John McCain took 44% of the votes, beating out both Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee as predicted.
Thank you for choosing FOX for your election update resource.

Fox News. We Report. You Decide.

Senator Obama Makes Brash Statement

By: Terra Rossetto
In a speech made in Denver, on January 30th, by Senator Obama, he compared his opponent, Senator Clinton, to being "too much like Senator McCain." In order to promote himself, he accused Senator Clinton of being "too much like a Republican," and firmly stated that Democrats must present themselves as being very different from the Republicans. If the two Democrat candidates cannot stop themselves from constantly attacking each other, who is to say either of them could win the presidency against a more docile, republican candidate? Although the democratic debate, which took place Thursday night, was much more civilized than the ones in the past, the hostitily between the two is more than obvious. It's time for them to redirect their hatred and energy used against each other, and more towards fixing the problems our country is facing.

Debate 2008 Rules

“Debate 2008” Hosted by Fox News

The Democrats

The Democrats will have 25 minutes for their debate.

The Debate will begin with an introduction of all three Democratic Candidates Senator Edwards, Senator Clinton, and Senator Obama. Once the debate begins the rules will be as follows:

1. Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to every question asked of them directly.
2. If a candidate mentions another candidate’s name, that candidate will have the opportunity for a 30 second response.
3. If at any time, you feel that you want to respond to a question that was not asked of you directly, you will be given an index card to raise, in order to notify the Fox News panel, and we will allow you to have 30 seconds to respond as well. (We do want to request that the candidates use the index cards sparingly as it will make it difficult to touch on a range of issues during the debate)
4. The final 3 minutes of the allotted 25, will be allowed for a one minute closing from each candidate.

The Republicans

The Republicans will have 35 minutes for their debate.

This Debate will also begin with an introduction of all four Republican Candidates Senator McCain, Congressman Paul, Governor Huckabee, and Mayor Giuliani. Once the debate begins the rules will be as follows:

1. Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to every question asked of them directly.
2. If a candidate mentions another candidate’s name, that candidate will have the opportunity for a 30 second response.
3. If at any time, you feel that you want to respond to a question that was not asked of you directly, you will be given an index card to raise, in order to notify the Fox News panel, and we will allow you to have 30 seconds to respond as well. (We do want to request that the candidates use the index cards sparingly as it will make it difficult to touch on a range of issues during the debate)
4. The final 4 minutes of the allotted 35, will be allowed for a one minute closing from each candidate.

Fox News Blog Spot
Check out our new blog site at http://foxnewsblogger.blogspot.com/. On this site you can actively participate, with the staff here at Fox News, in reporting the news and giving your opinion on the 2008 Presidential Primaries. Our anchor, Kristin Cook, will be making daily posts reporting and commenting on current primary events. Give your opinion by posting comments at the bottom of each blog update, or email the Fox News Team at fox_news@email.com with any topics you would like our blog site to touch on. The Fox News Blog Spot is your source for communicating with the Fox News Staff and all of your fellow viewers. Here at Fox News, We Report and You Decide.

With Super Tuesday approaching, Fox News was able to talk to Mayor Giuliani about his current standing to become the Republican nominee in
the race to the White House. Mayor Giuliani responds to the recent falling polls and expresses his optimism in the upcoming Super Tuesday
with primaries in California and New York.

Also, News correspondent Terra Rossetto met with Congressman Ron Paul to discuss his responses to the questions he was asked, mainly
focusing on immigration, in the press conference at the University of California, Davis just last week. In addition, Kristin Cook reminds everyone to tune in to FOX next Tuesday for
live coverage of Debate 2008.

