Politics took back seat to Pope's arrival.
ABC: Political block led with McCain's economics speech, stressing proposed summer gas tax holiday. Commentators suggested plan may be costly, even with spending cuts. Clip of McCain's new ad on the economy, suggestion he's trying to show “he gets it” after being slow to show concern about slowdown.
CBS: News of (unidentified) poll showing Clinton maintaining Pennsylvania lead. Report said Obama's comments are still getting attention, though PA polling shows they may have limited impact. Some in campaign hope Pope's visit pushes the story off the front pages. Word that Obama is spending $2 million a week on PA advertising, and recap of McCain's economics speech. News that Sen. Specter's cancer has returned.
NBC: Led with Pope's arrival and comments on the sexual abuse scandal. Turned to McCain's economic speech, noting gas, income tax proposals, light jabs at Dems, GOP and Bush. Showed critics say his “math doesn't add up.” Moved to Obama denying possibility of racial undertones in “elitist” charges, mentioned Clinton discussing race and gender in the campaign with the AP. Highlighted Sen. Specter's cancer returning.
