Archive - July 2, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Republicans Find Finance Loophole

The Wall Street Journal reports that Senator McCain's allies "have found new loopholes in the campaign-finance law he helped write" to help him compete with Obama. Permalink

The Illinois Senator tours the facilities and is briefed on how the command has assisted with floods, California wildfires, hurricanes as well as their role abroad by Gen. Victor E. Renuart. Read pool report here. Plus: Obama meets with the editorial board of the Military Times between appreances in the Centennial State. Permalink

Florida Court: Crist Out of Bounds

Florida's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Crist had no legal right to give the green light to certain types of gambling at Seminole Tribe casinos. Permalink

Fiorina: McCain Staff Change a "Gear-Up," Not a "Shake-Up"

McCain aide Carly Fiorina tells CNN staff adjustments are "pretty understandable growing pains from an organization than skinnied way down to fight the primary." NY Times: "...several aides, including Mr. Schmidt, warned (McCain) about 10 days ago that he was in danger of losing the presidential election..." "...the campaign is planning what will amount to a relaunch of Mr. McCain’s candidacy after July 4, with the senator touring the country to promote a jobs program and visiting battleground states..." Earlier: Senior McCain staffer Steve Schmidt takes over day-to-day operations, while campaign manager Rick Davis focuses on “long-range tasks.” Permalink

Obama Responds to FISA Protest

After a protest group gained prominence on his website, Obama has written a response to those who object to his support for the current compromise legislation in the Senate on immunity for telecoms. Permalink

RNC to Run First General Election Ad Targeting Obama

The party's independent expenditure arm will go up on air beginning Sunday in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan going after the Land of Lincolner on energy. Politico: The ad buy is for about $3 million and would run over the four states for "a couple of weeks." Meanwhile: The Obama camp releases statement asking,"Will the new McCain-RNC ads contradict McCain’s pledge to run a positive campaign?" The RNC responds: "How can Obama call for a positive campaign, even as his surrogates continue to unapologetically smear John McCain?" Permalink

McCain Buys Up Air Time in Virginia

Talking Points Memo: The presumptive GOP nominee's campaign purchased minute-long spot in at least four major markets including Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke and Tri-Cities. Source adds that the modest buy set to begin airing next Tuesday, will probably run four or five times a week. Suggests the McCain camp could be worried Obama has a shot in the historically Red state. Permalink

Candidates Respond to Colombian Hostage Rescue

McCain says he was told about military operation to liberate 15 hostages, including three Americans and former Colombian presidential candidate Betancourt, while visiting the country. "I’m pleased with the success of this very high-risk operation.... Now we must renew our efforts to free all of the other innocent people held hostage." Obama: "I congratulate President Uribe and the Colombian government, express my gratitude for everyone who aided in this rescue, and will do everything that I can to assure the success of future efforts to free the FARC’s hostages and to defeat this terrorist organization.” Permalink

Obama to Steelworkers: McCain Won't Help Working Families

The Illinois Senator takes on his rival in speech via satellite to the United Steelworkers' annual conference Wednesday afternoon in Vegas. Read full remarks here. He was introduced to the crowd as "the next President of the United States" by former candidate John Edwards, who attended the function. Read pool report here. Permalink

Balz: McCain Camp "Has Yet to Find Its Cruising Speed"

The WashPost veteran questions McCain's trip to Latin America. Says it doesn't "make political sense" for the candidate-- and reveals larger problems in his campaign. "Take the trip as a metaphor for a campaign still not quite through its long shakedown period." Permalink

Conservative Christian Leaders Agree to Rally Around McCain

TIME: About 100 leaders meeting in Denver Tuesday decided throw their support behind McCain despite a long held distrust for the presumptive GOP nominee One says: "Collectively we feel that he will support and advance those moral values that we hold much greater than Obama, who in our view will decimate moral values." The group included long-time Eagle Forum head Phyllis Schlafly, Charisma mag publisher Steve Strang, activist Phil Burress, among others. Plus: David Brody reports McCain will send a taped message to the National Right to Life Convention that starts Thursday in Washington, D.C. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Led with Colombian hostage rescue, followed by McCain Colombia trip-- said to be "overshadowed" by the rescue. Somewhat skeptical report said Colombia is "not an obvious place" for McCain to go. Included McCain comments about Wesley Clark aboard his campaign plane. In exchange with a reporter, McCain grew angry when asked how his Vietnam experience qualified him to be president. After a long pause, eventually said, "I learned to love this country when I was deprived of it." Also mentioned McCain staff changes and showed a picture of Steve Schmidt. CBS: Led with Colombian hostage rescue. Briefly covered McCain's visit to Colombia and his briefing on the military operation to free the hostages. No other political news. NBC: Led with California wildfires. 7 minutes in turned to McCain in Colombia, said he was briefed last night on hostage operation. Obama package covered his appeal to the center pointing to his “pitch right down the middle” on bipartisanship and national service in Colorado. Said GOP is using shift to portray him as a “chameleon” on issues like wiretapping. Mentioned Bush’s Tuesday “fist bump,” Limbaugh’s salary boost. Closed with feature on George Washington remains. Permalink

Liberal Groups, Unions to Form $40M Health Care Campaign

Prominent orgs including MoveOn.org, ACORN, the Center for American Progress, the NEA, Planned Parenthood and the SEIU will launch Health Care for America Now. Their first buy will be a $1.5 million ad in national print, online and on TV. The group will be represented by Elizabeth Edwards at their official launch July 8 at the National Press Club. Permalink

McCain Goes Up With Spanish Radio Ad

Minute-long spot airing in the Sunshine State features Florida's ex-director of tourism, commerce and economic affairs touting McCain's support for the Colombia trade agreement. Implies that Obama's position "would hurt our economic future." Listen to it here and read script here. Permalink

Obama Unveils National Service Agenda in Colorado

The Illinois Senator lays out his comprehensive nation service plan at a speech in Colorado Springs. Watch video above. Pledges to expand AmeriCorps, double the size of the Peace Corps and enlarge the U.S. Foreign Service. "The American people are not the problem, they are the answer." Read full text here. McCain spokesman Rogers: “It was refreshing to hear Barack Obama laud military service in his speech today. We hope this will be the tone we hear from him, his campaign and his surrogates from now on.” Permalink