The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from June 21st, 2008
Need to Know Basis
HALPERIN’S TAKE: What we need to know now about McCain-Obama. Permalink
How Big Is Big
Sunday NY Times on Obama's national advertising and field aspirations. Permalink
Obama Goes After McCain on Flood Protection, Transportation
The Illinois Senator told a conference of mayors Saturday in Miami that his rival may have visited Iowa flood zones, but that doesn't mean he'll make a good president. "I’m sure they appreciated the sentiment, but they probably would have appreciated it more if he hadn’t voted against funding for levees and flood control programs, which he seems to consider pork." Also says McCain's gas tax proposal would take away money from the Highway Trust Fund. "I think that’s the last thing we can afford to do." Read full remarks here. McCain camp responds: "It is beyond the pale that Barack Obama would attack John McCain for actually trying to fix the problem and change the way Washington works." Full statement here. Permalink
Newsweek Covergal
The mag asks: "Who is Cindy McCain?" Permalink
Saturday Economic Battle
McCain camp holds midday media call on Obama's economic plan. Florida Mayors Rick Baker from St. Petersburg, Rich Crotty from Orange County and former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco indirectly criticize the Illinois Senator on taxes and experience. Offer effusive praise on McCain's proposal. Listen to the audio here. Permalink
(Spending) Other People's Money
Evan Tracey -- the nation's leading tracker of political ad spending -- helps answer the question: HOW CAN OBAMA SPEND $350 MILLION (OR SO) IN JUST 2 MONTHS? Read his answer here. Permalink
The Fight for the Buckeye State
Cincinnati Enquirer: Front-page story outlines the candidates' get-out-the-vote campaign work "that could well make the difference in a close election." Reminds readers that in '04 "a swing of about 10 votes a precinct in Ohio would have wiped out President Bush's 118,601-vote margin." Permalink
Bush Reiterates Call for Offshore Drilling in Radio Address
In weekly missive, the President stands strong on his idea for the increased domestic oil production -- something McCain has also proposed. Retools his statement from earlier in the week. "If congressional leaders leave for the Fourth of July recess without taking action, they will need to explain why $4-a-gallon gasoline is not enough incentive for them to act." Read full text here. Permalink
Big Bad John
Essential viewing: Texas Senator John Cornyn has a re-election video that you will not believe. Permalink
Saudis Willing to Produce More Oil
The oil minister says the kingdom will increase output to meet demand. Remarks come at high-level oil summit in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. Permalink
Female Suicide Bomber Kills 15 in Iraq
Blast in Baquba also wounds 40. Latest in a wave of female suicide bombers to strike in the country. Permalink
NY Times Suggests Surge Is Having an Impact
Four-column front-page story declares that Iraq may be in the midst of turnaround. Says violence is the lowest since March 2004, the largest cities are calmer than they have been in years and the government is being taken more seriously. Permalink
Back to the Hill
WashPost: Clinton is expected to return to the Senate early next week, possibly as early as Tuesday morning to vote on a housing crisis bailout package. Spokesman Reines says in Friday e-mail: "A week from today, you will have seen [Clinton] at the Capitol." Permalink
Clinton $22.5 Mil in Debt
The New York Senator ended May with $3 million more in debt than a month earlier. According to the FEC report, she received $12.6 million in donations, had $3.4 million cash on hand for nomination spending. She also had $23.3 mil for the general, which she can't use to pay off debt. Plus: AP sums up the finances of Obama, McCain, Clinton at the end of May. And: Politico sums up how Obama ticked off national newspaper editorial boards with his public financing decision. Permalink
Obama's Christian Push
WashPost: Many conservative evangelicals -- who are used to being assumed GOP voters -- are caught off guard by Obama's courting. But they say McCain has done little to woo them. Permalink
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