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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from July 10th, 2008
Obama: "America Already Has One Dr. Phil"
The Senator mocks McCain adviser and former Sen. Phil Gramm for saying the economy is in a “mental recession” and America is a “nation of whiners” while on the stump in Fairfax, Virginia. Also slams McCain for saying plans to suspend the gas tax and open the nation's oil reserve would have a "psychological" benefit to the economy. Watch video above. Full remarks here. Campaign also releases statement. Read it here. MCCAIN RESPONDS, REPUDIATES GRAMM: "Phil Gramm does not speak for me. I speak for me." Full remarks here. Jokes when asked about Gramm's role in his administration: "I think Sen. Gramm would be in serious consideration for Ambassador to Belarus. Though I'm not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that." McCain camp also releases statement. Read it here. GRAMM STANDS BY HIS REMARKS: Says in a WashPost interview Thursday, "I'm not going to retract any of it. Every word I said was true." He initially said the comments to the Washington Times Wednesday. Permalink
McCain, RNC Ends June With $95 Million On Hand
McCain topper Davis says the campaign raised more than $22 million in June, his best fundraising month yet. And his campaign has nearly $27 million cash on hand. Campaign manager Rick Davis discusses the financial outlook of the campaign on media conference call, says Republicans' cash on hand is more than twice what Obama and the DNC have. "This shows extremely strong fundraising that has considerably increased every month." Also says the GOP campaign is spending $10 million less per month to operate than Obama's, and McCain's camp has outspent Obama's on advertising by almost 3:1 over the last two months. Permalink
Senate Confirms Petraeus for CentCom, His Replacement
The Senate votes 95-2 in favor of the general's promotion to top commander in the Middle East. Also votes 96-1 for Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno to replace Petraeus as chief military officer in Iraq. Permalink
New National Numbers
From Pew Research Center: Obama 48, McCain 40 More details-- including what Clinton supporters are doing-- here. Dates conducted: June 18-29. Permalink
McCain to Michigan: I Feel Your Pain
McCain reaches out to working class voters at a Wayne County auto supplier Thursday, invokes his plan for tax cuts and reduced federal spending. "These have been tough times for you... We need a plan of action." McCain's appearance was his first in Michigan in more than two months. Permalink
President Signs FISA
Bush happily pens his name on the bill that overhauls rules about government eavesdropping in Thursday afternoon Rose Garden ceremony. "The bill I sign today will help us meet our meet our most solemn responsibility -- to stop new attacks and to protect our people." Adds the legislation will play a "critical role" in keeping U.S. soil safe. Recalls Sept. 11 attacks and his vow to never let another attack on this country. The Senate easily passed FISA Wednesday 69-28. Permalink
Obama's "Accidental Sister Souljah Moment"
WashPost's Balz: Jackson's comments are a gift to Obama, letting him break from the Reverend without causing offense. "Whatever people may know or think they know about Obama, they can no longer mistake him as a direct descendant of old-style black politics." Permalink
No Evidence of Tampering on Obama Plane
NTSB finds no missing parts or evidence of foul play after initial examination of the MD-81 that malfunctioned mid-flight on Monday. The problem developed when an emergency slide in the tail of the plane deployed unexpectedly. Permalink
McCain: We Can't Let Fannie and Freddie Fail
The Arizonan says at a Livonia, Michigan diner that the U.S. should intervene if the government-sponsored mortgage finance giants run into serious finance trouble. Read pool report of the stop here. WashPost: Both companies' stocks plummit for the third day Thursday amid talk the two firms are facing more troubles. Obama adviser Furman weighs in: "The challenges facing Fannie and Freddie are part of the broader weakness in our economy." Permalink
Consolation Prize
Clinton announces that donors who help retire her campaign debt by $50 will get an official T-shirt. Features silhouette of Clinton and slogan reading "For everyone who's even been counted out but refused to be knocked out and for everyone who works hard and never gives up, this one is for you!" Permalink
Clinton: "It is Critical That We Join Forces"
The New York Senator urges those who backed her to support her former rival at a Women for Obama fundraiser in Manhattan Thursday. Watch video above. Obama praises Clinton's gender barrier-breaking candidacy. Read full remarks here. His half sister Maya Soetoro-Ng introduces them. Plus: Oops! Obama forgets to ask donors to help pay off Clinton's debt at Wednesday evening fundraiser. Read more here. Permalink
Are You Ready for Some Earlier Football?
The Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans agree to move up kickoff of their Aug. 28 preseason finale to allow local TV partners to start earlier coverage of the Democratic convention's final night. The game was originally slotted to start at 8 pm ET and will now start an hour earlier. Packers spokesman said both teams' TV partners approached the clubs about the switch. Permalink
Jackson: Comment "Unfortunate Trash Talk"
Jackson appears on several morning shows following his crude criticism of Obama. Click above to watch him on "Good Morning America." Read summaries of each of his interviews here. Rush Limbaugh dubs the day "Castrati Thursday" in honor of the Jackson gaffe. Permalink
IRAN TEST-FIRES MORE MISSILES
The country launches a second round of long-range missiles overnight in an effort to show Iran can defend itself against any attack by the U.S. or Israel. The tests come hours after Secretary of State Rice warned Iran that Washington will not back down in the face of threats against Israel. Permalink
Michelle Obama Targets Missouri Women
The potential first lady holds a roundtable with women in Kansas City discussing the economic challenges facing them and their families. Roundtable is part of a series of discussions the Obamas are holding with women nationwide. Permalink
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