Archive - June 13, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

McCain Gives Insight into Veep Selection Timeline

The presumptive GOP nominee tells CNN's Dana Bash that he'd like to announce his Veep "as early as possible," but settles on August as a likely announcement deadline. "But I guess that from being involved in these things in the past, when it really gets to crunch time, some time in August, from what I have seen. And I would imagine that would probably be true with us. But I'd love to have it done tomorrow. But it's just a process that you need to go through." Also touched on whether wives are fair gain in the campaign, the Supreme Court's Gitmo decision and criticism about his temper. Read full transcript here. Permalink

Light the Corners of Our Minds

Downtown Des Moines begins evacuation. Permalink

Colin Powell Doesn't Rule Out Backing Obama

The former GOP Secretary of State suggests to a crowd in Vancouver that his support for McCain isn't a foregone conclusion. But also says if he did vote for Obama it wouldn't be because of his race. "I will vote for the individual I think that brings the best set of tools to the problems of 21st-century America and the 21st-century world regardless of party, regardless of anything else other than the most qualified candidate." Permalink

Obama Pummels McCain on Social Security

In a town hall with seniors in Columbus, Ohio the Democrat accuses his opponent of supporting Bush's private Social Security accounts-- and then denying it. "You know, John McCain has proposed a series of debates, and I’m looking forward to having them. But when it comes to Social Security, he might want to finish the debate with himself first." Read his full speech. Michelle Obama introduces her husband, praising her own mother and the security she has from her mother's late husband's pension. Audience includes Ohio Gov. Strickland. McCain camp anticipates the event with a statement: “Barack Obama likes to think that his tax increases will only hit a few Americans, but in truth, his economic plan will be a disaster for everyone, especially seniors." Read it here. McCain camp holds afternoon media call with former Rep. Rob Portman and senior policy adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin to respond. Portman says "raising taxes in this weak economy is a pretty dangerous course," particularly for seniors. Permalink

McCain on Gitmo: "One of the Worst Decisions in the History of This Country"

The Arizonan comes out hard against Thursday's Supreme Court decision to grant more judiciary rights for enemy combatants during a town hall in Pemberton, New Jersey. Also quoted from Justice Roberts' dissent, railed against "unaccountable judges" and suggests the courts will be flooded with cases from detainees. TIME's Michael Scherer: "Yesterday, it was not clear if McCain would make the court decision an election year issue. Today, there is no doubt it will be." Permalink

Happy Father's Day: I'm a Republican!

Meghan McCain changes her affiliation from independent to Republican. The 23-year-old blogs: "I did this as a symbol of my commitment to my dad and to represent the faith I have in his ability to be an effective leader for our country... Happy Father's Day, Dad!" Plus: Gov. Crist salutes Florida's fathers. Read statement here. Permalink

Hagee Expresses Regret for Comments About Jews

The evangelical pastor repudiated by McCain sends a letter to "clarify" his views on Jews and the Holocaust. Hagee once claimed that the Holocaust fulfilled God's will. In a letter to the Anti-Defamation League, Hagee says "I regret if my Jewish friends felt any pain as a result." ADL head Foxman sends his own letter accepting Hagge's. Read both letters. Permalink

Obama Appoints Some State Directors

Campaign names a few: Sen. Daschle's '04 re-election field director Mitch Stewart in Virginia, primary California field director Buffy Wicks in Missouri, primary Colorado state director Ray Rivera in Colorado. WashPost: Points out Obama's "reliance on a stable of longtime political operatives with ties to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle." Permalink

Obama Team Renews Gas Tax Attack on McCain

Campaign fires off memo ahead of the Arizonan's town hall meeting in New Jersey Friday. Read it here. Says suspending the gas tax for the summer would cost the Garden State $190 million and 6,600 jobs. "McCain’s gas tax gimmick is a dead end for New Jersey." Plus: Obama team hosts morning conference call on the subject with NJ Rep. Steve Rothman. Rothman says New Jersey desperately needs the tax revenue to improve its transportation infrastructure, and the suspension "will only benefit the oil companies." "Talk about out of touch... I don't think he gets it." Permalink

Emanuel on Democratic Unity: "It's Not a Problem"

In interview with the Huffington Post, the former DCCC chair suggests the press is looking for the problem of disunity within the party, says Boren's comments were taken out of context. Also discusses the agony of sitting on the sidelines during the nomination battle because of his close allegiances to both the Clintons and the Obamas. Permalink

Vocal Clinton supporter Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell will appear at a Philadelphia fundraiser with Obama Friday evening. Rendell says he warned many Philly donors will be headed to the Jersey shore but Obama didn't want to reschedule. Plus: NY Post says fashion mogul Calvin Klein and others are chairing "An Evening with Michelle Obama" fundraiser in New York City Tuesday. Permalink