The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from June 18th, 2008
Obama Hits Hickory Hill
The presumptive Democratic nominee held a $28,500-a-person evening fundrasier at the famed Kennedy homestead in McLean, Virginia. Best scene of the night: Watching Obama hop in Ethel Kennedy's golf cart and drive it down the hill, from the main house to the event. Obama also delivered remarks, talking about the history of the home, Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and more. Read the pool report here. Permalink
Cindy McCain on Michelle Obama: "I Don't Know Why She Said What She Said"
The GOP candidate's wife tells "Good Morning America" she can't explain Michelle Obama's "proud of my country" remark. "Everyone has their own experience. I don't know why she said what she said, all I know is that I have always been proud of my country." Also says "Barack Obama is a fine man and Michelle Obama is a fine woman." Interview airs on GMA Thursday morning. Permalink
REMEMBERING RUSSERT
NBC dignitaries like Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams and public forces like Gov. Cuomo and Maria Shriver recalled their fondest memories of the "Meet the Press" icon during a packed invitation-only memorial service. Russert's son Luke also delivered remarks, after giving the eulogy at a private funeral earlier in the day. Clintons were also in attendance. The service closed with surprise satellite performance of "Thunder Road" from Bruce Springsteen, one of Russert's idols. Held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the full hour and a half was broadcast live on MSNBC. An amazing rainbow appeared over the capital as the service ended. Earlier: Obama, McCain attended the private funeral, sitting next to each other per the family's request. New York's Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg also attended, traveling together. Permalink
Obama Calls His Own NAFTA Rhetoric "Overheated"
The candidate apparently backs off his harshest critiques of the trade deal. "Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified," he tells Fortune. "Politicians are always guilty of that, and I don't exempt myself." Also criticizes China, saying "they have consistently encroached on our intellectual property and our copyright laws." Permalink
Obama: Osama bin Laden Must Not Be a Martyr
The Land of Lincolner says he won't discuss the approach he would take to bring the Taliban leader to justice if he were apprehended, but said the Nuremberg trials are an inspiration. "First of all, I think there is an executive order out on Osama bin Laden's head. And if I'm president, and we have the opportunity to capture him, we may not be able to capture him alive." Plus: Also accuses McCain of not just adopting George Bush's policies, but also his playbook, says he hasn't talked to Clinton because she's still on vacation. Read transcript here. Permalink
Obama: GOP Terror Attacks "Demonstrably False"
The Senator again lashes out against McCain and Republicans over their recent attacks over terror suspects. "I refuse to be lectured on national security by people who are responsible for the most disastrous set of foreign policy decisions in the recent history of the United States." Bush and McCain "misled the American people, and took us into a misguided war." Read his full comments. Comes after Obama meets with his 13-member advisory team to discuss national security. Read full list of team members. Pool reports here and here. He plans to consult with the team regularly between now and the election. Permalink
McCain Calls For 45 New Nuclear Reactors
Speaking in Missouri, the Senator calls for the new reactors by 2030, and for $2 billion a year to develop clean coal. In opening remarks, McCain also Obama's proposals:"For Senator Obama, the solution to every problem and the answer to every challenge is a new tax..." Read full remarks here. Plus: Gen. James L. Jones, who has been mentioned as an out-of-the-box choice as Obama's running mate, shared the stage with McCain. Permalink
George H.W. Bush to Help McCain Raise Cash
The former president and his wife will appear with the presumptive GOP nominee in a July 31 fundraiser at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine. Permalink
Obama Camp Apologizes After Muslims Moved at Rally
Spokesman Bill Burton responds to complaints by two Muslim women who say they were barred from sitting behind the podium at Monday's Detroit rally. In separate incidents, volunteers said they didn't want headscarves in the backdrop behind Obama. "I felt like I was discriminated against by the very person who was supposed to be bringing this change, who I could really relate to." Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Led with oil drilling debate, followed by flooding. Political report recapped the Obama-McCain fight over national security, including Giuliani’s comments criticizing Obama. Mentioned Michelle Obama’s “View” appearance and her kind words for Laura Bush. Recapped Tim Russert’s moving memorial service at the Kennedy Center. CBS: Led with Tiger Woods. About 10 minutes in, political block looked at offshore oil drilling debate, including Gov. Crist’s new support and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s continued opposition. Also recapped the Russert service. NBC: Led with Iowa flooding, about six minutes in turned to Bush's statement on domestic oil production and McCain's energy proposal. Later covered Michelle Obama being "everywhere" -- the NYT, US Weekly, "The View." Covered her remarks on Laura Bush to the ABC ladies. Recapped Wednesday's Russert memorial events. Permalink
VEEPSTAKES POTPOURRI
--Former Rep. Portman, on CNN, backed McCain’s offshore drilling energy proposal, said recent technological advancements have made the process more environmentally friendly. --Biden speaks out on terrorism, says in response to Giuliani: "It’s no surprise that it takes a man with zero national security and foreign policy experience to defend the policies of John McCain and President Bush." Read statement here. --Huckabee says he'd accept No. 2 if asked. Watch the interview here. Permalink
Jindal, McCain Differ on Katrina Funding
The Louisiana governor-- and potential McCain running mate-- is backing a $5.8 billion congressional measure to aid hurricane restoration. McCain calls the bill "bloated," criticizes it for being tied to military funding. Permalink
Michelle Obama: Laura Bush Fan
While co-hosting "The View," the candidate's wife says she was "touched" by the first lady and wrote her a note of thanks for defending her over the "proud of my country" flap. Also insists she was proud of the U.S. before the campaign, says her controversial comment referred to her pride in the political process. Click above to watch her respond Also pays tribute to Clinton's trail-blazing campaign, and greets the show's hosts with a fist bump. Permalink
Two Campaigns Continue Battle Over Terrorism
For the second day, the campaign hammers the Illinois Senator over his remarks to ABC News approving of the criminal trial for 1993's World Trade Center bombers. MCCAIN CALL: Giuliani says Obama "has a defensive approach to terrorism," and criticizes him for "applauding creating new rights for terrorists and alleged terrorists." OBAMA CALL: Foreign policy advisor Rice calls criticisms "distortions straight out of Karl Rove's playbook," while Rep. Adam Smith says "pre-9/11 mentality is to continue obsessive focus on Iraq." Read a recap of Tuesday's battle on the same subject here. Permalink
Americans "Paying the Price" for "Obstruction" to Domestic Oil
The President asks Congress to repeal the federal ban on offshore oil drilling in statement a day after McCain made it an issue in the general election. Also wants permission to drill in ANWR, something McCain opposes. Read full remarks here. Sen. McCaskill responds on Obama media call: "Clearly he was under a better influence when Jeb Bush was governor." Candidates clashed Tuesday after McCain reversed his offshore drilling position, called for restrictions to be lifted. Read more here. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
