The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from July 6th, 2008
McCain Visits Local Veterans Hospital Sunday
While spending the day off the stump at home in Phoenix, Arizona Sunday the presumptive GOP nominee and his wife stopped by for a 45-minute visit with former soldiers. In the morning, the couple took part in the 75-minute service at the North Phoenix Baptist Church and shook hands with greeters, ushers and church members before and after the ceremony. Permalink
Obama and Family Attend Sunday BBQ in Chicago
On his day off the trail, the presumptive Democratic nominee and his family strolled to a friend's house in Hyde Park for a holiday weekend get-together. The family was casually dressed, with his wife and daughters in tank tops with shorts and sandals and Obama in a white shortsleeved button-up shirt, blue jeans and flip-flops. Permalink
Pepsi Center to Start Convention Renovations Monday
The Denver athletic arena will begin its two-month multimillion-dollar transformation into the site of the Democratic National Convention starting Monday morning, when the facility owners hand over the keys. "The transformation," the facility's general manager Dave Jolette said, "will be enormous." Plus: Politico reports the Obama camp plans to announce this week that he'll leave the convention hall to deliver his acceptance speech at Invesco Field. Permalink
RNC Kicks Off General Election Ads, Puts Focus on Energy
An independent expenditure arm of the party has begun a 10-day, $3 million ad campaign targeting Obama on energy, portrays him as saying "no" to potential energy solutions. The 30-second spot airing in swing states attacks Obama as "just the party line." Watch it above. The ad -- on the air in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- began during Saturday night baseball and continues through July 15. Obama camp responds. Read statement here. Permalink
Obama's Economic Indictment of McCain
First on The Page: In a tough memo, the Democratic nominee presumptive hits the Arizonan on a range of economic contrasts to open a week in which they both plan to be more about butter than guns. Read it here. Obama camp holds morning media call Sunday to reinforce the memo. Former Commerce Secretary William Daley speaks up for Obama, says he has the plan and leadership qualities to fix economic woes. Permalink
McCain Camp Hires DuHaime as Political Director
ABC News: In his first new hire in his promoted role, Steve Schmidt brings on the senior adviser at the RNC and former Giuliani campaign manager to head up their political team. Permalink
Obama Camp Eyeing Podesta for White House Team
WashPost: The Illinois Senator hopes to snag Bill Clinton's former chief of staff and founder of Center for American Progress to run the transition operation if Obama wins in November. Permalink
Jeb Bush, Capitalist-Entrepreneur Extraordinaire
St. Petersburg Times: Since leaving the Florida Governor's mansion 18 months ago the President's brother has "quietly remade himself" into a successful businessman. He also keeps a hand in politics, keeping people wondering whether or not he'll seek public office again. Permalink
Vets for Freedom Up With Pro-McCain Ad
The independent group goes up with a spot in battleground states focusing on testimonials from veterans saying the surge is working and "we need to finish the job." Watch it above. The over $1 million ad buy will begin running July 9 in select markets. Permalink
Happy Birthday, Mr. President
Bush turns 62 Sunday. Saturday evening the senior staff en route to Japan with the President gathered to "surprise" him with a coconut cake and sing "Happy Birthday." White House spokesman Perino: "He dutifully pretended to be surprised." Permalink
Bush Defends N. Korea Shift to Japan
In a media availability with Prime Minister Fukuda in Tokyo Sunday the President reaffirmed his decision to remove the country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Japan and North Korea have tension because of the North’s abduction of Japanese citizens in the '70s, '80s. “The United States will not abandon you on this issue. I am fully aware of the sensitivity of the issue here in your country." Also defended decision to attend Olympic opening ceremony in China. Permalink
Oppo Researchers May Use Obama's Audio Book Against Him
Politico: The GOP is looking to take snippets of sound from the audio version of Obama's 1995 memoir -- which touches on his racial attitudes, childhood adventures -- and use it in attack ads. "...it’s one thing to see past statements in block text and something else entirely to hear the same words in the office-seeker’s own voice." Permalink
ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS
Sens. Lieberman and Reed defend their candidates on ABC's "This Week" and Sens. Graham, Kerry do the same on CBS' "Face the Nation." Read The Page's full coverage here. Permalink
Obama Adviser Shapes Controversial Chicago Housing Policy
Chicago Tribune profiles the work of Valerie Jarrett -- who stands at the center of the city's disputed efforts to redevelop public housing. Jarrett wants to integrate new developments by limiting the number of residents, mostly poor and black, who can live in the new communities. Permalink
Big Business Opening Immigration Rift in Republican Party
NY Times: Businesses -- generally Republican stalwarts -- are standing up to party members who say they're undercutting border enforcement and jeopardizing American jobs by hiring illegal immigrants as cheap labor. 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.
