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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 31st, 2008
Williams, Gibson, Couric to the Gulf
Anchors Brian Williams of NBC, ABC's Charles Gibson and Katie Couric of CBS head to the Gulf region. Tom Brokaw to hold down the St. Paul fort for NBC News. Read their release. Permalink
Obama, Biden Adjust to Life on the Trail
The Democratic ticket brings their "Change" tour to Michigan Sunday night, talking about their plans for making life easier for struggling workers. Plus: NY Times and Politico reflect on how the weekend offered Obama and Biden one of their first opportunities to spend an extended period of time settling into their new routine. Permalink
Moscow Warns E.U. on Georgia Ties
Ahead of Monday's emergency E.U. summit on the Georgian crisis, Russia's Foreign Minister says further Western support for Georgia's present leadership would be a mistake of historic magnitude. Permalink
Political Storm!!!
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis attacks Obama for attacking during Gustav. "So he attacks us while there's a hurricane going on and John McCain suspends his convention basically. What bigger contrast can you have about putting your country first?" RNC response: "With Americans putting politics aside and preparing for Hurricane Gustav, it’s unfortunate that Barack Obama is continuing to put politics first and attack John McCain and Sarah Palin." Earlier Obama criticized Palin for her position on pay equity. Permalink
McCain Reunited With Sons
Two surprise guests join him while in Mississippi Sunday -- his sons Jack, 21, a midshipman at the Naval Academy, and Jimmy, 20, a Marine. He was reunited at the St. Louis airport, where Cindy McCain took the senator’s arm and excitedly pulled him toward them, and they hugged. Campaign spokeswoman says the sons would be with the family for the convention week. Permalink
Dead Heat
From CNN/Opinion Research Center: Obama 49, McCain 48 Gov. Palin's approval: 38%, with 21% unfavorable and 41% never heard of her or have no opinion. First poll with both tickets complete. Conducted Aug. 29-31, much of it over a weekend, when pollsters usually do not take surveys. Error margin: 3 points. Read more from the poll here. Permalink
Monday's Limited RNC Schedule
All Eastern Time: 6:30 pm: Laura Bush, Cindy McCain speak briefly with delegations 6:30 pm: Close of session (approximate) Permalink
"He's Eating Our Appetizers"
Obama swings by a Hamilton, Indiana restautant with Biden-- and promptly digs into someone else's food. But the other patron at Pier 32 doesn't mind: "God’s made it this way," she says. Read pool report here. Permalink
****PRIMETIME MONDAY OFF****
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis says at afternoon presser that there will be no speakers, just essential business to be conducted in St. Paul. Davis tells media briefing that Tuesday-Thursday programs are TBD. Says he'd like to encourage speakers to continue to participate as if they were going to be on the stage that night. Would like to get all scheduled speakers to deliver remarks at some point. Convention will open on its regularly scheduled time around 4 pm ET Monday and last until about 6:30 pm ET. He adds the GOP will "do what we are required to do." "Tomorrow's program will be business only and will refrain from political rhetoric." Also commits to having a daily midday briefing session with the press, they'll try to constitute "as much of a program as events allow us to do." Permalink
McCain Addresses St. Paul Press Conference by Video
The Arizonan provides an update on the convention preparations for and response to Gustav. Watch video above. "I have every expectation that we will not see the mistakes of Katrina repeated." "We're going to suspend most of our activities tomorrow except for those absolutely necessary." "I hope and pray we will be able to resume some of our normal operations as soon as possible, but that, frankly, is in the hands of God." Permalink
McCain Doesn't Rule Out Satellite Convention Speech
The Arizonan tells NBC News' Brian Williams that they're "jamming, you know, all possibilities and all scenarios" on how to alter the GOP convention due to Hurricane Gustav. Doesn't shoot down the possibility of delivering his nomination speech via satellite from the Gulf Coast region. "I hope that by that time we will have had significant recovery efforts– in movement and– but I– we’ll have to just really judge it day by day. But for now, everything political on hold." More excerpts here. Permalink
McCain Orders Convention Changes Because of Gustav
McCain says while in Mississippi Sunday with his wife and VP Sarah Palin the GOP will "redirect our efforts" at the convention to reflect the seriousness of Hurricane Gustav. "I pledge that tomorrow night, and if necessary throughout our convention, we will act as Americans and not as Republicans because America needs us now." He did not give specifics. McCain official says the campaign has chartered planes to get Louisiana and Mississippi delegations back home. Statement came after the three toured the emergency management center in Mississippi, a state that could be hit hard by the approaching storm. Read pool reports here and here. Plus: The Democrats cancel their afternoon media welcome reception in St. Paul saying their thoughts and prayers are with the families in the Gulf region. Permalink
Rev. Wright Returns
Obama's former pastor speaks glowingly of Obama while preaching at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston Sunday, goes on a riff including references of racial injustices. "This ordinary boy just might be the first president in the history of the United States to have a black woman sleeping at 1600 Pennsylvania, legally." , 1:45 PM
Obama to Ask Donors to Help Gustav Victims
The Land of Lincolner says in a brief availability Sunday he'll tap his huge network of donors, volunteers to help with the hurricane after it comes inland. "I think we can get tons of volunteers to travel down there, if it becomes necessary," he tells reporters after attending church in Lima, Ohio. He says he'll first ask officials in the affected areas what is most needed, which may not be known for a few days. Read transcript here. Read pool reports of church visit here and here. Before church, Obama spoke with Louisiana Lt. Gov. Landrieu. He'll talk with Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff shortly. Permalink
BUSH PLANS GUSTAV TRIP TO TEXAS MONDAY
The President says in an address at FEMA headquarters that he'll be skiping the GOP convention to travel to Texas to meet with emergency workers and hurricane evacuees. "In a storm of this size there is serious risk of significant flooding..know that the American people stand with you and that we'll face this emergency together." Bush adds he'll hold off traveling to Louisiana because he doesn't want to get in the way of emergency personnel. Watch video here. Cheney also expected to not attend the convention, Laura Bush is still scheduled to speak. Permalink
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