Archive - July 18, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

McCain, Conan Say Old Jokes Getting Old

The late-night talk show host says the country's getting tired of the old jokes, asks if he has any more embarassing qualities to keep the country entertained. And/But: Conan teases McCain about when they taped the show, saying they had to move it to 5:30 pm because 4:30 pm is when he eats dinner. They also list who would play who in a made-for-TV movie on McCain's vice presidential choice. Program was taped Friday afternoon. He has appeared on the program twice before, in '04 and '05. Get more details here. Permalink

U.S., Iraq Agree to Goals for Troop Cuts

President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki agree to set a "general time horizon" for the further reduction of U.S. combat forces following signs of improved security conditions in the country. McCain statement: "Progress between the United States and Iraq on a time horizon for American troop presence is further evidence that the surge has succeeded." Read it here. Obama statement: "Instead of vague illusions to a ‘general time horizon,’ it’s time to pressure Iraq’s leaders to reach the political accommodation necessary for long-term stability..." Read it here. Permalink

BAM!! POW!!! ZAP!!!

MCCAIN HITS OBAMA HARD IN NEW TV AD Keeps the focus on foreign policy, claiming in the ad that Obama never held Senate hearings on Afghanistan, "hasn't visited Iraq in years" and voted against funding for troops. Watch it above. Read script here. The spot goes into rotation Friday in 11 battleground states and on national cable networks. Obama camp responds: "It's disappointing that Senator McCain has slipped so easily into the same, tired campaign tactics that have become so familiar to the American people." Permalink

McCain (HEARTS) the Romneys

In Detroit Friday McCain throws effusive praise on the entire family, thanking Mitt Romney for standing up for him in recent TV appearances and extending compliments to his wife, Ann. "And I knew Mitt, and I knew what an outstanding individual he is and what a wonderful family person, but I hadn’t had the chance to get to know Ann, who we all know is battling a disease and she is a woman of courage and beauty and grace." Plus: NY Times digs deeper into the mended McCain-Romney relationship. Permalink

Gen. Petraeus: Troop Withdrawal "Depends on Conditions"

The newly promoted commanding general of Iraq, asked in an MSNBC interview whether 16 months is a reasonable time to get U.S. troops out of Iraq, says that it depends on "a lot of different factors." "It depends on the conditions, depends on the missions set, depends on the enemy. The enemy does get a vote and is sometimes an independent variable." Watch it above. Read transcript here. Interview comes ahead of Obama's trip to the Middle East. Permalink

McCain Surrogate Makes Off-Color Remark on Muslims

Fellow ex-POW and former Swift Boater Bud Day says on media call with Florida reporters: “The Muslims have said either we kneel, or they're going to kill us." Listen to audio here. Permalink

McCain: Obama Might Be a Socialist

Candidate tells the Kansas City Star that Obama's Senate record is more extreme than that of socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. Asked if Obama himself is a socialist, replies "I don't know. All I know is his voting record, and that’s what people usually judge their elected representatives by.” Obama spokesman: "This attack is straight out of the Bush-Rove playbook...." Read full response here. Permalink

McCain: Al-Qaeda Will Attempt "Spectacular" Attacks in Iraq

The Senator predicts to Michigan auto workers the terror group will try to launch a major assault in Iraq with "suicide bombers, et cetera" within the next several months. "Would not surprise me, and we’ve already found out that they’re going to try and step up their attacks and try and do things in a more spectacular fashion...." Permalink

McCain Team Issues Faux "Briefing" on Obama's Trip

The Republican's campaign sends reporters traveling with Obama a 16-page document attacking the Democrat on Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and other issues. Front of the packet labeled "Barack Obama Official Travel Briefing," in Obama's typical font and style. Read it here. (PDF) Permalink

Crist Goes Nuclear

The Florida governor tours Areva NC La Hague -- the world's largest nuclear complex -- while traveling in Cedex, France Friday. Crist is on the sixth day of a 10-day business development mission to encourage trade and investment in Florida. Get details here. Permalink

About Bringing Bill Clinton on Board

HALPERIN'S TAKE: Mark Halperin discusses Obama's delicate relationship with the former president and what has to happen for the two to hit the campaign trail on CNN. Click above to find out what he has to say. Permalink

Reports: Obama to Skip Brandenburg Gate

German media say the Democrat will hold a major campaign event at Berlin's Victory Column next Thursday, not the iconic Brandenburg Gate as previously floated. Kennedy and Reagan made landmark speeches before the Brandenburg Gate as president, but Chancellor Merkel reportedly objected to a campaign event there. Permalink

McCain Pushes Electric Car at GM Worker Town Hall

The presumptive GOP nominee promises the auto workers he'd help make the company's long-range electric car a success during an early town hall meeting in Warren, Michigan. "I will do everything in my power that this new experiment, this breakthrough... has every chance of success and that we will make sure that American citizens understand what's happening here." The car -- called the Volt -- is expected to hit the market in 2010. Questions from the audience following opening remarks focused mostly on the economy. Permalink

FIRED UP AND READY TO GO

Dog-bites-man AP-Yahoo News polling data: Obama backers are more fired up and express more loyalty to their candidate than McCain's do. Also finds individual groups backing Obama -- African Americans, Democrats and liberals -- are more enthusiastic than whites, Republicans and conservatives. Permalink