The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 4th, 2008
Bikers Roar for McCain at Giant Rally
The Arizonan is greeted by thousands of motorcyclists Monday night at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, something of an annual bikers' Woodstock. McCain tells the crowd: "As you may know, not long ago a couple hundred thousand Berliners made a lot of noise for my opponent. I'll take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day." The rally features nine nights of entertainment, with bands including Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon. Permalink
Harry Connick Jr. Serenades the Birthday Boy
The crooner sings "Happy Birthday" to the Senator in front of 850 of his closest friends at the Boston fundraiser birthday bash Monday evening. The event takes place in the swank State Room near Faneuil Hall and draws close to $5 mil for Obama and the Democratic Party. Plus: Obama's national trip director spends the day searching for the candidate's present from some of his aides that he left in a Chicago taxicab Sunday night. Permalink
Bill Clinton: Obama Will Win
In a segment of his ABC interview aired on "World News," the former president says he plans to campaign for Obama and says: "I think he should win, and I think he will win." But sidesteps question about whether Obama is qualified, saying "the Constitution sets qualifications for the president." Also says he doesn't worry if he hurt his legacy during the campaign. "I think in 100 years it will be whatever it will be. And I won't be here, and I won't care." Earlier: Clinton forcefully denies making racially-loaded comments during his wife's battle with Obama. Click above to watch. Also has some tough words for Rep. Clyburn -- click here to read more. Permalink
President Bush Praises Sen. Stevens
En route to Asia, the two met at a military base in Stevens's state of Alsaka, where Bush warmly praised the Senate's longest-serving Republican. "The United States military has had no better supporter and stronger friend than Senator Ted Stevens." Permalink
CHENEY UNCONVENTIONAL
American Spectator reports the vice president will skip next month's GOP convention. He might hurt McCain's goal of wooing independents and women, the magazine's Web site says. Plus, they "famously do not get along." Permalink
Ebony's Leading Lady
The mag fronts their Michelle Obama profile where she discusses her marriage, fashion sense and balancing motherhood and work. "Barack and I -- as partners, as friends and as lovers -- we accessorize each other in many ways." Ebony also snags an interview with Michelle Obama's mother where she discusses her daughter's childhood and potential future as First Lady. Hits newsstands August 12. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Led with Chicago tornado. Seven minutes in, covered candidates "pounding away at each other" over energy. Recapped McCain “ridiculing” Obama’s plan at a nuclear power plant and Obama “firing back” during Ohio town halls. CBS: Led with dropping oil and gas prices. Covered back-and-forth over energy, including McCain's "Maverick" ad and nuclear plant visit. Recapped Obama town halls in Ohio, mentioned the Pledge of Allegiance heckler. Jeff Greenfield reported on "wounded" Clinton supporters, counted Bill Clinton in that group. NBC: Led with debate over prostate cancer screening, turned to energy battle. Covered Obama tying McCain to Cheney and McCain highlighting Obama's vote for Bush-Cheney energy bill. Said both candidates have "shifted with the political winds" on energy proposals. Permalink
Tea Leaf In Boston Harbor
7NEWS/Suffolk University poll of Massachusetts voters: Obama 47, McCain 38 In June's poll, Obama was ahead by 23 points. Read more -- including which demographics made a dramatic shift -- here. Dates conducted: July 31-August 3. Error margin: 4.9 points. Permalink
McCain: "We Need to Drill Here and We Need to Drill Now"
The Arizonan speaks to reporters after touring the National Label Company in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, advocates using an "all of the above" approach to solve the energy crisis. "Anybody who says that we can achieve energy independence without using and increasing these existing energy resources either doesn't have the experience to understand the challenge that we face or isn't giving the American people some straight talk." Says Obama should call on Congress to return from their vacation and deal with the energy problem now. Watch video here. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Led with drop in energy prices, transitioning into the energy debate on the trail, saying some of the attacks are "not really honest." Report called Obama's plan to cut the need for Mideast oil "bold, perhaps unrealistic." Noted his "shifts" on drilling and tapping the Strategic Oil Reserve, and said he's taken donations from the same industries he links with McCain. Tweaked Obama for claiming McCain wants to give massive giveaways to the oil companies, but defended Obama on "tire gauge" flap, saying tire inflation does make a difference. Aired more of Bill Clinton interview from Africa. CBS: Led with high energy prices, transitioned into package on candidates' energy policies. Covered Obama's address in Michigan and McCain's appearance in Pennsylvania. Also outlined details of new Obama plan, noting "two major policy shifts" in considering offshore drilling and tapping the Strategic Oil Reserve. Mentioned gag tire gauges from the McCain campaign. NBC: Led with Texas' heat/hurricane trouble. Then, mentioned falling oil prices, noted both candidates' energy talk. Said Obama was "refining a couple of key positions on oil supplies," noted his willingness to compromise on offshore drilling. Said McCain criticized Obama's opposition on nuclear power, adding he'll visit a nuclear power plant Tuesday. Permalink
In New Position, Obama Backs Tapping Oil Reserves
Speaking in Lansing, Michigan, the Senator proposes a "swap" from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve -- releasing light oil now and replacing it with heavier crude oil "later." Watch video above. In the past, Obama has said he opposes using the reserve absent a "genuine emergency." He also sets benchmarks for reducing the nation's energy consumption, outlines goals for increasing energy efficiency in buildings. Read his prepared remarks, and read a plan factsheet. McCain camp responds here. Permalink
Robert Novak Retires After "Dire" Prognosis
The Beltway journalist and self-described "Prince of Darkness" retires his column following's last month's brain cancer diagnosis. Novak says his prognosis is "dire," plans to treat the cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. Novak, 77, began reporting from Washington in 1957. He will be treated at the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C. Permalink
The Singing Auditon of a Cantor
Part spin session, part veep audition as Virginia Congressman Cantor hosts a McCain media call to attack Obama's energy policy. "The proof is in the pudding because it doesn't sound to me like he is fighting forcefully for an issue that is important to the American people..." Refuses to answer questions about him being a potential Veep candidate. Listen to the call here. Permalink
Both Sides Inflate Tire Pressure Battle
The Obama team defends the Democrat's call for drivers to properly inflate their tires in order to conserve gas. Campaign e-mails reporters a favorable story from NASCAR.com and notes that the Department of Energy makes the same recommendation. Mentions that GOP Govs. Crist and Schwarzenegger have made similar calls. Meanwhile, top McCain aide Salter, "practically giddy," hands out tire gauges to reporters aboard McCain's campaign plane. And campaign topper Davis uses the spat in a fund-raising e-mail:"I'm asking for your help in putting Senator Obama's 'tire gauge' energy policy to the test. With an immediate donation of $25 or more, we will send you an 'Obama Energy Plan' tire pressure gauge." Earlier: The RNC says it will deliver gauges reading "Obama's energy plan" to Washington newsrooms. Permalink
Kennedy Tapes Convention Message
The ailing political icon records a five-minute video at his home on Cape Cod to be played in Denver. Kennedy is recovering from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment for brain cancer. Videotape suggests he may not attend the convention. Permalink
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