Archive - July 24, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

McCain Cracks on Obama at LIVESTRONG Summit

The presumptive GOP nominee takes a swipe at his opponent (and the media) while praising the the intro from frequent Tour de France champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. "...Tomorrow his tour takes him to France. In a scene Lance would recognize, a throng of adoring fans awaits Senator Obama in Paris – and that’s just the American press." McCain also discusses his health care agenda at the town hall in Columbus, Ohio. The focus of the town hall was cancer. Read prepared remarks here. Following the event, McCain and Armstrong hold a joint presser. Plus: Oft-mentioned Veep contender Rob Portman joins McCain for the event. Permalink

McCain to Man the Grill for Allies, Supporters

The Senator will will host about 75 at one of his trademark Sedona barbecues Saturday. Attendees will be briefed by senior advisers, including campaign manager Davis. Permalink

Sen. Hagel on the Surge: "Quit Talking About That"

Back from Iraq, the Nebraska Senator says both candidates should stop squabbling over who supported the surge and whether it worked. "We're done with that. How are we going to project forward?" "What are we going to do for the next four years to protect the interest of America and our allies....?" "That's what America needs to hear from these two candidates." Plus: Sen. Reed says Iraq's government must "start delivering." Permalink

McCain: Obama "Doesn't Understand the Consequences of Failure in Iraq"

The Arizonan goes on the attack in his interview with NBC News, suggests his rival doesn’t understand the stakes in the Middle East. "It's America's national security that's involved here...this is not just another political issue." Watch video clip above. Earlier: Obama tells NBC he was "disappointed" to hear McCain's claim that he cares more about winning the election than winning the war in Iraq. Get details here. Permalink

Secret Service Asks for More Money

The federal protection service have requested an extra $9.5 million to cover unexpected costs of covering the presidential candidates. The additional funds would be used to cover candidates' international travel and Obama decision to accept the nomination in an open-air, 76,000-seat sports stadium in Denver. Permalink

Thames Walking

Londoners, courtesy of TIME, show off their posh knowledge -- and ignorance -- regarding Mr. Obama, before his visit there Saturday. Click above to watch. Permalink

Inmate Makes Obama Appeal Before Execution

Jackson Clarion Ledger: A Mississippi death row inmate's final words included a push for Americans to vote Obama in the fall. "...Our best bet is to vote for Barack Obama because his supporters have been working behind the scenes to end this practice." The inmate was convicted in 2000 of participating in the murder of a man who was beaten to death with a claw hammer. Permalink

"People of the World – Look at Berlin"

The presumptive Democratic nominee uses his highly-anticipated speech at Berlin's Victory Column to outline pressing world problems, call for transatlantic unity. Local police estimate the crowd exceeded 200,000 people. Watch video above. Read prepared remarks here. PHOTOS: See gallery of Obama’s visit to Germany here. MCCAIN CAMP RESPONSE: Says while Obama "took a premature victory lap" in Berlin, McCain continued to make his case to American voters. Read it here. Permalink

National Pastime

Could there be an all-Chicago World Series, and what impact would that have on the presidential race? Read Mark Halperin’s Fall Classic speculation from the new issue of TIME here. Permalink

Poll: Candidates Neck And Neck

From Fox News/Opinion Dynamics: Obama 41, McCain 40 Read more here. Plus: Who do you think will win in November? Obama 51, McCain 27, Depends/unsure 22 Dates conducted: July 22-23; Error margin: 3 points. To compare with last month's results -- click here. Permalink

McCain Swings By German Restaurant to Target Obama

As his rival tours Berlin, the presumptive GOP nominee recreates his own German setting to take his opponent to task. He tells reporters outside a Columbus, Ohio German restaurant he'd love to give a speech in Germany. "But I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for president." Watch video above. Followed by pointing out he was devoting this week to campaigning across the nation's heartland. Permalink

McCain Camp: It's Never "Inappropriate" to Visit Troops

Spokesman Brian Rogers responds to Obama's spokesman, who says they canceled a stop at a U.S. military base in Germany because "it would be inappropriate" as part of a trip funded by the campaign. “Barack Obama is wrong. It is never ‘inappropriate’ to visit our men and women in the military.” Obama was set to visit the Rammstein and Landstuhl U.S. military bases in the southwest Germany on Friday. Permalink

Election Commission Recruiting 2 Million Poll Workers

Election Assistance Commission is seeking additional help for what it anticipates will be "historically high voter turnout" in November. Also working on getting extra ballots and voting machines. Permalink

Obama to Italians: Don't Feel Left Out

A sweatsuit-clad Senator assures an Italian reporter he loves her country, too -- even though he's skipping it this week. Click above to watch. "It's my favorite -- it's just a wonderful place." Permalink

Obama: I'm "Disappointed" by McCain's Recent Attacks

Speaking to NBC's Brian Williams in Germany, the presumptive Democratic nominee responds to McCain's claim he cares more about winning the election than winning the war in Iraq. “I was disappointed by that language...for him to suggest that I don’t, for him to suggest that I’m somehow less concerned about the safety of my wife and my daughter, was unfortunate.” Watch video clip above. Read more excerpts here. The full interview will air on "Nightly News" at 6:30 pm ET. Permalink