Clinton Takes the Democrats - McCain Takes Florida

by: Mariya Lapida

It appears that some of the views expressed last week prior to the Presidential hopefuls' press conference were a bit off, especially in regards to Senator Clinton's likelihood of success in the future of this campaign. Some expressed their concern regarding her ongoing squabble with Senator Obama, and remarked that their inability to overcome their differences and avoid mudslinging will inevitably have positive results for Edwards, and reflect negatively on themselves. This was obviously not the case in Florida, where Senator Clinton took 50% of the Democrats in a largely ceremonial primary.
John McCain triumphed over his nemesis Mitt Romney, and took the Republican vote. His hard-earned victory left strong indications that former governor Rudy Giuliani will soon drop out of the race and back McCain on his path towards the White House. McCain referred to Giuliani in his victory speech as “an exceptional American leader” who is “an inspiration to me and millions of Americans.” It was a breath of fresh air to see him supporting his opponents, instead of taking example from the feuding democrats.

Arizona senator claims victory in Florida. Clinton Wins 'Beauty Contest' in Florida Angry Liberals Turn on Clinton
PHOTOS Dems Barely Show in Sunshine State POLITICAL WIRE: Obama Denies Snubbing Clinton

Rambo v. Walker, Texas Ranger: Stallone Backs McCain Against Norris’ Huckabee

by FOXNews.com

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Rambo himself says John McCain will make the best president. You gonna argue with him? (AP Photo/Lionsgate)

Talk about tough opponents.

After Mike Huckabee enlisted action star Chuck Norris to watch his back on the rough-and-tumble campaign trail, John McCain is tag-teaming with Rocky himself.

Sylvester Stallone told FOX News that he’s supporting the Arizona senator for the 2008 presidential nomination — McCain, a former Vietnam POW, is the real Rambo, Stallone seemed to reason.

“I like McCain a lot,” Stallone said in an interview that aired Thursday. “Things may change along the way, but there’s something about matching the character with the script, and right now the script is being written and reality is pretty brutal and hard edge and like a rough action film, you need somebody who’s been in that to deal with it.”

So who’s badder?

Though both tough-guy surrogates may be better suited for a cage match than a press gaggle, Norris has blended into civilian society, standing tall with Huckabee at rallies and accompanying him in post-debate “spin rooms” to set the media straight about what they just saw.

Stallone apparently has not been recruited for any campaign appearances … yet.

The Texas Ranger’s campaign ad with Huckabee late last year did wonders for the former Arkansas governor’s Web site traffic, with lines like “My plan to secure the border … Chuck Norris” and “There’s no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. Only another fist.”

Stallone/McCain versus Norris/Huckabee could the ultimate ultimate fighting contest of this election year. McCain, alerted to the surprise Stallone endorsement, said as a result, he’s prepared for the next brutal round on the campaign trail.

“I’m going to Philadelphia and run up the steps … I’m ready,” he told FOX News.

Campaigning later in West Palm Beach, McCain told reporters, jokingly: “Look out Chuck Norris, Sylvester’s comin’ after you. He’s comin’ after you and he’s going to get you. You better run! Chuck, you can run but you can’t hide!”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Chuck Approves Huck?

For your viewing pleasure, FOX News is proud to display Governor Huckabee's ad starring Chuck Norris. As you will see, Huckbee is shown reciting popular Chuck Norris jokes, while Norris advocates Huckabee's candidacy. The clip ends with both men saying that they approve the ad, but the ending implies that not only does Norris approve the ad, but the candidate is "Chuck Norris Approved" as well.
The question of intent comes to mind. It is obvious that Norris is attempting to win young voters over by displaying a sense of humor, and attempting to appear "in touch" with todays youth culture. However, the ad seems like it was filmed as a joke, and I personally am shocked to find out that though humorous in nature, it was meant to be a serious advertisement to appeal to a particular demographic.
How will conservatives view this? Does being "Chuck approved" now make Huckabee a more qualified candidate? Would it not be more effective to have an ad were he focuses on serious issues, or describes his plans for change? It seems that, just as with many of the other campaign ads posted by the majority of the other candidates, this one does in fact appeal to the demographic it is aimed at, but has little political depth or relevance.
FOX would like to hear your opinion on the matter. All who wish to view the ad and send in their responses will be acknowledged, and your opinions published on our site. Please leave your responses in the "comments" section of this post.
If anyone from the Huckabee camp would like to discuss this in further detail, please contact us at fox_news@email.com

Thank you.




