Archive - July 29, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Mayo Clinic: No Cancer Recurrence for McCain

Doctors say the piece of skin removed from the Senator's temple Monday does not show evidence of cancer. "No further treatment is necessary." Read full statement. McCain has survived three bouts of melanoma. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

Politics led ABC and NBC. All three programs gave heavy coverage to McCain ad invoking Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. ABC: Led with the presidential campaign "getting nasty." Recapped blizzard of attack memos and charges between campaigns, highlighting McCain ad comparing Obama to "empty celebrities" Spears and Hilton and Obama response ad. Report also mentioned GOP concerns about McCain's tone. Stephanopoulos said the McCain team is working to define Obama before Obama can define himself. CBS: Led with falling gas prices. Six minutes in, ran piece on "air war" between McCain and Obama. Covered McCain ad that "turned [Obama's] celebrity against him" and reported that Obama "took the high road" in responding. Also ran preview of Obama ad "Low Road." NBC: Led with McCain celebrity ad. Described it as an attempt at "defining the opponent" that could have "some backlash." Covered Obama camp's various responses and previewed "Low Road" ad. Chuck Todd gave his take on the veepstakes and said it is "possible that Obama announces next week." Permalink

Sen. Stevens: Indictment "Saddens Me"

The Alaska Republican issues a statement denying wrongdoing following his indictment on seven criminal counts related to allegedly accepting $250,000 in unreported gifts. "It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. senator." Full statement here. Also says he has "temporarily relinquished" his leadership positions in the Senate. The charges against the 84-year-old relate to improvement work performed on his Alaska home. Permalink

Obama Chats With Pakistani Prime Minister

The Senator plays nice with PM Gilani in D.C. Tuesday, according to a campaign statement, despite some tough talk about the country in the past. Statement: "Pakistan is an extremely important partner to the United States, and we covered a number of issues vital to the security of both our nations." Says they discussed terrorism, Afghanistan, curbing nuclear weapons, human right, among other things. Permalink

MOTOWN MATCH-UP

Obama goes on the air in several swing states with a response ad to McCain's commercial suggesting that Obama is responsible for high gas prices. Click above to watch. "John McCain is blaming Barack Obama for gas prices? The same old politics. Barack Obama thinks high gas prices deserve serious answers and a serious plan." Permalink

Obama: No One Looks Like a "Typical American"

The Senator praises America's multi-ethnic identity at a DC fundraiser for Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. "I have a sister who is half Indonesian, who is married to a Chinese Canadian. I don’t know what that makes my niece.” Adds: "One of the things that sets this country apart is that there is no one who looks like a typical American.” Permalink

Kaine Stays Coy on Veep Talk

The Virginia governor denies he has a "secret meeting" with Obama Tuesday, refuses to answer questions about being vetted on D.C. radio. Watch video above. "It's flattering to be mentioned. My mom loves it, she calls when she sees it." Plus: Kaine cancels Wednesday night appearance at a Maryland fundraiser. And: Obama visits veep vetter Holder's office for the second day in a row. Permalink

Obama Talks Housing Crisis With Paulson

The Senator chats with the treasury chief about the mortgage crisis and what the government is doing to revive the economy. Obama spoke to Paulson via phone en route to a meeting with Pakistan's prime minister. He later met with Fed Chair Bernanke. Permalink

Axelrod Indignant About McCain Ad

Obama's chief strategist chastises McCain on MSNBC for his TV ad calling Obama a celebrity and flashing images of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. "It makes you wonder who's behind all this because this isn't the John McCain we expected." Watch video above. To watch McCain's "Celeb" ad click here, and read script here. Campaign leaders Davis, Schmidt echo the message on afternoon media call. Rick Davis: "I think there's an expectation that the American people, not the French president, will decide who the next president is going to be." Listen to the call here. Obama team fires back with statement riffing on the Britney Spears theme. Read it here. Plus: Former McCain aide Weaver dismisses the ad as "childish," adding, "For McCain's sake, this tomfoolery needs to stop." Permalink

McCain Touts His Record in Nevada

The presumptive GOP nominee holds a town hall meeting in Sparks, Nevada Tuesday afternoon. He puts the focus on his personal service and voting record, saying he has proved himself to be independent from partisan politics. "My independence hasn't always made me friends in Washington.... It's hard to do the Lord's work in the City of Satan." Hits Obama on Iraq, taxes, energy, government spending. Also answers questions from the audience on everything from immigration to stem-cell research. Permalink

Aide: Sen. Thune Not Being Vetted

Spokesman Kyle Downey tells TIME the South Dakota Republican "is not aware of being vetted. He has not been asked to turn over tax records, etc." The first-term Senator had been featured prominently on some media lists as a possible McCain running mate. Permalink

AFL-CIO Mailer Tries to Dispel Obama Myths

The union federation targets working-class, swing union voters in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to help voters get "a clear understanding" of who Obama is with two new mailers. One answers questions on his patriotism, religion, U.S. heritage and the other features worker testimonials on his record. Permalink

Laura Bush: Afghan Work Unfinished

The First Lady tells Fox News she hopes to pursue humanitarian and diplomatic work in Afghanistan after her husband leaves office. She adds that whomever the next president is, she's not worried about the U.S. losing focus on the Mideast nation. "I know that, no matter who's elected president in November and is inaugurated next January, that the United States will keep its commitment." More excerpts here. Permalink

Michelle Obama — Fashion Icon

For the second consecutive year, the potential first lady is named to Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List. Obama is joined on the list by host of celebrities, including Brad Pitt, Kanye West, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more. Permalink

NYET!!

A senior Russian official brushes off McCain's recent criticism of the country. "Let him first become the U.S. president, and then we will listen attentively to him." McCain has called for Russia to be expelled from the G-8 for falling short of democracy standards. Speaking of Russia-U.S. ties in general he adds "Everything is fine until we are told how to behave..." Permalink