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Headlines from July 1st, 2008
Obama Held Recent Private Meeting With Powell
The Hotline: The Illinois Senator and the former Bush Secretary of State chatted for about an hour in Powell's Alexandria office two weeks ago. Powell's spokeswoman: "Just an informal conversation.... There’s no looming endorsement. They came to talk about issues." Says Powell and McCain also met a week earlier in Arlington. Permalink
Obama: I Didn't Honor McCain to Repudiate Clark
The Senator says his comments Monday about his opponent were not a reference to Wesley Clark's comment about McCain. "I think my staff will confirm that was in a draft of that speech that I had written two months ago." Also says Clark doesn't owe McCain an apology. Watch video here and here. MCCAIN CAMP RESPONSE: "Apparently Barack Obama now thinks that smear attacks on John McCain’s military service are fair game." Read it here. The retired general says he won't back down. Earlier: Sen. Graham and other McCain supporters continue bashing Clark and Obama. Listen to media call here. Sen. Graham: "I do believe Gen. Clark has made a huge mistake here. No matter how he sugarcoats it, he's trying to question John's service... I just don't think this is going to sit well with the American voter." Read more here. Permalink
Obama Details Chat With B. Clinton
The presumptive Democratic nominee tells reporters the two didn't dwell on the prolonged nomination battle in their Monday phone conversation and he "absolutely" wants him campaigning. “I think what we both acknowledged is, is that when you’re in a tough primary battle you say things that afterward you may end up thinking, that may have been a little intemperate." Permalink
New National Numbers
From CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll: Obama 50, McCain 45 Four-way race: Obama 46, McCain 43, Nader 6, Barr 3 Viewed as patriotic: McCain 90, Obama 73 Dates conducted: June 26-29. Error margin: 3.5 points. Read more here. Permalink
Limbaugh Calls McCain "The Team You Hate Less"
Profile of radio titan Rush Limbaugh and his role in GOP politics fronts Sunday's New York Times magazine. On McCain: “If your team isn’t in it, you root for the team you hate less. That’s McCain.” On Obama: “He’s a liberal. I oppose liberals. That’s all that’s involved here." Permalink
Pro-Obama Group Targets Dobson's Hometown With Radio Ad
Brody File: The Matthew 25 Network is airing a religious radio spot in Colorado Springs -- the home to the prominent evangelical who accused Obama of "distorting the Bible" last week. "You know it's an election year when certain people start grabbing headlines by attacking the faith of Presidential candidates...." Listen to the ad here. The group also plans to run ads Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, and other swing states. Permalink
McCain Camp on Military Jabs: It's a Conspiracy
Spokesman Rogers tells TPM that Webb’s latest comments saying McCain should “calm down” with the political use of his military service prove that the Obama camp is coordinating attacks on the Arizonan’s record. “If you didn't think this was a coordinated attack on John McCain's credentials before, it's clear now that it is...." Plus: Webb spokeswoman clarifies his remarks Tuesday: "Senator Webb's comments were not targeted at McCain's military service." Permalink
Obama Declines to Fist Bump
The Illinois Senator refuses to knock knuckles with a student as he leaves the Eastside Community Ministry in Zanesville, Ohio. “If I start that …” his voice trailed off. Read pool report here. But you'll never guess who did get a little fist bump action Tuesday.... Permalink
McCain Brushes Off Charlie Black Questions
The Arizonan tells reporters it's no big deal that the top aide who made some controversial remarks about terrorism to Fortune last week isn't currently traveling with him. “I have Mark Salter along. These guys generally rotate. It’s too much to take in large doses. It’s just rotation.” Read pool report here. Permalink
Fliers Tout Obama's Pro-Gay Positions
Campaign and DNC materials distributed at at least one rally promote Obama's positions on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, LGBT equality and other issues important to gay voters. Also criticize McCain's stances. CBN's David Brody notes the appeals come at the same time he courts religious voters. "Handing out pro-gay rights flyers while at the same time talking about your 'Christian faith' is a MAJOR disconnect...." Fliers here, here, here and here. Earlier: Obama writes letter supporting same-sex benefits under federal law. Permalink
TV Interview Potpourri
--Former New York Mayor Giuliani tells CNN that McCain "is not running as a fighter pilot" and that Obama "accomplished nothing" in his time in the Senate. --Missouri Sen. McCaskill tells MSNBC Obama will be “building alliances” on Mideast trip this summer, thinks he will maintain his stance on troop withdrawals after visit. Permalink
Obama Promotes Faith-Based Programs
Speaking in Zanesville, Ohio, the Chicagoan voices support for expanding the President's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups. Read prepared remarks here. Former director of Bush’s faith-based programs praises Obama's plan. Read statement here. Plus: Obama supporters are planning house parties, dozens of Christian rock concerts to try to pry religious voters from the GOP. Permalink
McCain Slams Obama on Court Appointments to Law Enforcement Crowd
Speaking to the National Sheriffs’ Association in Indianapolis, McCain cites child rapist Supreme Court decision to criticize the type of judges Obama would appoint in office. Watch video above. "It was exactly the kind of opinion we could expect from an Obama Court." Adds he would appoint judges with "a proven commitment to judicial restraint." Read full remarks here. Plus: McCain also raises cash in Indianapolis. Read pool report here. Permalink
Democratic Unity Drives Election Coverage
Project for Excellence in Journalism study analyzing election coverage over the past week finds Obama/Clinton reconciliation story took up 23% of the news and intra-party issues for the Democrats in general grew to 29%. Overall, Obama was the dominant factor in 82% of election stories while McCain was in 40%. Permalink
Battleground Blitz
--MSNBC outlines two potential strategies for Obama to win Ohio. --USA Today says if McCain wants to be the first Republican in two decades to win Pennsylvania he needs help from the swing suburbs like those in Bucks County. Permalink
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