The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from July 15th, 2008
Obama Team Jumps on Multiple McCain Comments
E-mail from Obama communications chief Gibbs slams McCain for allegedly changing his position on gay adoption, supposedly adopting Obama's position on troops in Afghanistan, referring to Czechoslovakia and more. Read his message, entitled "John McCain's Day"-- click here. McCain camp hits back, highlights reports that the Obama camp scrubbed its Web site of criticims of the surge. "Guess it wasn’t just the media and the McCain campaign fueling those flip-flopper charges — Obama might want to have a sit-down with his web guys." Read statement here. Permalink
Obama on New Yorker Cover: "It's a Cartoon...I've Seen and Heard Worse"
The presumptive Democratic nominee downplays the controversial magazine cover drawing a lot of attention this week in a CNN "Larry King Live" interview. In his first extended reaction to the cover, Obama dismisses the artwork, saying "that's why we've got the First Amendment," but does note it could keep rumors swirling. "I do think that, you know, in attempting to satirize something, they probably fueled some misconceptions about me instead. But, you know, that was their editorial judgment." Read full transcript here. Permalink
New NY Times/CBS News Poll
Obama 45, McCain 39 Dates conducted: July 7-14. Error margin: 3 points. Early excerpts of the poll showed Americans are split on Iraq. Read more -- including how approval of the war breaks down by party -- here. Permalink
Obama Acknowledges "Shift in Emphasis" on Issues
The Senator tells PBS' Gwen Ifill he has shifted his focus on issues like faith-based initiatives and campaign finance. But he says they pale compared to McCain's changes on oil drilling, tax cuts and immigration. "I think is a pretty hard case to make that somehow I’ve been shifting substantially relative to John McCain." Read excerpts here or Watch video above. Also says McCain insists on arguing about "tactics" in Iraq, and says he opposes a major government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Permalink
New ABC News/WashPost Poll
Obama 50, McCain 42 Obama favored on the economy, the deficit and immigration. McCain considered more knowledgeable in world affairs, better prepared for military leadership, better able to handle "an unexpected major crisis." Dates conducted: July 10-13. Error margin: 3 points. For more details-- click here. Permalink
McCain Disputes Spokeswoman's Claim About Obama Trip
The candidate tells reporters on his campaign bus he disagrees with his communications director, Jill Hazelbaker, that Obama's coming overseas trip is merely a "giant photo opportunity" and "campaign rally." Says he will speak with Hazelbaker about her talking points, also urges Obama to speak with the troops while in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hazelbaker on Fox News: “Let’s drop the pretense that this is a fact-finding trip and call it what it is: the first-of-its-kind campaign rally overseas.” Watch video. Made similar comments on MSNBC. Permalink
Reed: Iraq Trip More About "Details" Than Strategy
The Rhode Island Senator accompanying Obama to the Mideast tells MSNBC their trip to Iraq isn't intended to develop strategy, but to give them "a sense of what's going on." "This trip will provide details, but I think his strategic vision is sound." Watch video above. Permalink
McCain: "Today We Know Senator Obama Was Wrong"
McCain responds to Obama's national security speech during a town hall in Albuquerque. Watch video above. He highlights the success of the surge (and Obama's opposition to it), says the troop increase strategies used in Iraq should also be applied to Afghanistan. Also knocks Obama for presenting a new Middle East strategy before his upcoming trip there. Adds he knows more than Obama about "how to win wars." Read full transcript of remarks here. Refers to "Czechoslovakia" for the second day in a row. Permalink
Obama: Iraq "Distracts Us" From Afghanistan
The Illinois Senator delivers his major policy address on Iraq and national security at the International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. He criticizes McCain's and Bush's focus on Iraq as opposed to putting more resources to fight the war in Afghanistan. "This is a war that we have to win." Watch video above. Read full transcript here or watch full speech here. Speech sets the stage for his upcoming Middle East trip. Permalink
Bush: "I Understand There's a Lot of Nervousness"
The President begins morning presser with statement on the economy, calling it "basically sound," followed by questions from the media. "I'm not an economist, but I do believe that we're growing... It's not growing the way it should, and I'm sorry people are paying as high gas prices as they are." Also touches on Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Zimbabwe, Sudan, free trade and more. Read full transcript here. Permalink
Battleground Blitz
--McCain camp puts Sen. Kit Bond in charge of Missouri effort. --Obama's sister plans to hold women-focused events in Florida. Read statement here. --McCain announces plans for more town halls in New Hampshire. Permalink
DeMint Urges Afghanistan Hearing in Letter to Obama
The Republican South Carolina Senator pens note to the Illinois Senator pushing him to hold a congressional hearing on NATO's role in Afghanistan. Read full letter here. DeMint is the ranking member and Obama is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs. Plus: On McCain media call DeMint explains he wrote it because he's concerned about Afghanistan. "I'm calling on Senator Obama to work with me to act decisively." Permalink
Lieberman, Biden Defend Respective Candidates on Iraq
The senators go on the offensive in support of their respective nominee's Iraq policy at the Center for U.S. Global Engagement conference Tuesday. Lieberman: "Senator Obama and those who agreed with him were wrong." McCain "will not make the mistake of forgetting history, or indulging in the illusion that America can turn inward from the problems of the world." Biden: McCain's strategy is "playing into Al- Qaeda’s hands." "If we’re smart we’ll move away from the military pre-emption strategy to the military prevention policy Barack Obama has proposed.” Permalink
Bernanke: Economy Faces "Numerous Difficulties"
Speaking to Congress, the Fed chair predicts slower economic growth for at least the rest of this year. Plus: General Motors announces it will cut several thousand salaried jobs and further cut truck production. OBAMA RESPONDS: Cuts are "a sober reminder of the difficult economic times we’re facing and of why we need change and a new direction in Washington." Read more here. Meanwhile: Labor Department reports wholesale inflation is worst in 27 years. Permalink
New Obama Spot Focuses on Nuclear Threats
The Illinois Senator releases a TV ad highlighting his work with Indiana Sen. Lugar to curb smuggling of loose nuclear weapons. Ad released immediately before major national security speech. "The single most important national security threat that we face... is nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists." Watch ad above. Read script here. The ad targets the same 18 states as his first few general election spots, including traditionally Red Alaska, North Carolina, Georgia. Plus: Lugar later call the ad "accurate" when asked by the press. Permalink
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