Archive - August 2, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Another McCain Jab: Appears Town Halls Are "Beneath a Worldwide Celebrity"

McCain campaign statement keeps up its "celebrity" attacks against Obama. "We understand it might be beneath a worldwide celebrity of Barack Obama’s magnitude to appear at town hall meetings alongside John McCain...." Read full statement. Response to letter from Obama's campaign manager agreeing to three debates, but backing off from more. Read the letter here. Obama designates Rep. Emanuel to work out details with the commission and McCain camp. Permalink

Obama Addresses National Urban League

The Senator addresses the group in Orlando, says he'd put his ideas up against McCain's "any day." Read his prepared remarks. Pounds McCain on several topics, including education and economic policy, but says: "I’m not going to assault Senator McCain’s character. I’m not going to compare him to pop stars." Permalink

Gov. Pawlenty Mocks Obama With Tire Gauge

The Minnesota governor -- and possible McCain VP -- lampoons Obama's call for Americans to conserve gas by inflating their tires. In Iowa, holds up gauge and says: "It will very mildly add to your fuel efficiency, but checking the air pressure in your tires is not an energy policy for the United States of America." Also calls supporting Obama "the political equivalent of bungee jumping." Permalink

Obama Wants McCain As "Loyal Opposition -- In the Minority"

The Senator makes the comment about his opponent during a Q&A at a town hall in Titusville, Florida. Speaking near the Kennedy Space Center, also talks up the space program. Read his prepared remarks, and get the play-by-play. McCain supporter spotted outside with sign reading: "Titusville welcomes the Messiah." Permalink

AP: McCain, NY Times Animus Deepens

The wire service says this week's critical editorial is the latest battle in a long war. Permalink

Obama: McCain Team Cynical, Not Racist

Speaking to reporters in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Senator says his opponents are "clever at creating distractions." "They're very good at negative campaigning-- they're not so good at governing." Referring to his "dollar bill" comments, adds -- "In no way do I think John McCain's campaign was racist. I think they are cynical." McCain response: "The only ‘cynical’ candidate in this election is Barack Obama...." Read full statement. Permalink

Democratic Platform Writers Hear From Members

The 20 members of the drafting committee hear from rank-and-file party members in Cleveland, many experiencing financial trouble. , 8:45 AM

New Country Tribute: "We're All Just Raising McCain"

Country star John Rich sings a new anthem honoring the Republican candidate in Florida. Click above to watch. "Raising McCain" honors his POW service: "He stayed strong, stayed extra long til they let all the other boys out. Now we've got a real man with an American plan...." Watch amateur video of the Senator addressing the audience. (Begins at 1:25). Permalink

Pollsters' Elusive Goal: Honesty

Experts seek new ways to get at the truth, especially when it comes to race. Zogby asks respondents if they've been to a dinner party with a black person. ABC now tracks race of interviewer. Peter Hart: "This election is exceptionally tricky." Permalink

McCain Receives $1.7 Million From Lobbyists

That total, for the first half of 2008, equals less than 2% of the candidate's total contributions. Obama collected about $50,000, though he has a policy of not accepting donations from lobbyists. Overall, registered lobbyists gave $140 million to political campaigns, divided equally between parties. Permalink

Plouffe: McCain Camp Heading "Into the Gutter"

In a video message to supporters, Obama's campaign manager says McCain's attacks are backfiring with voters. Click above to watch. "While John McCain may want to make this campaign about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, you want to make it about our future." Says some 200,000 people donated last week, including 100,000 on Thursday alone. Permalink

McCain: "People Aren't Just Choosing a Motivational Speaker"

The Republican spanks Obama over energy, tax hikes, earmarks and more in his weekly radio message. "Washington is full of talented talkers. And Senator Obama is one of the best to come along in quite a while.... But good speeches aren't everything in politics." Read the address here, and listen here. Permalink

Obama Team Tiptoes Around Race Issue

NY Times: The Democrat's campaign "remained uncharacteristically quiet" about the McCain camp's "race card" allegations, referring to it sparingly. Senior adviser Axelrod: "There is no stake in abetting that strategy. The best we could do is call this and move on." Permalink

Obama Opens Door to Possibility of Offshore Drilling

The Illinois Senator says he might be willing to OK some drilling off Florida's west coast if included in a comprehensive energy bill. Tells Florida reporters: "If... we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage - I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done." McCain response: "It’s clear that members of both parties are following John McCain's leadership" on energy. Read full comment. * * * * * Get The Page delivered to your inbox. Sign up for TIME's daily political newsletter here. Permalink

For Obama, Southern Illinois Offers Clues to the South

The Democrat's campaign hopes his success in rural Illinois can lead to wins in swing states, and even some southern states. Supporter: "One of the traditions in rural culture is to look a guy in the eye and tell him the truth. We can do that for Sen. Obama." Permalink