The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 11th, 2008
The Bushes at The Olympics
WashPost reports on how President Bush wasn't able to just take in "The Greatest Show on Earth" but needed to pay attention to the outbreak of war between Russia and Georgia. And the Post also sits down with Bush 41 in China to discuss the subject of personal diplomacy. Plus: Bush talks to NBC Sports' Bob Costas Sunday evening on his experiences at the Olympic Games. Transcript here. The first couple arrives back at the White House Monday evening. Permalink
Putin Assails U.S. Over Georgia Conflict
Russia's Prime Minister says Monday the U.S.'s decision to airlift Georgian troops from Iraq will hamper efforts to solve the conflict. The U.S. military is flying 2,000 Georgian troops home from Iraq after Georgia recalled them. Georgian leaders pleaded for a cease-fire Sunday. Russia says it's not observing its cease-fire pledge. Plus: TIME writes on what will shape Russia's plans in Georgia. Permalink
Pro-Obama 527 Plans to Spend $10 Mil for Election
Politico: PowerPAC.org, a Democratic-leaning California group, is launching a voter registration drive in the African-American south and a media campaign targeting Hispanics in the West. Permalink
Bush Calls Russia's Invasion "Unacceptable in the 21st Century"
In his strongest statement yet, Bush warns Russia to "reverse the course it appears to be on" and abandon any plans to overthrow Georgia's pro-American government. Bush says reports that Russia may potentially bomb Tbilisi's airport and seek to depose Georgia's President "would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation" of hostilities. Read full statement. Permalink
Sebelius Lays Out Convention's Nightly Schedule
The Kansas Gov. and often-mentioned Obama veep candidate announces the convention's overall theme will be "America's Town Hall" with each night having a focus and time for voters' pre-submitted questions. Monday: Theme is "One Nation" where headliner Michelle Obama will speak about America being at a crossroads. Tuesday: Theme is "Renewing America's Promise," where headliner Hillary Clinton will speak on economic challenges and issues related to the working class. Wednesday: Theme is "Securing America's Future" where the vice presidential pick will discuss veterans' issues. Obama will accept the nomination in a speech at Invesco Field Thursday. Campaign says that more information on additional speakers will be released later in the week. * * * * * Get The Page delivered to your inbox. Sign up for TIME's daily political newsletter here. Permalink
Obama: "No Possible Justification" for Russian Offensive
The Senator interrupts his Hawaiian vacation to weigh in on the growing conflict in Georgia. Read his statement. "I reiterate my call for Russia to stop its bombing campaign, to stop flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and to withdraw its ground forces from Georgia." Calls for economic and humanitarian assistance for Georgia. Also reads the statement on-camera. Plus: For McCain's latest response, click here. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC and CBS led with the escalating military conflict in Georgia; NBC led with the Olympics. ABC: About 10 minutes in, package on the Atlantic magazine's report about Mark Penn's memos supposedly recommending that Clinton emphasize Obama's unusual youth and background. Did not include a response from Penn. Mentioned that an independent conservative group is recording video in Indonesia for potential future use. CBS: About five minutes in, Campaign Notebook mentioned the candidates' statements condemning Russia and Obama's new ad hitting back on the "celebrity" claim. Later, Katie Couric interviewed Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, jokingly called the most powerful woman in Chicago after Oprah Winfrey. NBC: Live from Tiananmen Square, recapped the history behind the famous landmark, then turned to Russia-Georgia conflict. Fifteen minutes in covered Edwards’ affair, highlighting additional questions popping up about the length of the affair, when his wife found out and money allegedly given to Rielle Hunter to keep things quiet. Bulk of broadcast spent on Olympics, Chinese culture. Permalink
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