Mariya Lapida, FOX News

FOX News Update (for highspeed users)

Thompson Drops Out of Presidential Race

Thompson Drops Out of Presidential Race

by FOXNews.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Saturday: Fred Thompson greeted supporters in South Carolina. (AP Photo)

Fred Thompson dropped his presidential bid Tuesday, after the former Tennessee senator and actor finished third in the South Carolina primary and was unable to score a victory in any of the early primaries or caucuses.

“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people,” Thompson said in a statement.

Prior to his public statement, the GOP candidate had begun calling friends, family members and supporters to tell them he was ending his campaign, four months after he formally announced his White House bid, a run that was greeted much more enthusiastically before he actually got into the race.

Thompson left Nashville Tuesday afternoon for McLean, Va., but was not yet expected to visit his headquarters in the city to make an in-person statement about his decision. The McClean office was littered with boxes, signs and campaign clothing, and it looked like staffers had already started packing up.

Aides said Thompson sent an e-mail Monday telling them he was still undecided about whether to stay in the race. But with no plans to campaign in Florida, which holds its primary Jan. 29, or to participate in a Republican debate Thursday, his staffers expected him to withdraw.

The attorney and actor seemed on the verge of bowing out Saturday during his post-election address in Columbia, S.C., after it became evident he would not finish better than third in South Carolina.

Telling his supporters to “stand strong,” he said, “We will always be bound by a close bond, because we have traveled a very special road together for a very special purpose. You know, it’s never been about me. It’s never even been about you. It’s been about our country and the future of our country … And because of your efforts and because of our working together, our party is being required to look itself in the mirror, decide where it’s going, decide who it is.”

Thompson prided himself as a consistent conservative in Ronald Reagan’s image, and stepped up that assertion in the days preceding the vote in South Carolina, where he said he drew “a line in the sand” for his campaign.

Along the way he fielded criticism that he appeared lazy and generally disinterested in becoming president, but Thompson did earn positive reviews for a series of debate performances last fall and earned an endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee.

Rival Mitt Romney said Tuesday Thompson was the only candidate, besides himself, who strove to achieve Reagan’s ideals.

“His leaving the race is sad for those who were big fans of his but probably helps my effort in terms of bringing together those Reagan coalition individuals,” Romney said.

But the momentum behind Thompson’s delayed entrance into the race — and several missed cues on issues from the right-to-life for Terri Schiavo to Usama bin Laden — steadily diminished as his GOP rivals racked up victories in early test states. Poll averages showed the Thompson went from second place nationally in early September to fifth this week.

Thompson came to Washington as a 30-year-old attorney appointed to be minority counsel for his mentor, former Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee, who was the top Republican on the Senate Watergate Committee.

He earned fame when he asked a question of which he already knew the answer — whether deputy assistant Alexander Butterfield knew that his boss, President Nixon, had been secretly taping White House conversations.

Several years later while practicing law in Tennessee, Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti, the head of the Tennessee Parole Board who was fired after exposing a pardon-selling scheme involving aides for then-Gov. Ray Blanton. Thompson played himself in the 1985 movie “Marie” based on the episode and got generally positive reviews.

The film launched Thompson’s acting career. Among his many characters, he played President Ulysses S. Grant in this year’s made-for-TV movie “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” and the fictional President Charles Ross in the 2005 film “Last Best Chance.”

His departure only nominally thins the field in the GOP race, where no breakaway front-runner has emerged. John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Romney have each won at least one major early state contest, and Rudy Giuliani has dug deep into Florida, fighting hard to prosper in that state’s primary.

Thompson did not endorse anybody in his statement Tuesday.

As for Thompson’s future, speculation is rampant that he could be angling for vice president. Such a move would follow the lead of another former Tennessee senator, Al Gore, whom Thompson replaced in the Senate in 1994 after Gore became vice president.

Thompson senior adviser Rich Galen told FOX News Radio Monday, “It may well be that Thompson is a vice presidential candidate, carrying the message to fill whatever hole there may be in the conservative credentials of whoever the nominee is.”

FOX News’ Carl Cameron and The Associated Press contributed to this report.