The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 11th, 2008
Candidates' Top Tunes: ABBA, Beach Boys, Kanye, Springsteen
Both list their top 10 songs to Blender magazine in the September issue hitting newsstands Tuesday. Obama's list includes: Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Bruce Springsteen, will.i.am, Fugees, Rolling Stones, U2, Kanye West. McCain's features: Two songs from ABBA, the Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Louis Armstrong, Merle Haggard. Only artist they have in common is Sinatra. Plus: British soul singer Joss Stone is reported to have begun working on a campaign song for Obama. Permalink
Obama to Bikers: Don't Rev Your Engines for McCain
A new radio spot airing in Wisconsin (the home of Harley-Davidson) mocks the Arizonan's remarks to bikers at a rally in South Dakota earlier this month, attacks his voting record. "But when it comes to his record, American-made motorcycles like Harleys don't matter to John McCain." Listen to it here. Permalink
McCain on Ridge: "I'm Proud to Be In His Company"
The Arizonan offers praise for the former Pennsylvania governor on the stump with him while speaking to employees at a GE plant in Erie, Pennsylvania Monday. Says when asked about his plans for his first 90 days in office: "Call Tom Ridge to Washington from whatever vacation he is taking and get him to work." Some say McCain's remark is a subtle suggestion that Ridge won't be his No. 2. Permalink
Obama's Veep to Headline National Security Night at Convention
Kansas Gov. Sebelius lays out the Democratic Convention's nightly themes on morning media call, says Wednesday night -- which Obama's No. 2 keynotes -- will focus on "Securing America's Future." Campaign aide says the theme isn't a hint that Obama's veep pick will have a strong military background. The first three nights in Denver a specific headliner will address pre-submitted questions from voters on a specific theme. More details here. Plus: TIME's Swampland looks at the other key events of the week, and Politco posts the PDF schedule. Permalink
Sen. Byrd Pleads for Honest, Humble President
The nation's longest-serving senator advises the two candidates in latest book "Letter to a New President." He says Obama, McCain should be what Byrd thinks Bush was not, adding they should also seek dissenting opinions, reject the politics of fear and learn from their mistakes. The 90-year-old West Virginia Democrat has been a longtime critic of Bush. Permalink
McCain In the Round
Eschewing the traditional convention backdrop, the Arizonan will accept the nomination next month surrounded by supporters. Aides say McCain looks and feels better with people on all sides, the Atlantic's Ambinder reports. Permalink
Convention Corner
--Brody: Proposed language on abortion in the Democratic platform "could open up the door for some pro-lifers." --NY Times looks at which convention will have better parties. --Obama aide reiterates on media call they believe John and Elizabeth Edwards will both skip the convention. --Denver debates which image to present to the world-- modern city, or history-rich frontier town. Permalink
McCain Scolds Russia in New Statement
He says Monday: "Russian actions, in clear violation of international law, have no place in 21st century Europe." Read his statement here. Calls for a UN resolution condemning Russia and "high-level diplomacy" from the U.S. Secretary of State, among other steps. Calls the conflict "a matter of urgent moral and strategic importance" for the U.S. Plus: Secretary Rice makes 50 phone calls over the weekend seeking to defuse the conflict. Permalink
Two Can Play the Celebrity Game
New TV spot calls McCain "Washington's biggest celebrity." Includes clips of him on "Saturday Night Live," "The View," and Leno and Letterman's shows. The 30-second ad also shows McCain with Bush together repeatedly, accuses his "low-road campaign" of being influenced by special interests. Watch it above. Read script here. The campaign says the ad will begin running on national cable on Tuesday; the size of the media buy is unclear. Permalink
AFL-CIO Flier Slaps McCain on DHL Deal
Mailing sent to 100,000 Ohio households says: "McCain abandoned a community. We deserve better." References air cargo merger that may cost 8,000 Ohio jobs. McCain and his campaign manager helped make the merger possible. Permalink
Battleground Blitz
--Sources say the independent mayor of Linden, New Jersey will endorse McCain Monday afternoon. Permalink
New Obama Book to Focus on Policy
The Land of Lincolner's upcoming book will will focus on policy, including health care, energy, national security. Most will be written by his staff, with a forward penned by the Senator."Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise" hits stores Sept. 9. Permalink
NY Magazine on Race and the Race
Cover package looks at: --Whether Obama's race, rather than perceptions that he's aloof, elite, effete, hurting him in the polls among whites. --If dancing around the race issue affects the campaign. --How children growing up during an Obama presidency would see race in America in a completely different light. --The racial politics of the Obama marriage. Permalink
Strong Strides for Obama in Pennsylvania
Keystone State pollsters and analysts say economic trouble, surge in Democratic registration is giving Obama a substantial lead. Polls show sharp movement toward Obama since the financial crisis exploded. Philadelphia Inquirer: "Some Republicans in the state say privately it is all but impossible for Republican Sen. John McCain to win Pennsylvania." And/but: The McCain camp plans to fight to the end in the Keystone State. Permalink
Ballot Issues May Have Impact on Pres. Race
NY Times: Divisive social issues on state ballots -- including same-sex marraige and abortion -- are attracting more attention than usual from the presidential campaigns. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
