The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from June 11th, 2008
New National Numbers
From NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll: Obama 47, McCain 41 Dates conducted: June 6-9. Error margin: 3.1 points. Read more -- including how Obama would fare with Clinton on the ticket -- here. Permalink
Carville: Obama Should Pick Gore for Veep
The former Clinton supporter/long-time confidante says on CNN's "The Situation Room": "I would ask Al Gore to serve as his vice president and energy czar...and send a signal to the world, the American people, the Congress, to everybody that America is getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face." Click above to watch and read full transcript. Later adds he is trying to be provocative, would also be "delighted" if Obama picks Clinton. Permalink
Johnson Quits, McCain Camp Questions Obama Judgment
McCain spokesman on Veep vetter's resignation: "America can't afford a president who flip-flops on key questions in the course of 24 hours. That's not change we can believe in." Counter-response from Team Obama asks why they don't see "a similar 'perception problem'" with their veep vetter, a prominent D.C. lobbyist. Earlier: Obama accepts the former Fannie Mae CEO's resignation following controversy regarding his mortgage loans, says Johnson didn't want to "distract" from the process. Johnson says his withdrawal doesn't mean he accepts "the blatantly false statements and misrepresentations" written about him. Permalink
Jobless Benefits Bill Fails in House
Legislation set to extend unemployment benefits for an extra 13 weeks falls three votes short of the two-thirds majority needed. More than four dozen Republicans crossed over party lines to support initiative. Permalink
Meghan McCain Authoring Children's Book
The presumptive GOP nominee's daughter -- who runs "McCain Blogette" -- is working on a picture book about her father. The story, currently untitled, will be published by Simon & Schuster the first week of September (coinciding with the Republican convention). Permalink
The Battle Over McCain's "Not Too Important" Remark
The two camps spar over McCain's "Today" comment about it being "not too important" when he estimates American forces can come home from Iraq. Click above to watch original remarks, and read the full exchange here. MCCAIN CAMP'S SIDE: What was "not too important" was McCain's estimate of when troops will come home -- not the fact they come home at all. Read comments from Thune, Lieberman and the campaign here. DEMOCRATS' SIDE: McCain is "confused" and "unbelievably out of touch" when it comes to the war and American troops in Iraq. Read comments from Kerry, Rice, Biden, Pelosi and Emanuel here. ABC's Tapper: Is the Obama team playing the age card? Permalink
Obama Surprises 8th Grade Grads
The Illinois Senator unexpectedly walks onstage during the graduation of four dozen eighth grade girls from the Young Women's Leadership Charter School of Chicago following his town hall. In short remarks, he urges the grads to read, turn off the TV and decide "how can I make myself the best young woman I can possibly be." While Obama shook some hands, group chanted "Change, change." Permalink
McCain Brings "Bitter" Back to Pennsylvania
In Philadelphia town hall meeting the Arizonan invokes his rival's controversial comments. "We’re going to go to the small towns in Pennsylvania and I’m gonna to tell them I don’t agree with Senator Obama that they cling to their religion and the Constitution because they’re bitter." Watch video above. Also says he hasn't heard from Obama yet on his town hall meeting proposal, stresses their importance. Obama camp turns the focus to McCain's gas tax proposal in media call with Pennsylvania leaders, who say his plan is amusing and "does nothing" to help. Permalink
McCain's Gang Solution: Mentors
The Senator names mentors and role models as a response to the youth gang problem. Permalink
B. Clinton Cancels UCLA Commencement Speech
The former president's office says he won't appear at Friday's graduation ceremony because of the long-running rift between the university and the labor union AFSCME. But: He'll speak at Radio City Music Hall June 17 as part of their "The Minds That Move The World" series. Permalink
Reid Warns of Arizonan's Temper
The Senate Majority Leaders says in an interview on MSNBC that McCain “doesn’t have the temperament to be the president of the United States." "Everyone who’s ever worked with John McCain knows of his temper. It’s explosive to say the least.” Permalink
Obama Builds New Hampshire Staff
ProJo: Sheldon Whitehouse's chief of staff takes a leave to run the presumptive Democratic nominee's Granite State campaign starting July 1. Permalink
Economic Tour Brawl: Day 3
Obama focuses on predatory lending at a roundtable at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, accuses McCain of allying with the credit card companies. Click above. "John McCain has been part of the problem. When he had the chance to help families avoid falling into debt, John McCain sided with the credit card companies." Read his full remarks here. Wednesday Obama plans to visit Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Friday he's expected to meet with seniors in Columbus, Ohio. Permalink
Energy Dept: $4 Gas Through 2009
Energy Information Administration head says in a House hearing Wednesday that gas prices are expected to peak at $4.15/gallon in August and continue to average $3.92/gallon through 2009. Permalink
Oppositional Definition
Wall Street Journal editorial page double whammy: Editorial: Crooked, like Jim Johnson (or, at least, a believer in cronyism). Steve Moore op-ed: Tax raiser, like all Democrats. Plus: LA Times: The Tennessee GOP Web video put out in May deriding Michelle Obama for her "proud of my country" gaffe is widely seen as "a harbinger of future attacks." Read key quotes on Michelle Obama by John Kerry and his pollster here. Permalink
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