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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from July 3rd, 2008
OBAMA SEEKS TO "CLARIFY" IRAQ COMMENTS
In a quickly-scheduled press availability, the Senator insists his position on Iraq has not changed. Watch video above. "I intend to end this war... I am not searching for maneuvering room with respect to that position." Though he also says: "I have always reserved the right to do what's best for America's national interest... I would be a poor commander-in-chief if I didn't take facts on the ground into account." Revamped McCain team responds: "Now that Barack Obama has changed course... we would like to congratulate him for accepting John McCain’s principled stand...." Read full statement. Earlier: Obama tells reporters he plans a “a thorough assessment” of his Iraq policy. Permalink
VEEPSTAKES POTPOURRI
--Florida's Supreme Court rules Gov. Crist had no legal right to approve some types of gambling at Indian casinos. Permalink
Poll: McCain, Obama Seen in Positive Light
From CNN/Opinion Research: Percentage having a favorable opinion of: Obama: 63%; McCain: 59% Poll also finds 48% of voters think Obama has enough experience to be president, while 58% say McCain cares about voters like them. Read more here. Permalink
Bush to Attend Olympics Opening Ceremony
The President and First Lady are expected to travel to Beijing for the August 8 proceedings. Permalink
McCain on Staff Adjustment: "I Don't Think the Changes Are Big"
In interview with NBC, the Arizonan suggests recent staff rejiggering is just part of gearing up for the general election. "The changes are a better division of some of the responsibilities as our campaign has grown from a very small staff to a much larger one." Earlier: Promoted McCain aide Schmidt sends staff memo announcing a new national political director and field director. Read it here. The Atlantic: Schmidt to staff: "Excellence is our standard, and it will be reached every day." Permalink
McCain to Spend Next Week Focusing on Jobs
The presumptive GOP nominee will kick off the post-Fourth of July stretch with a series of events in battleground states on the economy. He'll unveil his jobs-first economic plan in Colorado Monday, followed by stops in D.C., Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin. Permalink
Obama Holds Town Hall in North Dakota
The presumptive Democratic nominee speaks on military benefits and takes questions in Fargo. Discusses health care, mental illness, No Child Left Behind and foreign policy with "direct diplomacy at its core." Vows to fight homelessness and PTSD among veterans, tips hat to Sen. Webb for new GI bill. Read prepared remarks here or watch video here. Permalink
McCain Talks Trade With Mexican, American Business Leaders
The Arizonan attends a luncheon with the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City midday Thursday. Tells reporters ahead of the meeting that he's looking forward to hearing about their experiences with NAFTA. Adds: "I believe the future is bright. Mexico is already a crucial trading partner of the United States." Read pool report here. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Led with California wildfires. Eight minutes in, mention of Obama campaigning in GOP-heavy North Dakota and report on "noticeable shifts" on Iraq and other issues. Recapped “hastily scheduled news conference” on Iraq and his broader tilt toward the center. Stephanopoulos said Obama “can’t afford to shift” on Iraq, and called the issue the first test of McCain’s new campaign leadership. NBC: Politics dominated first 6 minutes. Kicked off with Obama's Iraq policy clarifications, recapping media avails, calling McCain camp response "stinging." Said Obama has always given himself wiggle room on troop withdrawal. Next recapped McCain's Latin American tour, said images of him at the Basilica could help with U.S. Catholics. Aired McCain interview clips on trip, staff rearrangement, Veepstakes. CBS: CBS: Led with western wild fires. At 14 minutes in, reported that Obama's statement on "refining" his Iraq position "raised a lot of eyebrows" and was part of a larger centrist shift. Characterized McCain's response as "fatherly" in correcting Obama. Mentioned Bush's plans to attend the Olympics opening ceremony and his role at the ground breaking for the new Walter Reed Medical Center. Permalink
McCain Gets Blessing at Basilica de Guadalupe
The Arizonan visits the revered Roman Catholic holy site in Mexico City and receives a blessing by the monsignor. See more photos here. McCain also lays a wreath of white roses – traditional in the legend of the Virgin of Guadalupe – near the base of the painting at the altar. Read pool report here. Permalink
McCain Hits Nevada, New Mexico With Spanish Radio Ad
The minute-long spot features a testimonial from McCain's roommate at the Naval Academy touting McCain's shared values with the Hispanic community. Also targets Obama: "This election, it seems to me that the other candidate has just discovered the importance of the Hispanic vote." Listen to the ad here and read script here. Permalink
Denver Mayor "Can Guarantee" Convention Won't Be Shortened
Mayor Hickenlooper and other officials dismiss LA Times report that Democrats are considering cutting a day from next month's convention. Obama spokeswoman: "We think Thursday night in Denver will be very special." Earlier: LA Times reports convention may be cut to give Obama a longer post-convention bounce. Permalink
Military Breaks Ground on New Walter Reed Facility
President Bush participates in the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning for the $970 million Walter Reed National Military Medical Center project. Read his remarks here. The new facility in Bethesda, Maryland is slated to replace the current veterans hospital in Northwest D.C. by 2011. Construction comes less than two years after the Washington Post's reports of decrepit conditions at the current Walter Reed campus. Permalink
Obama Meets With Injured Motorcade Officer
Land of Lincolner takes photo op with motorcycle cop who crashed his vehicle while escorting Obama on Wednesay in Colorado. Obama strayed from his schedule to meet with Officer Jerry Orvin at the Colorado Springs airport. Read pool report here. Permalink
Candidates React to June Job Numbers
McCain statement: "At a time when our small businesses need support from Washington, we cannot raise taxes, increase regulation and isolate ourselves from foreign markets." Read it here. Obama statement: "But, as these numbers demonstrate, the American people can't wait another six months. We need action now." Read it here. New Labor Department figures show the economy shed 62,000 jobs last month. Unemployment rate holds steady at 5.5%. Permalink
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