Archive - July 11, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama: Death Penalty for Bin Laden

In an interview with CNN, the Senator says he's no "cheerleader for the death penalty," but "I think plotting and engineering the death of 3,000 Americans justifies such an approach." Adds: "This is a big hypothetical. Let's catch him first." Watch video above. Also criticizes Afghanistan's president: "I think the Karzai government has not gotten out of the bunker." And slams the Bush administration for losing its focus on Afghanistan and al Qaeda. RNC responds to the interview: "Obama has never visited Afghanistan to meet our allies on the ground... (His) words are naively out-of-touch...." Read full statement. Permalink

McCain on Gramm's Russian: "I Hope He's Brushing Up"

The presumptive GOP nominee keeps his joke going Friday, responding to reporters' questions about whether or not he has talked to economic adviser and former Sen. Gramm since his "mental recession" gaffe. McCain made the joke Thursday that after his slip up Gramm would serve in his administration as the Ambassador to Belarus. Also talks about mortgage lending woes, Afghanistan, the VP search on the Straight Talk Express. Read pool report here. Permalink

Obama Responds to RNC, McCain with Radio Spot

The Ilinois Senator issues a response to a GOP radio ad making the claim that Obama voted to raise taxes on Americans who make $32,000 a year with a spot of their own targeting McCain. The ad highlights FactCheck.org saying McCain's ad wasn't accurate. Man: "Oh yeah, but this is shameful. He’s just makin’ stuff up." The ad is running in northern Virginia and Dayton, Ohio. Listen to the ad here. Permalink

Obama on Spanish: I Was Attacked "For Saying the Truth"

Speaking in Dayton, the Senator stands by his call for American children to learn Spanish, which has prompted disagreement from the right. "I said something the other day down in Georgia, and the Republicans jumped on this... This is an example of some of the problems we get into when somebody attacks you for saying the truth." Adds: "I don't speak a foreign language. It's embarrassing!" Critics have accused Obama of encouraging Americans to learn Spanish over immigrants learning English. Permalink

WSJ: Hagel to Join Obama on Iraq Trip

The paper says two sources with knowledge of the trip confirm the Republican Nebraska Senator is planning to accompany Obama on his upcoming Middle East stop. Says bipartisan congressional delegations for such trips are typical, but Hagel's silence on backing McCain and speculation of him as an Obama Veep contender adds intrigue to the pairing. Obama spokesman refused to comment citing security concerns and a Hagel spokesman didn't respond to requests for comment. Permalink

Obama Tags McCain as Part of Washington Failure on Energy

The presumptive Democratic nominee says during an energy town hall in Dayton, Ohio that his rival had his shot to work toward oil independence. "The only problem is that out of those thirty years, Senator McCain was in Washington for twenty-six of them. And in that time he has achieved little to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil." Watch video above. Full remarks here. McCain camp responds: "The difference is Obama’s ‘Dr. No’ approach believes that every energy source has a problem..." Read it here. Columbus Dispatch: The state has become the center of the candidates' debate on coal. Permalink

McCain Says Obama Will "Make it Harder" for Women

The presumptive GOP nominee uses a midday town hall meeting with women in Hudson, Wisconsin, to hit his opponent on taxes, health care and the economy, especially as they relate to women. "Senator Obama's policies would make it harder for women to start new businesses, harder for women to create or find new jobs...I'm not going to let that happen." Obama camp responds: "... John McCain seems stuck in an outdated view of American families." Full statement here. Permalink

Obama Campaign Takes Journal to Task

Spokesman Dan Pfeiffer: "The Wall Street Journal report of our fundraising numbers is way off the mark. It appears that after 18 months, some in the press still haven't realized that anyone who is talking about numbers doesn't know what our numbers are." Response comes after Journal story calls Obama's June fundraising numbers "underwhelming." Permalink

Military Leaders: "No Way" Obama's Iraq Plan Can Work

Soldiers and other military officials say a rapid withdrawal from the country simply is not feasible. They warn primarily of the logistical challenge of removing so much equipment within 16 months. "Several commanders who looked at the Obama plan told ABC News, on background, that there was 'no way' it could work logistically." Permalink

Bush Urges Congress to Tap "Vast Potential" of Domestic Oil

The president addresses the press at the Energy Department after a meeting with his economic team and Vice President Cheney. Again calls for Congress to act before the summer recess to allow more domestic oil drilling, in Alaska and the west. "These are tough times for the American citizens. There is a way forward to help relieve some of the pressure on their pocketbooks." Also says rebate checks have had a positive impact. Permalink

McCain's Coffee Break

The presumptive GOP nominee swings by a family-owned coffee and sandwich stop in Hudson, Wisconsin to chat with women business owners ahead of midday event. McCain also seems to not notice the two (almost) life-sized cutouts of McCain and Reagan at the establishment's entrance. Read pool report here. Permalink

VEEPSTAKES POTPOURRI

--Sen. Dodd says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are "fundamentally strong" and Americans shouldn't panic. --McCain praises Gov. Pawlenty, saying he "is a wonderful person. He's the next generation of leadership in this country." --John Edwards continues his anti-poverty tour, says in New Jersey that raising the minimum wage could cut poverty in half. —Gov. Sebelius warns against overhyping clean coal. Permalink

Merkel to Obama: We Can Work it Out

After initially expressing unease at a possible Obama speech at Berlin's historic Brandenburg Gate, the German Chancellor's spokesman says she's willing to compromise. "We are confident that we will reach a mutual and good solution which does justice to the interests of all involved." Plus: Politico (with readers' translation help) rounds up reports on Bush administration opposition to the idea, as well as local pushback. Permalink